Ostenaco
Ostenaco was born around the year 1703 in present-day Polk County,
Tennessee. He was the youngest of four children born to a Hiwassee
Cherokee family. The Cherokee youth grew up in the mountains
and valleys of the Smoky Mountains learning the ancient ways
of his people.
The young Cherokee was regarded as a poor speaker, but excelled
on the battlefield. He learned the arts of camouflage, the bow,
blowgun, and rifle. In addition, he became one of the best tacticians
on the field and knew how to overcome superior numbers through
a remarkable cunning that would earn him respect reserved for
only a few military leaders. At an early age, he won the coveted
warrior title "Outacite" – a Cherokee word meaning
"man-killer", which attested to his bravery and courage
under fire.
Ostenaco was so proud of the title that he announced it as though
it was his name and, according to the numerous diaries and journals
of the day, many whites addressed him by the designation rather
than by his given name. Ostenaco began rising through the ranks
of the Cherokee as a guardian and warrior. Ostenaco’s first
contact with Europeans came from the British traders that ventured
among the Cherokee. As the tribe started becoming dependent
upon the British traders, the Cherokee started making treaties
to help the European nation in its conflicts with hostile tribes
to the north.
While Attakullakulla and Oconostota became known as the Cherokee’s
respective leaders, the conflict between the villages of Chota
and Tellico continued. In 1741, Ostenaco had so impressed his
people and the British with his military skill that he was named
as one of the guardians of Ammonsscittee – a 13-year-old
boy who had inherited the British designated title of "Emperor"
from his father Moytoy. The title among the Cherokee, however,
was held in low esteem and allowed Chota headman "Old Hop"
and his nephew Attakullakulla to eventually persuade the British
to transfer the sphere of power to the tribal capitol. While
the two Cherokee played politics with the British, Ostenaco
continued to rise in respect as a guardian and warrior –
finding that the role of second in command carried with it a
kind of influence that is often more powerful than that of a
recognized leader.
In 1751, a group of northern Indians entered the Overhill towns
of the Cherokee and persuaded some of them to loot the British
traders in the villages. Many of the traders began leaving the
villages and returning to the safety of Charleston. Ostenaco,
who had befriended many of the white traders, raised a force
of 47 warriors and began patrolling the roads and fighting off
the hostile northern Indians.
While the Cherokee warrior could protect the traders from other
tribes, he could not protect them from his own people. French
agitation of the problem continued with overtures being made
to "Old Hop" and Attakullakulla that a French trading
treaty would be more lucrative if the British traders were expelled
from the Cherokee Nation. As a warrior who had fought many different
enemies, Ostenaco recognized what the French were trying to
do and resented their "divide and conquer" attitude.
When a trader was killed in a Lower Cherokee town, British Governor
Glen put an embargo on Cherokee trade. There were no forthcoming
French traders and the tribe immediately felt the impact of
the embargo. The British governor asked for a conference with
two Cherokee leaders and, due to the service of Ostenaco in
helping the British traders, personally invited him to attend
the conference.
"I well know how necessary Tesatee’s (Ostenaco) presence
is in the Nation at all times," wrote Governor Glen, "
and perhaps more especially at present, but yet I think if he
comes down as one of the head men that I now send for, it will
facilitate all matters. He shall be lodged in my own house,
and as much care taken of him as of myself."
Ostenaco traveled to Charleston where he was received as a foreign
dignitary and was lavished with the luxuries of the day. Ostenaco
and the other head man convinced Governor Glen to lift the embargo
and the two Cherokee leaders returned with two traders as a
sign of goodwill. In addition, Governor Glen asked the Cherokee
to send a delegation to Charleston where they would make a new
trading treaty to address the grievances of the Cherokee.
Ostenaco delivered a pro-British speech informing the tribe
that the traders were returning and openly scoffed at Attakullakulla’s
attempts to establish a trade agreement with the French. Ostenaco
met with success at each of the Cherokee towns where he spoke
except the Overhill villages of Chota, Tanase, and Citigo, which
were cities under the reign of Attakullakulla and "Old
Hop" supporters. On his return to his home, the warrior
was struck with a life-threatening case of dysentery. Upon his
arrival home, the weakened warrior had to face another crisis
when he was informed that a war party of Creeks had raided the
area in his absence and stolen a lot of property. Ostenaco informed
the Governor of the thefts, but told the British government
not to concern themselves as he would deal with the Creeks himself.
Trouble continued with the Creeks, however, and the returning
delegation was ambushed resulting in the death of one of the
Cherokee leaders.
The Creeks created such a condition of fear that Ostenaco found
himself advising his young charge Ammonscossittee against siding
with Attakullakulla and seeking a trade agreement with Virginia.
The young leader would not listen, however, and the talks ended
badly. While Attakullakulla and his men were involved, the failure
of the young leader gave them empirical evidence that allowed
them to ruin his reputation among his people and the South Carolina
British. Rumor and misrepresentation of what had occurred in
Virginia left Ostenaco no choice but to resign from the Tellico
Council and moved to the village of Tommotley near the capitol
of Chota. His political desertion of the young leader, who had
knowingly and publicly acted against his advice, aided the Cherokee
warrior’s rise to the designated rank of Second Warrior
of the Cherokee.
Trade negotiations still dominated the Cherokee stage and Ostenaco
traveled with Attakullakulla’s largely Overhill delegation
to treaty with Governor Glen in order to lower trade prices.
Attakullakulla exhibited his skill as a political orator and
convinced the governor to lower the trade prices and also recognize
"Old Hop" as the rightful "Emperor" of the
Cherokee Nation. While every goal of the Overhill Cherokee was
met, the forever devious Attakullakulla continued to try and
make a trade alliance with the French. Ostenaco, although faithful
and supportive, became leery of the Overhill Cherokee. The Cherokee
warrior’s outside loyalty was to the British. He finally
confronted Attakullakulla at his uncle’s home about the
French alliances he was discussing. It resulted in Attakullakulla
being physically assaulted and badly beaten but also ended his
efforts to secure an agreement with the French. Relations between
the European powers over the North American continent took the
Cherokee deep into what would become known as the French &
Indian War.
Following several successful campaigns where Ostenaco aided
the British against hostile Indians, the Second Warrior of the
Cherokee was asked by the British to join the Virginia militia
against a group of hostile Shawnee in what would become known
as the Big Sandy expedition. Ostenaco took a small band to Winchester
at the request of a Colonel in the Virginia militia. The Cherokee
and his men quickly put down the enemy causing problems and
returned with the French commanders scalp, which he gave to
the Colonel. The British Virginia Colonel named George Washington
stated in his report:
" They (Cherokee) are more serviceable than twice their
number of white men, " wrote Washington. "Their cunning
and craft cannot be equaled. Indians are the only match for
Indians. If they return to their nation, no words can tell how
much they will be missed, for upon these people the safety of
our march very much depends. However, absurd it may seem, it
is certain that five hundred Indian have it in their power to
more annoy the inhabitants than ten times their number of white
men."
Ostenaco was received as a war hero in Williamsburg and rode
in the governor’s personal coach, where he and his men
were royally received. The Cherokee participated in a parade
and gave numerous demonstrations of Cherokee dance and culture
to the inhabitants of Williamsburg. Although he was much celebrated
by the British, Ostenaco could never be regarded as their puppet.
When the British seized Cherokee leaders and imprisoned them
at Fort Prince George, Ostenaco turned on the Crown and immediately
laid siege to Fort Loudoun in present-day Monroe County. With
Oconostota being one of the hostages, Ostenaco was the senior
military leader and he knew he had to posture the Cherokee into
a position that enabled them to negotiate from a strong stance.
In the war that followed, the Second Warrior proved himself
in battle and also in peace as the Cherokee, under the leadership
of Attakullakulla made a firm and lasting treaty with the British.
Cherokee land rights in the upper Appalachian valley on the
Holston River eventually brought the tribe the long-sought treaty
the Overhill Cherokee sought. The Cherokee delegation requested
that an Ambassador be sent to explain the articles of peace
with the tribe. A junior officer named Lieutenant Henry Timberlake
volunteered for the task. He, Sgt. Tom Sumter, and an experienced
British trader named John McCormick set out in a dug-out canoe
on the Holston River and met one disaster after another. They
arrived battered and bruised near the ruins of the once thriving
Fort Loudoun where they were met by Ostenaco, who immediately
saw to their needs and offered Timberlake the hospitality of
his home. The two became immediate friends and, for the next
four months, Timberlake remained in the home of Ostenaco where
he drew the first working map of the region and first coined
the word "Tennessee".
When it came time for Timberlake to return to Williamsburg,
Ostenaco and a group of Cherokee warriors accompanied him and
his men to the city and the Second Warrior renewed old friendships
with the Governor. While visiting with the Governor, Ostenaco
saw a picture of King George III and impressed upon the Governor
his desire to see the "Great Father" of which Attakullakulla
had spoken of throughout his life. At the Cherokee’s insistence,
the Governor made arrangements for Ostenaco, two of his men,
Lt. Henry Timberlake, and Sgt. Sumter to travel to London to
see the King. On the night before his departure for England,
a young student at William and Mary College named Thomas Jefferson
visited the Cherokee encampment outside the city and was impressed
with those he met. In an account he later wrote, he stated that
it wasn’t the first time he had met the Second Warrior
of the Cherokee Nation.
"I knew much of the great Outassete (Ostenaco), the warrior
and orator of the Cherokee," wrote Jefferson. "He
was always the guest of my father on his journeys to and from
Williamsburg. I was in his camp when he made his great farewell
oration to his people the evening before he departed for England...
His sounding voice, distinct articulation, animated action,
and the solemn silence of his people at their several fires,
filled me with awe and veneration, although I did not understand
a single word he uttered."
The trip to England was miserable for Ostenaco and the Cherokee
as they suffered terribly from sea sickness. When he arrived,
Ostenaco stepped off the ship in full Cherokee regalia to a
waiting crowd of thousands. While Timberlake began working to
make an appointment with King George III, the Cherokee were
treated as curiosities by the British people. The St. James
Chronicle documented the Cherokee’s visit to England and
the culture shock that followed. During their second visit to
Vauxhall Gardens, the Chronicle reported close to ten thousand
people had shown up to get a glimpse of the Cherokee. The place
was located on one of London’s roughest neighborhoods where
hard drinking and duels were commonplace. Ostenaco impressed
many with his ability to "hold his drink" and when
Timberlake was escorting the Cherokee to their coach on the
second visit, the aging warrior accidentally brushed up against
a sword wielding dandy. The man drew his sword in anger and,
before Timberlake could intervene, Ostenaco ripped the blade
from the man’s hand and broke it in two pieces. The reporter
covering the Cherokee wrote: "The Coachman, by driving
away, put an end to the wretches scene of British curiosity
and savage debauchery."
After much delay, on July 8, 1762, Ostenaco was received by
King George III, who presented him with many gifts including
a silver gorget inscribed with the Cherokee’s name. The
Cherokee leader had prepared a speech, but Timberlake couldn’t
interpret the language well enough and Ostenaco decided against
giving it. The audience lasted for more than an hour and a half
and the Cherokee delegation found themselves impressed with
the King and his disposition towards them. As the meeting was
coming to an end, a nerve-tattered Timberlake looked over at
Ostenaco and his face went white when he realized the Cherokee
leader had taken out his pipe and was preparing to offer the
King a smoke. He quickly explained to the Cherokee that it was
not the custom at court to do so and Ostenaco, who thought about
it for a moment, agreed and put his pipe away.
The men left England in August and arrived back in Charleston
in November 1762. The Cherokee delegation was given a grand
reception by Governor Bull and Ostenaco told him the details
of his trip. The aging warrior returned to his home in the Overhill
towns and discovered that he was the grandfather of a child
fathered by Henry Timberlake. The little boy was named Richard
Timberlake and was much loved by Ostenaco.
The warrior remained loyal to the British throughout his life
and, at the outbreak of the American Revolution, threw his dwindling
support behind Attakullakulla’s son Dragging Canoe, who
was opposing the American colonists. Ostenaco was the only Cherokee
leader not taken in by a land speculator named Richard Henderson
at the Sycamore Shoals treaty where Cherokee leaders signed
away a vast portion Cherokee land for hardly any financial gain.
When Dragging Canoe withdrew from the Overhill towns because
of his father and Oconostota’s support for the colonists,
Ostenaco joined him and settled on present-day Ooltewah Creek
with his grandson. There the aging warrior, who had devoted
his life in service to his people, remained until he died around
1780. While it is assumed he was quietly buried somewhere in
the vicinity, the grave of Ostenaco has never been found.
Although Ostenaco paled in comparison among colonial settlers
to the politically astute Chiefs Attakullakulla and Oconostota,
his faithful service to the Cherokee people was never forgotten
and he is regarded as one of the ten most influential Native
American leaders in the 18th Century. He is the only Cherokee
of note to have been befriended by two future American Presidents
and forever enshrined in their own recollections of the years
of British domination in North America.
Journals and diaries written in his day consistently illustrate
his natural ability and prowess as a battlefield warrior well
into his later years. He was past 60-years-old when he made
the physically grueling voyage to England to meet with the King.
He, like most Cherokee, had been raised on the stories of Attakullakulla’s
visit to London and, although awed by the sight of the city,
he never lost sight of why he was there and constantly pressured
the inexperienced Timberlake to arrange a meeting with King
George III.
Ostenaco’s grandson Richard Timberlake was his closest
relative in later years and the aged chief dearly loved him.
Timberlake held onto the Ostenaco family farm in present-day
Hamilton County until 1819 when he accepted a 640-acre estate
in exchange.
While there are no books on this famous Cherokee warrior, the
life and times of Ostenaco gave ethnologists a unique insight
into the Cherokee political structure and the complex variables
that made up daily life in the tribal nation. While they were
Native American in every sense of the word to the British, the
Cherokee also held to a one-world belief that prevented them
from accepting the status of second-class citizens from any
dominating power. As Ostenaco would prove in his later speeches,
they were not confused by American and European politics, but
understood them and tried to act in their best interests as
a sovereign nation.
While the ideas and the story of Ostenaco faded into the pages
of history and almost oblivion, details of his life began surfacing
as historians uncovered American and British documents that
spoke highly of him. Only a handful of relics given to him by
King George III survive. The silver gorget is now in a Canadian
museum and original portraits drawn by artists in England remain
in the British Museum.
In 1969, archaeologists working in the region once dominated
by the Overhill Cherokee uncovered evidence of Ostenaco’s
visit to England when they found a simple pair of glasses in
the Chota excavation. From the documents and papers of the day,
the archaeologists knew the spectacles were a relatively new
and costly invention in King George III’s Court and the
young King had reportedly given numerous pairs of them to the
Cherokee leader. Lt. Henry Timberlake and everyone else in his
delegation had never heard of them, but in a letter he later
wrote he stated "the optician’s bill being to the
amount, as near as I an remember of fifty odd pounds in these
costly play-things for the Cherokee’s."
Historians and researchers continue to study the records relating
to Ostenaco and the other 18th century Cherokee leaders. The
best source of information can be found on the Cherokee Reservation
in North Carolina at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. The
facility and adjacent bookstore is open daily and offers numerous
displays on Cherokee culture. A small admission fee is charged
for the museum tours.
The McClung Museum located on the University of Tennessee campus
is also one of the best resources of information on the Cherokee
encounters with the British. In fact, museum director Dr. Jeff
Chapman was one of the archaeological team members that helped
excavate Chota and the Overhill region in the late 1960s. Through
the years, the facility has become regarded as one of the best
non-Indian resources on early Native American life.
