Cherokees Massacre Clermont's Village, 1817 |
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In July 1817 the Arkansas Cherokees wrote to William Clark, governor
of the Missouri Territory, charging that the Osage had stolen their
best horses and killed many of their people. Shortly after this correspondence
had been forwarded, the Arkansas Cherokee were joined by other Cherokees
from Alabama and Tennessee. This force, led by the war chief Takatoka,
also counted in its ranks members of other tribes who had grievances
against the Osage. The Osages of Clermont's Village on the Verdigris
were totally surprised. The attacking Cherokees burned the village and
destroyed the crops and winter food stores. Eighty-three Osages were
reported to have been killed and more than a hundred taken prisoner.
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