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5. Rebellion
- University of Nebraska Press
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182 The Creek rebels had a major advantage: the fragmented and disorganized enemy they faced. The Creek rebels also had a major disadvantage: the fragmented and disorganized nature of the Creeks. Indeed, both rebels and settlers sprang from the same pluralistic atmosphere where corruption, violence, and economic exploitation kept both Native and white communities unstable and created interethnic conflict and collusion as people looked for the best way to make do. Ironically, such an environment provided just the right conditions for producing a Native rebellion, but because the Creeks were not united and because so many had ties of one sort or another to the white community, it would be very difficult for a rebellion to succeed. The rebels would learn this in time, but not before they felt success within their grasp. What little we know of the plot that led to war comes from Col. John Hogan and Opothle Yahola, and if their accounts are correct, the rebels’ inability to act in concert became apparent from the outset. Hogan contended that Neah Micco, Neah Emathla, Tuskenea, and Octruchee Emathla, the Ositchee chief, planned to open the war with attacks on Fort Mitchell and Columbus. In anticipation, a large body of warriors congregated near the Russell-Barbour county line, about twenty-fivemilessouthofColumbus.ThenNeahMiccosentthe“broken sticks” to Tuskenea designating the number of days before the attack was to begin. He also sent a message: “We are ready.” But the Upper 5. Rebellion rebellion 183 Creek chief drew back. He sent word to Neah Micco that they should hold off “till roasting ear time” in the late summer. This reply may have meant that he wanted to delay the conflict until New Alabama’s fields were full of corn to feed the rebel warriors and their families. He might also have had a religious motive in mind. The Creeks held their annual Busk ceremonies at the time of the new corn. It was a time of thanksgiving, cleansing, and renewal of the people’s spiritual power. Tuskenea may have believed that the warriors would have their greatest physical and moral strength at the end of the Busk. Or, Tuskenea could have simply lost his stomach for war. Indeed, in the end his reasons are mysterious and may have been composed of a contradictory mix of traditional beliefs and more modern economic concerns. In this regard, he and other Creeks might not have been that different from their white neighbors. Surely settlers, and even speculators, professed a strong belief in Christianity, yet succumbed inevitably to the material demands of the growing market system. But no matter what Tuskenea thought, his hesitation hurt the rebel cause and helped the whites by saving both Columbus and Fort Mitchell from rebel sieges. Without the assistance of Tuskenea, the rebel Lower Creek chiefs were unwilling to attempt the assault. Moreover, Tuskenea never returned openly to the rebel party, and, in fact, he may not have intended to go to war in the first place. It is possible he pretended to go along with the idea only to appease all the impoverished Creeks he depended on for political support.1 It also appears Neah Micco found himself in the same situation. Probably he did not really want war but found himself unable to control all the angry, starving people in the Lower towns. And even if he did intend to take up the war club, Tuskenea’s departure from the cause may have led him to lose his nerve and throw it down. Furthermore, Neah Micco had close ties to John Crowell, the former Creek agent, as well as other members of the white community. The elderly chief was a man accustomed to playing both ends against the middle, telling his people what they wanted to hear while at the same time doing business with the merchants and land speculators who so abused the Lower Creeks. Neah Micco had divided loyalties and ended up betraying [3.238.84.213] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 15:32 GMT) rebellion 184 the rebel cause. When he saw his people were determined to fight, he advised Crowell to leave his house and take up residence at Fort Mitchell or flee the Creek country altogether. He also told Crowell to “inform the citizens of Columbus that they could expect attack.” On May 8 Crowell passed this word along to his neighbors in the Euchee Creek neighborhood of Russell County, and these people, obviously terrified, made one last...