Chronology of American Indian History

1776

July

Indians discuss white settlement of the Ohio
River valley at the Muscle Shoals Council.
Large numbers of Lenni Lenape (Delaware), Ot-
tawa, Cherokee, Wyandot, and Shawnee gather at
Muscle Shoals in present-day Alabama to discuss
the increasing tide of white settlers onto their lands.
During the council, many, including the influential
Shawnee chief Cornstalk (see entry for OCTOBER 9,
1774), decide to become allies of the British and
to help them fight their war against the American
colonists. Although the Indians feel no great loyalty
to the British, they share with them the desire to
keep Americans out of the Ohio River valley.

July

Dragging Canoe attacks white settlers on
Cherokee land.
Cherokee leader Dragging Canoe, angered by the
whites moving onto his tribe’s lands, plans to lead
an attack against several settlements. His cousin
Nanye’hi, known to whites as Nancy Ward, tries to
avert bloodshed by sending the settlers word of the
impending raid. Because of Ward’s warning most of
the whites are able to escape before Dragging Canoe’s
men arrive, and those that remain are well prepared.
During the conflict, 13 warriors, including Drag-
ging Canoe’s brother Little Owl, are killed. Dragging
Canoe himself is shot through the hips, but he recov-
ers from the injury. (See also entry for APRIL 1778.)

July 4

The Declaration of Independence accuses
England of inciting Indian attacks.
In the Declaration of Independence, the newly
formed United States lists among its grievances that
George III of England has “endeavored to bring
on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless
Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an
undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and

conditions.” The document does not mention the

rights of natives within its borders.

1777

July

The Iroquois tribes choose sides in the

American Revolution.

At a great council held in Oswego, New York, the

British bring together leaders of the six Iroquois

tribes to try to secure their help in fighting the

American Revolution. Maintaining that the war is

essentially a conflict between whites, Seneca leaders

Cornplanter and Red Jacket initially recommend

neutrality. Their stance is vigorously challenged by

the Mohawk Joseph Brant (see entry for NOVEMBER

1775). Brant has long been a supporter of the Brit-

ish, largely because of his close association with the

British superintendents of Indian affairs William

Johnson (see entry for 1755) and Guy Johnson. His

fiery rhetoric accuses those who refuse to join the

fight of cowardice.

Largely because of Brant’s persuasive powers, the

majority of the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, and

Seneca pledge allegiance to the English. Most of the

Tuscarora and Oneida, however, are influenced by

trade ties to ally themselves to the Americans. The dis-

agreement among the tribes creates a deep rift within

the Iroquois Confederacy (see entry for CA. 1400).

August 6

Iroquois fight Iroquois at the Battle

of Oriskany.

After an unsuccessful attempt to take over Fort Stan-

wix, near present-day Rome, New York, a combined

Indian and British army ambush American militia-

men and Indian warriors led by General Nicholas

Herkimer near the village of Oriskany. The battle

pits British-allied Mohawk against American-allied

Tuscarora and Oneida. Casualties are high on both

sides, making it one of the most gruesome battles of

the American Revolution.