"Dragging Canoe danced all night in a spiritual ferver, and on March 1, 1792, he crossed over.
His nephew, The Black Fox, stated: 'The Dragging Canoe has left the world. He was a friend both to his own and the white people. But his brother is still in his place; and I mention now in public, that I intend presenting him with his deceased brother's medal: for he promises fair to possess sentiments similar to those of his brother, both with regard to the red and white. It is mentioned here publicly, that both whites and reds may know it, and pay attention to him ... Another person I also nominate as a headman, Taloteeskie, who is to be considered in place of Old Tassel.
Though some of the young fellows of the nation, and the white people together, occasioned the Tassel to fall under a flag of truce, his talks shall not be forgot. We have, therefore, appointed this man to support his talks, and we hope that both whites and reds will attend to him.' It is over, yet the legacy and traditions of Dragging Canoe were carried into future generations.
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Tecumseh and the Prophet, students of Dragging canoe, continued resistance into the next century. Even through the death of George Armstrong Custer, there was a continued element of native resistance in response to western expansion. The War Eagle of Chickamauga planted the seed of resistance that lasted through this day. As long as the American Indian fights for justice, the spirit of Dragging Canoe will carry their prayers to the sky." I find this a fitting conclusion to thoughts about Dragging Canoe.
Dragging Canoe had a lasting influence on the Cherokee people. His leadership demonstrated that different tribes could work together toward a common enemy. He noted that the Americans failed to meet their treaty obligations with the Cherokee who attempted to live at peace with them. He also noted that the British provided supplies and ammunition. He succeeded in showing a way to actively resist the white settlers encroachment on Cherokee lands. He was joined by many tribes and by Tories as well as other malcontents who were looking for profit or revenge against the white settlers.
Just keeping the looseknit groups of individuals making up the resistance known as the Chickamauga focused on anything required a superb leader with unfailing leadership skills and profound respect from his followers. His legacy is one that is unequaled and his leadership skills were far beyond those of most men alive then or even today. The accomplishment of 17 years of resistance is likely to be the greatest achievement made by any of the Cherokee or any other tribe of native americans for that matter. He was truly a master of leadership and succeeded beyond others of his day.
Theodore Roosevelt cited his accomplishments when he noted that "Dragging Canoe would not make peace." Roosevelt went on to name the groups that were drawn to Dragging Canoe as being the "most dangerous and least controllable of all the foes who menaced the western settlements." Truly recognition from a man who readily saw and rightly identified true leadership.
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