Red Eagle’s famous leap occurred at the Battle of Holy Ground in 1813

In the aftermath of the Battle of Burn Corn and the Fort Mims Massacre, General Ferdinand Claiborne left Fort Claiborne (in present-day Monroe County) on Dec. 13, 1813 with the 1,000-man strong 3^rd U.S. Infantry Regiment and 150 Choctaw fighters under “Indian General” Pushmataha.

Their destination: Econochaca (in present-day Lowndes County), where Red Stick Creeks had established a fortified camp on a high bluff above the Alabama River. The Creeks at Econochaca, which loosely translates to “Holy Ground,” were led by William Weatherford and Josiah “Prophet” Francis. On this sacred ground, the Creeks were convinced that they were invincible.

Claiborne’s forces arrived on the scene on Dec. 23 and attacked Holy Ground, one day after Weatherford had evacuated all women and children from the camp. In the ensuing battle, at least 33 of the outnumbered Creeks were killed with the rest forced to retreat west across the river. It was here that Weatherford, the last Creek to escape, made a dramatic leap on his horse, Arrow, from the bluff and into the river while under heavy fire from Claiborne’s troops.

Weatherford, who later became known as “Red Eagle,” eventually surrendered to General Andrew Jackson at Fort Toulouse after the climactic Battle of Horseshoe Bend in March 1814. Weatherford, who was half-Creek and half-Scottish, was spared by Jackson, who would go on to become the Seventh President of the United States in 1829. Weatherford eventually settled in southern Monroe County, where he farmed until his death in 1824. He was around 60 years old when he passed away.

Today at the site of Holy Ground, you’ll find Holy Ground Battlefield Park, which is run by the Army Corps of Engineers. My son, James, and I rode up there Saturday afternoon with an eye towards seeing the bluff that Weatherford made so famous in Alabama history. All in all, it was a nice field trip that allowed us to take in a little bit of state history that we had never seen before.

The park features a wooden overlook that sits high above the river and provides visitors with a sweeping view of the west bank. You’ll also find informational signs that detail the battle and describe the many types of wildlife you’ll find in and around the river. There’s also a nature trail that will take you to various points of interest around the park.

While there, James and I did a good bit of walking in the park, and this provided us with a good “boots on the ground” idea of battlefield’s terrain. The Creeks literally had their backs to the river at Holy Ground, a situation that would play out against them again months later in the decisive battle at Horseshoe Bend. One can only imagine what the outcome would have been had the lay of the land been a little different at Holy Ground.

In the end, the easiest way to get to Holy Ground Battlefield Park from Monroeville is to take U.S. Highway 84 towards Evergreen and then cut north on Interstate Highway 65. Get off at Exit 151 and then take State Highway 97 North for about 30 miles. You’ll pass through Letohatchee, Hayneville and Lowndesboro before reaching Holy Ground Road, which takes you into the park.