Red Stick Heritage

- Origin of the "Red Stick" -

Red Stick - a Muscogee (Creek) man who volunteered, or was assigned, as a Warrior from a Red Town.

Muscogee Towns were divided into Red and White Towns. White Towns generally had the responsibility of making peace. Red Towns were responsible for waging war.

Different written and verbal accounts on how and why the term "Red Stick" came to signify a Muscogee Warrior have been passed down through the years, decades, and centuries. For instance, Red Towns and White Towns had some of their buildings and ceremonial objects in their respective Town's color. Another example, a Red Pole was placed in the center of a Red Town where Warriors assembled and prepared for war. Still yet, Warriors carried with them a wooden red stick for protection and ferocity. Finally, with acceptance by the Muscogee Red Stick Society, wooden red sticks were given to Red Towns, which represented how many Warriors, were needed, and for what length of time, each Red Town was to provide for war. Elder Warrior Members have provided very valuable guidance and insight into the history and legend of the Red Stick. Their links to the past, especially their relationships with Combat Veterans and their relatives of the 19th and 20th Centuries, is what has kept a consistent link. What was told to them by previous generations of Muscogee Warriors is embraced and is part of our tapestry. The origin of the Red Stick - Combined, or taken solely, was known, and will be known for perpetuity, as the symbol for a Muscogee Warrior.

The prominence of the name "Red Stick" came into the English language vocabulary in the War of 1812. Before the arrival of the Newcomers, Tribal Towns were distinct in their functions. However, by the time the War of 1812 began this distinction became blurred through years of intrusion, migration, swindle, treaties, and International and National political influence and intrigue. Furthermore, warfare concerning the World Powers over Muscogee lands made neutrality virtually impossible. Thus, almost every Tribal Town by the time of the War of 1812 began had the ability to wage war independently, and more importantly had its own Warriors - Red Sticks.

- Red Sticks in War -

Before the arrival of the Newcomers, Red Sticks were involved in Intertribal warfare. Red Sticks, at one time or another, fought the Choctaws, Chickasaws, Cherokees, and other Southeastern Tribes. At the start of the American Revolution, the Muscogee Nation remained neutral. Because of American missteps, the Muscogee Nation entered into an alliance with Great Britain in 1778.

Menawa Principal Leader of the Red Sticks during the War of 1812. Wounded seven times at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Alabama in 1814. Menawa survived and was forcibly removed to Oklahoma in 1836. To this day, no one knows were Menawa is buried. Most believe he died along the "Trail of Tears" in 1836, while others believe he died in Oklahoma after arrival. Menawa's famous quote in 1836: "Last evening I saw the sun set for the last time and it's light shine on the treetops and the land and the water, that I am never to look upon again."

War of 1812. In 1812, the Muscogee Nation once again faced conflict not of their wanting. This War of 1812 produced a Muscogee Nation division that resulted in Civil War. The "Loyal" faction sided with the United States of America, and the "Red Sticks" sided with Great Britain. Interestingly, the "Red Sticks" was a name used then to denote something of a contrary even though both the Americans and British had Red Stick Warriors alongside their own forces.

Two notable events took place during the War of 1812 involving the Red Sticks fighting the Americans. One, on August 30, 1813 the Red Sticks attacked Fort Mims, Alabama and killed an estimated 550 men, women, and children. Two, a swift and decisive battle occurred on March 27, 1814 at Horseshoe Bend, Alabama. The Americans cornered the Red Sticks and the resulting battle killed an estimated 800 Red Stick Warriors; a small number of Muscogee women and children were also killed. In both battles, regrettably, women and children on both sides were killed. The battle of Horseshoe Bend effectively ended the war against the Americans. Forced removal occurred in the 1830s; from the ancestral lands of Georgia and Alabama to the Oklahoma Territory. It is approximated that 60 Tribal Towns existed prior to the arrival of the Newcomers. 44 Tribal Towns made the "Trail of tears" march in the 1830s. In 2003, there are only 14 Tribal Towns in existence.

Red Eagle One of the Red Stick Leaders during the War of 1812. Lead his Red Stick Warriors in the attack on Fort Mims, Alabama in 1813. This is the only known depiction of Red Eagle found to date. Here, the drawing shows Red Eagle surrendering to General Andrew Jackson after the battle of Horseshoe Bend, Alabama in 1814. Red Eagle's quote to General Jackson, "I am done fighting now. The Red Sticks are nearly all killed. If I could fight you any longer, I would most heartily do so."

The American Civil War. Again, neutrality was not an option, and the Muscogee Nation divided in its support. The Muscogee Nation split almost evenly in support of the Union and the Confederates. Battles between Muscogee Warriors was not uncommon; Union Red Sticks against Confederate Red Sticks. The largest battle that occurred between opposing Red Sticks took place on July 17, 1863 at the battle of Honey Springs, Oklahoma Territory.

Opothle Yahola Principal Chief of the Muscogee people during the forced removal to Oklahoma. As Principal Chief during the American Civil War he led the faction loyal to the Union. Led his faction into Kansas during late 1861. They fought two major battles before arriving safely in Kansas. Opothle Yahola's faction returned to Oklahoma in the summer of 1862 and continued to fight the Confederate Army until the end of the war in 1865. Opothle Yahola died in March 1863. He is buried in Woodson County, Kansas. A true Warrior and Statesman.

- Red Sticks in the 20th Century -

WWI. The exact number and names of Muscogee men that fought in WWI is not known as of yet. However, Elders of the Muscogee Red Stick Society vividly recall that there was in fact a large contingent of Muscogee men that volunteered to fight for America. It is important to remember that Muscogee Indians (along with the other Five Civilized Tribes - Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Seminole, and Muscogee) did not become Citizens of the United States of America until 1901 by an Act of Congress. This time, they fought as American Citizens.

WWII. In every Theatre of Operations Muscogee men fought, and this time as second-generation Americans. WWII Combat Veterans of the Muscogee Red Stick Society have stated emphatically that the very large majority of Muscogee men did not wait for the draft - they volunteered immediately after America was attacked. Furthermore, our Elders proudly state that the majority of Muscogee men fought at the battlefront; there are many interesting stories on how Muscogee men forced their way to get into the fight. Interestingly, some of these WWII Combat Veterans looked upon the Service Branches as types of Tribal Towns. A Muscogee Warrior from the Nuyaka Tribal Town joined what he referred to as the Marine Corps Tribal Town. Many of our WWII Red Sticks were Killed In Action (KIA). Many were Wounded In Action (WIA). Most were recognized for their valor in combat. Proudly, some Red Sticks were Officers. Even today, the Muscogee Red Stick Society receives new applications for Membership from Combat Veterans of WWII. Unfortunately, most are posthumous submissions from their families. Thankfully, Our Elder WWII Red Sticks are still very active. Their guidance and leadership is never waited for - it is sought.

Korea. The "Forgotten War?" Well, assuredly not by the Muscogee Red Stick Society. Korean War Red Sticks have stated that the amount of Muscogee men that went to the battlefront is noteworthy. Tracking down Korean War Red Sticks is difficult because of national mobility during the 1950s and 1960s. We are relying on the Muscogee Nation Citizens to assist us in locating more Korean War Red Sticks.

Vietnam. The fighting spirit and devotion Muscogee men carried through in Vietnam even though America had divided was honorable. A lot of our Vietnam War Red Sticks have talked about the contempt and disrespect they received upon returning. Absolute and undying admiration and gratitude are extended to our Red Stick Brothers of the Vietnam War. Here again, Muscogee men in large numbers went to the battlefront. From the Army's Green Berets, to the 101st Airborne Division, to the Marine Corps' Infantry, and to the frontline detachments of the Air Force. Proudly, as in WWI, WWII, and Korea, the majority of Muscogee men volunteered to fight for our Country during the Vietnam War. Very few waited to be drafted.

Kuwait. Currently, two Muscogee men have been accepted into the Muscogee Red Stick Society who participated in combat actions during the Kuwait War.

- Red Sticks in the 21st Century -

Iraq & Afghanistan. We are standing by for more submissions. Of noteworthy observation, these young men of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars are truly young enough to be our Sons, Grandsons, and even our Great Grandsons. We salute and are very proud of all our American Armed Forces who served their country in the Middle East.

- Warrior Organizations Throughout the Years -
Elder Red Sticks have stated that Combat Veterans from the Civil War were loosely organized into their own respective groups. One was comprised of Confederate Red Sticks, while the other group was solely Union Red Sticks. Sadly, the names of these organizations are not remembered. From WWI there was an association called the "Great War Veterans" that met to reinforce their bonds. Here again, locating written information thus far has yielded nothing. WWII saw the emergence of the "Creek Veterans." It is remembered that this organization merged with the WWI Red Sticks to coordinate a better preservation and support effort.

Resurgence for an association for Combat Veterans came about in the 1980s. The "Mvskoke Red Stick Society" was chosen as the official name. However, when the name "Mvskoke" was pronounced "Miv-skee-o-key" by the English-speaking general public, the decision was made to change the official name to "Muscogee Red Stick Society" in the early 21st Century.

Muscogee - because we are Citizens of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma.
Red Stick - because of the Warrior's symbol.
Society - because of the wanting to associate.

The Muscogee Red Stick Society is set for the future because we are bringing the past to the present. It is mandated upon us to retrieve and preserve the past. To our future Red Stick Brothers, we impart to you three things:

1.) The Red Stick is not given or granted; it is earned.
2.) Our country, the United States of America, is truly worth fighting for. Embrace and protect her. Never, never, hesitate to answer her call.
3.) We are building for you and we will protect this Circle for you. We call upon you, in your time, to continue to build on the foundation we have built for you, and please remember us.

Mvto, Tecakkeyvtes Eto Cate Mvskoke.