During the War of 1812 Georgia played an important role in border tensions with the Spanish in East Florida as early as September 1812 and sent volunteers to aid Mississippi during the Creek War. Georgians also helped garrison Mobile in late 1814. The Georgia Militia is best known for its winter campaign of 1813-1814 under the command of Brig. General John Floyd against the Creeks in central Alabama. They were engaged twice in actions against the Creeks, first at the town of Autossee on November 29, 1813 and later at Caleebee Creek on January 26, 1814.

The extremely rare engraving above is the only known depiction of the Georgia Militia during the Creek War of 1813-1814. It is also the only known work by an engraver only known by his initials, J.W.B. The engraving is significant in that it contains the only known source of specific information on the Georgia Militia uniform of the period. The Georgia Militia Act of December 24, 1792 specified only that the uniform of general officers would be determined by the commander-in-chief and that of the filed officers would be determined by the brigade commanders. An act of December 10, 1807 confirmed this and noted that infantry volunteer corps, existing or to be raised, would have uniforms "in conformity to the laws of Congress." The only wartime act was passed on December 7, 1812 authorizing a 5t^h Division of militia of two brigades. Nothing was stated regarding arms, uniforms or equipment. Upon closer examination of the engraving you will note that the uniform patterns are most consistent with those used by United States soldiers between the period of 1790 and 1807. This could indicate either a conservative preference within the state militia or that they were being equipped with older federal gear.

Also note in the engraving the historically accurate depiction of Creek Indian houses, apparently built around family compounds, just as they have been described by Benjamin Hawkins, William Bartram and other chroniclers.

Another interesting feature of depiction is that the militiamen are carrying the national standard that was used by United States soldiers at the time. Below is a photograph of the national standard of the U.S. Thirty-Ninth Infantry Regiment. This famed regiment fought at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in March 1814.