Looking Back on an Outstanding Evening with Dr. Susan Abram
The Swain County Genealogical & Historical Society was honored to welcome historian Dr. Susan M. Abram for our August program, The Battle of Horseshoe Bend: Cherokees in the War of 1812. The presentation provided a compelling examination of a pivotal but often overlooked chapter in American and Cherokee history.
Drawing upon years of research, Dr. Abram explored the role of Cherokee warriors who fought alongside U.S. forces against the Red Stick Creeks during the Creek War of 1813-1814. She highlighted the contributions of Cherokee soldiers from the mountains of Western North Carolina, including the renowned warrior Junaluska, whose actions helped secure victory at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. Dr. Abram also examined the tragic irony that many Cherokee veterans who supported the United States during the conflict would later face removal from their ancestral homelands during the Trail of Tears.
Attendees were treated to an engaging presentation that connected national events to local history, helping us better understand the experiences of Cherokee communities in Western North Carolina and the lasting consequences of the war. The discussion that followed demonstrated the community's strong interest in preserving and sharing the region's rich heritage.
About Dr. Susan Abram
Dr. Susan M. Abram teaches history at Western Carolina University and has devoted much of her scholarly career to researching Cherokee history, culture, and the Trail of Tears. Her work has been recognized throughout the field of Southern and Native American history. She is also a past president of the North Carolina Trail of Tears Association and has published extensively on Cherokee participation in the Creek War and the broader history of the Cherokee people. [wcu.edu]
Continue Learning: Recommended Talks
For those who were unable to attend, or for anyone wishing to explore the subject further, the following presentations by Dr. Abram are excellent resources:
YouTube Presentations
Forging a Cherokee-American Alliance in the Creek War https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SYIEerK3pk
In this presentation, Dr. Abram discusses the Cherokee soldiers who fought alongside American troops during the Creek War and the profound effects the alliance had on Cherokee society.
Cherokee Veterans in the Creek War: Blood Shed in Vain
A thought-provoking examination of the connection between Cherokee military service and the events leading to Removal.
2024 Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Symposium
Features Dr. Abram alongside other scholars discussing Cherokee involvement in the Creek War and the significance of Horseshoe Bend.
Recommended Reading
Forging a Cherokee-American Alliance in the Creek War: From Creation to Betrayal
By Susan M. Abram
Published by the University of Alabama Press, this award-winning book examines how the Creek War transformed Cherokee society and contributed to developments that ultimately culminated in the Trail of Tears. The book received the Anne B. and James B. McMillan Prize in Southern History. [amazon.com]
Tohopeka: Rethinking the Creek War and the War of 1812
Dr. Abram contributed the chapter**"Cherokees in the Creek War"**, which provides valuable insight into Cherokee participation in the conflict and its historical significance. [amazon.com]
Thank You
The Swain County Genealogical & Historical Society extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Susan Abram for sharing her expertise and passion for Cherokee history. Programs such as this help deepen our understanding of the people, events, and stories that shaped our region and our nation.
We thank everyone who attended and look forward to continuing our mission of exploring and preserving the history of Swain County and the Southern Appalachian region through future educational programs and community events.
