Zachary Taylor and the Red Ground King

An Incident of the Trail of Tears

by Dale Cox

Zachary Taylor in 1844.
Library of Congress

The name of Andrew Jackson is most closely associated with the Trail of Tears and the movement of troops through the Apalachicola River valley by a future President. It was not Jackson, however, but Zachary Taylor, who actually implemented the policy of "Indian Removal" in the region. He later became the 12th President of the United States.

Taylor (1784-1850) was an officer of long service when he reached Florida in 1837. He still was a colonel when he led troops at the Battle of Okeechobee on Christmas Day of that year. His service there led the government to elevate him to the rank of brevet brigadier general.

Taylor assumed command of all United States forces in Florida in May 1838. He arrived at Chattahoochee in October of that year to oversee the forced removal of the remaining bands of Apalachicola Creek or Seminole Indians who lived on lands given to them in Jackson County. 

The following is excerpted from my book The History Of Jackson County, Florida: The Early Years:

-Excerpt-

Summer houses at Econchattimico's Town on the
Chattahoochee River in Jackson County, Florida.
Comte de Castelnau, 1838.

One of the last accounts of the Native Americans in Jackson County was written during the summer of 1838 by a visiting French nobleman, the Comte de Castlenau. He described Econchattimico ("Red Ground King") as an old man, “bent with age." The chief's ears and the tip of his nose were missing, cut off as punishment for committing adultery. Creek law specified that the cropping of the ears or nose was the proper punishment for the crime, which was a significant breach of the rules of personal conduct by which chief and warriors were expected to abide.

By April 3, 1838, it was widely reported in newspapers around the South that Econchattimico and John Walker had agreed to relocate to the new lands west of the Mississippi. Neither chief wanted to go, but they really had little choice. Walker’s generous offer to let Coahadjo’s refugees stay with him had depleted his village’s food supply, and hunger became a severe issue for his people. Their situation was exacerbated when most of the refugee Creeks fled into the swamps and began attacking isolated farms and settlements. The pressure on the government to remove the last of the Apalachicola bands increased, as did rumors that they were planning to join the war effort:

A Creek warrior of the Apalachicola bands sketched from
 life on the Apalachicola River in 1838.
University of West Florida

The Indians on the Apalachicola river, (Conchatimico’s tribe and those lower down the river) entered some time ago, into a treaty stipulation, to leave Florida on the 20th of this month. Fears are now entertained that they will not move at the time appointed. They are to be paid the money to which the treaty entitles them, on the 15th. The acting governor, in order to prevent them from dispersing, has assembled a force of 300 men, half from Jackson, and half from Gadsden county, to be in readiness to keep them in check. There is also to be one company of regulars present. The removal of the Indians is a duty which has been assigned to Lieut. Boyd, of the army. [1]

There is no evidence that Econchattimico and Walker were planning to take to the woods, but the government reacted to the rumors with considerable force. Colonel Zachary Taylor, now holding the field rank of brigadier general, moved north with a command of regular troops to oversee the removal operation. The Tallahassee Floridian reported his passage through that city in mid-October, accompanied by two companies of dragoons. He also had with him, according to the newspaper, “a chief of the Tallahassees, the son of Neamathla, and his negro interpreter.” 

Taylor and his troops were soon at Econchattimico’s town, where they were joined by Captain E. Backus and a second body of soldiers from the 6th U.S. Infantry. The steamboat Rodney was brought up the Apalachicola River, and on October 20, 1838, the men women and children of the two villages were placed aboard:

Aspalaga in Gadsden County as shown in an 1834 painting.
Notice the Native Americans smoking fish on the near or
Jackson County shore.
University of West Florida

Two companies of mounted men, one of dragoons under the command of Lieut. Lowton, the other infantry commanded by Capt. Backus, crossed the Apalachicola river and were posted in the immediate vicinity of the Indian towns a few days previous to the expiration of the time stipulated in the treaty for the removal of the Indians, the 20th inst. We learn that every preparation had been made by the Indians to take to the woods. Provisions and ammunition were in readiness, and but for the presence of a well disciplined and determined force, and certain nightly amusements got up by the officers and two friendly chiefs of the Tallahassees brought on by General Taylor, their plans would doubtless have been put in execution. On Saturday last they were embarked, to the number of two hundred and eighty men, women, and children, on board the steam boats Izard and Rodney, for their destination in the far west. [2]

By the 21st, the boats were at Aspalaga, where Taylor dispatched a message informing the government that the Native Americans had been removed without incident. From there, the boat continued down the river to its confluence with the Jackson River just north of Apalachicola. Turning off into the latter stream, the Rodney steamed up to Lake Wimico and across to the depot where Florida’s earliest railroad would soon cross the narrow neck of land to the city of St. Joseph:

Zachary Taylor in uniform. He served as the
12th President of the United States in 1849-
1850, dying while in office.
National Archives

The steamer Rodney arrived yesterday at the Depot, having on board 269 of the Indians from Conchatimico and Walker’s Town, on the Apalachicola. These Indians, since the acquisition of Florida, have resided on the Apalachicola river, entirely surrounded by the whites. Their position was mutually inconvenient to both parties, and their removal highly desired by the inhabitant, and the government. They have been paid for their improvements and personal property, and on a day fixed by treaty, they embarked on the steamboat for their western home. The militia and a few regular troops had been ordered out to prevent the Indians from dispersing, or committing any depredations. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Daniel Boyd, the emigrating agent, who controlled the movement, for the humanity, energy, and despatch with which this emigration has been conducted. We believe that West Florida is now free from the presence of an Indian. [3]

The claim that Northwest Florida had been cleared of Native Americans was a bit premature. The former members of Coahadjo’s band remained in hiding in the swamps of the Apalachicola, Ochlockonee, and Chipola Rivers, now led by Pascofa and several of his sub-chiefs.

-End Excerpt-

I will write more about the long Trail of Tears journey of Econchattimico, Walker, and their people tomorrow.

You can read more anytime in the book, which is available in both paperback and Kindle formats:

References

[1] Pensacola Gazette, October 14, 1838.

[2] Tallahassee Floridian, October 27, 1838.

[3] St. Joseph Times, October 24, 1838.