Holy Ground Battlefield Park
Interpretive panels, a walkway
and overlook are among the
features of the park near
White Hall, Alabama.
Interpretive panels, a walkway
and overlook are among the
features of the park near
White Hall, Alabama.
Walkway at Holy Ground
A wooden walkway leads to
an overlook high above the
Alabama River at the site of
the Battle of Holy Ground.
A wooden walkway leads to
an overlook high above the
Alabama River at the site of
the Battle of Holy Ground.
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - The Battle of Holy Ground, Alabama
The Battle of Holy Ground - White Hall, Alabama
| The Battle of Holy Ground, Alabama Noted Creek warrior William Weatherford is said to have made a flying leap on horseback from the bluff into the river during the Battle of Holy Ground. |
Holy Ground Battlefield Park
A commanding bluff overlooking the Alabama
River near the small community of White Hall
holds a significant place in Alabama history
and legend.
This was the site of Holy Ground, the town of
Creek Prophet Josiah Francis and a base of
operations for Red Stick warriors during the
Creek War of 1813-1814. The noted Creek
warrior William Weatherford is said to have
made his famed horseback leap into the river
from the bluff.
Although it may have existed earlier, Holy
Ground first attracted attention during the
winter of 1812-1813 when Prophet Francis
made it the headquarters for his rapidly
expanding religious movement. A convert to
the teachings of the Shawnee Prophet
Tenskwatawa, Francis taught his followers
that they should return to traditional ways and
give up all aspects of white culture.
When a civil war among the Creeks spilled
over to the whites following the battles at
Burnt Corn Creek and Fort Mims, the town at
Holy Ground quickly became a target for
attack.
One of three U.S. armies converging on the
Creek Nation left Fort Claiborne (today's
Claiborne, Alabama) in December of 1813
and began a cross-country march to Holy
Ground. Led by Gen. Ferdinand L. Claiborne,
the troops emerged from the forests and
attacked Holy Ground on December 23, 1813.
Following their dramatic and bloody victory at
Fort Mims, the Red Sticks were too confident
in their abilities to deal with the soldiers and
resistance quickly disintegrated as the tide of
the Battle of Holy Ground began to turn
against them.
A detachment of warriors fought from behind
fallen trees and logs to hold back Claiborne's
men while Francis and the other leaders
evacuated their non-combatants to safety
across the Alabama River.
River near the small community of White Hall
holds a significant place in Alabama history
and legend.
This was the site of Holy Ground, the town of
Creek Prophet Josiah Francis and a base of
operations for Red Stick warriors during the
Creek War of 1813-1814. The noted Creek
warrior William Weatherford is said to have
made his famed horseback leap into the river
from the bluff.
Although it may have existed earlier, Holy
Ground first attracted attention during the
winter of 1812-1813 when Prophet Francis
made it the headquarters for his rapidly
expanding religious movement. A convert to
the teachings of the Shawnee Prophet
Tenskwatawa, Francis taught his followers
that they should return to traditional ways and
give up all aspects of white culture.
When a civil war among the Creeks spilled
over to the whites following the battles at
Burnt Corn Creek and Fort Mims, the town at
Holy Ground quickly became a target for
attack.
One of three U.S. armies converging on the
Creek Nation left Fort Claiborne (today's
Claiborne, Alabama) in December of 1813
and began a cross-country march to Holy
Ground. Led by Gen. Ferdinand L. Claiborne,
the troops emerged from the forests and
attacked Holy Ground on December 23, 1813.
Following their dramatic and bloody victory at
Fort Mims, the Red Sticks were too confident
in their abilities to deal with the soldiers and
resistance quickly disintegrated as the tide of
the Battle of Holy Ground began to turn
against them.
A detachment of warriors fought from behind
fallen trees and logs to hold back Claiborne's
men while Francis and the other leaders
evacuated their non-combatants to safety
across the Alabama River.
| Copyright 2010 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
Fort Mims, Alabama
The Battle of Holy Ground
targeted many of the warriors
involved in the Creek attack
on Fort Mims.
The Battle of Holy Ground
targeted many of the warriors
involved in the Creek attack
on Fort Mims.
In one of the memorable events of the day,
the famed Creek warrior William Weatherford
dashed to and fro on horseback, looking for
an avenue of escape. According to Alabama
legend, finding himself trapped by soldiers,
he suddenly spurred his horse to a run and
rode it off the top of the bluff in a sailing leap
into the river below.
Holy Ground Battlefield Park, maintained by
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is located
off U.S. 80 between Montgomery and Selma
near the community of White Hall. To reach
the park, turn north from U.S. 80 on either
C.R. 29 or C.R. 40 and follow the signs.
The C.R. 29 is especially picturesque
because it takes you through the beautifully
preserved antebellum town of Lowndesboro.
the famed Creek warrior William Weatherford
dashed to and fro on horseback, looking for
an avenue of escape. According to Alabama
legend, finding himself trapped by soldiers,
he suddenly spurred his horse to a run and
rode it off the top of the bluff in a sailing leap
into the river below.
Holy Ground Battlefield Park, maintained by
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is located
off U.S. 80 between Montgomery and Selma
near the community of White Hall. To reach
the park, turn north from U.S. 80 on either
C.R. 29 or C.R. 40 and follow the signs.
The C.R. 29 is especially picturesque
because it takes you through the beautifully
preserved antebellum town of Lowndesboro.
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