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Pensacola and the Aftermath
of the Creek War
Retreat of the British from Pensacola on the approach of Jackson

"Retreat of the British from Pensacola on the approach of Jackson," ca. 1848
Library Photograph Collection

This engraving was printed in The Pictorial Life of Andrew Jackson (1848).

The international aspects of the War of 1812 were never more evident than in the strained relations between Spain and the United States. The Spanish, allies of England in the war with Napoleon, remained neutral in the war between the British and the Americans. Yet the Spanish policy of supplying Creeks with arms and ammunition through their territories in Florida further strained relations with the Americans on the frontier.

In the summer of 1814 the British began to use West Florida as a launching point for their southern campaign, but failed to take the American post at Fort Bowyer at the mouth of Mobile Bay in September. Andrew Jackson, fresh from his victories in the Creek War, set a plan in motion to expel the British from the Spanish port of Pensacola. On November 7, Jackson captured Pensacola with an overwhelming force, an act that could have set off an international incident. Nevertheless, he succeeded in thwarting British plans to use Pensacola as a base for conducting a land campaign against New Orleans – the ultimate prize in the South.

Cherokees in the Creek War:

 

John Ross

John Ross, from History of the Indian Tribes of North America, with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs by Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall, 1836
Library Holdings



 

John Ross
(1790-1866)

Despite being only one-eighth Cherokee, John Ross rose to a prominent leadership role within the Cherokee Nation. He was raised in the shadows of Lookout Mountain near present-day Chattanooga and attended schools in Kingston and Maryville before partnering with Timothy Meigs (son of U.S. Indian agent Return J. Meigs) in a business venture that supplied goods to the Cherokees during the Creek War. Ross served as adjutant of the Cherokee regiment in the war and was present at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. He became principal chief of the Cherokees in 1828 and fought strenuously against Indian removal.

Major Ridge

Major Ridge, from History of the Indian Tribes of North America, with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs by Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall, 1836
Library Holdings

Major Ridge
(ca. 1771-1839)

Major Ridge, a prominent Cherokee chief and warrior, recruited members of his own tribe as well as allied Creeks to fight in the Creek War. At Horseshoe Bend, he killed six Red Stick warriors. Ridge signed the Treaty of New Echota, which resulted in the Cherokee being removed to Indian Territory. Members of the Treaty Party were blamed for the Trail of Tears and Ridge was executed in 1839 in retaliation by allies of John Ross.

Sequoyah

Sequoyah, from History of the Indian Tribes of North America, with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs by Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall, 1836
Library Holdings

Sequoyah
(ca. 1770-ca. 1843)

Sequoyah was one of nearly 600 Cherokees who volunteered for the Creek War and fought alongside the Tennesseans at Horseshoe Bend. Sequoyah, a blacksmith by trade, created the Cherokee syllabary which allowed the language to be written. He voluntarily moved to Indian Territory and built a home near present day Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

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Treaty of the Hickory Ground

"Treaty of the Hickory Ground," ca. 1851
Library Photograph Collection

This engraving depicts the surrender of William Weatherford (ca. 1781-1824) to Andrew Jackson in April 1814. Weatherford was one of the leaders of the Red Sticks, and he led the assault on Fort Mims in 1813. Weatherford also participated in the Battle of Econochaca and the Battle of Calebee Creek, but he was not present at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The engraving was printed in The American Generals, from the Founding of the Republic to the Present Time (1851).

Muster roll
Pay roll

Muster roll and pay roll for Major William Russell's Separate Battalion under the command of Captain John Cowan
Archive Microfilm Collection

The battalion, whose soldiers included David Crockett (his name is listed ninth on both documents), mustered in on September 28, 1814 and mustered out on March 27, 1815.

Thomas Wells

Carte de visite of Thomas Wells, ca. 1850
Archives Photograph Collection

Thomas Wells (1782-1860) was a captain in the 2nd Regiment (Loury's) West Tennessee Militia during the Creek War.



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