BATTLE OF HORSESHOE BEND
Anniversary of Battle of Horseshoe Bend recreates 1814 frontier life
Every March, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park hosts the Anniversary of the Battle.
On the morning of 27 March 1814, General Andrew Jackson and an army of 3,300 men consisting of Tennessee militia, United States regulars, and both Cherokee and Lower Creek allies attacked Chief Menawa and 1,000 Upper Creek or Red Stick warriors fortified in the “horseshoe“ bend of the Tallapoosa River.
To seal off the bend of the river, the Upper Creeks built a strong 400 yard long barricade made of dirt and logs. As the Cherokee and Lower Creek warriors crossed the Tallapoosa and attacked from the rear, Jackson launched his militia and regular soldiers against the barricade.
Facing overwhelming odds, the Red Sticks fought bravely yet ultimately lost the battle. Over 800 Upper Creeks died at Horseshoe Bend defending their homeland. This was the final battle of the Creek War of 1813-1814 which is considered part of the War of 1812. In a peace treaty signed after the battle, both the Upper and Lower Creeks were forced to give the United States nearly 23 million acres of land in what is today Alabama and Georgia. The victory at Horseshoe Bend brought Andrew Jackson national attention and helped elect him the seventh President of the United States in 1828.
Established in 1959, the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park in Alabama preserves and interprets this important piece of American history.
Every March, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park hosts the Anniversary of the Battle. This annual event recreates frontier life in the year 1814 and emphasizes the importance of the battle in United States history through a variety of special demonstrations and interpretive programs.
The day’s activities provide park visitors with a better understanding of the battle participants and the reasons why the battle took place. Here they can experience the life of the Creek and Cherokee Indians, visit authentic hunting camps and watch demonstrations of traditional skills like hide tanning, flint knapping, and finger weaving.
They learn how to make Cherokee baskets and participate in an authentic Creek stomp dance, experience the life of Andrew Jackson’s frontier army, watch Tennessee militiamen and soldiers representing the 39th United States Infantry fire smoothbore cannon and flintlock muskets and they learn how soldiers cooked their meals and lived while on campaign.
All demonstrations and programs are presented numerous times throughout the day, providing both entertainment and education. For more information visit www.nps.gov/hobe
