Junaluska | |
|---|---|
 Memorial sculpture atLake Junaluska | |
| Born | c. 1775 |
| Died | (1858-11-20)November 20, 1858 |
| Resting place | Robbinsville,North Carolina, U.S. |
| Nationality | Cherokee |
| Other names | Tsunulahunski, Detsinulahungu |
| Known for | Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814) during theWar of 1812 |
Junaluska (Cherokee:Tsunu’lahun’ski) (c.1775 – November 20, 1858), was a leader of Cherokee who resided in towns in westernNorth Carolina in the early 19th century. He fought alongsideAndrew Jackson at theBattle of Horseshoe Bend during the War of 1812/Creek War. In the course of the battle he saved Jackson's life, an act he reportedly regretted later in life.
Although he was removed with most Cherokee on theTrail of Tears, Junaluska returned to North Carolina in the late 1840s. The state legislature granted him citizenship and some land near present-dayRobbinsville. He was among the Cherokee who lived in North Carolina from the 19th century, and were ancestors to the federally recognized tribe ofEastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This group organized in the 20th century.
Junaluska was born around 1775,[1][2] approximately 15 miles (24 km) south ofFranklin, North Carolina near present-dayDillard,Georgia. A few days after his birth, the cradle-board holding him fell over. He was calledGu-Ka-Las-Ki orGulkalaski in theCherokee language,[3] meaning "one who falls from a leaning position".
Later as an adult, after an unsuccessful military venture, he was namedTsu-Na-La-Hun-Ski orTsunulahunski ("one who tries but fails").[4] Junaluska described this warfare events by the term,Detsinulahungu (meaning "I tried, but could not").[3]
Oral tradition has it that Junaluska met withTecumseh inSoco Gap in 1811. This has not been verified. Junaluska is known to have informed Tecumseh that theCherokee in his region would not join an Indian confederacy against the European-American settlers.
"As long as the sun shines and the grass grows, there shall be friendship between us, and the feet of the Cherokee shall be toward the east." —Andrew Jackson to Junaluska[3]
In 1813, when the Cherokee raised up 636 men against theRed Stick faction of theCreek Indians in Alabama, Junaluska personally recruited over a hundred men to fight at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The Cherokee unit was incorporated into the combined Creek-Cherokee-Yuchi-Choctaw army under the command of Brig. GeneralWilliam McIntosh, a "friendly" Creek from Georgia. Junaluska's actions turned the tide when he swam theTallapoosa River, retrieving Redstick canoes in order to ferry the Cherokee to the rear of the Creek. He is also credited with savingAndrew Jackson's life during this battle.
According to the provisions of an 1819 treaty with theUnited States, Junaluska applied for 640 acres (2.6 km2) of land at Sugar Creek nearFranklin, North Carolina. When his land was usurped by white settlers, he moved to the remaining portion of theCherokee Nation.
Jackson reportedly met with Junaluska regarding theIndian Removal Act, but the president said, "Sir, your audience is ended. There is nothing I can do for you."[3][5]
During the infamousTrail of Tears in 1838, Junaluska and many other Cherokee people were incarcerated and held in nearby stockades prior to the march. Fort Montgomery was located near present dayRobbinsville, North Carolina. From this stockade, Junaluska and thousands of other Cherokee were forced to walk overland to theIndian Territory, in present-day easternOklahoma.[6] Junaluska was assigned to a detachment led byJesse Bushyhead.
"If I had known that Jackson would drive us from our homes, I would have killed him that day at the Horseshoe".[7]
About seven weeks into the journey, Junaluska and approximately 50 other Cherokee escaped. He and his band were soon captured and returned to the journey. After several years, Junaluska returned to North Carolina on foot. In 1847, after a plea by Col.William Holland Thomas, a white man who had been adopted into the Cherokee tribe, the state legislature rewarded Junalaska for his service. It granted him state citizenship and land near present-dayRobbinsville, North Carolina.
Junaluska marriedNi-suh and had three children, boysJim-my andSic-que-yuh, and daughterNa-lih.[citation needed]
Junaluska died November 20, 1858,[8] and was buried in Robbinsville. His grave was originally marked, in traditional Cherokee style, with a pile of stones.[6] In 1910 the General Joseph Winston Chapter of theDaughters of the American Revolution (Winston-Salem) erected a monument at his grave site.[3]
During theAmerican Civil War, the Confederate States Navy named one of its ships, theCSSJunaluska for him.[9] It had persuaded most of the Cherokee and other nations of the Five Civilized Tribes inIndian Territory to become allies of the Confederacy. Not all Cherokee people agreed to this. The CSA leaders promised the Native Americans to give them their own state if they were successful in the war.
Numerous places and physical features have been named for this leader:Lake Junaluska, Junaluska Creek, Junaluska Gap, Junaluska Ridge, theJunaluska Salamander, and Mount Junaluska (now known asNorth Eaglenest Mountain).[citation needed]
A giant sculpture was installed honoring him, along theTrail of the Whispering Giants in Metro-Kiwanis Park inJohnson City, Tennessee.[10]
A museum and memorial in his honor were erected in Robbinsville in the late 20th century.
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theNaval History and Heritage Command. The entry may be foundhere