Today in Chickamauga History - January 15
1781, January 15: Letter To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell - We found that the enemy had fled in haste the evening before, leaving behind them, as they had done at the other Towns, almost all their Corn and [ot]her Provisions, together with many of their utensils for agriculture, and all their heavy houshold furniture with part of their stocks of Horses, Cattle, and Hogs. These Towns I expected would have been contended for with obstinacy; as most of the Chickamogga People had removed hence, after their visitation in 1779. Our Troops becoming impatient, and no other object of importance being in view, it was resolved to return homewards. Major Martin with a detachment were ordered by Sattoga, and the other Towns on Telico-River. In his rout, he took four prisoners, from whom he learnt, that several of the Cheifs, had met a few days before in order to consult on means to propose a Treaty for Peace.
The Towns of Chote, Scittigo, [ ,] Chilhowee, Toque, Mieliqua, Kai-a-tee, Sattoogo, Telico, Hiwasee and Chistowee all principal Towns, besides some small ones, and several scattering settlements, in which were upwards of One thousand Houses, and not less than fifty thousand Bushels of Corn, and large quantities of other kinds of Provisions, all of which, after taking sufficient subsistance for the army, whilst in the Country and on its return, were committed to [the] flames, or otherwise destroyed. No place in the Over H[ill?] Country remained unvisited, except the small Town of Telassee, a scattering settlement, in the neighbourhood of Chickamogga, and the Town of Caloogee situated on the sources of the Mobile. We found in Okana-Stote’s Baggage, which he left behind in his fright, various manuscripts, copies of Treaties, Commissions, Letters, and other Archives of the nation, some of which shews the double game that People have been carrying on, during the present War. There seem’d to be not a man of honor among the Cheifs, except him of Kai-a-tee, whom I would willingly have discriminated had it been in my power.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-04-02-0445
1817, January 15: Letter To James Madison from William McIntosh – We hear much talk of the Cherokees wishing to exchange part or the whole of their land South & West of the Tennessee river with you. for lands West of the Mississippi river, This is a business of their own, and with which we have nothing to do, only So far as this, that about the time of our late troubles & war, the Cherokees attempted to lay claim to a large body of our land west of our boundary line with you from the head waters of the Apalachy river on the Hog Mountain to the mouth of Welles creek on the Coosa river, and have recently began to Settle on it. To this they have no right and we do not admit their claim, nor do we wish you to listen to them on the Subject of exchanging any territory or land. South of the above mentioned line, or east of the Coosa, untill we have councilled with them and understand each other more fully on this Subject.
There is a great portion of the More influential Cherokees who are anxious to Swap all their land, but I know many and nearly half the force of the Cherokees who are not So much civilized and live mostly in the Woods that do not wish to Swap but would prefer remaining where they are They requested us to tell you, Should we see you, that they were afraid, the influence which the other portion of their nation had (for they are mostly half breeds) might eventually Swap all their land & leave these without any land to walk on, and we fear the want of land in their Nation might throw them on us. This last I mention is Simply a request of these people & not part of my business.
Father So soon as you can answer our talks now given to you, and will let us know what chance we have of obtaining our compensation For losses Sustained by our red Sticks we will look towards our people and bid you Farewell. - https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/99-01-02-5689
(Commentary: Always remember that "Cherokee" does not always mean "Cherokee" more often than not if we are writing about it, historically and archaeologically, it means Chickamauga or Lower Town Chickamauga.)