History of Tennessee, its people and its institutions . ut it was too late. The war party had been wrought up tosuch a frenzy that they could no longer he controlled. 291. The Massacre of Fort Mims.— The Alabama country, then apart of Mississippi Territory, was dotted with forts and block-houses,just as this had been in its early settlement. Samuel Mims had builta fort not far from Mobile. When the country became thoroughlyalarmed, his neighbors hastened to his enclosure. Governor Claibornesent a detachment of volunteers to assist in its defense. In all, itcontained five hundred and fifty-thre
History of Tennessee, its people and its institutions . ut it was too late. The war party had been wrought up tosuch a frenzy that they could no longer he controlled. 291. The Massacre of Fort Mims.— The Alabama country, then apart of Mississippi Territory, was dotted with forts and block-houses,just as this had been in its early settlement. Samuel Mims had builta fort not far from Mobile. When the country became thoroughlyalarmed, his neighbors hastened to his enclosure. Governor Claibornesent a detachment of volunteers to assist in its defense. In all, itcontained five hundred and fifty-three souls, more than one hundred ofwhom were the wives and children of the pioneers. On the morningof August 30, 1813, the commandant wrote Governor Claiborne thatthe fort was impregnable. Before night the Indians surprised,assaulted, and took it, and massacred its unfortunate inmates. Hardlymore than a score escaped. Not a white woman or cliild was was in command, l)ut he made an earnest though fruitlesseffort to save the Administration of Wii^lie Blount. 163 292. News of the Massacre Reaches Nashville.— News o^ the fallof Fort Minis reached Nashville on thei8th of September, and created themost intense excitement. A publicmeeting was held. Committees wereappointed to confer with GovernorBlount and General Jackson. Jacksonhad been in bed two weeks fromwounds he had received in an affraywith the Bentons, but he assured thecommittee that he would be al)le tocommand as soon as the freemen of Tennessee could .be assembled. TheLegislature was convened at once, and 1 /-^ Gkn. John Coffee. on the 25th of bcptember the Governor was authorized to call thirt3-five luinch-ed volunteers to the field, inaddition to the fifteen hundred already enrolled in the service of theUnited States. On the next day, Jackson dispatched Col. John Coffeewith his regiment of five hundred horse, and such mounted volunteersas he could instantly assemble, to Huntsville, two hun
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