Cherokee War

Cherokee War, war fought from 1759 to 1761 between Cherokee Native Americans and settlers along the western borders of Virginia and the Carolinas. The Cherokee became British allies as the result of a treaty negotiated in 1730. In 1758 they assisted in capture of the Fort Duquesne, a French stronghold on the site of present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but on the road home they quarreled with the Virginian and Carolinian settlers. Several people were killed on both sides. Cherokee chiefs went to Charleston, West Virginia, to settle the dispute but were badly treated by the governor. An armed force of settlers were sent against the Cherokee, although only a few Native American hostages were taken when it was found that the Cherokee were ready for war. Soon after, the hostages were murdered by the settlers and the Cherokee went to war in earnest. It was not until June 1761 that the Cherokee began negotiations for peace.