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HISTORY

November 29, 1813
Battle of Autossee

On November 29, 1813 some 900 Georgia militia commanded by Gen. John Floyd and approximately 450 U.S-allied Creeks led by William McIntosh attacked a large party of Creek Red Stick warriors, killing at least 200 and burning the town. At the time, Autossee consisted of perhaps several hundred houses.

Floyd's forces had already engaged Red Sticks in limited skirmishes during the summer of 1813, but by late November, he was preparing to strike Red Stick towns in the same manner as John Coffee had earlier in the month. Floyd had received word that Red Stick leader Peter McQueen and his men had sought refuge in Autossee after escaping Jackson and the Tennessee militia at Talladega. Floyd's forces arrived at Autossee before sunrise on 29th and split into two columns, planning to surround the town, Floyd then discovered a second Red Stick camp nearby and he made plans to surround it as well.

Before they could launch the attack, Floyd and his men were spotted by a Red Stick hunter, who returned to camp and warned leaders of the impending attack. Thus, the warriors were able to evacuate most of the town before the soldiers arrived.

The Red Sticks opened fire first but were driven back by Floyd's troops, which included two cannon. The town itself was soon set ablaze, and the majority of the warriors were forced to seek cover by the riverbank. Floyd later reported that several warriors remained in the encampment to fight and died in the fires. In the end, most of the Red Stick warriors escaped. Floyd, low on supplies, retreated to Ft. Mitchell rather than pursuing the Red Stick warriors.