The Red Sticks attacked during the mid-day meal, attempting to take the fort in a "coup de main" by charging the open gate "en masse". At the same time, they took control of the gun loopholes and the outer enclosure. Under Captain Bailey, the militia and settlers held the inner enclosure, fighting on for a time; after about two hours there was a pause of about an hour. The Indians, their initial impetus blunted inside the fort and casualties rising, held an impromptu council to debate whether to continue the fight or withdraw. By 3 o'clock, it was decided that the Tensaw "Native Americans" led by Dixon Bailey would have to be killed to avenge their treachery at Burnt Corn.