Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-05-22
From the Y~rkville Enquirer OF 1875.
INSTALLMENT XII.
The Cherokee War.


The Cherokee War.
James Glen was succeeded as gov
ernor of South Carolina by William
Henry Lyttleton. One short sentence
will give an accurate description OF
Lyttleton. He was vapid coxcomb.
He belonged to that class of men who,
with but a small amount of sense and
incapable of turning to any wise ac-
count either their own experience or
that of others. still think that they are
competent to govern the world
Evidently, Governor Lyttleton was
anxious to secure the appreciation or
the board Of trade. The good OF the
colony was consulted no farther than 1t
would concentrate the power OF Eng
land over the American people, and ad-
vance to positions of honor and OFFICES
of profit, a few favorites.
After the treaty which Glen made
with the Cherokee Indians, peace and
harmony subsisted between the Cher
okees and the English colony of South
Carolina. Not only were the Cherokees
friends to the South Carolinians, but
they were friends to the English colo
nies generally. During the period or
the French and Indian war, which was
so destructive to the northern frontiers,
South Carolina enjoyed comparative
peace. The Cherokees sent their brave
young warriors to assist in repelling
the assaults of the French and Indians In
the north. South Carolina became an
asylum to which many, exposed to the
cruelties Of savage warfare in Mary
land, Pennsylvania and Virginia fled.
The fields Of South Carolina began to
bring forth in abundance and the ex-
ports Of the colony increased rapidly.
A stream of immigration poured In
from all the countries of Europe. All
lived together in the enjoyment OF
peace and plenty.
An unhappy end was brought to this
prosperous and peaceful state OF
things by the foolish resentment OF
Governor Lyttleton. We will not say
that he had sinister motives in view
but we are forced to conclude that he
was either knave or a fool. He acted
as If he were ignorant OF the fact that
the Cherokees were the friends OF the
English. AS he could not, however have
been ignorant of this TACT, his acts to-
wards them were in open violation OF
previous treaties and showed that his
heart was as cruel as his judgment
was weak.
He was not the only individual who
acted cruelty and in bad faith towards
the Cherokees. In 1857. a number OF
the Cherokee braves volunteered to as
sist in protecting the English frontier
settlers south of the Potomac. After
they had done their part faithfully and
rendered material assistance to the
English colonies, they were totally neg
lected: and but for the prudent fore
thought and consummate wisdom OF
Washington, would have been left to
starve or to be cut to pieces on their
return home by the common enemies
of both the English and Cherokee.
The proud savage Of the New World
was no doubt cruel; but the colonies
were not always generous. The party
of the Cherokees which had left their
homes and joined the Ohio expedition,
found that they were treated with neg
lect. Cut to the heart, they deter
mined to return to their homes. No
provision was made for them. They
were in a starving condition. AS they
passed through Virginia on their way
home, they supplied their wants from
the country through which they passed.
In the expedition they had lost their
horses. The horses of the Virginians
were unceremoniously taken to supply
their present wants. The Indians did
not have very correct ideas with re-
gard to property. This was especially
the case with regard to animals. Pos
session of an animal amounted to own
ership. The Virginians, in an ill-fated
moment, urged on by hasty resentment,
set upon these tired and famishing
bands of the common allies of the Eng
lish, and in three encounters killed
fourteen and took several prisoners.
The remnant of the party returned to
their homes in the vicinity of Fort
Prince George, on the head waters Of
the Savannah.
The tale of their suffering was soon
spread abroad. The shrieks and cries
of those who had been robbed Of their
relations, echoed from mountain top
to mountain top and through the
winding valleys of the Toogaloo. THE
blood of your murdered kinsmen calls
for vengeance" was proclaimed by
proud chiefs, and the young braves
were sent out to retaliate. The war
belt was sent from town to town. The
region of country which had enjoyed
almost uninterrupted peace, now be-
came the theatre of hostilities. The
French learned the existing state of
things, and persuaded the Cherokees
that the intention of the English was
to kill all the Indian men and make
slaves of the women and children
The aged chiefs. who had long known
the English, and from the Cherokees
had received many and valuable fa-
vors, were opposed to war. Even the
young warriors would have laid down
the tomahawk when they had avenged
the blood of their murdered kinsmen.
had they been dealt with prudently.
Fort Loudon, on the Tennessee. was
garrisoned with two hundred men un-
der the command of Captains Demere
and Stuart Some soldiers having gone
out into the woods to hunt for game
We're attacked by the Indians and sew
eral killed.
Captain CotymOre was in command
of Fort Prince George. He communi-
Gated with Governor Lyttleton at
Charles Town. The hazardous condi-
ton of the northern frontier of the
province was made known. Governor
Lyttleton, either fearing a confedera
tion of the Creeks and Cherokees, or
anxious to make a gorgeous display of
his military talents, summoned the mi
litia of the country To arms. The neigh