Jackson Defeats the Creeks

On October 4, 1813 General Jackson led a force to attack the Creek Indians in their home territory. Jackson fights a number of battles of with the Creeks. It is a constant battle to keep the militia with him, but he eventually defeats the Creeks

The Creek Indians had continued to be a threat in the South. After the Massacre at FT Mims, a major campaign was planned to eliminate the threat. Leading the campaign was General Andrew Jackson. The plan was to attack from three directions. Like most coordinated attacks during the War of 1812, the plan did not work very well. The campaign stated in November 1813. The initial parts of the campaign did not go as well as planned, but Jackson and the American forces had continuing success against the Creeks. On March 14, Jackson headed south from Fort Strother with 4,000 soldiers and some Indian Allies for what he expected to be a decisive battle with the Creek. Jackson's destination was the Red Stick stronghold called Tohopeka at Horseshoe Bend on the Tallapoosa River. There were 1,000 Indian warriors and three hundred women and children in a fortified settlement at Horseshoe.

On March 27, troops commanded by John Coffee occupied the riverbank opposite the head of the bend. At 10:30 am Jackson gave the order to open cannon fire. The cannon fire had no effect on the Indians. Coffee mounted another diversion, and then Jackson attacked the Indian lines with his main forces. The Indians put up tough resistance but Jackson’s overwhelming force held the opposition at bay. The Indians refused to surrender and by the end of the day nearly 900 Creeks lie dead.