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The Great Republic by the Master Historians
War With the Cherokees
by Bancroft, Hubert H.
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[The long chapter requisite to deal adequately with our Indian wars must, when
finally written, deal candidly with the treacheries which, unhappilly, were not
confined to the aboriginal race. Tribe after tribe would combine open hostility
with secret negotiations, eager to strengthen their position by patched -up
peace agreements in case the fighting went against them. French and English in
turn availed themselves of Indian allies. In turn the civilized soldiery used
and then scorned the always problematical friendship of the redskins. The story
of these alliances is a sad one, and the failures were recorded in blood. The
Indian, rightly or wrongly, conceived he was being ground between the upper and
the nether millstones. He was a difficulty in the early days, and, despite
recent admirable and generally disinterested efforts to allure him within the
pale of civilization, he continues to be a national thorn in the flesh. The
several narratives of early wars with the red man here presented throw a
distressing light on the hard conditions in which the early settlers had to
live. Security for person or home ever in doubt, how bravely our fathers endured
their lot, an order of heroism hard to be realized by us of to-day.
The year of the taking of Quebec by General Wolfe was signalized by a war in the
South, of much less importance than that just described, but of no less fury and
determination in the combatants. This was the war with the Cherokee Indians, one
of the most vigorously contested of the Indian wars of the United States, but
which ended, like all the others, in rapid subjection of the savages. As has
been so frequently the case with Indian wars, this conflict originated in an act
of cruel injustice on the part of the whites, a murderous outrage which drove
the indignant aborigines into deeds of terrible reprisal and kindled the flames
of war along the whole southern boundary of the colonies. The story of this
conflict we select from Trumbull's "General History of the United States of
America," in which valuable old work it is given in full detail.]
During several of the first years of the war this numerous and powerful nation
[the Cherokee] had appeared cordially to espouse the interests of the English.
At their desire a fortress had been built in their country, called Fort Loudon,
in honor to the Earl of Loudon, at that time commander-in-chief in America.
Parties of them had assisted in the late expedition against Fort Duquesne. But
it seems that while they were on that enterprise they were treated with such
general coolness and neglect, and received such insults, as made deep
impressions on the minds of that vindictive people. These were kindled into
flame and outrage by the treatment which they received from some of the
Virginians on their return from that expedition. Many of the warriors had lost
their horses in that service; and, as they were returning home, through the back
parts of Virginia, they caught such as they found running loose in the woods,
not knowing that they belonged to any individual in the province. The
Virginians, instead of legally asserting their rights, fell on the unsuspicious
warriors, killed twelve or fourteen of them, and took several prisoners. The
Cherokees were highly exasperated at such ungrateful treatment from allies whose
frontiers, by their assistance, had so lately been turned from a field of blood
into peaceful habitations. No sooner had they returned, than they reported to
the nation the bloody treatment which they had received. The flame spread
instantly through their towns. The relatives of the slain were implacable, and
breathed nothing but vengeance against such ungrateful and perfidious allies.
The French emissaries added fuel to the flames. In vain did the chieftains
interpose their authority. Nothing could restrain the fury of the young
warriors. They rushed down on the frontier settlements, and perpetrated many
cruel ravages and murders on the defenceless inhabitants.
About two hundred soldiers, under the command of Captains Dewere and Stewart,
were stationed at Fort Loudon. These, on every excursion from the fort, were
attacked by them: some were killed, and the rest soon confined within the limits
of the fort. All communication between them and the distant settlements was cut
off, and, as their supplies were scanty, the only prospects before them were
famine and death. It was feared, at the same time, that the arts of the enemy
would influence the powerful neighboring nation of the Creeks to the same
hostile measures.
In this alarming situation, Governor Littleton gave orders to the commanders of
the militia immediately to assemble their men and act on the defensive. The
governor determined, with such independent companies and militia as could be
raised, immediately to march into the enemy's country, and to prosecute such
measures as should bring them to reasonable terms of accommodation.
[Despite what had been done by their young warriors, the leaders of the
Cherokees had no desire for war. They sent thirty-two of their chief men to
Charleston, with the hope of making a peace. These were haughtily received by
the governor, who spoke to them with great severity and would not listen to a
word of reply. He also held them virtually prisoners, requiring them to
accompany his expedition.]
Soon after the conference, the governor marched for the Congarees. This was
about a hundred and forty miles from Charleston, and the place of general
rendezvous for the militia. Hither the sachems marched with the army, putting on
the appearance of content, while inwardly they were burning with fury and
resentment. The governor, having mustered about fourteen hundred men, of whom
about three hundred were regulars, marched for Fort Prince George. When the army
marched, the chieftains were all made prisoners; and, to prevent their escape, a
captain's guard was mounted over them. To complete their indignity and ill
treatment, when the army arrived at Fort Prince George the thirty-two chieftains
were shut up in a hut scarcely fit for the accommodation of half a dozen
soldiers. They were not allowed to speak with their friends, nor even to see the
light of day.
When the governor had advanced as far as this post, he found his army so ill
armed and disciplined, and so discontented and mutinous, that he judged it
unsafe to proceed farther against the enemy. Here, therefore, he opened a
congress with the Indians. For this purpose he had previously sent for
Attakullakulla, otherwise Little Carpenter, who was not only esteemed the wisest
man in the nation, but the most firmly attached to the English. This old
warrior, though just returned from an excursion against the French, in which he
had taken a number of prisoners, hastened to the governor's camp, and presented
him with one of the captives.
[The sachem, after a conference with the governor, requested that some of the
head-men might be released, in order to assist him in brining his people to
terms of peace.]
In compliance with his request, the governor released the great warrior
Ouconnostota, and two more of the head-men. The next day they delivered up two
Indians. The governor putting them immediately in irons, so alarmed the
Cherokees that they fled out of the way and no more could be obtained.
[As Attakullakulla now left the camp, despairing of making any accommodation, he
was sent for to return by the governor, who concluded a treaty with him, holding
twenty-two of the chieftains as hostages until as many of the warriors who had
committed murder should be delivered up.]
Scarcely had the governor finished the treaty, when the small-pox broke out in
his camp. Few of the army had been infected with the disease, and the physicians
were wholly unprovided for such an event. The men were struck with a general
terror, and with the utmost haste returned to their respective settlements. Such
was the fear which each had of his fellow, that all intercourse, on the return,
was cautiously avoided. By this means the men suffered exceedingly with hunger
and fatigue. The governor soon followed them, and arrived safely at Charleston.
Here, though a drop of blood had not been spilt, nor scarcely anything achieved
but what was highly perfidious and inglorious, he was received as a conqueror.
From different societies and professions he received the most flattering
addresses. By illuminations and bonfires the citizens expressed the high sense
which they entertained of his services and of the happy consequences of his
expedition.
[Their congratulations proved somewhat too hasty. The Indians were so incensed
by the perfidy with which their messengers had been treated that they ignored
the treaty of peace.]
Attakullakulla, by reason of his known attachment to the English, had little
influence with his countrymen. Ouconnostota, whose influence was great, was now
become an implacable and vindictive enemy. He determined to follow the example
of the governor, and to repay meanness and perfidy in their own kind. No
attention was paid to the treaty, but Ouconnostota, collecting a strong party,
killed fourteen men in the neighborhood of Fort Prince George, surrounded the
fort, and confined the garrison to their works. Finding that he could make no
impression upon the fort, he contrived a stratagem for its surprisal, and the
relief of his countrymen who were there in confinement.
As the country was covered with woods and dark thickets, it was favorable to his
purposes. Having concerted his measures, two Indian women, who were known to be
always welcome at the fort, made their appearance on the other side of the
river, to decoy the garrison. Lieutenant Dogharty went out to them, to inquire
what news. While he was conversing with the women, Ouconnostota joined them, and
desired Dogharty to call the commanding officer, saying that he had matters of
importance to communicate to him. Accordingly, Captain Cotymore, Ensign Bell,
Dogharty, and Foster, their interpreter, went out to him. He said that he was
going to Charleston to procure the release of the prisoners, and wished for a
white man for a safeguard. The captain told him he should have a safeguard. No
sooner had he received the answer than, turning and giving a signal, nearly
thirty guns were fired from different ambuscades. The captain was killed, and
Bell and Foster were wounded. In consequence of this, orders were given that the
hostages should be put in irons. In attempting this, one of the soldiers was
killed, and another wounded. These circumstances so exasperated the garrison
that, without hesitation, they fell on the unfortunate hostages, and butchered
them in a manner too shocking to relate.
In the evening the Indians approached the fort, and, after firing signal-guns
and crying aloud, in the Cherokee language, "Fight manfully and you shall be
assisted," they commenced a furious attack on the garrison, and kept up their
fire the whole night. But they were so warmly received that they were obliged to
give over the attack.
Disappointed in their design on the fort, and finding that their chieftains were
slain, they wreaked their vengeance on the English traders in their country.
These they butchered, to a man, without mercy or distinction. In the massacre of
the hostages the Cherokees had not only lost a great number of their head-men,
but most of them had lost a friend or relation. Nothing, therefore, could exceed
the resentment and rage of the nation. The leaders of every town seized the
hatchet, proclaiming to their fellows that the spirits of murdered brothers were
flying around them and calling for vengeance on their enemies. With one voice
the nation declared for war. Large parties of warriors, from different towns,
rushed down on defenceless families on the frontiers of Carolina, where men,
women, and children, without distinction, fell a sacrifice to their merciless
rage. At Long Canes, and about the forks of Broad River, they made terrible
carnage among the inhabitants, who, trusting to the late peace, were reposed in
perfect security.
About two hundred of the enemy made a furious attack on the fort at Ninety-Six;
but they were obliged to retire with considerable loss. This they revenged on
the open country, ravaging the English houses in that quarter and all along the
frontiers of Virginia. They were not satisfied barely with pillaging and
destroying the inhabitants, but they wantoned in the most horrible acts of
barbarity. Many who fled into the woods and escaped the scalping-knife perished
with hunger. Those who were made prisoners were carried into the wilderness,
where they suffered inexpressible hardships. So secret and sudden were the
motions of the enemy that it was impossible to tell where the storm would fall,
or to take the precautions necessary to prevent the mischief. Every day brought
to the capital fresh accounts of their murders and desolations.
[It had become necessary to take energetic measures for defence and reprisal,
and Colonel Montgomery was sent from General Amherst's army to Charleston, with
a force of twelve hundred men. The province was now under a new governor, who
took judicious measures for defence, while the army advanced rapidly into the
enemy's country. Several Indian towns were burned, the magazines of provisions
destroyed, and a considerable number of the savages killed and captured. The
others escaped to the mountains. Fort Prince George was relieved, and overtures
of peace were made to the enemy.]
Messages of peace producing no good effect, the colonel determined to make an
attack on their middle settlements. He immediately began his march; but his
success in this enterprise was noways equal to that in his former. The enemy
watched all his motions, and took every advantage and opportunity to distress
him on his march. On the third day, as the army was advancing through a
dangerous ground, the enemy attacked him in the most furious and obstinate
manner. They commenced the action with their usual horrible screams and
outcries, maintaining a severe fire from under cover. The troops were ranged in
the most judicious manner, and firmly stood the enemy's charge. The fight was
long, obstinate, and well maintained on both sides. At length, the colonel
making a movement which brought the Royal Scots upon their right, the enemy gave
way and fled. The captain of the rangers, and about twenty men, were killed, and
nearly eighty wounded. It was supposed that the enemy lost about forty men. The
army pushed forward about five miles, the succeeding evening, to Etchowee, one
of the most considerable towns in the middle settlements. But the Indians had
removed their most valuable effects, and forsaken the town. The colonel was able
to do them no other injury than to destroy a defenceless town. Here they
attacked his picketguard with such fury that they were repulsed with difficulty.
They also gave him repeated annoyance by their volleys from the surrounding
hills. Though he had gained the field, and been able to advance after the
action, yet it had the effect of a defeat. So many of his men had been wounded,
and so many of his horses killed, that he found a retreat absolutely necessary
to save the wounded men from the massacre of the enemy. In the beginning of July
he returned to Fort Prince George. The expedition had cost him five officers and
about a hundred men, killed and wounded.
[This expedition proved eventually more disadvantageous to the English than to
their enemies. Colonel Montgomery now felt it necessary, under the orders he had
received, to return north with his troops, and left but about four hundred men
to assist in defending the frontiers. As a result, the Southern colonies were
again raided by the foe, whom Montgomery had but exasperated. Fort Loudon fell
into their hands, and the garrison, in their march northward, were partly killed
and the remainder made captive. Under these circumstances application was again
made to General Amherst for assistance. It was now the year 1761, Canada was
captured, and a force could easily be diverted south. It was determined to give
the Indians a lesson that would force them to make peace.]
In May, the army, consisting of two thousand and six hundred men, advanced to
Fort Prince George. Here Attakullakulla, having got intelligence of the force
advancing against his nation, met Colonel Grant, and repeatedly entreated him,
by his friendship and many good services to the English, to proceed no farther
till he had once more used his influence with his nation to bring them to an
accommodation. But Colonel Grant would not listen to his solicitations. He
immediately began his march for the middle settlements. A party of ninety
Indians and thirty woodmen painted like Indians marched in front of the army and
scoured the wood. After them followed the light infantry and about fifty
rangers, consisting of about two hundred men. By the vigilance and activity of
these the colonel designed to secure the main body from annoyance and surprise.
During three days he made forced marches that he might pass several dangerous
defiles which might cost him dear should the enemy first get the possession and
warmly dispute the passage. These he passed without annoyance. But the next day,
finding suspicious grounds on all sides, orders were given that the army should
prepare for action, and that the guards should advance slowly, doubling their
circumspection. As the army advanced in this cautious manner, about eight
o'clock in the morning the enemy were discovered, by the advanced guard, nearly
in the same ground where they attacked Colonel Montgomery the preceding year.
Rushing down from the high grounds, they furiously attacked the advanced guard.
These were supported, and the action became general. A party of the enemy driven
from the low grounds immediately ascended the hills under which the whole line
was obliged to pass. On the left was a river, from the opposite banks of which
they received a heavy fire as they advanced. While the line faced and gave their
whole charge to the Indians on the bank of the river, a party was ordered to
ascend the hills and drive the enemy from the heights. No sooner were they
dislodged from the heights than they returned with redoubled ardor to the charge
in the low grounds. These it appeared their determination obstinately to
dispute. The situation of the troops soon became critical and distressing. They
had been greatly fatigued by forced marched in rainy weather. They were galled
by the fire of the enemy, so compassed with woods that they could neither
discern nor approach them but with the greatest difficulty and danger. When they
were pressed they always kept at a distance, but, rallying, returned again with
the same fierceness and resolution to the charge. No sooner were they driven
from one place than they sprang up like furies in another. While the attention
of the colonel was drawn to the enemy on the banks of the river, and employed in
driving them from their lurking-places on that side, so furious an attack was
made on his rear-guard that he was obliged to order a detachment back to its
relief, to save his cattle, provision, and baggage. From nine to eleven o'clock
did the enemy maintain the action. Everywhere the woods resounded with the roar
of arms and the hideous shouts and yells of savages. At length the Cherokees
gave way, but as they were pursued they kept up a scattering shot till two
o'clock. They then wholly disappeared.
What loss the enemy sustained is not known, but that of Colonel Grant was about
sixty men in killed and wounded. The army advanced as soon as possible, and
about midnight arrived at Etchoe, a large Indian town. The next day it was
reduced to ashes. There were fourteen other towns in the middle settlements, all
which shared the same fate. The enemy's magazines, and their cornfields,
amounting to not less than fourteen hundred acres, were utterly destroyed. The
miserable inhabitants stood the silent spectators of the general destruction,
and were obliged to retire, to starve in the thickets and mountains. Nearly the
same barbarities were practised towards them, by a civilized and Christian
people, of which we so loudly complain when, in their manner of warfare, they
are practised against us. .
After nearly thirty days had been spent in works of destruction, the army
returned to Fort Prince George. The various hardships it had endured in the
wilderness, from watching, heat, thirst, danger, and fatigue, hardly admit of
description. The feet and legs of many of the soldiers were so mangled, and
their spirits so exhausted, that they were utterly incapacitated to proceed on
their march. Colonel Grant determined, therefore, to encamp awhile at this post,
both for the refreshment of his men and to get intelligence with respect to
resolutions of the enemy.
Soon after his arrival, Attakullakulla and several other chieftains of his
nation came to the camp and expressed their wishes for peace.
[Articles were drawn and signed by both parties.]
Peace was establishea, and both parties expressed their wishes that it might
continue as long as the rivers should run, or the sun shine. The whole North
American continent appeared now to be quieted.
[But the quiet was only that of desistance from open warfare. A mental disquiet
quickly followed which was, ere long, to lead to a war more terrible than any
the continent had heretofore known.]
Benjamin Trumbull
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