HISTORY
NATIVE AMERICAN
The Story of Tukabatchi. Tukabatchi, the last
great capitol of the Creek Nation, was located about one mile south of
Tallassee, or Talisi, as it was called by the Creeks. It was believed to
have been the second largest city on the North American continent in the
late 1700s and early 1800s. In the center of the village stood a huge oak
tree where the Indians carried on important business. Under this “Great
Council Tree” unfolded one of the most romantic stories of our area’s Indian
history.
In 1811, the great Shawnee
warrior Tecumseh, visited Tukabatchi. Standing under the great oak, he made
an impassioned plea for the Creeks to join the Indian confederation against
the white man. When the Creeks hesitated to give such a pledge, Tecumseh
threatened to return to his native Ohio country and stamp his foot with such
force that they would feel the earth tremble in Tukabatchi. Several days
after his departure, a slight earthquake occurred and tremors rocked the
village of Tukabatchi. This incident helped persuade the Indians to join in
the Creek War in which they were defeated by General Andrew Jackson at the
nearby Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
Battle of Horseshoe
Bend
A world famous bend in the Tallapoosa River
is the site of perhaps the most tragic defeat of an Indian tribe in the
state of Alabama.
“On
the morning of March 27, 1814, General Andrew Jackson and an army of 3,300
men consisting of Tennessee militia, United States regulars and both
Cherokee and Lower Creek allies attacked Chief Menawa and 1,000 Upper Creek
or Red Stick warriors fortified in the "horseshoe" bend of the Tallapoosa
River. To seal off the bend of the river, the Upper Creeks built an
incredibly strong 400 yard long barricade made of dirt and logs. As the
Cherokee and Lower Creek warriors swam the Tallapoosa and attacked from the
rear, Jackson launched the militia and regular soldiers against the
barricade. Facing overwhelming odds, the Red Sticks fought bravely yet
ultimately lost the battle. Over 800 Upper Creeks died at Horseshoe Bend
defending their homeland. This was the final battle of the Creek War of
1813-14, which is considered part of the War of 1812. In a peace treaty
signed after the battle, both the Upper and Lower Creeks were forced to give
the United States nearly 20 million acres of land in what is today Alabama
and Georgia. The victory here brought Andrew Jackson national attention and
helped him to be elected the seventh President of the United States in 1828.
This 2,040-acre park preserves the site of the battle.”
(NPS-site)
Hickory Ground, "Ocheopofau,"
Elmore County.
Category: Archaeology Threat:
Destruction for Casino Development. The
last capital (from 1802 until 1814) for the National Council of the Creeks
in the Muskogean people’s original homeland, Hickory Ground was a small
village before the residents of Little Talisi abandoned that town to
relocate there in the 1790s. Afterwards the town quickly progressed in size
and importance until Chief Ifa Hadsho transferred the National Council from
Tuckabatchi to Ocheopofau in 1802. It is also significant for having been
occupied until the Indian removal in 1832, as the town was allowed to be
resettled even after the Treaty of Fort Jackson in 1814. In 1980 the
property was donated by the Alabama Historical Commission under a 20 year
easement (that expired in June) to the Poarch Creek Band of Native
Americans–entrusting them as the best stewards to protect it in perpetuity
as a traditional cultural and archaeological site. Poarch Creek Chairman
Eddie Tullis has confirmed with the Alabama Historical Commission that a
contract has been signed with Harrah’s to build a casino, hotel, and parking
deck on the site and that the project will proceed as soon as necessary
legal hurdles are cleared.
ANTEBELLUM
Because of the impassable falls of the Tallapoosa at
Tallassee, no significant towns were born along the river in the early years
of the state. (Keith)
William Bartram on first seeing the confluence of the Coosa / Tallapoosa
famously commented, “This is perhaps one of the most eligble situations for
a city in the world.” The city of Montgomery was later begun just a few
miles south of this location. (Keith)
The
Tallassee Calvary Carbine Mill, was the only southern armory to survive the
civil war and the destruction of Wilson’s raiders.
INDUSTRIAL
The famous country singer Hank Williams wrote
a song about the wooden head of the Indian Kowaliga, the name given to the
first major lake settlement at Lake Martin.
(Rivers of AL)
1873
- The Savannah and Memphis Railway comes to Youngsville, brought by S&M
president Edward P. Alexander. The town is renamed in his honor and
boundaries are extended to one mile from the center of the public square.
1874
- The first train arrives in Alexander City.
