Sipsey Heritage Commission is hosting The Great Escape: River Run from Crockett Saturday, October 12, 2024. Racers compete in kayaks, canoes, and SUPs to paddle the 14 miles down river from confluence of the Sipsey and Mulberry Forks to Disney Lake/Landing on Cane Creek in Cordova.
Held in conjunction with Cordova’s Indian Head Harvest Fest, the race commemorates the October 1813 escape of the Muscogee (Creek) residents of Black Warrior Town from the Tennessee Militia. Although led by Colonel John Coffee (promoted to general during this campaign) the Native American village was located through the skills of Davy Crockett, whom General Andrew Jackson had recruited.
The 800 members of the militia surrounded the town in the night, witnessing smoke coming from homes and a few individuals milling about. However, when they attacked at dawn, eerily, the inhabitants had vanished.
Thanks to the leadership of the elder chief, Black Warrior, and the younger chief, Oceochemathla, the inhabitants were gone days before the arrival of the Tennessee Militia. Black Warrior and five other elders volunteered to stay behind and keep the fires burning in the town, creating the illusion the town was inhabited. In the meantime, Oceochemathla, had scouted land just downriver from present day Cordova.
The younger man loaded approximately 2500 inhabitants of all ages on canoes and led them approximately 20 miles downriver to this area he deemed safe.
The Tennessee Militia raided the food stores of the town (which would sustain them for over a year), and then set about burning their homes. That evening, the residents of Black Warrior Town watched as the ashes and smoke from their village flowed past them down the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River.
And in spite of Davy Crockett’s orders, the chief, Black Warrior, and the five other elders were killed, sacrificing their lives for the rest of Black Warrior Town.
Sipsey Heritage Commission invites paddlers who want to compete, paddlers who want to trace that journey of survival, and paddlers who want to experience our river to join them on October 12, 2024. Register at kayaksipsey.com or on Eventbrite… The Great Escape: River Run from Crockett.
Logistics
Racers should arrive at The Forks (5848 Sipsey Road, Empire) from 6:00 to 6:45 AM. Here they will drop off their boats and pick up race packets. Next, they will drive to Disney Lake in Cordova, park vehicles, and get on a shuttle (provided by Cordova churches) headed back to The Forks.
Jack’s biscuits will be provided by Sipsey Christian Church. Shuttles provided by Mt. Carmel, Cordova First Baptist Church and City of Cordova.
Around 7:30 we will have a Time of Remembrance for Black Warrior Town. There will be a safety briefing by our Marine Policeman, Blake Powell. At 7:45 boats will get on the water. The starting horn will sound at 8:00 AM.
As racers finish they can pick up some Pizza provided by the Dora Domino’s. After that is a great time to check out the Indian Head Harvest Fest in downtown Cordova.
