Some paragraphs taken from my Book
"A Short History of the Creeks Indians"
Revised Edition of a 1997 Publication


Jim Boy

The Fish Ponds were a branch town of the Okchia, and located seven miles to the north of the town of Okchia. The Okchia were one of the original seven tribes that made up the Federation. Oc is a Choctaw word for water. Oc in the Creek language means "In," as in the English name of Okfuskee, (English spelling) "In a point of land." The Creek word for water is "o ee wah." In some of the English letters the town is spelled Okchiahia, Okachois and Oakchoy.

The legend of the Fish Ponds being Alabama Indians is thus: At one time a division of the Alabama grew tired of war with the Choctaw, and wanted a separate representation. The Okchia gave them a square of ground to live upon, and agreed to protect them. Later, after incorporation through marriage, the Alabama bloods split and formed the towns of Thlotlogulgua, Okchaiutci, and Asilanabi.

The movement west began in 1836. In November 9,833 Creeks were strung out in a line across Arkansas. By the spring of 1837, 15,609 had been delivered to their new home. A total of 1,806 warriors had been sent to fight for the United States. While the Indian Regiments were in Florida their families were put into camps under the protection of Federal Officers. The local citizens attacked them and killed old men, women, and children without the least resistance. They were robbed of everything they had. Many of them ran into the swamps to escape the massacre. The Militia went in pursuit, and on March 24 found them and opened fire. Forty were found dead, and the prisoners said many more of the dead were thrown in the river.

In preparation to move the remaining Indians west in 1837 the families were concentrated at Tuskegee near Montgomery. By March 8, 4000 were waiting for the boats to transport them. On March 20, 1600 were herded onto the John Nelson and Chippewa to be transported down the Alabama River to Mobile Point (Fort Morgan). They were to await the remainder. In April 500 of them went on to New Orleans. The next month these 500 boarded the Black Hawk, and on June 2 reached Little Rock Arkansas.

Thirty five hundred Indians were packed at Mobile Point waiting for the Creek Warriors returning from Florida to join them. In July 200 arrived on board the Merchant. Jim Boy, who was now in the service of the United States, was furious over the breach of faith. Many deaths occurred during the stay. Captain John Page directed them to select a delegation of 50 men to go in search of a better place of refuge. Pass Christian, Mississippi was selected. There was such a number sick that many of them died on the wharf. Just as the first load got into the Bay many began to die, and the boat had to return to bury them. After making a successful trip the boat returned for another load. Captain Page directed them to break camp and be on the wharf by night to embark. All the sick were brought to the spot, but a violent storm came up that lasted for two days. Page ordered them to return to camp, but they refused. They said it would spoil their Physic. They were very superstitious. Once an Indian made up his mind he would rather die than change it. On July 18 the last load reached Pass Christian. Between March 20 and the end of July 177 deaths occurred. Ninety three at Mobile Point, and eighty four at Pass Christian. Just on the two days of July 20 and 21, 25 died. Many more died the next month, which included Samuel Moniac and David Hale. On August 21 two schooners arrived with 216 friendly Creek Warriors from Florida, and on September 14, 208 more departed Tampa Bay in route for Pass Christian.
Click to read Lance Hall transcripts
It was not until October 16 that the last of the poor Indians arrived in New Orleans from Pass Christian. The fever was raging in town, and they were hurriedly passed through. 611 Indians were packed on board the Monmouth and departed up river. Through negligent handling, at night by the Captain, she took a wrong course around Profit Island. This channel was reserved for downward bound vessels only. Unknowing, to the Captain, the Warren had the disabled Trenton in tow. They collided with the Monmouth and cut her in two. One half sunk immediately, and the other drifted some distance before it went down. 311 Indians died, with many of the survivors badly injured. Four of the 12 children of Jim Boy were among the dead.
Click to read transcripts of Claims and Letters
On October 29 the remaining Indians were loaded onto the Farmer, Far West, and Black Hawk in cramped conditions. In complete disregard of the agreement that each person should have at least 7 square feet of space, they pushed them on anyway. After the arrival in Arkansas many of them were to weak to continue the journey and died.
Only a little over 4,000 Creek Indians went by boat. The rest of them walked to Oklahoma along side, and with the Cherokee. At some point in time national attention to the hardship this nation went through should be made known. Although there has been some little mention of them, all anyone can think of when the Indian Removal is mentioned is the Cherokee. This nation of Indians were defeated so many times it is a wonder there are any left. Nearly all the Indian Tribes beat them at one time or another. In 1776 alone 2000 of them were killed by the Americans.

The Creek Nation was the greatest of all. As a Nation, they were never defeated in battle by any Indian Tribe or White people. The War of 1813 was not a war against the Creek Nation, but against a very small hostile faction who had grown tired of indiscriminate theft by white people. Seventy five percent of the United States force was made up of friendly Creek Indians.

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