The Carolinas seemed far from most of the military actions taking place north of the Ohio River in the Seven Years War. Yet, as Daniel J. Tortora’s study demonstrates, the British southern Carolina colonies and their neighbor Virginia actually were deeply embroiled in uneasiness, conflicts, rebellions, and intrigue involving slaves, regional tribal groups, and even the French. Unrest, misunderstandings, and friction among the various groups, including between the British and provincials, further aggravated existing tensions.
The Cherokees, trading partners and military allies of the southern colonies, felt compelled to seek justice for wrongs they experienced on both those fronts. As Cherokees perceived themselves abused and misused in the early period of the British war with France in the Ohio River Valley, they fought back, both diplomatically—which had little to no effect—and by raising arms against the backcountry settlers near their towns. Tortora asserts that South Carolina in particular became pivotal...
