214 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 118 



(1) that the dances were held around and about these public houses, fre- 

 quently beginning inside, and ending on the level area around them; and (2) 

 ceremonial bathing formed an important part of the proceedings connected with 

 their sacred dances, such as green-corn dance and the medicine dance, where 

 the whole body of the performers came out of the town house to the water, 

 and after certain ablutions, returned thereto. It was necessary, therefore, that 

 the building should be near a stream. 28 



In 1776, as a result of British influence, the Cherokee harassed 

 the frontiers of South Carolina, after the defeat of the British at 

 Sullivan's Island, and the repulse of Sir Peter Parker's fleet at 

 Charleston. Immediate steps were taken to invade the Cherokee 

 country by way of chastisement. General Williams, of South Caro- 

 lina, in July 1776, raised more than one thousand militia and burned 

 the Cherokee towns of Sugar Town, Soconee, Keowee, Ostatoy, Tuga- 

 loo, and Brass Town,, and later also Tomassee, Chehokee, and 

 Eustustie. 



About this time General Rutherford, of North Carolina, marched 

 an army into the Middle Towns on the Tennessee River, and, as 

 reputed, burned 30 or 40 Cherokee towns. Also, Virginia ordered 

 Col. William Christian to raise an army for immediate action 

 against the Cherokee. His force was increased by the union with 

 some 400 men of the North Carolina militia to a total of over 1,800 

 men. With this army he destroyed the towns of Neowee, Tellico, 

 and Chillowee. 



Those towns known to have engaged in attacks on the frontiers 

 were destroyed, but those which had not so participated were not 

 disturbed. Of these Great Chota and Great Island Town were not 

 burned. Later Tuskiga Town was completely burned. Of this expe- 

 dition by Colonel Christian, Ramsey makes this statement : 



In the centre of the Cherokee towns, taken by Christian's troops, was found 

 a circular tower, rudely built and covered with dirt, 30 feet in diameter and 

 about 20 feet high. This tower was used as a council house and as a place 

 for celebrating the green corn dance and other national ceremonials. Within 

 it were beds, made of cane, rather tastefully arranged around its circumfer- 

 ence. Each tower had a single entrance, a narrow door. There was neither 

 window nor chimney. 29 



With this devastation of their territory, the Cherokee power was 

 broken. Their military importance as a nation was largely extin- 

 guished. From this time on, contact with white civilization became 

 so frequent and so intimate that many ancient customs were modified 

 or given up entirely. So rapid and far reaching were the effects of 

 civilization on the Cherokee that a study of his habits and customs 

 from that time on would throw very little light on his life in pre- 



28 Thomas, 1890, p. 63. 



29 Ramsey, 1853, p. 169. 



