By H. S. Halbert and T. H. Ball. With
Introductions, Notes, Bibliography, and
Index by Frank L. Owsley, Jr.
Tuscaloosa, AL: The University
of Alabama Press (Box 870380, 35487-
0380), 1995 [Original edition without
contemporary additions, 1895].
Paperbound. 370 Pp. ISBN Number 0-
8173-0775-3.
The incidents leading to the Indian
Removal are usually explained away
with broad sweeping statements such
as “desire for Indian land, cattle,
houses, etc.”. These statements tell
nothing of the personal lives and
actions of the individual living in
frontier America. Originally written in
1895, “The Creek War of 1813 and
1814” tells these stories. It includes
first-person accounts as well as letters,
newspaper accounts, and military
dispatches to bring to life this
momentous period in time.
Written to include both the Indian and
White points of view, the book goes to
great lengths to explore the causes of
the war and subsequent events
including an examination of the role
Tecumseh may have played in setting
the stage for the Indian
Removal. The authors visited many of
the sites and observed personally
where an incident took place prior to
writing the book. Several popularized
accounts, for example Weatherford’s
dramatized leap into the Alabama
River now contested by some,
were either disproved or validated by
the authors personal visits to the
historic site and careful research.
The book makes no attempt to place
blame on either side for what
happened during these episodes but
to give a regionalized account of what
happened to the residents of the
area bordered by the Alabama and
Tombigbee Rivers. Influences from
outside the local area, such as Andrew
Jackson’s’ actions, are not covered but
this is not the purpose of this book.
What sets this book apart from so
many other historical writings is that
it does not get carried away with the
“big picture” but instead maintains the
detail of a regionalized account. “The
Creek War of 1813 and 1814” is well-
documented and includes detailed
footnotes. My one criticism is the lack
of detailed maps. I highly recommend
this book to anyone who wants to know
what it felt like to be on the
frontier during this fascinating time in
history.
Pledger A. Moon, Member Reviewers’
Consortium
