Natives versus Settlers: Battle of Holy Ground (Econochaca), December 13, 1813

Tecumseh's movement, particularly the repudiation of White people, their ways and goods and a return to traditional practices and values, spread far beyond Ohio and Indiana Territory.  Not only did Tecumseh journey to other tribes to spread his message and seek allies for his confederacy, Native leaders journeyed to Prophetstown on the banks of the Wabash in what is now Indiana to seek further direction from him and his brother Tenskwatawa.  One of those leaders was Josiah Francis, himself a mixed race Muscogee, who had turned his back on the European side of his heritage.

When Josiah Francis returned to Alabama, he quickly gained fame as a prophet, spreading Tenskwatawa's teachings.  He built a palisaded village on the banks of Alabama River in what is now Lowndes County and many Creek warriors flocked their with their families.  As the Muscogee people divided themselves into White Sticks, who continued to seek alliances with the United States and accommodate Settlers, and Red Sticks, who sought a return to traditional ways of life.  The sticks referred to clubs or wands decorated in the traditional colors of war (red) and peace (white).  Red Stick leaders including Peter McQueen, William Weatheford and Josiah Francis also sought alliance with Great Britain and Spain in the windup to the War of 1812. 

McQueen was ambushed in June, 1813, while retrieving an allotment of weapons and ammunition provided by Spanish agents in Florida, at the Battle of Burnt Corn.  Francis and Weatherford had led warriors against Fort Mims in August, 1813, killing Whites and mixed race people, but leaving Black slaves alone.  The states of Tennessee and Georgia, and the territorial authorities in what is now Alabama and Mississippi hurriedly scraped together militias to deal with this threat.  And, they had allies.  Pushmataha of the Choctaw had personally debated Tecumseh.  He had little patience for the Shawnee's ideas.  He offered to lead his warriors against the Red Sticks, believing that their revolt would do more harm than good to Natives in the region.

In December, 1813, General Ferdinand Claiborne led 1,000 Mississippi militia against Francis' encampment on the Alabama River.  Called Econochaca, meaning either Beloved Ground or Sacred Ground, it was known to Whites as Holy Ground.  Pushmataha was in command of 150 Choctaws.  As this force approached the village, Weatherford quickly evacuated women, children and other non-combatants, knowing that his 230 men couldn't protect everyone.  His men held off the militia long enough to allow these people to escape before retreating.  Weatherford became a legend among Whites and Natives alike for jumping his horse, Arrow, off a bluff into the Alabama River to escape and fight another day.  When the militia entered the village, they found it empty.  They burnt the village and destroyed the Creek food supplies.  It would take more battles to settle this war.