The Chickamauga Confederacy

"The Chickamauga feared that the expansion of the United States spelled doom for the Cherokees and believed that by engaging in war they were protecting their territory the only way they could. After the American Revolution, the majority of Cherokees favored peace and agreed to give up all lands east of the Appalachians. But a small band of warriors, called ‘Chickamauga’, were unwilling to accept a truce and moved their families to northeastern Alabama". (The Cherokee, Perdue, pg.36)

"Fighting continued on both sides until 1785, with the most stubborn resistance coming from a recalcitrant group of Cherokees who seceded after the Carolina cession in 1777 and established themselves first on Chickamauga Creek and later on the Lower Tennessee River. These diehards became known as 'The Chickamauga of the Five Lower Towns' and were among the last of the Cherokees to lay down their arms." (Cherokees of the Old South, Malone, pg.10)

Hence, the political division between the Cherokee Nation and the Chickamauga Indians occurred as a result of the Carolina land cession and the over-all concern of the Chickamauga was that the end of Cherokee independence was coming. The split, which occurred between the Cherokee Nation and the Chickamauga, was political and represented a fundamental shift in international policy. The Chickamauga favored continued conflict with the United States in an attempt to maintain their land base and independence, where some influential elements of the Cherokee Nation Council had a more conciliatory position. source: http://cca2000.4t.com/whoarewe.htm

The United States government also recognized the Chickamauga as a separate political entity in the treaty of 1817 "Turkey Town" (7 Stat. 156) whereas the prologue stated " the establishment of a division line between the upper and lower towns". The Chickamauga people were historically known as the lower town Cherokees.

The Chickamauga Wars

1775 - 1794

In 1775, after rejecting the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals in which the Cherokee gave up significant portions of their hunting lands, Dragging Canoe declared war against the American colonists. The colonists retaliated, and in late 1776 burned more than 50 Cherokee towns. While the older Chiefs wanted peace, Dragging Canoe lead thousands of Cherokee to the area called Chickamauga (Chickamawgee). The Chickamaugas built their towns in Chattanooga Valley (along Chickamauga Creek) on the eastern side of Lookout Mountain. It was from here that Dragging Canoe, and later John Watts, lead the Chickamauga Confederacy (comprised of Cherokees, Creeks, Indians from other tribes, whites, and blacks) in war against the Carolina, Virginia, Middle and East Tennessee settlers for almost 20 years.


April 1779

Commander Shelby of Virginia lead a militia force to destroy Dragging Canoe and the Chickamaugas. Shelby came down the Tennessee River to Chickamauga Creek. Here he captured an Indian who was forced to guide them to Dragging Canoe’s headquarters, Chickamauga Town. They surprised the Chickamaugas and destroyed the town. Apparently most of the Indians were away and only a few were killed (although one report had as many as 40 killed). Shelby continued down Chickamauga Creek and destroyed many other Chickamauga towns.

This forced Dragging Canoe to move his towns to the west side of Lookout Mountain. This area was even more wild and inaccessible than the east side and afforded Dragging Canoe extraordinary protection from his enemies. Here he established the 5 lower towns: Lookout Mountain Town, Running Water, Nickajack Town, Long Island, and Crow Town.

September 1782

The Last Battle of the American Revolution

John Sevier lead a militia force of a few hundred men in another attempt to destroy Dragging Canoe and the Chickamaugas. After destroying a number of Indian towns (but no Chickamauga Towns), on Sept 20 Sevier met Cherokee Chief Skyuka at the first recorded battle on Lookout Mountain. Sevier defeated Chief Skyuka but was never able to find any of the chickamauga Towns. Why? Sevier chose as his guide John Watts who shrewdly lead him away from the Towns (Watts later took over command of the Chickamaugas).

Skyuka was a Cherokee Chief in command of the Chickamaugas who fought John Sevier on the northern end of Lookout Mountain on Sept 20 1782 (the Last Battle of the American Revolution). Skyuka Springs at the western base of Lookout Mountain (along the Park Trail system) was named after him.

This battle was also The Last Battle of the American Revolution. The Cherokees were allied with the British and this battle was fought after Cornwallis surrendered and while peace negotiations were taking place in Paris. No other Revolutionary War battles took place after this.

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