HORSESHOE BEND, Battle of, in the War of 1812. When Jackson reached Fort Strother after his battles at Emuckfaw (q.v.) and Enotachopco, many of the volunteers re turned home, thus forcing him into temporary idleness, but in February 1814 some regulars arrived and, therefore, as others of his volun teers had but a month more to serve, Jackson, on 16 March, dropped about 30 miles down the Coosa River and then started eastward for the Tallapoosa River, in the great loop of which, at Tohopeka, 800 Ocfuskee Indians had erected a fort and there had taken refuge with their women and children. On 28 March, with 3,000 effectives, Jackson camped about six miles from Horseshoe Bend and the next day made the attack. He sent General Coffee to gain the southern bank of the river, encircle the bend and assault from the rear while he attacked in front. Coffee's men attacked and set fire to the Indian huts, whereupon Jackson furiously assailed the breastwork on his side and finally carried it with some loss. The Indians asked no quarter and kept up a hopeless resistance until darkness ended the combat, when they sought refuge in the thickets; but the brush was set afire and as the Indians emerged they were shot. The slaughter was terrible, 557 warriors
having fallen in the fort while many were shot swimming across the river so that only 200 are believed to have escaped. The prisoners num bered 304. Jackson's loss was 51 killed and 150 wounded. This battle destroyed the Indian power, and on 9 Aug. 1814, Jackson signed a capitulation and treaty with the Creeks whereby a large portion of their lands was ceded to the government. (See Camxs). Soon afterward Jackson went to defend New Orleans (q.v.). Consult Adams, Henry, 'United States' (Vol. III, pp. 251-261) ;