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Cherokee-Tehuacano Fight

Michael has a BA in History & American Studies and an MSc in American History from the University of Edinburgh. He comes from a proud military family and has spent most of his career as an educator in the Middle East and Asia. His passion is travel, and he seizes any opportunity to share his experiences in the most immersive way possible, whether at sea or on the land.

Part of our in-depth series exploring the forts of Comancheria

    The Cherokees were not contented to allow the Tehuacano go unpunished for the part they played in the previous engagement. Guided by an Indian trapper, who was familiar with the country, the Cherokee stormed one of the principal camps of the Tehuacano in the early part of the summer of 1830. During the first part of the charge, the Indians from the Red River used the surrounding trees for protection and as a rest for their deadly arms. The local Indians were soon forced to retreat into rudely fortified structures, made by piling up stones and covered with poles and hides. The Cherokees charged forward, but were soon repulsed. The Cherokees then decided to carry an abundance of dead grass and fire the enemy's village. Shortly afterwards the enemy's camp was on fire, and the Tehuacano almost annihilated by the evading Cherokees. Several Tehuacano Indian women and children were made prisoners.

The above story is from the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell.

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