Saturday, October 25, 2014

Singleton tells of DeSoto's famed Alabama River crossing on Oct. 14, 1544

George Buster Singleton
(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “DeSoto’s defeat happened 440 years ago at Alabama River,” was originally published in the Oct. 18, 1984 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Four hundred and forty years ago today, here on the mighty Alabama River, the banks were alive with activity. Hernando DeSoto was about to cross with his mighty army and begin the downward trend that would lead to his defeat and eventual death.

The river was low, just as it is today. An autumn sun beamed down on the soldiers and animals alike. The horses of the soldiers were restless as preparations were being made to swim them from the west bank to the east. The clank of heavy armor added to the excitement.

The cattle and hogs that moved with the army were being guarded by the faithful “Catahoula” hounds that had journeyed all the way from Spain for the purpose of handling and herding the army’s meat supply. The hounds were nervous, too, for they would soon, upon the command of their masters, push the animals into the waters of the mighty river. Little did anyone know that this was the beginning of the end for this ruthless explorer and his loyal followers.

The Indians that had been forced into slave labor by DeSoto’s army paddled the large canoes back and forth, carrying supplies and armor, while the warhorses of the cavalry swam alongside.

There was tension in the autumn air. DeSoto believed that he was nearing the end of his journey. He felt that within a two-day march from the river bank, he would find the fabulous wealth that had brought him and his army many miles in search of the fabled “Seven Cities of Gold.”

The large Indian town of Maubila was within his grasp. He and his followers would gather all the great wealth that they could carry and then link up with his fleet of ships awaiting his return in the bay of what is now Pensacola. Truly, the riches he would have in his possession before the sun had set two days later would pay for the expedition and make him rich beyond his wildest dreams.

The river crossing was his last obstacle. At the town of Maubila he would gather Indians and force them to carry the great wealth that he would acquire and the supplies of his army to the ocean and the waiting fleet.

All haste was being made. The army would move on ahead, leaving the herds to follow behind. There was no time to be wasted. He had sent runners to Maubila, notifying them that he, DeSoto the great explorer, was on his way. A feast was in order. The great and feared warrior would enter Maubila with a hero’s welcome.

But fate would hold the winning hand. Word had already reached the great town of Maubila about the cruelty and greed of DeSoto and his men. Preparations were already underway for the great battle that was soon to come. Warriors from miles around had been notified and awaited DeSoto’s arrival.

But the battle of Maubila is another story. As I stand here today, in the area where the crossing took place on Oct. 15, 1544, I wonder how much history would have been altered if DeSoto had given the command to head south instead of turning in a northeasterly direction. Who knows? One can only guess. I gaze into the deep waters and speculate that here on this bank, history was staging one of its great performances.

The ripples in the river continue their journey toward the sea. The autumn sun warms the goldenrods along the banks, and a crow calls from the distance. The stage is the same, only the players have changed.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from 1964 to 1987. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

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