Anglo-Cherokee War - part 1 of 2
95Cherokees in London 1762
The Anglo-Cherokee War Rumbles and Erupts
In 1755, the Cherokee nation renewed a treaty of peace that had been in long standing with the settlers of the Carolinas, and accompanied this act with a cessation of a large amount of territory.
This act, apart from the intrinsic value of the land, was important in another way, as it served to remove the tribe farther from the frontier settlements of the whites.
There were several forts built in the ceded territory by the governor of South Carolina. One of these, called Fort Prince George (now under the waters of Lake Keowee) was on the banks of the Savannah River; within musket-shot of the Cherokee town of Keowee. It contained room for a hundred men, was built in the form of a square; and had an earthen rampart, ditch and several cannon.
On the banks of the same river, about one hundred and seventy miles below, another fort was built called Fort Moore, in a commanding and beautiful spot. Another, called Loudon, was constructed on the Tennessee River which is on the west side of the Appalachians where eastern Tennessee is now located.
These strong holds were manned by British troops; and the erection of these forts in the back country-with the exception of Ft. Loudon, led to a rapid accumulation of settlers around their environs.
In the year 1757, a large party of Cherokee warriors who had been fighting with the English against the French, were returning from the wars to their homes feeling cheated and dismayed by the Brits.
While passing through the mountains of Virginia, they took possession of a number of horses belonging to the white inhabitants. In return the settlers killed a number of warriors along with taking several prisoners.
This aggression kindled the flames of war amongst the tribe, who then commenced the work of reprisal by scalping whites (and some blacks) of all ages, wherever they were to be found. War parties rushed down upon the frontier settlements, and the tragedy of massacre became general among the back country of the Carolinas and Virginia.
The older Cherokee chiefs, knowing the potential strength of their adversarys, sent a peace party to Charleston, S.C.- at the time still called Charlestown- in the hopes of disarming the anger of the whites by a timely reconciliation. Sadly, governor Lyttleton treated these emissaries with scorn and eventually took them prisoners.
Having resolved upon a military solution, he refused to listen to their proposals of peace, but proceeded, with his men – the peace chiefs being under guard – to a rendezvous on the Congaree River, where he mustered some fourteen hundred militia fighters.
The Cherokees, near maddened by this treatment, were subtle enough to hide it. They agreed to Lyttleton’s terms- gave up twenty-two out of twenty-four hostages which he insisted on until the tribe delivered up any warriors who had slain settlers- and renewed their alliance; but he had scarcely gone back to the capital when he heard the news of the killing of fourteen whites within a mile of Fort George.
The Cherokees in that area had taken a keen dislike to the commander of the fort, Colonel Cotymore. Occonostota, a chief of great power, had taken a strong aversion to the Carolinians and tasked himself with the taking of Prince George.
Having gathered a large force of warriors, they surrounded it; but having no effect on the works, the chief craftily devised a new strategy. He placed some of his men in a tangled thicket by the riverside, and sent a Cherokee woman to tell Cotymore that he wanted to parley with him at the river. Cotymore, with two other officers named Bell and Foster, consented.
When they reached the river, Occonostota appeared on the opposite side, holding a bridle in his hand. He told the colonel that he was on his way to Charlestown, to gain the release of the prisoners, and would like a white man to go with him as a safeguard. It was also related he was looking for pack-horses.
While the meeting went on, the chief waved the bridle three times over his head. This was the signal for his men to attack. The three officers were instantly shot down.
As a consequence of this act, the garrison proceeded to place in shackles the twenty hostages they had left with them. The Cherokees resisted the attempt and knifed several soldiers who were endeavoring to restrain them. The garrison infuriated, fell on them and wiped all out to a man.
This catastrophe enraged the whole nation. Very few Cherokee families in the lower and middle towns did not lose a friend or relative in this massacre and with near unanimity they declared for conflict. They seized their battle hatchets and singing their songs of war, burning with indignation for revenge, they fell upon the frontiers of Carolina.
Men, women and children, with in some cases no warning, fell victim to a merciless fury; and to add to the disaster, Charlestown was unable to send succor, being enfeebled by the scourge of a small-pox outbreak. The outlook was very dark and dismal for the white inhabitants of the back-country at that moment; but help was soon to come their way.
Anglo-Cherokee War part two
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I enjoyed reading that although I do feel sympathy for the native indian tribes who once called those lands home. In hindsight, it would have been more beneficial perhaps to both the whites and indians if they had lived together in harmony.
This is why we are not ready for an alien landing and greeting here on earth, and if there are aliens out there watching, they won't come because they know our nature.
We are growing, but still very much in the Kling-On type mentality (the war-like species in star trek) would perhaps attack first, ask questions later or vice versa.
Take care alastar. Peace. :) Good job again by the way!
On the way to part 2
Thank you there prasonline. Was very pleased to write this story on the HP. Hope you find the last half informative too, it contains some very wise and spiritual words of peace from the Cherokees most revered chief.
good work well done! very informative
Hi, thank you Michael! The Amerindian wars in the South aren't as well known as those occurring elsewhere, that's true. The victors do write the history and this conflict was most tragic for all concerned. And your right again, small-pox was no discriminator of peoples although the European settlers had some immunity. They still suffered mightily from it though. Hope you enjoy the second half of the story, the words spoken by Attakullakulla at the end are a particular fave of mine.
Another great rendition Alastar,
I never knew of this Anglo-Cherokee war either.
What is it they say. 'The victor writes the history.'
Well done for redressing the balance.
I like the way you subtle introduced the ultimate mass killer of natives. 'Smallpox in Charles Town'
Little did they know what was to come. Shame.
Excellent work my friend. Saving part 2 for tomorrow. Off to the land of nod.
Voted up 4/5 buttons and sharing.
Ah, so very pleased you found this story to read dear Eddy. Hey, I say that all the time, better late than never lol. Take care too Eddy and don't get pinched today!
I don't know how I missed this one;but better late than never.
Up up and away plus bookmark and on to chapter 2 later.
Take care my friend and I wish you a wonderful weekend.
Eddy.
So you've done a review on Diane Glancy's book Pushing the Bear, capital Vinaya. Glad this first half enlightened and your welcome my friend. Part two is worth reading for the wise words of the old and venerable chief Attacullaculla if nothing else.
I did not know about Cherokee people and their history until I read Pushing the Bear by Diane Glancy. In fact I have done a review and published on hubpages.
Thanks of enlightening the topic.
Thank you Dim. The Hubs certainly are the place to discover new things. Glad you liked this one.
Wonderful work, Alastar. I knew nothing of an Anglo Cherokee war.
You put such marvellous detail in this hub.
Loved it. Thank you.
Mark, I do so appreciate your kind words. That's correct in that images and feelings of these historical events become very real to me. The Native Americans are indeed a beautiful and wise people in many things. Back in those days agriculture and industry were considered the highest attainment for a culture; and the Amerindians nature conscious ways were looked on as savage and backward. My how times can change. Mark we do have alot in common and it's an honor to have you as a friend. Look forward to reading many more from you.
You’re an incredible writer Alastar and tell the story well like a man who has personally been their himself, credit to your style of writing and I think you are an intuitive person too and that also makes it a very interesting read as you can make the reader feel they are their also.
Those days carry so much pain and I always think back to them and wonder what life would be like if it could just been different, the native Americans are such a beautiful people, wise souls with so much to give and learn from, I enjoy your topics of choice and am myself finding we have much in common.
Great to have found you on Hubpages will be my friend, all the best, Mark.
Appreciate your kind words as always James. Gotta tell one on myself here. Didn't quite remember what raconteur meant; guess I was associating it with racketeer lol. Anyway, with that straightened out you know its considered a fortunate delight when you pay a visit my friend.
You are a remarkable raconteur, my friend. I was on the edge of my seat throughout this terrific tale. It was wonderfully told. And I thank you for this pleasure.
Thank you Spirit, pleased it was interesting. The Anglo-Cherokee war isn't generally well known. The Carolina frontier people and the Cherokees suffered horribly from it. My favorite part is at the end of part two with the wise speech by the old Cherokee chief.
Another very interesting and informative hub. I have always been interested in the Native American Indian and I really liked this account of Anglo-Cherokee War. Thank you.
It was looked down on in the old days to have any appreciable mixed blood but once the Cherokees in N.C. got their Govt. settlement and casino the number of folks who discovered their mixed roots rose dramatically. Now of course people look with pride on their First Nation heritage as it should be. And your half- sister contradicts one thing posted in the Southern Belle hub..lol. Appreciate this GarnetBird and I just found out I had a half Native Amer. great-grandmother. That would make one 1/32 wouldn't it? Any way I'm proud of it.
My Grandmother had Cherokee blood that was hidden from the family and explained away as "black dutch" etc./Good hub!My half sister, who looks more Cherokee than anyone in our family, is now retired&living near Cherokee County Georgia, so perhaps the pull of history and bloodlines has some validity. She moved there from California.
That is a sad irony resspenser. Jackson's turning on his allies from the Creek War later on in the removal is a mark against him. I'll read the klan ran today. Going to google Mashonee too and thank you ress.
Alastar,
I went to Pembroke for a Jana Mashonee concert and thought "Andrew Jackson Highway?What a slap in the face!" Check out my hub The night the Klan Ran for a fictionalized account of the Maxton Pond incident. Thanks for following me, I'll return the favor.
Very nice piece. I noted the reference to Jackson in the above comments. I live in Lancaster, SC and will be 60 on my next birthday. I NEVER heard of his involvement in the trail of tears until this year when I started doing a little research. Amazing.
Do you know the story of Maxton Pond in Robeson County?
Appreciate the read bizymomof3.
wonderful blog, very informative. I enjoyed it very much.
Thank you Giselle. Coming from a person such as yourself its an especially appreciated one. Really looking forward to following you.
I found this to be a readable and well-researched article about this tragic event in history.
button pong..got a nice flow to it..your comments always really appreciated arb. merci
I am deeply enlightened. Fascinating story. Look forward to part 2. Thanks alastar. playing button pong.
Thank you so much Fiddleman. I can understand folks coming to the fields to look for them.They can be true treasures to find; and not necessarily in a monetary way.Found a spearhead as a boy scout in the middle part of the state that's near 5000 yrs.old. Have kept it as a good luck talisman ever since. You should,of course, be proud of your heritage.Perhaps by reading the pages of a sometimes tragic past;we can all write happier ones for a brighter future.
A great write Alaster. On lands in and around the rea I live, arrow heads and other stone artifacts are often found during the planting season. Some will come to the freshly plowed fields and spend hours hunting them. We were always taught no Indians lived here permanently but this area was a hunting and trading area. Some of the arrow heads I know for sure came from, the Savannah River area. On both sides of my family is a claim we have some Cherokee blood in our veins though not documented but if I do am very proud of that blood. I have been to Cherokee and seen Unto These Hills several times and I always leave with a sadness in my heart for the way the Cherokee people were treated and the trail of tears.
Hyph, I was thinking about it in a historical context but by gosh your right! That really puts a whole new perspective on it. Was once helping a guy do some work over in Burke co.The place was secluded, on a mountain side and owned by a Cherokee but he wasn't home, though a maid and his wife were. I've never seen anything so grand in my life about these parts! His RV was bigger than a lot of houses. Don't know how many shares of Casino money Cherokee tribe members get, but it must be nice. I try to stay neutral on that though.
Yes, it is. Once people thought they might get some money Cherokee blood lost much of the stigma once associated with the First People.
Thank you as always Hyphenbird. It was indeed a horrendous time; and as you say the consequences are still here today. Although Andrew Jackson was born several years after the end of hostility's, he no doubt heard the stories and as a boy lived during the later Cherokee wars of 1776/77.He of course - despite being admired by many today for other reasons - was the president who pushed through the tribes removal to Oklahoma.Its also interesting at the number of people from the Carolina's and about who claim some degree of Cherokee blood. But that as they say...is another story.
This was a terrible time in our nation's history and the consequences are still felt today. Great research Alastar and written with great clarity.
Alastar Packer Hub Author 5 days ago
Indeed, it would have been beneficial if they had lived together Richie, your absolutely right about that. If you decide to read the second half of this story you'll see the aged and sage chief Attakullakulla's prayer for that very thing as he made a peace for his people.
Aliens. All we have to do is look around our world and see why no enlightened, technologically advanced, and peaceful minded ETs would want to make any blanket and overt contact with us at the level we're on now. If we as a civilization make the right choices and forever leave our cruel and greedy war-like ways behind us then there will be worldwide contact, but not before. Rich, your Klingon analogy is spot-on; and thank you, may you live long and prosper, this planet really needs you.