Hillabee towns, the
In 1813 there was an existing jealousy between the
west Tennessee troops, under
Generals Jackson and
Coffee, and the
east Tennessee troops, under
Generals Cooke and
White, both intent upon punishing the
Creeks.
After the battle of
Talladega (q. v.), the
Hillabee Creeks were disposed to peace, and offered to make terms with
Jackson.
He cordially responded, and preparations were made for the transaction.
Meanwhile
Generals Cocke and
White, ignorant of this measure, came down upon the Hillabees, and spread destruction in their path.
Ockfuskee and Genalga, two deserted villages—one of thirty and the other of ninety houses— were laid in ashes; and on the morning of Nov. 18, the troops appeared before the principal town.
The inhabitants were unsuspicious of danger, and made no resistance; yet
General White, for the purpose of inspiring terror in the minds of the
Creek nation, fell furiously upon the non-resistants, and murdered no less than sixty warriors.
Then, with 250 widows and orphans as prisoners in his train, he returned to Fort Armstrong, a stronghold which the east
Tennesseeans had built on the
Coosa, in the present
Cherokee county, Ala. The
Hillabees, knowing no other American commander than
Jackson, regarded this outrage as most foul perfidy on his part, and thenceforth they carried on the war with malignant fury.