When you think about it, historic markers are pretty amazing. Not only do they tell a story in beautiful relief, but they stand with you upon a spot signifying the moment that life and history changed. Along my travels throughout Clay County I've noticed some very interesting historic markers. Whether a sign or monument each tell us a story both about our past and ourselves. Something else I like about historic markers is that they only give a taste of what happened leaving you curious for more. Over the next few weeks I'll post some of my favorites from around Clay County and give what I've found of the rest of the story.
We'll start at the very southern most portion of the county near the Coosa/Clay county lines.
Here is an excellent article on what may have really happened that day:
Who really won this battle, Gen. Jackson or the
Indians?By Donna
R Causey on October 31, 2013
 |
William McIntosh,
chief of the Lower Creek Indians in Georgia on display at the Archives in
Montgomery, Alabama
Both claimed victory,
but who actually won? |
The battle of
Enitaohopco was a battle fought by Gen. Andrew Jackson with the Creek Indians
at the Creek village of Anatichapko, January 24, 1814, and two days immediately
following the battle of Emuckfau. On the night of January 23, Gen. Jackson’s
army, fresh from the victory over the Indians at Emuckfau, but almost destitute
of supplies, encamped near the Creek Indian village of Anatichapko.
The camp was on the
south side of the creek of that name, and a quarter of a mile from the ford, at
which they had previously crossed. The ford was a deep ravine between two hills
covered with dense shrubbery. It afforded admirable opportunity for an
ambuscade, and this Gen. Jackson so much feared, that another ford was found
600 yards below the first.
On the morning of
January 24 the march was resumed. The litters with the wounded were placed just
behind the first guards. The three columns of the right, the left and the
center were commanded respectfully by Cols. Perkins, Nicholas T. Stump, and
William Carroll.
The officers had been
previously advised by orders as to the formation in case of an attack on front,
rear or flanks. As the movement began, the Indians in ambush, discovering the
unexpected change of route, left their hiding places, advanced and fired upon
Capt. Russell’s company of spies which was bringing up the rear. The fire was
returned, and the company gradually retired until it reached the rear guard.
As the firing began,
the advance guard, the wounded and a part of the men were already across the
creek, and the artillery was just entering it. Gen. Jackson himself was in the
stream when he heard the firing commence. He at once had an aide to go forward
and form a line for the protection of the wounded, and he himself turned back
to the east bank. Here he discovered a most disgraceful condition.
Enitachopco
Creek
Nearly the entire
rear guard, panic-stricken, had plunged into the stream and were making their
way to the other bank. Only a small force of about 100 men remained on the east
side, and their fighting was to prove an offset to the panic of the rest. The
force left to bear the brunt were Capt. Russell’s company of spies, about 25 of
the rear guard under Col. Carroll and Capt. Quarles, and Lieut. Armstrong’s
artillery company. Capt. Quarles soon fell. These gallant men and their
comrades, with the greatest heroism, contended against many times their number.
The Indians
appreciating the situation, were jubilant because of the disorder. Lieut.
Armstrong, at the first fire of the Indians, had ordered a part of his company
to advance, take possession of a hill, and hold it with their muskets, while he
and others dragged the six-pounder from the creek to the same point. The
cannon, placed in position, poured a fire of grapeshot into the ranks of the
enemy. Again it was loaded and fired, and by it and with the fire of muskets,
the Creeks were driven back.
An incident, here to
be related, due to the hurry and confusion incident to the first moment of
attack, admirably illustrates the daring and courage of the brave pioneer
fighters. The rammer and pricker were left tied to the limber, but in spite of
this mishap two of the gunners, Constantino Perkins and Craven Jackson, were
equal to the emergency, Perkins using his musket in driving down the cartridges
and Jackson using his ramrod in preparing them for the match.
The artillery company
suffered severely. Lieut. Armstrong fell severely wounded, exclaiming “my brave
boys, some of you may fall, but you must save the cannon.” In the meantime Gen.
Jackson and his staff had, by very great exertion, somewhat restored order, and
detachments were sent across to support the small force so bravely holding the
crossing. Capt. Gordon’s company of spies, which was leading the army and was
well across the creek, now recrossed, striking the Indians on the left.
Notwithstanding he
was severely wounded at Emuckfau, Gen. Coffee mounted his horse, and was of
great service to Gen. Jackson in stemming the tide of disaster, and encouraging
the men to meet their duty. The tide of battle now began to turn. The Indians
could not withstand the increasing attacks. They broke at all points and fled,
throwing away blankets, packs and everything else impeding their flight. They
were pursued more than 2 miles.
The losses of the
Americans in the battles of Emuckfau and Enitachopko, were 20 killed and 75
wounded. Some of the latter died. According to Buell the loss of the Creeks in
these two battles was 194 killed, and more than 200 wounded. The statement of
Gen. Jackson is that the bodies of 189 Indians were found dead. He reported
that only a guess could be made as to the number of wounded. In Eaton the
statement is made that it was afterwards learned from prisoners that more than
200 warriors never returned from these engagements.
The forces of the
Creeks in each engagement were much less than the Americans. Pickett states
that they had less than 500 warriors. After burying the dead, Gen. Jackson
resumed his march without molestation, and on January 27 arrived at Fort
Strother.
Notwithstanding their
losses, and their consequent inability to pursue, the Indians are stated, by
Pickett, to have looked upon the retrograde movement of Gen. Jackson into Fort Strother as indicating a victory for them They
boasted that they “whipped Capt. Jackson and drove him to the Coosa River.”
SOURCES
(Transcribed from
History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography by Thomas McAdory Owen)
- See more at:
http://alabamapioneers.com/649/#sthash.0YvXiWk7.dpuf
Find out more about author Donna R. Causey and the history of beautiful state here:
http://alabamapioneers.com/649/#sthash.0YvXiWk7.dpbs
Who really won this battle, Gen. Jackson or the Indians?
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William McIntosh, chief of the Lower Creek Indians in Georgia on display at the Archives in Montgomery, Alabama
Both claimed victory, but who actually won?
The battle of Enitaohopco was a battle fought by Gen. Andrew Jackson
with the Creek Indians at the Creek village of Anatichapko, January 24,
1814, and two days immediately following the battle of Emuckfau. On the
night of January 23, Gen. Jackson’s army, fresh from the victory over
the Indians at Emuckfau, but almost destitute of supplies, encamped near
the Creek Indian village of Anatichapko.
The camp was on the south side of the creek of that name, and a
quarter of a mile from the ford, at which they had previously crossed.
The ford was a deep ravine between two hills covered with dense
shrubbery. It afforded admirable opportunity for an ambuscade, and this
Gen. Jackson so much feared, that another ford was found 600 yards below
the first.
On the morning of January 24 the march was resumed. The litters with
the wounded were placed just behind the first guards. The three columns
of the right, the left and the center were commanded respectfully by
Cols. Perkins, Nicholas T. Stump, and William Carroll.
The officers had been previously advised by orders as to the
formation in case of an attack on front, rear or flanks. As the movement
began, the Indians in ambush, discovering the unexpected change of
route, left their hiding places, advanced and fired upon Capt. Russell’s
company of spies which was bringing up the rear. The fire was returned,
and the company gradually retired until it reached the rear guard.
As the firing began, the advance guard, the wounded and a part of the
men were already across the creek, and the artillery was just entering
it. Gen. Jackson himself was in the stream when he heard the firing
commence. He at once had an aide to go forward and form a line for the
protection of the wounded, and he himself turned back to the east bank.
Here he discovered a most disgraceful condition.
Enitaohopco Creek
Nearly the entire rear guard, panic-stricken, had plunged into the
stream and were making their way to the other bank. Only a small force
of about 100 men remained on the east side, and their fighting was to
prove an offset to the panic of the rest. The force left to bear the
brunt were Capt. Russell’s company of spies, about 25 of the rear guard
under Col. Carroll and Capt. Quarles, and Lieut. Armstrong’s artillery
company. Capt. Quarles soon fell. These gallant men and their comrades,
with the greatest heroism, contended against many times their number.
The Indians appreciating the situation, were jubilant because of the
disorder. Lieut. Armstrong, at the first fire of the Indians, had
ordered a part of his company to advance, take possession of a hill, and
hold it with their muskets, while he and others dragged the six-pounder
from the creek to the same point. The cannon, placed in position,
poured a fire of grapeshot into the ranks of the enemy. Again it was
loaded and fired, and by it and with the fire of muskets, the Creeks
were driven back.
An incident, here to be related, due to the hurry and confusion
incident to the first moment of attack, admirably illustrates the daring
and courage of the brave pioneer fighters. The rammer and pricker were
left tied to the limber, but in spite of this mishap two of the gunners,
Constantino Perkins
and Craven Jackson, were equal to the emergency, Perkins using his
musket in driving down the cartridges and Jackson using his ramrod in
preparing them for the match.
The artillery company suffered severely. Lieut. Armstrong fell
severely wounded, exclaiming “my brave boys, some of you may fall, but
you must save the cannon.” In the meantime Gen. Jackson and his staff
had, by very great exertion, somewhat restored order, and detachments
were sent across to support the small force so bravely holding the
crossing. Capt. Gordon’s company of spies, which was leading the army
and was well across the creek, now recrossed, striking the Indians on
the left.
Notwithstanding he was severely wounded at Emuckfau, Gen. Coffee
mounted his horse, and was of great service to Gen. Jackson in stemming
the tide of disaster, and encouraging the men to meet their duty. The
tide of battle now began to turn. The Indians could not withstand the
increasing attacks. They broke at all points and fled, throwing away
blankets, packs and everything else impeding their flight. They were
pursued more than 2 miles.
The losses of the Americans in the battles of Emuckfau and
Enitachopko, were 20 killed and 75 wounded. Some of the latter died.
According to Buell the loss of the Creeks in these two battles was 194
killed, and more than 200 wounded. The statement of Gen. Jackson is that
the bodies of 189 Indians were found dead. He reported that only a
guess could be made as to the number of wounded. In Eaton the statement
is made that it was afterwards learned from prisoners that more than 200
warriors never returned from these engagements.
The forces of the Creeks in each engagement were much less than the
Americans. Pickett states that they had less than 500 warriors. After
burying the dead, Gen. Jackson resumed his march without molestation,
and on January 27 arrived at Fort Strother.
Notwithstanding their losses, and their consequent inability to
pursue, the Indians are stated, by Pickett, to have looked upon the
retrograde movement of Gen. Jackson into
Fort Strother as indicating a victory for them They boasted that they “whipped Capt. Jackson and drove him to the Coosa River.”
SOURCES
(Transcribed from History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography by Thomas McAdory Owen)
- See more at: http://alabamapioneers.com/649/#sthash.0YvXiWk7.dpuf
Who really won this battle, Gen. Jackson or the Indians?
99
0
Share0
0
William McIntosh, chief of the Lower Creek Indians in Georgia on display at the Archives in Montgomery, Alabama
Both claimed victory, but who actually won?
The battle of Enitaohopco was a battle fought by Gen. Andrew Jackson
with the Creek Indians at the Creek village of Anatichapko, January 24,
1814, and two days immediately following the battle of Emuckfau. On the
night of January 23, Gen. Jackson’s army, fresh from the victory over
the Indians at Emuckfau, but almost destitute of supplies, encamped near
the Creek Indian village of Anatichapko.
The camp was on the south side of the creek of that name, and a
quarter of a mile from the ford, at which they had previously crossed.
The ford was a deep ravine between two hills covered with dense
shrubbery. It afforded admirable opportunity for an ambuscade, and this
Gen. Jackson so much feared, that another ford was found 600 yards below
the first.
On the morning of January 24 the march was resumed. The litters with
the wounded were placed just behind the first guards. The three columns
of the right, the left and the center were commanded respectfully by
Cols. Perkins, Nicholas T. Stump, and William Carroll.
The officers had been previously advised by orders as to the
formation in case of an attack on front, rear or flanks. As the movement
began, the Indians in ambush, discovering the unexpected change of
route, left their hiding places, advanced and fired upon Capt. Russell’s
company of spies which was bringing up the rear. The fire was returned,
and the company gradually retired until it reached the rear guard.
As the firing began, the advance guard, the wounded and a part of the
men were already across the creek, and the artillery was just entering
it. Gen. Jackson himself was in the stream when he heard the firing
commence. He at once had an aide to go forward and form a line for the
protection of the wounded, and he himself turned back to the east bank.
Here he discovered a most disgraceful condition.
Enitaohopco Creek
Nearly the entire rear guard, panic-stricken, had plunged into the
stream and were making their way to the other bank. Only a small force
of about 100 men remained on the east side, and their fighting was to
prove an offset to the panic of the rest. The force left to bear the
brunt were Capt. Russell’s company of spies, about 25 of the rear guard
under Col. Carroll and Capt. Quarles, and Lieut. Armstrong’s artillery
company. Capt. Quarles soon fell. These gallant men and their comrades,
with the greatest heroism, contended against many times their number.
The Indians appreciating the situation, were jubilant because of the
disorder. Lieut. Armstrong, at the first fire of the Indians, had
ordered a part of his company to advance, take possession of a hill, and
hold it with their muskets, while he and others dragged the six-pounder
from the creek to the same point. The cannon, placed in position,
poured a fire of grapeshot into the ranks of the enemy. Again it was
loaded and fired, and by it and with the fire of muskets, the Creeks
were driven back.
An incident, here to be related, due to the hurry and confusion
incident to the first moment of attack, admirably illustrates the daring
and courage of the brave pioneer fighters. The rammer and pricker were
left tied to the limber, but in spite of this mishap two of the gunners,
Constantino Perkins
and Craven Jackson, were equal to the emergency, Perkins using his
musket in driving down the cartridges and Jackson using his ramrod in
preparing them for the match.
The artillery company suffered severely. Lieut. Armstrong fell
severely wounded, exclaiming “my brave boys, some of you may fall, but
you must save the cannon.” In the meantime Gen. Jackson and his staff
had, by very great exertion, somewhat restored order, and detachments
were sent across to support the small force so bravely holding the
crossing. Capt. Gordon’s company of spies, which was leading the army
and was well across the creek, now recrossed, striking the Indians on
the left.
Notwithstanding he was severely wounded at Emuckfau, Gen. Coffee
mounted his horse, and was of great service to Gen. Jackson in stemming
the tide of disaster, and encouraging the men to meet their duty. The
tide of battle now began to turn. The Indians could not withstand the
increasing attacks. They broke at all points and fled, throwing away
blankets, packs and everything else impeding their flight. They were
pursued more than 2 miles.
The losses of the Americans in the battles of Emuckfau and
Enitachopko, were 20 killed and 75 wounded. Some of the latter died.
According to Buell the loss of the Creeks in these two battles was 194
killed, and more than 200 wounded. The statement of Gen. Jackson is that
the bodies of 189 Indians were found dead. He reported that only a
guess could be made as to the number of wounded. In Eaton the statement
is made that it was afterwards learned from prisoners that more than 200
warriors never returned from these engagements.
The forces of the Creeks in each engagement were much less than the
Americans. Pickett states that they had less than 500 warriors. After
burying the dead, Gen. Jackson resumed his march without molestation,
and on January 27 arrived at Fort Strother.
Notwithstanding their losses, and their consequent inability to
pursue, the Indians are stated, by Pickett, to have looked upon the
retrograde movement of Gen. Jackson into
Fort Strother as indicating a victory for them They boasted that they “whipped Capt. Jackson and drove him to the Coosa River.”
SOURCES
(Transcribed from History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography by Thomas McAdory Owen)
- See more at: http://alabamapioneers.com/649/#sthash.0YvXiWk7.dpuf
Who really won this battle, Gen. Jackson or the Indians?
- See more at: http://alabamapioneers.com/649/#sthash.0YvXiWk7.dpuf
This second installment of our tour through Clay County's historic markers takes us to the county seat in Ashland Alabama's beautiful downtown square where two highways meet. Standing upon the western side of the courthouse lawn one finds this impressive marker:
