Jackson sent General John Coffee with about 700 mounted infantry, along with another 600 Cherokee and Lower Creek allies, three miles down-stream to cross the Tallapoosa where they were to surround the bend. The remaining army of about 2000 men went into the peninsula where they began an ineffectual two-hour artillery bombardment of the Red Sticks' log barricade. Around noon, while some of the Cherokees crossed the river to assault the Red Sticks from the rear. Jackson led a bayonet charge to the front, and was able to penetrate the barricade. By the end of the day, about 800 of Chief Menawa's 1,000 Red Sticks were dead. Although he was badly wounded, Menawa managed to escape. Although the Red Sticks’ suffered tremendous loss, Jackson's losses were 49 killed and 154 wounded, many mortally.

Although the Red Sticks had suffered this great loss at Tohopeka, the remaining hostile Creeks held out for several months, and it was not until August 1814 that, exhausted and starving, they finally surrendered to Jackson at Wetumpka. The Creeks were forced to cede some 20 million acres of land as a condition of the Treaty of Fort Jackson that ended the conflict. It was out of this land that the state of Alabama was established  admitted to the Union in 1819.

Many believe that Andrew Jackson became President of the United States in 1829 partly as a result of his success in the battles of Horseshoe Bend and New Orleans. But Jackson was not finished with the Indians just yet. A year after his election, he Signed the Indian Removal Bill forcing all the tribes east of the Mississippi River to move to Oklahoma. That became a journey the Cherokees began calling the  "Trail of Tears

For additional information, click on Horseshoe Bend National Military Park or click on Directions, Operating Hours & Seasons, Fees & Reservations for more specific information.

As I lived in both Alabama for a short time, and about two hours away from Little River in Georgia, I have spent a lot of time here – including staying at the very nice state park near the falls. One of the more interesting things about the Little River is that it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain. Within Little River Canyon National Preserve, you will find a well forested upland area above the canyon rims and bluffs, and the river that has carved out this beautiful canyon where you will find waterfalls, pools, large boulders, and sandstone cliffs all of which offer a variety of recreational activities.

Alabama 176 offers a great scenic drive that has several overlooks. There are not any charges along the scenic drive. It is a good, paved road with winding curves and hills. One of the best things about the scenic drive, there is little walking to enjoy the views from the overlooks. There are several fine places for a nice picnic as tables are available at most of the overlooks.

The best way to see the area is on horseback. There are several good trails for both trail riding and for hiking. ATV riders (A permit is required for ATV drivers) and 4-wheel drive vehicles are allowed in some areas. Camping is limited to three sites, and hunting is allowed only on designated dates, times and places.

A perfect place for a picnic is at the Canyon Mouth Day Use Area (User fee area.). Here you will find is the perfect place for a day of picnicking. Picnic tables, grills, a water fountain, a foot wash station, and restrooms are available all along the water.

The falls is where the water finally begins its descent into the canyon. You can visit this are with no charge. The river falls almost 50-feet, and there are picnic tables and a restroom at this site. The falls can be seen via a short walk down a paved.

For additional information, click on Little River Canyon National Preserve or click on Directions, Operating Hours & Seasons, Fees & Reservations for more specific information.

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile drive that begins in central Tennessee, and ends along the Mississippi River in southern Mississippi – and, I have driven the entire parkway. The parkway commemorates an ancient trail that connected southern portions of the Mississippi River, through Alabama, to salt licks in today's central Tennessee. Today, you can follow the “Trace” as part of the National Scenic Byway and All-American Road program by driving, hiking, biking and even horseback riding along the entire parkway.

Campers will find over a dozen campgrounds along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Only three are within the park, with the others just outside the park.  The three Parkway campgrounds are free and rather primitive (They do not offer electricity, showers, or dump stations.), and are available on a first come, first serve basis. The three locations on the parkway are: Rocky Springs (Milepost 54), Jeff Busby (Milepost 193), and Meriwither Lewis (Milepost 385). I would suggest you choose one of the many campgrounds that are located just off of the trace and along the Parkway corridor where you can find electricity, showers, and dump stations

Just as with almost all places in America, bicycling has become a popular way to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the Natchez Trace Parkway.  The information found here will help you plan your trip. There are some areas of the parkway that can be dangerous to bikers because of the vehicle traffic. Although you can bike the entire parkway, it is suggested that you not do so in the following areas during heavy traffic periods: Clinton to Ridgeland, Mississippi, Milepost 87-103, from 7:00-9:00 a.m.and from 4:00-6:00 p.m.and Tupelo, Mississippi, Mileposts 258-268, from 7:00-8:30 a.m. and 3:00-5:00 p.m. on weekdays. A special use permit is required only if you are planning an organized or group ride. For additional information, you can call 1-800-305-7417 or 662-680-4027. 

From around 1800 to 1825 is when the "Kaintucks," the men who floated down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and returned north on foot, the trace saw its heaviest use. But the history of the trace actually goes back a lot further as it was used by Mound Builders, Natchez, Choctaw, and Chickasaw Indians, preachers, bandits, slaves, soldiers and settlers. The trace was even Meriwether Lewis.

For additional information, click on Natchez Trace Parkway or click on Directions, Operating Hours & Seasons, Fees & Reservations  for more specific information.

As Russell Cave was home to prehistoric people over 10,000 years ago, today it provides us with  clues as to the daily life ways of early North American inhabitants dating from 6500 B.C. to 1650 A.D. Within the shelter of this archaeological site is contained the most complete record of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. Many of the tools used by these peoples have been found in the cave, and demonstrations are presented by Park Rangers of some of these prehistoric tools and weapons such as spear points, atlatls, pump drills, bow drills, blowguns, nutting stones and flint knapping techniques.

Each year, the Russell Cave Native American Festival is held every spring. Along with the educational demonstrations of the authentic life ways of the Southeastern Native American Peoples, visitors can experience firsthand the dances, artwork and ingenuity of the Native People. Contact the park for the dates of this years festival. Admission is free

For additional information, click on Russell Cave National Monument or click on Directions, Operating Hours & Seasons, Fees & Reservations for more specific information.

It was in March of 1965 when Civil Rights activists converged on Selma, Alabama to make what was to become the end of the decades-long voting rights crusade in Alabama. This march did exactly as it was intended to do – achieve a nationwide solution to the disenfranchisement of African Americans. The “march” was actually three strategically planned marches, the first of which took place on March 7, 1965.

About  500 marchers, many of whom were Caucasian and other races, proceeded through the streets of Selma and across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where they were met by scores of Alabama State troopers. Although the march was very peaceful, the troopers attacked the non-violent marchers leaving many of them bloodied and severely injured. From this point on, the day was considered in history as "Bloody Sunday."

A second march ended much better with a prayer session at the point of Sunday's confrontation. A further march was scheduled after an injunction circumventing the march to the Alabama State Capitol was reversed. This march was held on Sunday, March 21, 1965 when thousands of people, representing many races and nationalities, moved before the eyes of the world in demonstration to guarantee the right to vote. This was the most monumental march of the movement.

This five-day/four-night event covered almost 55 miles along state Highway 80 through some very  chilling rain and bad weather. The result was the personal triumph of those who participated in the historic trek and the signing of the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965. Today, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail stands as a testament to the sacrifices made in the triumph to preserve the “right to vote” as the bedrock of American democracy.

For additional information, click on Selma To Montgomery National Historic Trail or click on Directions, Operating Hours & Seasons, Fees & Reservations for more specific information.

It was in 1838 that  U.S. Army troops, under the command of  General Winfield Scot, rounded up Cherokee people and moved them to forts in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. It was from these forts that they traveled to places in the west. Thirty-one forts were built on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail for this purpose.

For additional information, click on Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail or click on Directions, Operating Hours & Seasons, Fees & Reservations  for more specific information.

In the late 1930's, the United States Government created Civilian Pilot Training Programs throughout the country to provide a surplus of pilots in case of a national emergency. Probably, much to their surprise, African Americans were included in these programs. However, even they were accepted into the training programs, they were still forced to train in segregated facilities.

As the war continued to escalate, it became clear that America need more pilots. In time, what was once called and  "experiment" became known as the Tuskegee Experience and thus began the saga of the Tuskegee Airmen. These African Americans had a great love of flight that became fully ablaze as political pressure challenged the government to expand the role of African Americans in the military.

The Army Air Corps was the first agency to accept the challenge, and it was at a small black college in Alabama, the Tuskegee Institute, became the place that was selected to host the "military experiment" to train African American pilots and support staff. The Tuskegee Airmen were born, and the rest became history.

These men performed far above almost all of the other air units of the Army during the war. The outstanding performance of the over 15,000 men and women who shared the "Tuskegee Experience" from 1942-1946, is immortalized at the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.

For additional information, click on Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site or click on Directions, Operating Hours & Seasons, Fees & Reservations for more specific information.

Since the beginning of our American history, education has always been considered as one of the keys to social, political and economical acceptance for Americans. But, although an education was available to African Americans, it was pretty hard for them to continue their education beyond grade school.

Because of the, the Tuskegee Normal School was established by the state of Alabama. Its building was influenced by a former slave and a former slave owner to educate the newly freed people and their children. The Normal school, later Institute, became a beacon of hope for African Americans to receive the education they needed to reach their dream and goal of acceptance.

The school officially opened on July 4, 1881 in the African American Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and was considered a religious institution. This date was chosen to commemorate the independence of a Nation and the freedom of a forgotten people. The first principal of this newly formed school was Booker T. Washington. He was then only 26 years old. He later hired individuals like George W. Carver and Robert Taylor to help lead the institute to its world-renowned status.

Today, the legacy of Washington, Carver and many others has been preserved in the Historic Campus District of Tuskegee University where original buildings constructed by the students, from bricks made in the Institute brickyard still stand. The Site  became a part of the National Park System in 1974.

For additional information, click on Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site or click on Directions, Operating Hours & Seasons, Fees & Reservations  for more specific information.