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

Fort Mitchell, Alabama-- Part 2: By Present-Day Fort Benning

The site of Fort Mitchell was used again as part of the defense of Columbus, Georgia, during the Civil War, although the original fort was long-gone by this time.

The original site of the fort is just outside the boundaries of present-day Fort Benning and the Fort Mitchell Veterans Administration Hospital.

The site was excavated in 1971 and a marker and modern reconstruction of the fort is located at Fort Mitchell Park.  Admission is free.

The Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center is adjacent to  the park.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Mitchell, Alabama-- Part 1: First Creek Indian War

From North American Forts--  Alabama.

Georgia's Gen. John Floyd built this fort along the present day Georgia-Alabama state line.

FORT MITCHELL

1813, 1837 or 1840, 1865

The Georgia state militia, under gen. John Floyd, built the original fort during the First Creek War.  The Creek Indian Agency located here in 1817.  Federal troops rebuilt the fort in 1825 as a stockade with two blockhouses.

The Creek Nation was gathered here in 1836 for their forced removal to Indian Territory in Oklahoma.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Hull and Camp Defiance, Alabama

From North American Forts-- Alabama.

FORT HULL

Georgia state militia fort on the Federal Road, 5 miles southeast of Tuskegee, Alabama.

CAMP DEFIANCE

1794, 1814 in Macon County.

The site is located on the Calabee Creek, 48 miles from the Chattahoochee River.

The Georgia state militia abandoned and destroyed the original post in 1794.  The site was later used by Georgia militia under General John Floyd in the 1814 Creek War as a subpost of Fort Hull.

Red Stick Creeks attacked the post in January 1814.

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 General John Floyd-- Part 5: Battle of Calabee Creek

By early January 1814, Floyd had replenished rations, firearms and artillery and he took 1500 men along the federal Road into Creek territory.  Forty-nine miles west of Fort Mitchell he constructed Fort Hull as a supply base.

He then advanced to Calabee Creek (Chalibee) and constructed Camp Defiance.

On January 27, 1814, at the Battle of Calabee Creek (also referred to as the Battle of Camp Defiance) he fended off a predawn attack by over 1300 Indian warriors and was helped by friendly Lower Creek Indians.

For this, John Floyd was promoted to the rank of major general.

After the war ended, he was sent to protect Savannah from a possible British attack and later was one of three men appointed to survey the Florida-Georgia line.

Hey, There Is a Country Act Called That.  --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

Georgia's John Floyd-- Part 2: St. Marys and the Patriot War

At the beginning of the War of 1812, John Floyd commanded a force at Point Peter at St. Marys in Camden County.  He was asked by General George Matthew, special agent during the Patriot War, to have his militia ready to overthrow the Spanish government in East Florida.

In October 1812, Floyd, with 120 volunteers reached New Camp Hope in East Florida where he encountered Seminoles (who the Spanish government had enlisted their aid).  The Americans ran out of supplies and many got sick, forcing a withdrawal.

Creek Indians, allied with Britain, began attacking American settlements in eastern and central Alabama and western Georgia.  Those Indians from the Upper Creek Towns were known as the Red Sticks and were especially bad.

--Brock-Perry

Georgia's John Floyd, Georgia Politician-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Back in December 2015, I wrote about War of 1812 veteran Henry Griggs being honored in Texas.  The name John Floyd came up a lot.

So, now I go into some more detail on him.

October 3, 1769- June 24, 1839.  American politician and brigadier general in the First Brigade of the Georgia Militia.  member of the Georgia and U.S. House of Representatives.  Born Hilton Head, South Carolina.

In 1800, he had two large plantations in Camden County, Georgia.  On May 25, 1808, he bought Little Cumberland Island.

On May 2, 1804, he was commissioned captain of the 31st Militia in Camden County, Ga., and became brigadier general of the First Georgia Militia in 1806.

--Brock-Perry

Henry Griggs Honored in Texas-- Part 5: "Calabee Night Fight"

In January 1814, Gen. John Floyd had recovered from his wound and began an advance again. He established Camp defiance near the first battle site.  Early on the morning of January 27, his command was caught by surprise in what became known as the "Calabee Night Fight."  After some extremely hard fighting, the Americans won the day thanks in large part to the action of their cavalry.

Accounts say the dragoons put "15 warriors to the sabre."

But, once again, despite the victory, Floyd withdrew again, then the six month enlistments were up and the end of Henry Griggs' military career.

--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

War of 1812 Veteran Henry Griggs Honored in Texas-- Part 3: Paid More for Horse Than Own Service

Floyd had four troops of cavalry in his command, about 175 men.  Among them were Henry Griggs and his Hancock County militia known as "Captain Duke Hamilton's Volunteer Troop of Light Dragoons."

In mid-August, the Georgia militia assembled and moved out against the Indians.  Their force consisted of infantry, cavalry and artillery.

Griggs and his company met the rest of the force at Milledgeville, then capital of Georgia..  There they were enlisted into federal service on Friday, August 20, 1813, for six months' duty.  Griggs actually served six months and fifteen days.

The Hancock cavalry were part of Major Frederick Freeman's four troop Cavalry Squadron.  Back then, militia men supplied their own horses and each man was paid an extra 40 cents a day for the use of their animal.   Griggs himself received $8 a month for his own service, coming to a total of $51.87.  His horse, however, received $78.40.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veteran Henry Griggs to Be Honored-- Part 2

Henry Griggs was a private in the Georgia militia from Hancock County during the war and served on the southern Indian frontier.  The red Stick group of the Creek Indians in Georgia in the late spring and summer of 1813 started attacking white settlements and farms leading up to a massacre involving hundreds of militia and civilians.

Under Georgia Militia law, every county was divided into districts with each having about sixty men between the ages of 15 and 60.  Henry Griggs was in one, a cavalry unit referred to as dragoons.  When not at war, militia socialized on "muster day" when assembled for drills and parades.  There was often a barbecue that went along with the muster.

After the massacre, the United States government authorized Georgia's governor to raise 1500 militia to fight the Creeks.  They were to be commanded by Brigadier General John Floyd.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 in Georgia

The Creek War 1813-1814.

The British armed and encouraged the local Indians to do battle with the United States.  The Indians were only too happy to do that as it had become evident that the Americans wanted their land and planned to take it from them.  The Creek War took place primarily in Alabama-Georgia area.

On August 30, 1813, the Creeks attacked and destroyed Fort Mims in Alabama which touched off a major U.S.-Creek confrontation.

U.S. General John Floyd was ordered to build a string  of forts in Georgia from whence to protect the state and attack the Creeks.  He did so starting in September 1813 when he attacked into Alabama from Fort Mitchell on the Chattahoochee River.

Fighting continued into 1814 when the Creeks were finally and decisively defeated  by General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

--Brock-Perry