In 1813, the Creek Nation erupted into civil war. Many of the Creek were in favor of existing peacefully with and even assimilating into the United States. Others, led by the Red Stick tribe, sought to drive whites from their traditional lands.
The Creek Civil War ultimately became part of the larger conflict of the War of 1812. After the Red Stick sack of Fort Mims in Alabama, Andrew Jackson was ordered to deal with the Red Stick tribe. Fort Mims had provided sanctuary to hundreds of Creek on the wrong side of the war and they as well as white and black Americans were slaughtered in the attack.
Jackson drew the Red Sticks into a trap at the Battle of Talladega. It is estimated that over 400 Red Sticks died in the fight. Found among the dead was a male baby. He was taken to Andrew Jackson. Much to the surprise of everyone, Jackson decided to adopt him.
Hermitage Children has details. It notes, "In 1813, Jackson sent home an Indian child found on battlefield with his dead mother. This boy, Lyncoya, (c1811-1828) may have originally been intended as kind of a pet and companion for Andrew Junior, but Jackson soon took a strong interest in him. He was educated with Andrew Junior and Jackson had aspirations of sending him to West Point. Political circumstances made that impossible, and Lyncoya went to train as a saddle maker in Nashville. He died of tuberculosis in 1828."
Jackson does not have a good reputation as a friend of Native American rights. The Trail of Tears during his administration was a direct result of his ignoring a Supreme Court decision favoring the Cherokee. That makes it strange that President Andrew Jackson is the only American President to have actually adopted a Native American child. I guess Andrew Jackson is just a hard man to fathom.
