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Writer's pictureGeorge Castrioti

August 30th, 1813 - The Battle of Fort Mims

Conflict: Creek War

Combatants: Americans vs. Creeks

Location: Alabama (USA)

Outcome: Creek victory


On year after the United States became embroiled once again in war with Great Britain, the Creek Indians joined the conflict. Under the leadership of William Weatherford (aka Red Eagle), the son of a Scottish trader and a Creek woman, the Creeks attacked Fort Mims along the Alabama River on August 30th of 1813. Nearly half of the inhabitants, or roughly 250 people, were killed in the attack and many of the remainder were taken to die in captivity. Only about thirty Americans are recorded having survived.


Fort Mims Massacre 1813 by Alonzo Chappel

Points of Interest:

  • Among the dead within Fort Mims were most of the women and children which William Weatherford (Red Eagle) reportedly lamented of and blamed on 'mismanagement' of his war party.

  • William Weatherford (Red Eagle) surrendered to General Andrew Jackson, helped to negotiate a treaty, and later retired as a wealthy planter.

Chief Red Eagle (Cropped) by J.R. Chapin
General Andrew Jackson by an unknown artist



















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Sources:


Dupuy, Trevor N., Johnson, Curt, & Bongard, David L. (1992). The Harper's Encyclopedia of Military Biography. New York: Castle Books (HarperCollins).


Dupuy, R. Ernest & Dupuy, Trevor N. (1993). The Harper's Encyclopedia of Military History. New York: HarperCollins.


Eggenberger, David (1985). An Encyclopedia of Battles: Accounts of Over 1,560 Battles from 1479 B.C. to the Present. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

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