As the occupants of Fort Mims took their mid-day meal on August 30, 1813, about 700 Redstick Creek warriors charged through the fort's open east gate. Major Daniel Beasley, commander of the Mississippi Territorial Volunteers garrison, fell near the gate with most of his men. Survivors of the initial attack took refuge inside the main compound, where hundreds of civilians and local militia came under fire from Redstick warriors shooting through gunports in the south wall. Redsticks and Americans fought for control of the blockhouse, which had been unoccupied when the attack began. After several hours, the fighting stalemated, but when the Redstick Creeks renewed their assault, they shot fire arrows into the kitchen and other buildings near the south wall, setting the fort ablaze. Defenders held out in the Mims family home until overcome by smoke and flames. The north wall was stoutly defended throughout the battle by local Tensaw militia led by Captain Dixon Bailey, a Creek métis like many of his men. By early evening, nearly 300 of the fort's occupants had been killed and another 100 taken captive, while about 30 survivors chopped a hole through the stockade and escaped into the swamps north of Fort Mims. Archaeology at Fort Mims has uncovered artifacts from the battle, including a broad axe marked with the initials ZM, a wooden pulley preserved at the bottom of a well, brass arrow points made by the Redstick Creeks, lead rifleballs used by both sides, British-made tablewares charred in the fire, and an iron gate catch from the fort's western gate, which remained closed during the battle.