INNER CONFLICT
We, all too frequently, forget that the tribes of North American Indians were often in severe and costly conflict with each other. The battles they fought - small perhaps by white man's standards - were at times large enough to decide the future of entire tribes.
We can learn much by being aware of these early American wars.
One such decisive battle was fought in 1755 about two miles east of that point in the now-State of Georgia where Long-Swamp Creek and the Etowah River meet. That would be in the northwest in the Pickens-Wilkes county area. The specific battle marked a culmination of the state of war which had existed between the powerful Creek and emerging Cherokee tribes for at least a decade or more, certainly since 1740.
In April 1755 the great Cherokee Chief Oconostoata led five hundred of his braves in an attack upon the Creeks at that site. The Creek forces were far more numerous but the Cherokees soundly defeated them and sent the Creek warriors scurrying southward across the Chattahoochie River. In doing so, they left to the Cherokees the very heartland of what was to become the Cherokee's national home.
We should know more about these inter-Indian battles. This one is called the Battle of Tiliwa was strictly and Indian affair. It appears to be just one of many such tribal conflicts. We could learn several important things about the "native Americans" - as they are now called in argumentative circles - and our own ancestors the European "intruders."
The use of the term was, perhaps, we were, at least, in the Indian view, just that - intruders - moving into portions of lands "frequented by" rather than "settled by" Indians family groups. They had been, and were a largely nomadic and wandering set of people by nature. They were rivals in many aspects who were far from being at peace with each other. They had clan-likes disregard for the niceties of social conduct when family was concerned, and there can be little doubt that the small groups suffered great losses in senseless bickering and petty warfare with the neighbors - even relatives. Such wars were over ownership of real estate holdings and the larger areas which served as treasured hunting grounds so essential to their way of life.
The white man was, no doubt, can be accused of excessive violence in regard to Indians but at the same time we must not overlook the historical fact that the Indian was, at that time, his own worst enemy. Internecine strife was endemic. The Indian youth was raised to hate his counterpoint just across the mountain or river boundary. They killed each other in large numbers and the degradation, while to some degree over-stated when dressed in white-man's terminology. Very often those groups we call "tribes" are to be more accurately seen to have been "families"... small units of close, blood-related persons and a few hangers-on, perhaps, as well as several like groups with whom they were closely allied at a specific time and for a set purpose.
In order for Chief Oconostoata to bring together five hundred warriors, he would have to have behind him an amalgam of groups large enough to supply that many eligible-aged men. It is important to remember that the overall intent of the war could be seen to be quite different by each family group represented. A strong leader such as Oconostoata must have been could hold them together just so long.
We need to learn from the Cherokees, Creeks and others that in times of stress and dire need minor difference must be set aside for the common good. At the moment we are a nation at war in every way except the technical designation of its being named as such and we are in a constant ferment of petty disagreements with each other. It is time we joined together for our common good. Let's set political bickering aside for a time and tend to the now urgent difficulties which threaten our very existence.
A.L.M. February 16, 2003 [c681wds]
