Fort Gadsden - The Millie Francis Story

Fort Gadsden is a central location in
the fascinating story of Millie Francis,
a woman remembered by history as
the "Creek Pocahontas."

Millie, or Malee as some believe her
name should be spelled, was the
young daughter of the Red Stick
Creek prophet Josiah Francis (Hillis
Hadjo).

In 1818, while Jackson was at Fort
Gadsden, a young Georgia militiaman
named Duncan McKrimmon became
lost in the woods while fishing.

Captured by Creek warriors who were observing the army's movements, McKrimmon
was taken to the Prophet Francis' village on the Wakulla River near St. Marks. His
captors prepared to execute him, but Millie intervened and pleaded with her father to
save the young soldier's life. Francis told her that the decision was up to the warrior
who had captured the young soldier. Millie pleaded with him as well and McKrimmon
was spared on the condition that he allow his head to be shaved.

McKrimmon was turned over to the Spanish commandant at San Marcos de
Apalache (Fort St. Marks) for safekeeping, but was freed when Jackson took the fort a
short time later. Josiah Francis was captured and hanged and Millie left destitute.

Newspapers of the time and a letter written by Fort Gadsden's commander reveal
that McKrimmon returned to Florida after the war and offered to marry Millie but she
declined, saying she had saved his life for humanitarian reasons only.

She eventually married a Creek warrior who lost his life fighting on the side of the
United States in the 2nd Seminole War. After his death, Millie was sent west on the
Trail of Tears to Oklahoma. A U.S. Army officer found her living in poverty there some
years later and urged the government to relieve her suffering. Congress approved a
pension and medal of honor for her, but she died before they could be delivered.

Millie Francis was the first woman ever voted a special medal of honor by the United
States Congress.