On this day 250 years ago in the Cherokee country now in western South Carolina, Major Andrew Williamson was leading 1150 men, primarily South Carolina Militia but also including Georgia Militia, small contingents of South Carolina Continentals and 20 Catawba warriors on a campaign to destroy Cherokee villages. The campaign was launched at the beginning of August after the Cherokees in alliance with the British attacked American settlers in July. The South Carolina army had defeated Cherokees and Loyalists in combat and destroyed six Cherokee villages during the first week of August. From August 8 through August 11 they destroyed the abandoned villages of Soconec, Keowee, Ostatoy, and Brass Town, all located in present day Oconee and Pickens Counties of South Carolina.

Sources: https://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_cherokee_towns.html; Parkers Guide at