In September 1813 the Army of West Tennessee assembled at Camp Blount on the Elk River just north and east of these oaks. On October 7th, Major General Andrew Jackson arrived in Fayetteville to take command of the army, which included Sam Houston and David Crockett. "Old Hickory's" army marched south to Alabama and defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, preventing the Creeks from aiding the British in the War of 1812.