The battles of Emuckfaw and Enotachopo Creek are part of Andrew Jackson's campaign in the Creek War. They took place in January 1814 approximately 20 to 50 miles northeast of Horseshoe Bend. The Creek War of 1813-1814 began as a civil war within the Creek Nation. ... Jump to: navigation, search The War of 1812 was a conflict fought on land in North America and at sea around the world between the United States and United Kingdom from 1812 to 1815. ... January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 1814 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search The Creeks are an American Indian people originally from the southeastern United States, also known by their original name Muscogee (or Muskogee), the name they use to identify themselves today. ... State nickname: Volunteer State Other U.S. States Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Governor Phil Bredesen Official languages English Area 109,247 km² (36th)  - Land 106,846 km²  - Water 2,400 km² (2. ... Jump to: navigation, search A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ... Jump to: navigation, search Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845), one of the founders of the Democratic Party, was the seventh President of the United States, serving from 1829 to 1837. ... Jump to: navigation, search The War of 1812 was a conflict fought on land in North America and at sea around the world between the United States and United Kingdom from 1812 to 1815. ... The Creek War of 1813-1814 began as a civil war within the Creek Nation. ... Fort Mims Massacre External Links A Drawing of Fort Mims Description of Massacre at Rootsweb Categories: Battles of the Creek War | 1813 ... The Battle of Burnt Corn was an encounter between United States forces and Creek Indians that took place July 27, 1813. ... The Battle of Tallushatchee was a battle fought during the Creek War on November 3, 1814 in Alabama. ... The Battle of Talladega was a battle fought between Tennessee militia and the Red Stick Creek Indians during the Creek War. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Battle of Horseshoe Bend was fought during the War of 1812 in central Alabama. ... Jump to: navigation, search Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845), one of the founders of the Democratic Party, was the seventh President of the United States, serving from 1829 to 1837. ... The Creek War of 1813-1814 began as a civil war within the Creek Nation. ... January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 1814 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search The Battle of Horseshoe Bend was fought during the War of 1812 in central Alabama. ...

Background

After Talladega, Jackson was plagued by supply shortages and discipline problems arising from his men's short term enlistments. General Coffee, who had returned to Tennessee for remounts, wrote Jackson that the cavalry had deserted. By the end of 1813 Jackson was down to a single regiment whose enlistments were due to expire in mid January. Although, Governor Blount had ordered a new levee of 2,500 troops, Jackson would not be up to full strength until the end of February. When a draft of 900 raw recruits arrived unexpectedly on 14 January, Jackson was down to a cadre of 103 and Coffee who had been "abandoned by his men." The Battle of Talladega was a battle fought between Tennessee militia and the Red Stick Creek Indians during the Creek War. ... John Coffee (June 2, 1772 - July 7, 1833) was an American planter, US Congressman and military leader. ...

The battles

Since new men had sixty day enlistment contracts, Jackson decided to get the most out of his untried force. He departed Fort Struther on the seventeenth and marched toward the village of Emuckfaw to cooperate with the Georgia Militia. However, this was a risky decision. It was a long march through difficult terrain against a numerically superior force, and the men were inexperienced and subordinate. A defeat of Jackson would have prolonged the war.

On 22 January 1814 Jackson was encamped about twelve miles from Emuckfaw. At dawn a strong force of Red Sticks, camped three miles away, attacked Jackson's position, but were driven off after about thirty minutes. Jackson sent Coffee with a force of four hundred to burn the Indian camp. On seeing the strength of their position, Coffee did not attack and returned to Jackson's position. The Red Sticks immediately attacked again. Coffee was seriously wounded when he led a small party to turn their flank. The Creek were driven off with a loss of 54 killed. At this point, Jackson had no choice but to withdraw to Fort Struther.

Because of the difficulty of the earlier crossing of the Emuckfaw, Jackson took a longer route back to Fort Strother. Even so, the crossing was difficult. On the morning of 24 January 1814, he began to recross the creek. When Jackson's artillery was about to ender the ford, alarm shots sounded in the woods. Having anticipated an attack. Jackson had ordered his advance guard to counterattack and attempt an envelopment.. Unfortunately the rear guard panicked and retreated. For reasons unknown, the Red Sticks were unable to take advantage of the situation, and a handful of defenders drove them off. Jackson's losses for the two engagements were twenty-four killed and seventy-one wounded.

Consequences

Although neither side could claim a clear tactical victory, the Red Sticks had lost their main chance. Jackson returned to Fort Struther and did not resume the offensive until mid March.

References

• Henry Adams "History of the United States of America During the Administrations of James Madison" (Library Classics of the United State, Inc. 1986), pp. 791-793 ISBN 0940450356
• John K. Mahon "The War of 1812" (University of Florida Press 1972) pp. 241 ISBN 0813003180

Henry Brooks Adams (February 16, 1838 - March 27, 1918) was a U.S. historian, journalist and novelist. ...

External links

• A map of Creek War Battle Sites from the PCL Map Collection at the Universtity of Texas at Austin.