In 1754, the first shots in the bloody 7 year brawl known today as the French & Indian War were fired. The war embroiled several North American nations in a struggle for control of the eastern third of the continent. In the summer of 1755, English General Edward Braddock alienated Ohio Valley Iroquois, Delaware, & Shawnee allies & reaped a just reward by losing soundly to a numerically inferior army of Indians & Frenchmen near the forks of Ohio River.
This loss unleashed the fury of French & Amerindian warriors against the English colonists in Pennsylvania, Maryland, & Virginia. The colonies requested assistance from southern Amerindians, traditional enemies of the northerners, & the response from the Cherokees was swift & strong. Mankiller Ostenaco led 130 warriors against the Shawnees in the winter of 1756. The Cherokee campaign failed by the addition of a slow-moving, hunger-ridden, infighting Virginian army. However, a strong friendship between Mankiller Ostenaco & Mjr. Andrew Lewis ensured the steady support the colonies needed from the Cherokees.
Ostenaco recruited warriors, led war parties, & conducted diplomatic missions. His efforts ensured that the colonies' defensive war was complemented by effective offensive maneuvers carried to the very gates of the enemy's Ohio Valley strongholds. The Cherokee offensive campaign paved the way for the Reverand Post's peace mission to the Ohio Valley Indians, & this led to the relatively unopposed march of General Forbes' army to the ruins of Fort Duquesne (present-day Pittsburgh) late in 1758. |
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Doug Wood as Mankiller Ostenaco, a Cherokee war captain. Doug Wood honors his Cherokee ancestors by telling the story of Mankiller Ostenaco's efforts during the French & Indian War. 18th century Cherokee lifeways are also highlighted. The Chataqua style first-person presentation was developed with assistance from a West Virginia Humanities Council History Alive! grant. 
Painting a pictographic war record.
(photo courtesy of Kirk Sullens) The presentation is suitable for classrooms, outdoor theatres, parks & other outdoor settings, historical celebrations, & military fraternity gatherings. All ages will find the presentation interesting. Contact us for a fee schedule. |
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