Biographies of
Selected Key Indian Leaders

by Rudy Scott Nelson


BLACKFISH. A Shawnee chief. He replaced Cornstalks as chief in 1777. He was pro-Crown and lead attacks against trans-Ohio Patriot settlements until 1794.

Joseph BRANT. aka Thayendanegea. Religious, Anglican minister, and military leader of the Mohawk Iroquois. Lead numerous raids in the Middle colonies. A Captain in the British army who was later promoted to Major. Often worked with the Johnson's Royal Greens Loyalist unit. Other Iroquois tribes, especially the Seneca, reluctantly followed his leadership.

CORNSTALKS. Shawnee Chief who lead the Ohio tribes in the Lord Dunmore's War of 1774. Honored his part of the peace treaty of 1774 by remaining neutral and even pro-Patriot during the early segment of the war. He was a guide for an American expedition to attack Detroit in 1777. He was murdered by the Patriot forces that he was helping. The Patriots reported that he died of smallpox. When the truth was discovered, it lead to the Shawnee War 1778-94.

DRAGGING CANOE. A very anti-patriot Cherokee chief of the Over-Hill clans. He lead several raids during the Cherokee War of 1776. After the Cherokee signed a peace treaty tp end the 1776 war, Dragging Canoe refused and moved further west to found the CHICKAMAUGA clans. He continued to attack Patriot settlements in Georgia and especially in the Ohio and Tennessee valleys.

EMISTISIGUO. An Upper Creek chief. A pro-Crown advocate. He was captured in 1782 while trying to obtain supplies from Savannah.

GREAT WARRIOR. A Cherokee chief of the Over-hill clans. He was considered their most influential chief. He lead several raids during the Cherokee War of 1776.

HALF KING. A Wyandot chief. He lead many of the raids against Patriot settlements.

KILLBUCK. A Delaware chief. He replaced White Eyes as the leader of the pro-Patriot Delaware in 1777.

MATCHEKEWIS. A pro-British chief of the Chippewa.

SAYENGERAGHTA. Primary warchief of the Seneca.

WABASHA. A Santee Sioux chief. Made a British General in 1778. Lead an attack on St Louis in 1780.

WHITE EYES. aka Netawatwes. A Delaware chief. He was pro-patriot and scouted for several Patriot expeditions. He was murdered along with Cornstalks during an expedition to attack Detroit. He was replaced by another pro-Patriot chief.


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© Copyright 1999 by Rudy Scott Nelson
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