The Cherokee war
The Cherokee Indians had originally been friendly with the British in America since the early 1700s, siding with them against the French in the French and Indian Wars. Colonial encroaching on the Indians land by settlers provoked them into a two-year war with South Carolina 1776.
The Cherokee Indians had originally been friendly with the British in America since the early 1700s, siding with them against the French in the French and Indian Wars. Colonial encroaching on the Indians land by settlers provoked them into a two-year war with South Carolina 1776.
Dragging Canoe
Dragging Canoe, of the Chickamaugas, was born in one of the Over hill towns on the Tennessee River, son of the Cherokee diplomat Attakullakulla. Even as a young boy Dragging Canoe wanted to be a warrior. He asked his father to include him in a war party against the Shawnees, but Attakullakulla refused. Determined to go, he hid in a canoe, where the warriors found him. His father gave him permission to go, but he had to carry the canoe. The vessel was heavy, but the boy dragged the canoe. And from that time on, he was known as Dragging Canoe.
Historians say that Dragging Canoe was the greatest Cherokee military leader.
As the head warrior of the town of Malaquo, Dragging Canoe fought a number of battles against settlers. By the 1770s the trespassing by settlers concerned Dragging Canoe, and he worked constantly to have them removed. the Cherokee thought the opening of the Revolutionary War provided the perfect opportunity to strike white settlements. Dragging Canoe planned a "three-pronged" attack.
Old Abram led an attack against the Watauga and Nolichucky settlements. Warriors under the leadership of the Raven struck Carter's Valley; and Dragging Canoe fought at the battle of Island Flats. The arrival of reinforcements proved too much for the Cherokees, and they were defeated.
Dragging Canoe, of the Chickamaugas, was born in one of the Over hill towns on the Tennessee River, son of the Cherokee diplomat Attakullakulla. Even as a young boy Dragging Canoe wanted to be a warrior. He asked his father to include him in a war party against the Shawnees, but Attakullakulla refused. Determined to go, he hid in a canoe, where the warriors found him. His father gave him permission to go, but he had to carry the canoe. The vessel was heavy, but the boy dragged the canoe. And from that time on, he was known as Dragging Canoe.
Historians say that Dragging Canoe was the greatest Cherokee military leader.
As the head warrior of the town of Malaquo, Dragging Canoe fought a number of battles against settlers. By the 1770s the trespassing by settlers concerned Dragging Canoe, and he worked constantly to have them removed. the Cherokee thought the opening of the Revolutionary War provided the perfect opportunity to strike white settlements. Dragging Canoe planned a "three-pronged" attack.
Old Abram led an attack against the Watauga and Nolichucky settlements. Warriors under the leadership of the Raven struck Carter's Valley; and Dragging Canoe fought at the battle of Island Flats. The arrival of reinforcements proved too much for the Cherokees, and they were defeated.
Battle of the Bluffs
Fort Nashborough protected pioneers from hostile Indians. The Battle of the Bluffs was a raid led by an Indian called “Dragging Canoe” on the fort during April 1781. The raid was one of many, and they all aimed at driving the pioneers away from the area. Although the Indians were persistent, the attempts were without effect and they lost almost all raids.
Fort Nashborough protected pioneers from hostile Indians. The Battle of the Bluffs was a raid led by an Indian called “Dragging Canoe” on the fort during April 1781. The raid was one of many, and they all aimed at driving the pioneers away from the area. Although the Indians were persistent, the attempts were without effect and they lost almost all raids.
Little Carpenter
Ookoonaka (Little Carpenter) was brought up as the son of a chief and the expectations were high for the boy, but, as with most Native American tribes, any tribal position he gained would have to be earned on his own. He studied Cherokee government and trained as a warrior. The skills came easily to him and his presence of mind during battle was highly regarded among his tribe. In addition, he was taught a trade and, while still young, developed a great ability as a woodworker and house builder, a career that earned him a reputation as one of the best carpenters in the Cherokee Nation. Ookoonaka grew to be a respected member of the tribe and the name Attakullakulla, which is said to mean, "leaning wood" in Cherokee, became the name the young warrior used to identify himself. He became the father of Dragging Canoe
Ookoonaka (Little Carpenter) was brought up as the son of a chief and the expectations were high for the boy, but, as with most Native American tribes, any tribal position he gained would have to be earned on his own. He studied Cherokee government and trained as a warrior. The skills came easily to him and his presence of mind during battle was highly regarded among his tribe. In addition, he was taught a trade and, while still young, developed a great ability as a woodworker and house builder, a career that earned him a reputation as one of the best carpenters in the Cherokee Nation. Ookoonaka grew to be a respected member of the tribe and the name Attakullakulla, which is said to mean, "leaning wood" in Cherokee, became the name the young warrior used to identify himself. He became the father of Dragging Canoe