Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-05-30

the English and Cherokess, the
former, in order to keep their hold
upon the latter, begun the erection
Of Fort Loudon at the confluence
of the Tennessee and the Tel.
leo rivers in what is now
known as Monroe County, East
Tennessee. T. fort was com.
pleted under the patronage OF
North Carolina in 1867 and a small
garrison placed there. Since their
alliance with the English the Cher
okees had been harrassed to some
extent by the French, and in order
to gain personal security and pro-
lection for their towns and crops,
they encouraged the building OF
this fort. The immigration Of far
mers and artisans was invited by
the Indians, who gave all comers
lands and pledged to them eternal
friendship.
The fort was situated near the
Telico river in a stately forest, sur
rounded by picturesque scenery.
The great smoky mountains rose
to the clouds on the east, while the
broad valley of the Tennessee
stretched out 10 the west. The
sturdy pioneers were captivated by
the scenes and wondered not at the
superstitions of the savages. The
soil was of the most fertile nature
and the forests teemed with game
of every description. In q short
time large settlement, for those
days, had gathered around the fort.
Daniel Boone or other hunters had
told Of the many advantages to be
found there, on their return to the
more thickly settled portions of
the country, and their glowing sto.
ries had their effect. Crops were
put in, little homes erected and
the arts of civilization were soon
employed. This was the only set
tlement southwest of the Allegha-
nies, and the nearest whites were
$50 miles away.
THE RISING CLOUD.
All went we'll with the little set
tlement and the red men were true
to their promises. For two years
there was no trouble. Then the
bad treatment Of the child of the
forest by his white brother caused
a speedy severance of all friendly
relations. The Cherokeos had so
far become the friends of the En-
glish that a band of warriors ac-
companied the famous expedition
against Fort Duquesne. From the
first they were insolently treated
by the white soldiers and were Of
ten grossly insulted. During this
lcng march numbers of the Indians
lost their horses and supplies. In
the Virginia woods they came up
with droves Of horses and helped
themselves. They also ioraged
for provisions, and for these Of
| fenses the Virginia settlers sought
revenge. Forgetting the great SER
vices the Cherokees had rendered,
they attacked them and numbers
were killed and many wounded.
The survivors Of this expedition
told Of the haughtiness and treach-
cry of the paleiaces on their re-
turn.
All intercourse with Fort Loudon
speedily ceased, councils were held
almost nightly, and the wrongs OF
the red man related. The hostile
feeling soon spread and news of il
reached the French to the south
west in Louisiana. This was too
important matter not TO be taken
advantage of and messengers were
sent to the Cherokees to magnify
their wrongs at the hands of the
English and irflame their desire
for vengeance. The effort met
with success and the Cherokees
were soon upon the war-path.
The garrison at Fort Loudon
awoke TO their precarious position
and prepared for defense. For
tunately good water was TO be had
within the fort, and all the pro-
visions attainable were safely
housed. Ammunition was hoard
ed and all the families entered the
palisades and awaited the newt
able attack. 1t was averted, but
not for long.
A TERRIBLE SIEGE.
At this time Cloud was the war
chief Of the Cherokees. He was
of enormous stature and ferocious
nature. His face was black and
he was of an unrestlui disposition.
He gloated in the horrors of war;
was joyful at the prospect Of blood
shed. He quickly led his forces
against the peaceful settlements
along the South Carolina line on
the eastern side OF the mountains.
Night was chosen for the most
auspicious time for the attack and
the peaceful firesides were soon
the scenes of carnage. Men, wo-
men and children were attacked
with merciless ferocity and houses
and crops were levelled to the
ground. The silence Of death set
tied in the valleys that had begun To
blossom through the arts Of peace
The North Carolina officers now
took a hand and Montgomery led
a force against the Cherokees. AZ
ter some successes in which he
burned whole villages and destroy
ed large crops, he met with disas
trous defeat at Etchoe and the
savages were so elated that they
looked for new scenes Of conquest
Wild orgies were held over the
bodies Of the departed braves ant
plans formulated for further blood
shed. An immense force was gath
cred at Tallasss, 30 miles below
Fort Loudon, and Cloud exhorteo
them 10 attack the fort. He La