DeSoto Comes to Alabama

(c) 1995-2003 William James Chance

DeSoto and his party of one hundred men pushed into the wilds of the new land, which they wanted to explore. What do you think the Indians were doing all this time? Did they allow these white eyes to pass through the land of the Creeks without taking notice of it? No, indeed, they were spying from behind trees. They saw everything that the white eyes were doing. They sent runners to warn the people of the village of Coosa, that the white eyes were marching that way. It was not long before all the Creek Indians in Alabama knew of the presence of the white eyes.

Now the chief of the tribe lived in the village of Coosa. He gave orders that the white eyes were to be received with kindness, so all the villagers made ready to receive them. The hunters went out and killed deer and wild turkeys. The women of the tribe ground much corn so that there would be fresh meal for the feast. The villagers dressed themselves in gay clothing for the event.

Near the edge of the village, DeSoto was met by the mighty chief of Coosa. The chief sat in a cushioned chair which was carried by four big braves. He wore a cloak of marten skins around his shoulders and his headpiece was a crown of red plumes. One thousand warriors marched behind the chief. They wore large, bright colored plumes for headdress and their clothes were of the softest deerskins. Some of the warriors played on flutes that they had made and others sang songs, very loudly.

DeSoto, clad in shinning armor, sat upon his fine horse. His band of one hundred men or so were dressed in splendid uniforms of bright colors. Indeed, they made a splendid appearance.

The chief of the tribe of Coosa advanced to meet the Spanish explorer and said, "Mighty chief above all others of mother earth, I come to receive you. Long days ago I would have welcomed you even as I do now. I have held you in my heart for many days. If I owned all of mother earth, it could not fill me with the happiness I now have. Mighty chief, my person, my lands, my people are at your command. Do with us what you will. Now I shall take you to your lodge with playing and singing".

The village of Coosa had but about five hundred lodges, all of which were given over to the visitors. The chief of the land of Coosa placed DeSoto in his own lodge. For several days DeSoto and his men spent their time feasting and in pleasure with the women. The Indians entertained them in fine style.

One day, after a great feast, the chief arose and asked DeSoto to stay forever in the land of Coosa. He offered the Spaniards any part of the rich country which they might choose. DeSoto thanked the chief for the good offer but he did not take it. Instead he did a cruel thing. He and his band of one hundred men surrounded the friendly chief and took him prisoner. It was an unkind thing to do to the thoughtful chief but DeSoto thought that this was the way to force the Indians to give him all the supplies he needed for his journey.

With the chief as prisoner, DeSoto and his party forced the Indians to give them supplies. They took the chief along with them as they started out and did not him go until he reached the village of Tallahassee. Then DeSoto continued his journey westward and after many days brought him into the land of Tuscaloosa, which is another story.

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