Cherokee–American wars

Prelude (1763–75)

The French and Indian War and the Seven Years' War laid foundations for the conflict. The Anglo-Cherokee War of 1758–1761 saw British forces under General James Grant destroy Cherokee towns, including Kituwa, which was abandoned as residents moved to Mialoquo among the Overhill Cherokee. The Cherokee signed the Treaty of Long-Island-on-the-Holston with Virginia in 1761 and the Treaty of Charlestown with South Carolina in 1762.

Conocotocko was replaced as First Beloved Man by Attakullakulla, who was pro-British. After the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Pontiac's War broke out, prompting King George III to issue the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachians. The British later negotiated the Treaty of Hard Labour with the Cherokee and the Treaty of Fort Stanwix with the Iroquois in 1768, initially allowing the Cherokee to retain lands west of the Kanawha River.

Revolutionary War phase: Cherokee War of 1776

During the Revolutionary War, the Cherokee fought against settlers in the Overmountain region and as allies of Great Britain against American patriots. British strategy focused on the North, leaving the Cherokee largely on their own except for supplies from British ports and some joint operations in South Carolina. Loyalist John Stuart, British Superintendent of Indian Affairs, fled Charleston after a mob besieged his house, first stopping in St. Augustine. From St. Augustine, Stuart sent Alexander Cameron and his brother Henry to Mobile for supplies.

Dragging Canoe met them at Mobile on March 1, 1776, offering help against rebels, but was told to wait for regular troops. At Chota, Henry Stuart sent letters to settlers, giving them 40 days to leave Cherokee land. Forged letters alarmed settlers, who gathered in fortified groups and prepared for attack.

Revolutionary War phase: Southern strategy (1778–1783)

In late 1778, British strategy shifted south, bringing more efforts and supplies to the Southern Indians. The Cherokee and Upper Creek signed on for active participation. On December 17, 1778, Henry Hamilton captured Fort Vincennes and planned a spring offensive against George Rogers Clark, aiming to assemble 500 warriors from various nations, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Shawnee.

McDonald's headquarters at Chickamauga was to be the staging ground. Clark recaptured Fort Vincennes on February 25, 1779, taking Hamilton prisoner. The British captured Savannah on December 29, 1778, with help from Dragging Canoe, John McDonald, and the Cherokee, along with McGillivray's Upper Muscogee force.

They captured Augusta on January 31, 1779, but quickly retreated. Thomas Brown of the King's Carolina Rangers was assigned to work with the Cherokee, Muscogee, and Seminole. Charlestown was captured on May 12, 1780, after a siege, taking 3,000 Patriots prisoner, including Andrew Williamson, who later became a double agent.