Battle of Burnt Corn

In today's world, Battle of Burnt Corn is an issue that has become increasingly relevant in society. Since its emergence, it has impacted different aspects of daily life, generating debates, controversies and significant transformations. Its influence extends to different areas, from the political to the cultural, and has managed to capture the attention of experts and citizens alike. Given the diversity of opinions and perspectives, it is crucial to analyze in detail and critically the role that Battle of Burnt Corn currently plays, as well as its possible implications for the future. That is why in this article we propose to exhaustively and objectively examine the different aspects related to Battle of Burnt Corn, in order to offer a comprehensive vision that allows us to understand its importance and impact on contemporary society.

Battle of Burnt Corn
Part of the Creek War

Sketch of the Burnt Corn battlefield
DateJuly 27, 1813
Location
On Burnt Corn Creek in Escambia County, Alabama, near the border with Conecuh County.[1]
Result Red Stick victory
Belligerents
Red Stick Creek United States United States
Commanders and leaders
Peter McQueen Colonel James Caller
Captain Dixon Bailey
Strength
~80 ~180
Casualties and losses
~10 or 12 killed
eight or nine wounded		 2 killed
15 wounded

The Battle of Burnt Corn, also known as the Battle of Burnt Corn Creek, was an encounter between United States armed forces and Red Stick Creeks that took place July 27, 1813 in present-day southern Alabama. This battle was the first engagement between the U.S. and Red Sticks in the Creek War.

Background

In July 1813, Peter McQueen, an Upper Creek (Muscogee) chief, and a large party of Red Stick warriors proceeded to Pensacola in Spanish Florida to buy munitions, with $400 and a letter from a British officer at Fort Malden. In McQueen's words, the Spanish governor gave them "a small bag of powder for each ten towns, and five bullets to each man."[2] The governor presented this as a "friendly present, for hunting purposes".[2]

But Samuel Moniac, a Creek warrior, testified August 2, 1813 after the events, "High Head told me that, when they went back with their supply, another body of men would go down for another supply of ammunition; and that ten men were to go out of town, and they calculated on 'five horse-loads for every town'."[3]

Battle

United States soldiers at Fort Mims, having heard of Peter McQueen's mission, sent a quickly organized force, led by Colonel James Caller and Captain Dixon Bailey, to intercept McQueen's party.[4] This force was joined by volunteers from Fort Glass under the command of Samuel Dale.[5] The Americans ambushed the Red Sticks as they bedded down on the evening of July 27, 1813, on the banks of Burnt Corn Creek, in present-day southern Alabama (in what is now northern Escambia County, Alabama).[1] It would become known as "The Battle of Burnt Corn" or the "Battle of Burnt Corn Creek," and would be seen as a part of the broader Creek War.[6]

The Americans scattered the Red Sticks, who fled to the nearby swamps. Flush with victory, the Americans began looting the Red Sticks' pack-horses. From the swamp, the Creeks noticed that the Americans had dropped their guard. The Creek re-grouped and launched a surprise attack of their own, which scattered the Americans.[4]

  • Map of events in Alabama during the War of 1812. Burnt Corn battle site is located in the bottom left.
    Map of events in Alabama during the War of 1812. Burnt Corn battle site is located in the bottom left.

References

  1. ^ a b Braund, Kathryn E. Holland (October 28, 2008). "Creek War of 1813–14". The Encyclopedia of Alabama. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  2. ^ a b Adams, Henry (1891). History of the United States of America: The second administration of James Madison, 1813–1817. C. Scribner's. pp. 228–229. ISBN 0-940450-35-6. History of the United States of America henry adams burnt corn.
  3. ^ Modette. "History of the Mississippi Valley, Volume II". Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Hatch, Thom (2012). Osceola and the Great Seminole War. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 19.
  5. ^ Mississippi Historical Society (1921). Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society: Centenary series. The Society. p. 35.
  6. ^ Hatch, Thom (2012). Osceola and the Great Seminole War. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 19–20.

31°11′22″N 87°07′33″W / 31.18957°N 87.12587°W / 31.18957; -87.12587