The Creek War of 1813 and 1814

XV. The Bashi Skirmish

214 THE CREEK WAR. MU8Cogees, and got many of them to join him. You know the Tensaw people. They were our friends. They played ball with us. They sheltered and fed ns, whenever we went to Pensacola. Whereare they now~ Their bodies rot at Sam Mims' place. The people at St. Stephens are also our friends. The Muscogees intend to kill them too. They want soldiers to defend them. (He here drew ont his sword and flourishing it, added:) 'Yon can all do as you please. You are all free men. I dictate to none of you. But I shall join the St. Stephens people. If you have a mind to follow me, I will len.d you to glory and to victory.' A warrior rose up, slapped his hand upon his breast, and said: 'I am a manl I am a manl I will follow you.' All of them now slapped their breasts, a general shout went up, and Gaines was filled with joy at the result." We supplement the above narrative of Pickett's with a few facts gleaned from Choctaw tradition. The tradition of the old Choctaws is that this oouncil took place in Neshoba CounLy, at Kooncheto village, situated about a mile and a half west of Yazoo Old Town. This plaoe was selected as being the most central point of rendezvous for the warriors of the nation. Puckshenubbee and Pushmataha were present , but Moshulitubbee, from some cause, failed to attend. Pushmataha, Puckshemebbee, and a subchief , named Tapenahoma, all made speeches favoring a military alliance with the Americans against the Creeks. At the close of Pushmataha's speech, a number of warriors arose, slapped their breasts, and exclaimed: "Nakni sia hokatl Chi iakaiyat ia lashkel" "I am a manl 1 will go and follow youl" CHOCTAWS AND CHIOKASAWS. 11111 The troops raised by Pushmataha, who was commissioned as Lieutenant Oolonel, consisted of four companies, the entire force,inclusive of the chief and the other commissioned officers, being one hundred and thirty-five men. The commissioned officers of the first company were Mingo Hopaii, (Prophet Ohief),Oaptain, and Tapena ishtaya (Rod-carrier), First Lieutenant. with fifty-one non-oommissioned officers and privates. The second company, commanded by Slim King, First Lieutenant, with Nukpallichabi (the one who entices and kills) as Second Lieutenant, had twenty-two non-oommissioned officers and privates. The third company, Edmond Folsom, Oaptain, Red Fort, First Lieutenant, Ohukkaba (House above), Second Lieutenant, Okchaya homma(Red Life), Third Lieutenant, had forty noncommissioned officers and privates. The fourth company , commanded by Oaptain Thluko, who bore the rank of First Lieutenant, was composed of twelve non-commissioned officers and privates.* With this force, Pushmataha reported to General Olaiborne, at St. Stephens, perhaps, early in October . He was treated with great distinction by the general and his officers, and soon became a favorite with all. During his entire connection with the army, a social grade corresponding to his rank was accorded to the Ohoctaw chief on all public, social, or official occasions. Whenever an officer gave a dining, Pushmataha was always an invited guest. The Mingo, on the other hand, was very careful not *The Continental sound must be given to the vowels in the above Choctaw names, including that of Pushmataha, and the aocent must be placed on the penult. H. S. H. 216 THE OREEK WAR. to compromise bis dignity as a great man and a warrior . He would only associate with officers of bigber grade, from captain upward. If a private, a non-commissioned officer, or even a commissioned officer of lower grade should accost him and attempt to enter into cOBversation with him, he would wave him aside with great dignity, saying in his imperfect English: " I no talk with little Mingo; I talk with big Mingo." A story is related that a short time after the fall of Fort 'Mirns-perhaps the time when he was tendering the services of his walTiors to General Flournoy -Pushmataha visited General Claiborne's camp_ When he approached the general's tent, he was received by the lieutenant on guard, who invited him to drink with him. Pushmataha answered only by a look of scorn. He recognized no officer with one epaulette. When the general came in, the red wa.rrior shook him by the hand. and said, proudly, as to an equal, "Chief, I will drink with you." Some of the officers at St...