Junaluska
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Junaluska was a Cherokee hero to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who reside in and around western North Carolina.
Junaluska was born around 1779, approximately 15 miles south of Franklin, NC near present day Dillard, GA. A few days after his birth, he was given his first name when the cradle board holding him fell over. He was called in the Cherokee language Gu-Ka-Las-Ki, which in english, translates to "One who falls from a leaning position". Later, after an unsuccessful military venture he was named Tsu-Na-La-Hun-Ski, or, "One who tries but fails".
Legend has been passed that Junaluska met with Tecumseh in Soco Gap in 1811 although this is not verified. Junaluska however sent word at least to Tecumseh that the Cherokee would not join an indian confederacy against the whites.
In 1813 when the Cherokee raised up 636 men against the Red Stick Faction of the Creek Indians in Alabama, Junaluska personally recruited over 100 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. General William McIntosh, a "Friendly" Creek from Georgia. Junaluska's actions turned the tide when he swam the Tallapoosa River retrieving Redstick Creek canoes and ferrying the Cherokee to the rear of the Creeks. He is also credited with saving Andrew Jackson's life during this battle.
According to the provisions of an 1819 treaty with the United States, Junaluska applied for 640 acres of land at Sugar Creek near Franklin, NC when his land was usurped by white settlers. He moved to the remaining portion of the Cherokee Nation.
During the infamous Trail of Tears in 1838, Junaluska and many other Cherokee people were incarcerated and held in nearby stockades. One, known as Fort Montgomery, was located near present day Robbinsville, NC. From this stockade, the Junaluska was forced to march to Indian Territory in present day Eastern Oklahoma. Junaluska was assigned to Jesse Bushyhead's detachment.
About seven weeks into the journey, Junaluska deserted and led approximately 50 other Cherokee. He was soon captured and returned to Oklahoma but after only a couple of years, Junaluska made the trip back to North Carolina on foot.
Junaluska died circa 1855 and was buried in Robbinsville, NC. His grave was originally marked, in traditional Cherokee style, with a pile of stones. A museum and memorial stands in his honor at this location.
