A Conquering Spirit: Fort Mims and the Redstick War of 1813–1814
by Gregory A. Waselkov
University of Alabama Press, 2009 Paper: 978-0-8173-5573-9 | eISBN: 978-0-8173-8477-7 | Cloth: 978-0-8173-1491-0 Library of Congress Classification SH167.C35P47 2006 Dewey Decimal Classification 639.3749209761
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC
ABOUT THIS BOOK
The Fort Mims massacre changed the course of American history in many ways, not the least of which was the ensuing rise of one Andrew Jackson to the national stage. The unprecedented Indian victory over the encroaching Americans who were bent on taking their lands and destroying their culture horrified many and injured the young nation's pride. Tragedies such as this one have always rallied Americans to a common cause: a single-minded determination to destroy the enemy and avenge the fallen. The August 30, 1813, massacre at Fort Mims, involving hundreds of dead men, women, and children, was just such a spark.
Gregory Waselkov tells compellingly the story of this fierce battle at the fortified plantation home of Samuel Mims in the Tensaw District of the Mississippi Territory. With valuable maps, tables, and artifact illustrations, Waselkov looks closely at the battle to cut through the legends and misinformation that have grown around the event almost from the moment the last flames died at the smoldering ruins. At least as important as the details of the battle, though, is his elucidation of how social forces remarkably converged to spark the conflict and how reverberations of the battle echo still today, nearly two hundred years later.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Gregory A. Waselkov is Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Archaeological Studies at the University of South Alabama. He has written, edited, and contributed to several books, including Old Mobile Archaeology.
REVIEWS
"Waselkov re-creates the lost world of the Tensaw, a middle ground on the permeable membrane of the old southwestern frontier. His painstaking research introduces a richly textured population, many of whom had prospered in the pre-Redstick War era and likewise lost much afterward. The author laboriously reconstructs the several interest groups to help readers understand why there was a Fort Mims, why there was a massacre, and why regional and national leaders were so intent on destroying and removing the Creeks (save for the Poarch Band, who have managed to survive into the 21st century). Waselkov (Univ. of South Alabama) makes the Tecumseh-Tenskwatawa connection clear as an inspiration for the Redstick prophets. (Scholars interested in Redstick religious philosophy also will benefit from reading Joel Martin's Sacred Revolt, CH, Dec'91, 29-2308). Waselkov's genealogical accomplishments should inspire others to embrace this long-shunned strategy. The brilliant depiction of the Sehoy matrilineality illuminates seven decades of the frontier story. Alexander McGillivray and William Weatherford, Sehoys both, provided stunning leadership for the Creeks between 1777 and 1814. The amazing appendixes listing Fort Mims participants and providing a modern touring field guide are icing on the cake. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic levels/libraries."
—CHOICE
"A beautifully written and thoroughly researched work."—Kathryn Holland Braund, Auburn University
“Blending the diverse and complex but complementary skills of the historian, archaeologist, anthropologist, and ethnographer, Gregory A. Waselkov has plowed new ground and authored a tour de force. A Conquering Spirit is a must read for those interested in the vital but tragic early history of our nation, as well as those who savor heritage tourism.”—Edwin Bearrs, Chief Historian Emeritus, National Park Service
"This is by far the most complete account we have of Fort Mims. It will be used as a reference for generations by those interested in the early South and Creek Indian history."—Claudio Saunt, University of Georgia
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
List of Illustrations
Introduction
1. The Tensaw
2. Many Paths to the Tensaw
3. Americanization of Mississippi Territory
4. Red Path to War
5. Creek Civil War to Redstick War
6. The Battle of Fort Mims
7. A Country Given Up
8. Trying Times, 1813–1814
10. Reverberations of Fort Mims
Afterword
Appendix 1. Participants in the Battle at Fort Mims, compiled by Gregory Waselkov, James Parker, and Sue Moore
Appendix 2. Places to Visit: Mississippi Territory and the Creek Nation, ca. 1813
A Conquering Spirit: Fort Mims and the Redstick War of 1813–1814
by Gregory A. Waselkov
University of Alabama Press, 2009 Paper: 978-0-8173-5573-9 eISBN: 978-0-8173-8477-7 Cloth: 978-0-8173-1491-0
The Fort Mims massacre changed the course of American history in many ways, not the least of which was the ensuing rise of one Andrew Jackson to the national stage. The unprecedented Indian victory over the encroaching Americans who were bent on taking their lands and destroying their culture horrified many and injured the young nation's pride. Tragedies such as this one have always rallied Americans to a common cause: a single-minded determination to destroy the enemy and avenge the fallen. The August 30, 1813, massacre at Fort Mims, involving hundreds of dead men, women, and children, was just such a spark.
Gregory Waselkov tells compellingly the story of this fierce battle at the fortified plantation home of Samuel Mims in the Tensaw District of the Mississippi Territory. With valuable maps, tables, and artifact illustrations, Waselkov looks closely at the battle to cut through the legends and misinformation that have grown around the event almost from the moment the last flames died at the smoldering ruins. At least as important as the details of the battle, though, is his elucidation of how social forces remarkably converged to spark the conflict and how reverberations of the battle echo still today, nearly two hundred years later.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Gregory A. Waselkov is Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Archaeological Studies at the University of South Alabama. He has written, edited, and contributed to several books, including Old Mobile Archaeology.
REVIEWS
"Waselkov re-creates the lost world of the Tensaw, a middle ground on the permeable membrane of the old southwestern frontier. His painstaking research introduces a richly textured population, many of whom had prospered in the pre-Redstick War era and likewise lost much afterward. The author laboriously reconstructs the several interest groups to help readers understand why there was a Fort Mims, why there was a massacre, and why regional and national leaders were so intent on destroying and removing the Creeks (save for the Poarch Band, who have managed to survive into the 21st century). Waselkov (Univ. of South Alabama) makes the Tecumseh-Tenskwatawa connection clear as an inspiration for the Redstick prophets. (Scholars interested in Redstick religious philosophy also will benefit from reading Joel Martin's Sacred Revolt, CH, Dec'91, 29-2308). Waselkov's genealogical accomplishments should inspire others to embrace this long-shunned strategy. The brilliant depiction of the Sehoy matrilineality illuminates seven decades of the frontier story. Alexander McGillivray and William Weatherford, Sehoys both, provided stunning leadership for the Creeks between 1777 and 1814. The amazing appendixes listing Fort Mims participants and providing a modern touring field guide are icing on the cake. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic levels/libraries."
—CHOICE
"A beautifully written and thoroughly researched work."—Kathryn Holland Braund, Auburn University
“Blending the diverse and complex but complementary skills of the historian, archaeologist, anthropologist, and ethnographer, Gregory A. Waselkov has plowed new ground and authored a tour de force. A Conquering Spirit is a must read for those interested in the vital but tragic early history of our nation, as well as those who savor heritage tourism.”—Edwin Bearrs, Chief Historian Emeritus, National Park Service
"This is by far the most complete account we have of Fort Mims. It will be used as a reference for generations by those interested in the early South and Creek Indian history."—Claudio Saunt, University of Georgia
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
List of Illustrations
Introduction
1. The Tensaw
2. Many Paths to the Tensaw
3. Americanization of Mississippi Territory
4. Red Path to War
5. Creek Civil War to Redstick War
6. The Battle of Fort Mims
7. A Country Given Up
8. Trying Times, 1813–1814
10. Reverberations of Fort Mims
Afterword
Appendix 1. Participants in the Battle at Fort Mims, compiled by Gregory Waselkov, James Parker, and Sue Moore
Appendix 2. Places to Visit: Mississippi Territory and the Creek Nation, ca. 1813
Bibliography
Index
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC