Should you wish to add scenery allow me to offer a quaint little glimpse of local lore:
Only slightly post-dating your timeline this priceless little historic site is just a few short miles north of me, just beyond the original capital of the Cherokee Nation, and Fort Prince George, sadly, both now flooded by Duke Power's Lake Keowee...
Oconee Station
(http://www.oconeecountry.com/images/OconeeStation.jpg)
Oconee Station State Historic Site
The Park sits on 210 acres on Oconee Creek and has an abundance of interesting features ...located just north of Walhalla off Hwy 11.
Structures: Nestled in a clearing surrounded by a split-rail fence under mature trees, this beautiful location holds the blockhouse and the William Richards home. The blockhouse was built in 1792 as a military post—one of several in the state—to protect settlers against the Cherokee Indians and later to protect Indians against settler encroachment.
(http://www.oconeecountry.com/images/OconeeStationBuilding011.jpg)
In 1805, William Richards, from Ireland, built a brick home next door and established a trading post.
(http://www.oconeecountry.com/images/RichardHouse.jpg)
& a couple more from their website: http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/oconeestation/introduction.aspx (http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/oconeestation/introduction.aspx)
HISTORY AND INTERPRETATION
Programs and Guided Tours : Park programs are offered throughout the year, including living history weekends that are held at various times.
Historical Significance : In the late 18th and early 19th century, this small plot of land along South Carolina’s western frontier served as a military compound against attack from the Cherokee and Creek Indians and later served as a trading post.
The park contains two structures: Oconee Station, a stone blockhouse used as an outpost by the SC State Militia from about 1792 to 1799, and the William Richards House, named for the Irish immigrant who built it in 1805.
The stone building circa 1792 was built by state militia to protect against Indian raids. It is the only remaining portion of the fort we called Oconee Station. Later it was converted to a kitchen to serve the William Richards house.
The William Richards House was a residence built in 1805 until his death in 1809. The structure remained a home into the 1960s, and a summer home into the 1970s.
(http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/files/gallery/lg/os_buildings_view_tree_lg.jpg)
(http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/files/gallery/lg/100105%2027_lg.jpg)
The park staff have some of the early ledgers from the trading post, listing enormous quantities of furs on hand!! Clearly this was a viable economic link between the two cultures, who nonetheless remained wary of each other.
This isn't war per se, think Frontier Pacification & Exploitation, by small bands of men, a dozen, perhaps a few more, red & white & black, skirmishing across extremely rugged mountainous terrain spanning 4 states: my little "Golden Corner" of Upstate South Carolina, NE Georgia, Western North Carolina, & East Tennessee. Local historians tell me that Indian hunts and raids continued into the 1820s. Some of these were retaliatory, most punitive, almost sporting. Local eradication evolved, as each year the incursions had to go further north & west to catch & kill their quarry. Given the population density getting 30-40 + frontiersmen together for an expedition would seriously deplete the region's available defenders, inviting attack, still the boys will go out to have their fun!
Long ago, in a century now passed, at a high toned (albeit minor) faculty social function, I was served an old family receipt:
Captain xxxx's Indianfighter Punch circa 1818.
Apples, rum, cinnamon, brandy, cloves, whiskey, nutmegs, burgundy all featured prominently in a lethal cocktail full of warmth, cheer, joy, courage and stamina!!
When I question the date, which seemed early for Plains, and late for Woodland, campaigns, I was gently chided, "Honey, he was huntin' REAL Indians. Cherokees, Chickasaws & Muskogees, in the woods & mountains, all winter, in the snow. It was easier that way."
I sure wish I could find my copy of that recipe, very much akin to hot buttered rum, even though today's global warming would render it's consumption problematic, to say the least.
Valerik
"the plural of anecdote is not data"
EDIT Grammar Police Warrant
Another set of fascinating insights! I very much appreciate your contributions, thanks very much
You are more than welcome, I am happy to contribute.
If I can supply any specific 'local intelligence' please don't hesitate to ask.
This is a fascinating little stretch of broken land, with a long history of violence, lawlessness, brigandage, bootleggery, terror and outlawry à la Robin Hood.
Changed forever by flooding her valleys to supply lakes needed for hydro-electric & nuclear power, to say nothing of the incursions demanded by the infernal combustion engine, there are still very remote, very inaccessible spots suitable only for men, and mules. One doesn't go near them.
I concur that clothed Indians are more likely to faithfully represent this stage of Cherokee civilisation.
I do wish Conquest did packs of their warriors with garments. Other companies too!
In addition to Foundry's folks somebody does Seminoles that will work handily, except the maroons. While there were Negros in the vicinity in our period, both slave and free, their numbers were minuscule, and likely absent, or exceedingly rare amongst the mountain tribes.
If I might inflict my all time favourite Cherokee story, courtesy of Bob Potter:
In 1811 Tecumseh returned to Cherokee lands to recruit for his pan-Indian campaign. Tecumseh had previously spent 2 years ('89-'90) with the Cherokee in Georgia, taking part in, & eventually leading, Cherokee raids against the English settlements in the Carolinas & Tennessee. Twenty years on, twas a vastly different story: Tecumseh found his warrior friends living in brick houses, wearing clothing, cultivating the land and owning Negro slaves. After many impassioned pleas, cajoling and foreboding, Tecumseh found few converts, the Redsticks being a minority exception. On the way back North one of his followers asked what had happened to the Cherokee, receiving this in reply:
"Cherokee too much like White Man.
Have cats, and books."
-Tecumseh 1811
That a mighty warrior and great patriot, chose these two measures of civilisation, of all those on offer, to typify effete degeneration I find absolutely priceless!!!
And NO, in answer to your unspoken question,
I am absolutely NOT at all interested in gaming this backyard conflict.
And I deny researching and resourcing possible figures to NOT use in any such imaginary games.
I reject utterly having fantasized such skirmishes on my table.
Though they did seem to be using Mike Demana's "Song of Drums and Tomahawks"...
(http://firstcommandwargames.com/_Media/sdtcover-2_350.jpeg)
A brilliant little ruleset, I highly recommend their sleek playability and elegant operation.
http://firstcommandwargames.com/published-rules/song-of-drums-and-tomahawks.html (http://firstcommandwargames.com/published-rules/song-of-drums-and-tomahawks.html)
I'm waiting for his prequel, so I can do Swedes on the Delaware vs
Minquas
Dutch
Delawares
Virginians
Hurons
Spaniards
Cherokees
French
& anybody else who suits...
I probably don't need the new ruleset as I must needs paint figures & build scenery.
Oh & acquire aboriginal opponents... My old 25s just don't 'measure up'...
Valerik
not from 'round here, so no claim to Cherokee kin