‘Battle of Burnt Corn’ re-enactment set for Saturday

The annual re-enactment of the Battle of Burnt Corn Creek is more than fights, silver, Indians and shooting. The event also features demonstrations of art and homemade goods reminiscent of the era when the battle took place.
The site of the re-enactment will be held on the grounds of Jennings Park near downtown Brewton — a site near where the actual battle took place.
Exhibits will open at 9 a.m. with the re-enactment of the battle at noon. The event will close at 2 p.m. There is no charge to attend.
The story of the battle will be on display as actors portray both parties in the battle.
Historical writings of the original battle was an encounter between United States armed forces and Creek Indians that took place July 27, 1813 in present-day southern Alabama. The battle was part of the Creek War.
In the historical account, Creek Native American Chief Peter McQueen and a large party of Red Stick warriors were headed to Pensacola, Fla., to buy munitions in July 1813. With $400 and a letter for British officer, the trip began, but ended in the battle that would forever be known as the “Battle of Burnt Corn.”
McQueen was believed to have said the Spanish governor gave the group a small bag of powder for each ten towns and five bullets for each man for “hunting purposes.”
A Creek warrior, Samuel Moniac, however, testified after the events that he was told that when they went back with their supply, another body of men would go for more ammunition; and that 10 men were to go out of town.
From that point, U.S. Soldiers at Fort Mims quickly organized armed men after hearing of McQueen’s Mission. The squad was led by Colonel James Caller and Captain Dixon Bailey. The group intercept’s McQueen’s party. Volunteers from Fort Glass joined the party under their Commander Samuel Dale. The Americans then ambushed the Red Sticks as they laid to sleep on July 27, 1813 on the banks of the Burnt Corn Creek (now known as the northern portion of Escambia County). The event would get its name, “The Battle of Burnt Corn” as a result and would be seen in history as a part of the larger Creek War. The Americans scattered the Red Sticks as they fled into nearby swamp areas. After claiming victory in the battle, the Americans began looting the Red Sticks’ pack horses. It was then that Creeks realized the Americans had dropped their guard and the Indian troop re-grouped and launched a surprise attack of their own scattering the Americans in the process.
The Saturday event planned at Jennings Park will offer historians — and regular folk — an opportunity to get an up-close look at how the battle played out.

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