Skirmish at Burnt Corn Creek occurred on July 27, 1813

From “Chapter XXVIII: The County of Conecuh” in “Alabama: Her History, Resources, War Record and Public Men From 1540 to 1872” by Willis Brewer:

A skirmish on Burnt Corn Creek, eight miles below Belleville, in this county, between the whites and Muscogees, July 27, 1813, was the commencement of the great Indian war.

The settlers on the Tombigbee having heard that a party of warriors under Peter McQueen – afterwards ascertained to number around 350 – had gone to Pensacola to obtain supplies from the British in order to attack the whites, resolved to intercept them on their return.

Accordingly Col. James Caller of Washington, with 180 mounted volunteers, marched across the country to get in the beaten trail to Pensacola. They found the savages encamped on Burnt Corn, engaged in cooking. The whites assaulted them vigorously and drove them into the thickets of the creek.

Surprised, but undismayed, the brave natives rallied and returned the fire with spirit. The whites, having broken ranks in order to plunder the camp, were now in turn driven back on the hill, and dispersed in a most discreditable manner, with few exceptions. They were driven off, and, had the Indians pursued, and overwhelming disaster would have befallen the ‘Bikbee settlement in the destruction of the flower of its fighting men.

As it was, they lost but two killed and 15 wounded. The loss of the Indians was also small; but they were greatly elated by their success. Inspired by revenge, a month later they befell upon Fort Mims, with what result these pages elsewhere reveal.