Battle of Autossee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Autossee |
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| Part of the War of 1812, the Creek War | |||||||
 Map of events during the Creek War. Autossee battle site located in the left center. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| United States | Red Stick Creeks | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| John Floyd (WIA) | Unknown, Creek Kings † | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1350–1400 | 1500 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Americans: 6–11 killed during battle, 5 wounded, 5 killed in ambush after battle - American allied Creek: unknown | 200 killed, unknown wounded | ||||||
The Battle of Autossee was an important fight during the Creek War in 1813. It happened on November 29, 1813, near what is now Shorter, Alabama. The name "Autossee" means "war club." In this battle, American forces led by General John Floyd attacked two Creek towns, Autossee and Tallasee. They burned the towns and defeated a group of Creek warriors known as the Red Sticks.
Contents
Why Did the Battle of Autossee Happen?
Rising Tensions and Preparations for War
Before the Battle of Autossee, there was a lot of tension between white settlers and different groups of the Creek people. A major event called the Fort Mims massacre had recently occurred. This event made General John Floyd decide to prepare for a larger attack. He gathered a strong group of soldiers from Georgia. Then, he moved his forces into what is now central Alabama.
Who Fought in the Battle of Autossee?
General Floyd's army included about 900 to 950 militiamen. These were citizen-soldiers, not full-time military. He also had about 450 allied Creek warriors. Many of these allied Creek were from a town called Tukabatchee. They were led by William McIntosh. This combined force marched towards Autossee, a large Creek village.
How Did the Battle of Autossee Unfold?
Surprise Attack Plans Go Wrong
General Floyd planned to surround the town of Autossee before sunrise. His soldiers split into two groups to achieve this. However, a few things did not go as planned. First, they found a second, smaller Red Stick town called Tallasee. This meant Floyd had to spread his soldiers out even more.
Challenges for the Allied Creek Forces
Also, the allied Creek forces, led by William McIntosh, faced problems. They were supposed to block an escape route to the west. But they could not cross the cold, deep Tallapoosa River. Instead, they crossed Calebee Creek and tried to block the north side of the town.
The Warning and the Fight
Most importantly, a Red Stick hunter saw the approaching army. He quickly warned the people in the town. This gave them time to get women and children to safety. It also allowed them to call for help from nearby warriors, but that help did not arrive in time.
American Victory and Town Destruction
Even with these issues, Floyd's men had better weapons, including cannons. They stormed the village and set it on fire. Most of the Red Stick warriors ran away. However, General Floyd later reported that some stayed to fight. They bravely fought until the end, even dying in the burning buildings.
What Happened After the Battle of Autossee?
Casualties and Damage
The battle lasted about three hours. Between 200 and 250 Red Stick warriors were killed. This included the leaders of Autossee and Tallasee. Most of the townspeople escaped because the American forces were spread out. General Floyd's side had fewer losses. He lost 11 of his own men. A small number of allied Creek warriors were also killed. Floyd himself was wounded, along with five other soldiers. In total, about 400 houses in the two towns were burned down.
Return to Fort Mitchell and Future Battles
After the battle, General Floyd's army was low on supplies. They headed back to Fort Mitchell to rest and get more supplies. They were preparing for another attack, which would lead to the Battle of Calebee Creek. On their way back, a Red Stick warrior named Paddy Walsh attacked them. He was late to help his friends at Autossee. Walsh's attack killed five more of Floyd's men.
Where is Autossee Today?
The land where the Battle of Autossee took place is now private property. It is in Macon County, Alabama, near the town of Shorter. There is no public marker or access to the site today.
Images for kids
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Map of events during the Creek War. Autossee battle site located in the left center.
