The Bashi Skirmish in the

Creek War The Creek War (also the Red Stick War or the Creek Civil War) was a regional conflict between opposing Native American factions, European powers, and the United States during the early 19th century. The Creek War began as a conflict within th ...

was fought in what became Failetown, Alabama. A Clarke County historical marker which stands on Woods Bluff Road between

Alabama 69 Alabama ( ) is a state in the Southeastern and Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama is the ...

and Cassidy Hill marks the location of the incident which resulted in the death of 4 Americans. The exact date of this skirmish is not clear but it is believed to have occurred in early October 1813. At least one source puts it at October 4, 1813. A group of 25 white horsemen led by Colonel William McGrew left St. Stephens traveling towards

Fort Easley Fort Easley was a stockade fort built in 1813 in present-day Clarke County, Alabama during the Creek War (part of the larger War of 1812). History Creek War Fort Easley was built in 1813 on the east side of the Tombigbee River to provide local se ...

. The company was proceeding towards a stream called Bashi Creek that flows into the

Tombigbee River The Tombigbee River is a tributary of the Mobile River, approximately 200 mi (325 km) long, in the U.S. states of Mississippi and Alabama. Together with the Alabama, it merges to form the short Mobile River before the latter empties i ...

a mile or two north of Wood's Bluff when they suddenly found themselves among concealed Creek warriors. They were ambushed after a turkey tail was raised above a log by one of the concealed Creek, giving the signal for attack. The Indians who had guns instantly fired from their places of concealment and McGrew who had taken part in the

Battle of Burnt Corn The Battle of Burnt Corn, also known as the Battle of Burnt Corn Creek, was an encounter between United States armed forces and Red Stick Creeks that took place July 27, 1813 in present-day southern Alabama. This battle was the first engagement ...

was killed along with Edmund Miles, Jesse Griffin and Captain William Bradbury. David Griffin was reported missing and presumed dead; his body was never found.

References

{{reflist Battles in 1813 1813 in the United States Battles of the Creek War Native American history of Alabama October 1813 Battles of the War of 1812 Battles in Alabama Clarke County, Alabama