This Month in the War of 1812

From the American Battlefielld Trust 2022 calendar.

NOVEMBER 11, 1807

**  Great Britain passes the 1807 Orders of Council restricting international trade with France.

NOVEMBER 11, 1811

**  The Battle of Tippecanoe.

NOVEMBER 11, 1813

**  Battle of Crysler's Farm

NOVEMBER 21, 1806

**  Napoleon issues his Berlin Decrees.

NOVEMBER 27, 1812

**  Skirmish at Fort Erie

NOVEMBER 29, 1813

**  Battle of Autossee

--Brock-Perry

Small World: Henry Burchstead, Tulsa and Route 66

Yesterday I wrote about the possibility that Lt. Henry A. Burchstead died at the Battle of Autossee in 1813 in Alabama.  This took place by the Creek Indian towns of Autosee and Tallasee.

Early this morning, I was looking at the Oklahoma Route 66 Organization's 2011-2012 Trip Guide and was at Tulsa and I read an interesting thing.

Tulsa began as a Creek Indian settlement.  The name was taken from an old Creek settlement in Alabama named Tallasee.  The one in what is today Oklahoma, which was Indian Territory back then and where the Creeks were forcibly moved was called Tulsey-Town, a political subdivision of the Creek nation.

Hence the name Tulsa.

And, since I'm much into Route 66 as well, Tulsa is a major city on that fabled highway.

Like I Said, Small World.  --Brock-Perry

Henry A. Burchstead May Have Died At the Battle of Autossee

From Wikipedia.

I am unable to find out any more about this man.  But, noting when he died, on November 30, 1813, this was just one day after the Battle of Autossee during the Creek War.  It took place by the Creek towns of Autossee and Tallasee near present-day Shorter, Alabama.

General John G. Floyd and 900 to 950 militia men and 450 allied Creeks attacked the villages and killed 200 Red Stick Creeks.

American casualties were 6-11 killed during the battle and 5 wounded.  Another 5 were killed in the ambush after the battle.

--Brock-Perry

Charles Rinaldo Floyd-- Part 1: Gen. Floyd's Son

From Wikipedia.

Born October 14, 1797,  Soldier in War of 1812.  Saw action at the Battles of Tallassee, Chalibee and Autossee versus the Creek Indians.

At age 16, he left home to accompany his father, John Floyd as an aid in the fighting against the Creek Indians.  He wrote in his journal at the Battle of Autossee that a rifle ball grazed his forehead and one passed through his coat sleeve.

He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point but was dismissed in 1817 for insubordination over what he considered a "point of honor."  He definitely had a penchant for dueling, something he continued with throughout his life.

--Brock-Perry

Georgia's John Floyd-- Part 4: The Battle of Autossee Desolation

General Floyd's son, Charles Rinaldo Floyd, 16, was along with his father at the Battle of Autossee and later wrote:  "The Indians never repair the desolation of a town, so Autossee has been deserted ever since the battle, except by wolves and ravens, and the skeletons of the slain are still bleaching amidst the ruins.

General Floyd was seriously wounded in his knee at the battle and recuperated over the Christmas holidays at Fort Mitchell.

--Brock-Perry

Georgia's John Floyd-- Part 3: The Battle of Autossee

General John Floyd was ordered to take command of the federal troops assembling at Camp Hope on the Ocmulgee River.  They constructed forts in a defensive line along the federal Road from the Ocmulgee River to the Alabama River.  Fort Mitchell was erected on the west bank of the Chattahoochee River.

In November 1813,  Floyd was on the offensive and fought at the Battle of Autossee on the east bank of the Talapoosa River   It was the site of one of the most populous Creek towns.

Floyd planned to attack at daybreak and encircle the town.  His scouts discovered a second town and Floyd had to divide his force.  Fighting was fierce.  Red Stick men, women and children were shot, bayoneted and burned to death in their own houses.  Both villages were completely destroyed.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veteran Henry Griggs Honored in Texas-- Part 4

On August 22, 1813, the Georgians marched into Indian Territory.

Most of them had no uniforms and wore civilian attire.  Most were armed with 69 caliber smoothbore muskets similar to those used during the American Revolution.  They were further armed with large knives, tomahawks and swords.

The force number 950 militia and another 450 friendly Indians.  General Floyd and his force fought two major engagements after crossing the Chattahoochee River and entered present-day Alabama.  Private Griggs was present for both.

The Battle of Autossee was on November 29, 1813, was an attack on a Creek Indian stronghold defended by 1500.  It was about half way between present day Tuskegee and Montgomery along the Tallapoosa River and Catabee Creek.  The Americans won, but General John Floyd was wounded and ordered his troops to retreat and reorganize.

--Brock-Perry

November 1813 Timeline: Hurricane and Skirmish

NOVEMBER 12TH:

A hurricane strikes Halifax, Nova Scotia, causing extensive damage to British ships there.

NOVEMBER 13TH:

Skirmish at Nanticoke Creek, Upper Canada. Norfolk County Militia engage a group of American sympathizers (marauders). Light casualties on both sides.

NOVEMBER 16TH:

British extend blockade to all middle and southern states.

NOVEMBER 24TH

Loyal London Volunteers, a unit of Upper Canada militia is formed.

NOVEMBER 25TH:

Loyal Kent Volunteers formed.

NOVEMBER 29TH:

Battle of Autosse, Mississippi Territory. Americans inflict significant casualties on Muscogee (Creek) Nation warriors but fail to achieve a clear victory.

--Brock-Perry