Catawbas

The Catawbas were the most important of the Eastern Siouan tribes, and doubtless had a number of conflicts with the Cherokees, but the Cherokees were essentially mountaineers, and held dominion over the Appalachian Chain from the headwaters of the Kanawha to central Georgia.

Indians of North Carolina: Letter from the Secretary of the Interior, Transmitting, in Response to a Senate Resolution of June 30, 1914, a Report on the Condition and Tribal Rights of the Indians of Robeson and Adjoining Counties of North Carolina O. M. McPherson 1915

Nothing of the sort had happened, and the colonel complained that neither the Catawbas nor the Cherokees had produced any prisoners so far that year.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

Dinwiddie had assured the Cherokees and Catawbas that Atkin would soon join them at Winchester and supply all their wants.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

Dinwiddie agreed to that and ordered construction of a fort for the Cherokees; North Carolina promised to build one for the Catawbas but never finished it.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

This kind of talk not only put off the Cherokees, but also the Catawbas he expected to meet with him in November; only eleven of them showed up at Winchester.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

Attempts to win over allies among the Cherokees and Catawbas paralleled the fitful construction at Fort Loudoun.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

By the terms of the bargain worked out in 1744, Virginia granted the Iroquois the right to pass through the province to make war against the Cherokees and Catawbas of South Carolina, a deal sweetened by a hefty diplomatic gift.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

Washington sent a message late in October to the Catawbas, asking them to tell the Cherokees how disappointed the English were that they did not join their war.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

Washington had urged Dinwiddie to recruit Cherokees, Catawbas, and Chickasaws from the Carolina frontier, to make up the shortfall in manpower.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

He also failed to understand that the Cherokees and Catawbas had a long history of alternating peace and war with the English, with no incentive to form a lasting alliance.27

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011