Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-07-28
From the North Carolina University Magazine,
JUNALUsKEE---TH LAST OF THE
CHEROKEES.

The wars of no country, conducted up
on the. same principle, and carried on to
the same extent, have furnished so many
little incidents of "noble daring" as
those which have marked the early histo-
ry of the American government. And
no people have been so assiduous in gath
ering and preserving every little deed OF
valor that has arisen among their soldie-
ry, which can contribute the smallest
Quantum to the establishment Of a militia
Ty name, as the American people. They
are sufficiently sensible of the merits OF
their own warriors and in their zeal to
reward them they have been led, it seems,
to regard services in the field as neces-
sary preparation TO the assumption of ci-
vii authorities. A successful "charge, +"
or a skillful maneuvre, evincing only
some proficiency in tactics, which, toge-
ther with casual circumstances, may
must be succeeded with the bestowal Of
some important civil power This is a
great mistake of Americans, which will
very justly entitle them to the appellation
of Hero-worshippers."
But we are entirely pursuaded that this
feeling is altogether selfish. How many
brave hearts have passed away neglected
and forgotten, who, in the same wars.
and for the same cause, put forth the no.
blest efforts of their nature and gave
birth to deeds which might impart a rich
color to the sketches Of the historian p
Those deeds have sunk into forgctfulncss
by the side of their brave perpetrators,
because they sprung from another people.
How many acts of the coolest daring per-
formed by those magnanimous children
of the forest, who once held our lands for
hunting -grounds-acts the most disinte-
rested, for advancing the white mans
CAUSE
Have been buried in Oblivion's murky he'll.
1t is not our purpose here to attempt a
general delineation of the Indian charac-
ter but if we do justice to the subject OF
the present sketch, the reader will be
furnished with fit example of Indian
heart and Indian courage.
Junaluskee was born about the yeal
1776, in what is now Macon Co.. N. c.,
ON the head waters of Tennessee river,
Here he spent the earlier part OF his life,
and received instruction in those arts
which constitute the accomplishments oi
his race. In q country which seems fa-
vorod by nature in the beauty and mag
nihcence of its geological arrangement,
and endowed with discerning and
comprehensive intellect, every thing
around was to him full of teachings, Al
early age he became remarkable for sound
judgment and unswerving integrity
Combined with these he possessed physl
cal capacities even beyond the most o.
his fellows, and the admirer of Gods han
dwork could but feel pround that he was
holding the graceful ease with which
young Junaluskee would scan the broaC
mountain side, or bound from cliff to cliff
Such an Indian must certainly. be desti
ned to hold a prominency. among his peo
pie. When he reaehed manhood he re
moved from the place of his nativity t.
now Haywood county, and settled among
the Quallatown portion of his tribe. Her
he became equally esteemed, and soon 81
cngrafted himself in the hearts of hi
tribe, that he was chosen to the rcsponsl
Bile position of high sheriff; an office a
that time, (before the whites had intro
duced their customs, requiring great de
termination and physical ability to brinl
to justice the offenders under his jurisdic
ton.
However much he was distinguishes
among his own people, he was but littl
known abroad until the war of 1919. In
deed no occasion had offered him, up t
that time to manifest the extent of hi
magnanimity, bravery, and true patriot
ism. It was the last to be hoped for, tina
one, sprung from race so obscure, an
a country so hidden, should ever find
field for the display ssof his latent vii
tues but they led him to action. Whe
General Jackson was leading his force
against the British and Creek Indians 6
the same time, Junaluskee was aroused
and prevailed ON some of his tribe, to til
number of only eight or ten, to follow hir
and Join jackson in battling against th
Creeks-the Cherokees' inyeterate 70
They met the American General in AL
bama, who was so much pleased with Il
address and personal appearance OF Jun
luskee, that he made him captain over u
entire number of Cherokees under b
command, then about one hundred
Thus they took up their line OF march
pursuit of the Greeks, who were gathere
in considerable numbers about the be1
of fTalapoosa river, where the famous ba
| tie of the Horse Shoe was fought.
AT this engagement he is said to hay
remarked. that Jackson's big guns de-
troyed in him all fear Of death. and insp
red an uncomfortable anxiety to beat Ii
very breast,works, and engage directl
- l. cecil. Af .1oatt, II, n0nSonua,,oo =