Ask any teenager when the war of 1812 was and watch their eyes glaze over for just a moment before they answer whatever but in truth it is one of Americas forgotten wars. Charles Kiker was about 21 when war was declared against the British for the second time in the past 37 years. Its hard to believe we would have war against British Canada, our wonderful neighbors to the north but that is exactly what happened when we lost my hometown of Detroit on 16 August 1812, surrendered by General William Hall along with two thousand US troops. This action quickly brought muster to North Carolina and Charles Kiker signed and fought for Col Jesse A Pearson of the 7th reg North Carolina Militia. Salisbury North Carolina believe it or not was a hub of activity for training soldiers for this battle, Salisbury was the Fort Bragg of 1812 training centers so Charles didnt have far to travel for his military training. These barracks and parade grounds were on Crane creek at Bringle Ferry rd, roughly two miles out of town. The local revolutionary soldiers who were training these young recruits had vowed to fight the British themselves for a second whopping if necessary. Charles father George Adam Keicher was a revolutionary war soldier but who knows whether he was among those training these men. It wouldnt appear Charles saw much action in the first year of fighting as most of the action was at sea, also in Canada and in Baltimore at Fort McHenry and in lake Erie. I have visited Perrys monument in memory of USN Oliver H Perry the Hero of the battle of lake Erie at Put in Bay island near the summer home of my grandfather Kiker. The battle of Baltimore and the poem written at Fort McHenry by Francis Scott Key have become the lyrics in our national anthem. The battle raged in Washington DC with the Burning of Washington in 1814 was an attack during the war. On August 24, 1814, after defeating the Americans at the battle of Blandensburg a British force led by Major General Robert Ross occupied Washington and set fire to many public buildings, including the White house and the Capitol. This action sent thousands of North Carolina troops north. For Charles and the 7th reg of NC militia the battle came to the southwest when they were called in to aide Andrew Jackson in his battle with the creek Indians at Horseshoe bend Alabama and in his march to the sea in defense of New Orleans. Here is a telling of this decisive battle. Approaching the area early on March 27, 1814, Jackson split his command and ordered Brigadier General John Coffee to take his mounted militia and the allied warrior s downstream to cross the river. Once this was done, they were to march upstream and surround Tohopeka from the far bank of the Tallapoosa. From this position, they were to act as a distraction and cut off Menawas lines of retreat. As Coffee departed, Jackson moved towards the fortified wall with the remaining 2,000 men of his command . Deploying his men across the neck, Jackson opened fire with his two artillery pieces at 10:30 AM with the goal of opening a breach in the wall through which his troops could attack. Possessing only a 6-pounder and 3-pounder, the American bombardment proved ineffective. While the American guns were firing, three of Coffees Cherokee warriors swam across the river and stole several Red Stick canoes. Returning to the south bank they began ferrying their Cherokee and Lower Creek comrades across the river to attack Tohopeka from the rear. In the process, they set fire to several buildings. Around 12:30 PM, Jackson saw smoke rising from behind the Red Stick lines. Ordering his men forward, the Americans moved towards the wall with the 39th US Infantry in the lead. In brutal fighting, the Red Sticks were pushed back from the wall. One of the first Americans over the barricade was young Lieutenant Sam Houston who was wounded in the shoulder by an arrow. Driving forward, the Red Sticks fought an increasingly desperate battle with Jacksons men attacking from the north and his Native American allies assaulting from the south. Those Red Sticks that attempted to escape across the river were cut down by Coffees men. Fighting in the camp raged through the day as Menawas men attempted to make a final stand. With darkness, falling the battle came to an end. Though severely wounded, Menawa and around 200 of his men were able to escape the field and sought refuge with the Seminoles in Florida. Aftermath of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend: In the fighting, 557 Red Sticks were killed defending the encampment, while approximately 300 more were killed by Coffees men while attempting to escape across the Tallapoosa. The 350 women and children in Tohopeka became prisoners of the Lower Creek and Cherokees. American losses numbered 47 killed and 159 wounded, while Jacksons Native American allies incurred 23 killed and 47 wounded. Having broken the back of the Red Sticks, Jackson moved south and built Fort Jackson at the confluence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa in the heart of the Red Sticks holy ground. From this position he sent out word to the remaining Red Stick forces that they were to sever their ties to the British and Spanish or risk being wiped out. Understanding his people to be defeated, noted Red Stick leader William Weatherford (Red Eagle) came to Fort Jackson and asked for peace. This was concluded by the Treaty of Fort Jackson on August 9, 1814, by which the Creek ceded 23 million acres of land in present-day Alabama and Georgia to the United States. For his success against the Red Sticks, Jackson was made a major general in the US Army and achieved further glory the following January at the battle of New Orleans. Charles Kiker was involved in taking prisoners and many small skirmishes but the North Carolina Militia only lost 18 men and a few more to disease. The War of 1812 came to an abrupt end when the treaty of Ghent was signed on 24 Dec 1814 but a month later Andrew Jackson smashed the British army on 8 January 1815 at New Orleans before news of the treaty had reached them. Charles returned home and within two months time married Amelia (Millie) Minyard, to them were born 9 children in all that I count, in 1820 they were living in Mechlenburg Co with three small children and living next to his father and brother farming and manufacturing. In 1830 they are living in Lenoir NC next to his two brothers George and Evan and their parents, in 1840 Charles is living in Cass Georgia with 13 in the home and in 1850 he is living in Gordon Co Ga next to his mother and son John and his family. Charles died 29 Sept 1859. It would appear he filed for a pension which I do not have Amelia Kiker filed for a widows pension in 1873 if anyone has either of those pensions I would like to read them. I have seen bits and pieces of Millies pension. Thomas Byrd and Jane Kiker came forward to say this couple was married in 1813 and that would seem to make sense as their first child John has a 7 May 1814 birth date. This link gets interesting at the 10 minute mark as I recall for those Kikers wondering why they dont still live in Salisbury NC. John McDonald John McDonald Jackson Mi email daddymac1961@yahoo youtube/watch?v=mAYNRi0pD-U
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 01:41:40 +0000
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