THE CREEK WAR 1
occurred within the Muscogee Nation in the early 1800s.It was also referred to as the Red Stick War. The war resulted in themassacre at Fort Mims in 1813 (FMRA, 2013). The interaction betweenAmericans and Indians led to several hostilities. For example, thewhites were accused of corrupting the morals of young Creeks. Thewhites also conducted illegal hunts for animals in Creek territory.Besides, Americans chopped down trees and carried out extensivefishing in Indian rivers (Hall, 1934). The inability of the oldchiefs to take action against American encroachment of Indian landled to the establishment of civil war among the Creeks.
As a people, the Creeks (Red Sticks) desired to reestablish atraditional way of life to their society. Creek prophets such asPaddy Welsh spearheaded the path of reform (FMRA, 2013). Severalfactors led to polarizing divisions among the Red Sticks. Forexample, the American-Indian Agent, Benjamin Hawkins, had imposedupon the Creeks programs designed to civilize the nation. Someleaders of the Creek Nation had previously formed alliances withBritish forces during the War of 1812. Such leaders included Menawa,Peter McQueen, and William Weatherford (Red Eagle) (USWars.com,2012). On the other hand, other chiefs were opposed to Britishinfluence.
Nevertheless, the old chiefs were not privy to the affairs of the RedSticks. In 1813, a seven-man group of Red Sticks murdered twofamilies of Whites settled close to the Ohio River. The wayward bandof Creeks launched the attack under the leadership of Little Warrior(USWars.com, 2012). Understandably, Federal agents were incensed tolearn of this atrocity. In this respect, they demanded theperpetrators be remanded in their custody. However, the old Chiefsdisregarded this order and executed the seven attackers (USWars.com,2012). Consequently, this decision instigated a chain reaction ofevents that led to the Creek War.
Notably, some towns of the Creek Nation had adopted various Americanpractices such as farming and keeping livestock. On the other hand,the Red Sticks from upper sections of the country desired to destroyall traces of the white man from the land. Therefore, they slew allanimals and took steel blades and guns as spoils (USWars.com, 2012).Inevitably, the armed Red Sticks would clash with white forces. Onone occasion, a party of Creeks was ambushed by American forces.Before the attack, the Red Sticks had received a considerable supplyof ammunition from the Spanish Governor at Pensacola (USWars.com,2012). The resultant clash was referred to as the Battle of BurntCorn. From that point forward, American soldiers became part of theCreek War. Led by Peter McQueen, the Creeks retaliated so as torevenge the looting suffered at the hands of American forces. Creekleaders aimed to annihilate Red Sticks that had sought refuge at FortMims. Subsequently, an upward of 400 people perished in the ensuingmassacre (FMRA, 2013).
The widespread panic from the Fort Mims massacre intensified callsfor governmental intervention (FMRA, 2013). Weatherford hadacknowledged his failure “to prevent the massacre of women andchildren at Fort Mims” (FMRA, 2013). Spain would also be punishedif credible evidence was found to the effect that they had supportedRed Sticks in their murderous actions. In this regard, the Governorof Tennessee was authorized to assemble a 5,000-strong army ready tovanquish the Red Sticks. The Creeks from lower towns were alsoconvinced to support the military action against the Red Sticks inthe upper towns. Also, the Cherokee Nation joined the joint strikeunder the oversight of Hawkins (USWars.com, 2012).
The Red Sticks occupied a greater percentage of towns in the CreekNation. Their forces numbered beyond 3,000 warriors with hundreds ofguns. Nevertheless, they were not only outnumbered but also poorlyorganized. Even the magical power of Creek prophets could not sufficeto resist the combined forces from the south. Granted, Red Sticks putup a brave fight for their towns. However, over 6,000 forces fromSouthern Creeks, Americans, and the Cherokee Nation managed topenetrate the upper towns and massacre over 700 Red Stick warriors(USWars.com, 2012). Weak coordination among the three southern forcesprevented a faster victory against the Red Sticks. Colonel AndrewJackson was one of the foremost leaders of the assault against theupper cities. Although he aimed to destroy the Red Stick contingent,he also harbored ambitions of building roads in the region andattacking the Spanish fort at Pensacola (USWars.com, 2012). However,Jackson was limited by logistical challenges and shortages in supply.
During the Creek War, Red Stick forces established a base atHorseshoe Bend (Topoheka). Jackson used a collective army of around4,000 soldiers to battle the Red Sticks at Tohopeka. Elusive leadersof the Red Sticks such as Menawa had stationed at Horseshoe Bend.Weatherford had also escaped capture at Econochaca (Duncan, 2014).Therefore, Jackson was committed to destroying the stronghold. Inthis respect, he organized his militia to surround the region beforelaunching simultaneous attacks (Duncan, 2014). The resultant victoryunder Jackson’s command dealt a deathblow to the resistant effortsof the Red Sticks.
Indeed, the weak attempts of the old Chiefs in resisting Americanencroachment led to civil war among the Creeks. Their inaction forcedother community members to murder American whites and thereby createconditions that resulted in the Creek War. In retrospect, theinvolvement of Georgia State`s 30,000 fighters would have ended theCreek War a year prior. Notwithstanding, the Red Sticks weredisplaced from their strongholds in late 1813. waseffectively ended when the Red Sticks signed the Treaty of FortJackson in August 1814 (FMRA, 2013). The treaty granted the Federalgovernment full possession of land previously owned by the RedSticks.
Duncan, B. (2014, Mar. 22). End of the Red Sticks: Horseshoe Bend.Retrieved fromhttp://columbiadailyherald.com/opinion/columns/end-red-sticks-horseshoe-bend
Fort Mims Restoration Association (FMRA). (2013). Fort Mimsmassacre. Retrieved from http://www.fortmims.org/history.html
Hall, A. H. (1934, Sep.). The Red Stick War. Chronicles ofOklahoma, 12(3). Retrieved fromhttp://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v012/v012p264.html
USWars.com. (2012) . Retrieved fromhttp://www.mywarof1812.com/battles/creek-indian-war/
Vita vya Cree vilitokea katika taifa la Muscogee katika miaka ya 1800 na vita hivyo viliitwa Vita vya Red Stick. Vita vya kwanza vya dunia vilianza mwaka 1813 wakati wa mauaji ya Fort Mims (FMRA, 2013). Maingiliano kati ya Wamarekani na Wahindi yalisababisha uhasama kadhaa. Kwa mfano, wazungu walishtakiwa kwa kuharibu maadili ya vijana wa Creeks. Wamarekani walipiga miti na kufanya uvuvi mkubwa katika mito ya India (Hall, 1934). Ukosefu wa uwezo wa wakuu wa zamani kuchukua hatua dhidi ya uvamizi wa Marekani wa Wahindi ulisababisha kuanzishwa kwa vita vya wenyewe kwa wenyewe kati ya Creeks. Kama watu, Creeks (Red Sticks) walitaka kuanzisha tena njia ya jadi ya maisha kwa jamii yao. "Wanafunzi wa shule ya msingi ya ""Paddie Welsh"" walijifunza jinsi ya kuunda mfumo wa elimu ya msingi wa shule ya msingi ya ""Paddie Welsh"" na ""Paddie Welsh"" na ""Paddie Welsh"" na ""Paddie Welsh"" na ""Paddie Welsh"" na ""Paddie Welsh"" na ""Paddie Welsh"" na ""Paddie Welsh.""" Sababu kadhaa zilisababisha mgawanyiko kati ya Red Sticks. Kwa mfano, wakala wa Wahindi wa Marekani, Benjamin Hawkins, alikuwa ameweka juu ya Creek programu zilizokusudiwa kuendeleza ustaarabu wa taifa hilo. Wafuasi wa kabila la Creek waliungana na jeshi la Uingereza wakati wa vita vya 1812. Kiongozi huyo ni pamoja na Menawa, Peter McQueen, na William Weatherford (Red Eagle) (USWars.com, 2012). Kwa upande mwingine, wakuu wengine walipinga uvutano wa Uingereza. Hata hivyo, wakuu wa zamani hawakujua mambo ya Redsticks. Mwaka 1813 kikundi cha watu saba wa Red Sticks waliua familia mbili za Wazungu waliokaa karibu na Mto Ohio. Kikundi cha Creeks kilishambulia chini ya uongozi wa Little Warrior (USWars.com, 2012). Kwa kueleweka, maofisa wa Shirikisho walikasirika sana walipojifunza juu ya ukatili huo. Kwa suala hili, walitaka wahalifu waendelee kufungwa chini ya ulinzi wao. Hata hivyo, viongozi wa zamani walipuuza amri hii na kuwaua washambuliaji saba (USWars.com, 2012). Kwa hiyo, uamuzi huo ulichochea mfululizo wa matukio yaliyoongoza kwenye Vita vya Creek. Hasa, miji fulani ya Taifa la Creek ilikuwa imepitisha mazoea mbalimbali ya Wamarekani kama vile kilimo na ufugaji wa mifugo. Kwa upande mwingine, Red Sticks kutoka sehemu za juu za nchi walitaka kuharibu alama zote za mtu mweupe kutoka nchi. Kwa hiyo, waliwaua wanyama wote na kuchukua panga za chuma na bunduki kama nyara (USWARS.com, 2012). Wakati wa vita vya kwanza vya dunia, jeshi la Marekani lilishambulia eneo la Pwani la Marekani, na wakati huo huo, jeshi la Marekani lilikuwa limepokea risasi kutoka kwa gavana wa Hispania huko Pensacola. Mapigano yaliyotokea yaliitwa Vita vya BurntCorn. Kuanzia wakati huo na kuendelea, askari-jeshi wa Marekani wakawa sehemu ya Vita vya Creek. Wakiongozwa na Peter McQueen, Wakriks walilipiza kisasi ili kulipiza kisasi kwa ajili ya uporaji waliopatwa nao mikononi mwa majeshi ya Marekani. Viongozi wa Creek walikusudia kuangamiza Red Sticks ambao walikuwa wametafuta kimbilio huko FortMims. Watu zaidi ya 400 waliuawa katika mauaji hayo (FMRA, 2013). Mlipuko wa ghasia uliotokea katika mji wa Fort Mims ulisababisha wito wa serikali kuingilia kati. Weatherford alikiri kushindwa kwake kuzuia mauaji ya wanawake na watoto huko Fort Mims (FMRA, 2013). Uhispania pia ingetiwa adhabu ikiwa ushahidi wa kuaminika ungepatikana kwa athari kwamba walikuwa wameunga mkono Red Sticks katika vitendo vyao vya mauaji. Kwa sababu hiyo, Gavana wa Tennessee alipewa mamlaka ya kukusanya jeshi lenye watu 5,000 tayari kuwashinda Wamarekani wa Red Sticks. Creek kutoka miji ya chini pia walishikamana kuunga mkono hatua ya kijeshi dhidi ya Red Sticks katika miji ya juu. "Kama vile, ""Cherookee Nation"" ilijiunga na mgomo wa pamoja chini ya usimamizi wa Hawkins, na ""Cherookee Nation"" ilijiunga na mgomo wa pamoja chini ya usimamizi wa Hawkins." Red Sticks walishika asilimia kubwa zaidi ya miji katika Taifa la Creek. Kikosi chao kilikuwa na wapiganaji zaidi ya 3,000 na mamia ya bunduki. Hata hivyo, hawakuwa wachache tu bali pia hawakuwa na utaratibu mzuri. Hata nguvu za kichawi za manabii wa Creek hazikuweza kukomesha majeshi ya pamoja kutoka kusini. Ni kweli kwamba, Red Sticks walipigana kwa ujasiri kwa ajili ya miji yao. Hata hivyo, zaidi ya vikosi 6,000 kutoka Southern Creek, Wamarekani, na Taifa la Cherokee walifanikiwa kupenya miji ya juu na kuua wapiganaji zaidi ya 700 wa Red Stick (USWARS, 2012). Utaratibu dhaifu kati ya majeshi matatu ya kusini ulizuia ushindi wa haraka dhidi ya Red Sticks. Kanali AndrewJackson alikuwa mmoja wa viongozi mashuhuri wa shambulio dhidi ya miji ya juu. Ingawa alikusudia kuharibu kikosi cha Red Stick, pia alikuwa na matarajio ya kujenga barabara katika mkoa huo na kushambulia ngome ya Uhispania huko Pensacola (USWARS.com, 2012). Hata hivyo, Jackson alikuwa mdogo na changamoto za vifaa na upungufu katika ugavi. Wakati wa Vita vya Creek, vikosi vya Red Stick vilianzisha msingi huko Horseshoe Bend (Topoheka). Jackson alitumia jeshi la jumla la askari karibu 4,000 kupigana na Red Sticks huko Tohopeka. Kiongozi wa Red Sticks, Menawa, alikuwa amewekwa katika Horseshoe Bend, na Weatherford alikuwa ameokoka kukamatwa huko Econocaca, kwa hivyo Jackson alikuwa amejitolea kuharibu ngome hiyo. Katika suala hili, aliandaa wanamgambo wake kuzunguka mkoa huo kabla ya kuanza mashambulizi ya wakati mmoja (Duncan, 2014). Ushindi uliotokana na amri ya Jackson ulishambulia kwa kifo juhudi za upinzani za Red Sticks. Kwa kweli, majaribio dhaifu ya wakuu wa zamani katika kupinga uvamizi wa Marekani yalisababisha vita vya wenyewe kwa wenyewe miongoni mwa Wakri. Kutofanya kazi kwao kulilazimisha wanachama wengine wa jamii kuwaua wazungu wa Marekani na hivyo kuunda hali ambazo zilisababisha Vita vya Creek. Kwa mujibu wa taarifa ya shirika la habari la Reuters, jeshi la Georgia State lenye wanajeshi 30,000 lilitakiwa kumaliza vita vya Creek mwaka mmoja kabla ya vita hivyo. Hata hivyo, Red Sticks walihama kutoka ngome zao mwishoni mwa 1813, na kwa kweli ilikoma wakati Red Sticks waliposaini Mkataba wa Fort Jackson mnamo Agosti 1814. Mkataba huo ulimpa Serikali ya Shirikisho milki kamili ya ardhi iliyokuwa mali ya RedSticks hapo awali. Duncan, B. (2014, Machi. 22) "Mfano wa ""Horseshoe Bend"" ni ""Horseshoe Bend"" na ""Horseshoe Bend"" ni ""Horseshoe Bend"" na ""Horseshoe Bend"" ni ""Horseshoe Bend"" na ""Horseshoe Bend"" ni ""Horseshoe Bend"" na ""Horseshoe Bend"" ni ""Horseshoe Bend"" na ""Horseshoe Bend"" ni ""Horseshoe Bend"" na ""Horseshoe Bend"" ni ""Horseshoe Bend"" na ""Horseshoe Bend"" ni ""Horseshoe Bend"" na ""Horseshoe Bend"" ni ""Horseshoe Bend""." (2013). Mauaji ya Fort Mims. "Kutoka kwa ""History of the Church"" (History of the Church) na ""History of the Church"" (History of the Church) na ""History of the Church"" (History of the Church) na ""History of the Church"" (History of the Church) na ""History of the Church"" (History of the Church) na ""History of the Church"" (History of the Church)." Vita vya Fimbo Nyekundu. Historia ya Oklahoma, 12 (3) "Kutoka kwa ""Usaidizi wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama wa Usalama.""" 2012 (Mwaka wa 2) "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika ukurasa wa ""Mashambulizi ya India"" (http: www.mywar.com) na ""Mashambulizi ya India"" (http: www.mywar.com)."