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It's the afternoon of August 30, 1813, at Fort Mims in southern Alabama.

U.S. Major Daniel Beasley inspects a division of soldiers marching across the parade ground.

The fort is bustling, filled with troops and settlers alike.

Its wooden walls have created a refuge amid ongoing tensions with the land's indigenous Creek nation. As white settlers infringe on their lands, some of the Creek Indians have chosen to

assimilate, but the traditionalist Red Stick faction are adamantly opposed to American encroachment,

creating a looming threat of violence. To Major Beasley, an attack doesn't feel imminent, but that is about to change.

Without warning, a horseman gallops onto the parade ground, scattering the orderly columns of

uniformed men. Major Beasley recognizes the rider as one of his army scouts.

Scowling at the interruption, the Major orders a man to explain his untimely arrival.

The scout announces that he spotted a hostile group of red-stick warriors approaching the fort.

He thinks they're going to attack.

All eyes turn to Major Beasley.

But a familiar drumbeat signals lunchtime. Easley

chooses to disregard the scouts' concerns, and instead Major Beasley calmly leads the soldiers

toward the mess hall, unaware that just 400 yards away, hundreds of Red Stick Warriors

lie in wait concealed in a deep ravine. The midday drumbeat is a signal for them

as well, a signal to strike. As the American settlers and soldiers enjoy their meal, red sticks

charge into Fort Mims' open gate. Women and children rush inside the central blockhouse,

fear in their eyes. Militiamen scrambled, muskets in hand to man the fort's walls.

...