he Yamasee War was one of the most serious and deadly conflicts between Native Americans and English colonists in the early history of what would become the United States. From 1715 to 1717, many tribes across the Southeast rose up against British settlers in South Carolina, leading to two years of bloodshed, destruction, and major changes in colonial policies.
This war is often forgotten in American history books, but it was a turning point. It exposed the dangers of the English colonial trade system, the consequences of Native displacement, and the fragile nature of early colonial life in the American South.
Before the Yamasee War, the colony of South Carolina had formed strong trade relationships with many Native American tribes, especially the Yamasee, who lived near the Savannah River. In exchange for deerskins and enslaved captives from rival tribes, Native Americans received goods like guns, cloth, and metal tools from British traders.
But under the surface, problems were growing. British traders often used deceptive practices, charged unfair prices, and created a cycle of debt that many Native tribes could not escape. When tribes failed to pay, some were forced to give up land or even their own people. In time, these unfair trade practices turned former allies into enemies.
The Yamasee were not alone. Many tribes joined the uprising, forming one of the strongest Native coalitions in colonial American history. Some of the key groups involved included:
Yamasee – Once allies of South Carolina, they became the main force behind the war.
Creek (Muscogee) – Powerful in Georgia and Alabama, they played a major role in the attacks.
Catawba – Fought alongside the Yamasee early in the war.
Apalachee, Congaree, Chickasaw, Chowan, and others also took part.
The Cherokee, a large and powerful tribe in the Appalachian region, stayed neutral at first. However, they later allied with the British against the Creek, shifting the balance of power in the war.
The Yamasee War didn’t begin overnight. It was the result of many issues building up over time:
Native American tribes became angry at how they were treated by traders. Many were tricked into signing unfair agreements or overcharged for goods. British traders often used violence or threats to collect debts.
As more European settlers arrived, Native Americans were pushed off their land. The constant loss of hunting grounds and farming areas put pressure on tribes to fight back.
The British were involved in the Native American slave trade. People who could not repay debts were captured and sold into slavery. Entire villages lived in fear of being enslaved or raided.
Colonial leaders often made deals with tribal leaders, only to break them later. These betrayals helped unite many tribes in anger and distrust toward the colony.
On September 22, 1711, approximately 500 warriors from the Southern Tuscarora and their allies (including Bear River, Core, Neuse, Pamlico, and other tribes) launched coordinated surprise attacks on colonial settlements along the Neuse and Pamlico rivers, including the town of Bath.
Using the element of surprise, small raiding parties approached colonial homesteads in a seemingly peaceful manner before launching devastating attacks.
The three-day assault resulted in approximately 130-140 colonists killed, with settlements burned, livestock slaughtered, and crops destroyed. The attacks were characterized by their brutality, with men, women, and children all targeted. These initial raids created panic throughout the region and left colonial settlements isolated and vulnerable.
Following the initial Tuscarora attacks, North Carolina Governor Edward Hyde appealed to neighboring colonies for assistance. While Virginia demanded territorial concessions in exchange for help, South Carolina responded by dispatching Colonel John Barnwell with a force of 30 white officers and approximately 500 Native American allies (including Yamasee, Wateree, Congaree, Waxhaw, and Apalachee warriors).
In January 1712, Barnwell’s expedition arrived after a difficult 300-mile winter march. His force, reinforced by 50 North Carolina militiamen, launched successful attacks against several Tuscarora settlements, eventually forcing them to retreat to their fortified position at Hancock’s Fort (also called Fort Narhantes).
In April 1712, Barnwell laid siege to this fort for ten days. Rather than storm the fort with potentially high casualties, Barnwell negotiated a peace agreement with the Tuscarora, who agreed to release their prisoners and restrict their territory. However, this peace was short-lived.
As Barnwell’s forces returned to South Carolina, some of his men captured Tuscarora individuals to sell as slaves, violating the peace terms and reigniting hostilities.
Following renewed Tuscarora attacks and a yellow fever epidemic that claimed many lives (including Governor Hyde), North Carolina again appealed to South Carolina for assistance.
In December 1712, Colonel James Moore arrived with 33 white colonists and approximately 900 Native American allies, primarily Yamasee warriors.
In March 1713, After gathering supplies and enduring harsh winter conditions, Moore’s forces advanced toward the primary Tuscarora stronghold at Fort Neoheroka . This formidable fortification, located on Contentnea Creek in present-day Greene County, represented the Tuscarora’s last major defensive position.
Fort Neoheroka was an impressive defensive structure covering approximately 1.5 acres. Archaeological investigations have revealed it included interconnected bunkers, tunnels, and palisades constructed using both traditional Tuscarora and European-influenced techniques. The fort was well-stocked with food and supplies for a prolonged siege.
Around March 1, 1713, Moore’s forces laid siege to Fort Neoheroka.
On March 20th, after nearly three weeks of fighting, Moore’s troops breached the outer walls and set fire to the fort.
On March 23rd, the battle concluded with catastrophic losses for the Tuscarora. Approximately 950 Tuscarora were killed or captured in this decisive engagement, with hundreds burned to death inside the fort and approximately 400 taken to South Carolina to be sold into slavery.
While the fall of Fort Neoheroka effectively broke organized Tuscarora resistance, sporadic guerrilla warfare continued until 1715. During this period, surviving Tuscarora bands either:
The war officially ended with the Treaty of 1715, which formally established peace terms, though by this point the Tuscarora Nation had been effectively shattered as a significant military or political force in North Carolina.
Governor Edward Hyde (1667-1712) As North Carolina’s governor during the outbreak of war, Hyde faced the challenge of organizing colonial defense while the colony was still reeling from the political divisions of Cary’s Rebellion. Hyde mobilized the colony’s militia and made the crucial decisions to request aid from Virginia and South Carolina. His leadership was cut short when he died of yellow fever in September 1712, in the midst of the conflict. His death during a critical phase of the war further complicated North Carolina’s military response.
Colonel John Barnwell (“Tuscarora Jack”) (c. 1671-1724) A veteran military leader from South Carolina, Barnwell led the first major expedition against the Tuscarora in early 1712. His force of 30 white officers and 500 Native American allies marched over 300 miles in winter conditions to engage the Tuscarora. Barnwell successfully besieged the Tuscarora at Fort Narhantes, forcing their surrender, but his decision to accept conditional terms rather than pursue total victory drew criticism from North Carolina authorities. More controversially, his forces violated peace terms by capturing Tuscarora to sell as slaves, which reignited the conflict. His detailed letters and accounts provide valuable historical documentation of the war.
Colonel James Moore (c. 1682-1740) Moore led the decisive second expedition from South Carolina in 1712-1713. Son of a former South Carolina governor, Moore brought significant military experience to the campaign. His force of 33 white colonists and 900 Native American allies (primarily Yamasee) executed the devastating siege of Fort Neoheroka in March 1713, which effectively broke Tuscarora military power. Moore’s tactical decisions, including the use of mines to breach the fort’s walls and the deliberate burning of the structure, demonstrated a ruthless efficiency that resulted in massive Tuscarora casualties. Moore would later become governor of South Carolina in 1719.
Thomas Pollock (c. 1654-1722) Following Governor Hyde’s death in 1712, Pollock became acting governor of North Carolina. He continued Hyde’s policies of alliance with Chief Tom Blunt’s northern Tuscarora while pursuing military operations against the southern bands. Pollock oversaw the critical final phases of the war, including supporting Moore’s expedition and negotiating the terms that would establish the Tuscarora reservation in Bertie County. His governance helped stabilize North Carolina following the conflict and established patterns for future colonial-indigenous relations in the region.
Chief Hancock (d. 1712) Leader of the Southern Tuscarora, Hancock (also called Hencock in some sources) responded to colonial encroachment by organizing armed resistance. After diplomatic efforts failed to protect Tuscarora lands and people, Hancock orchestrated the coordinated attacks of September 1711 that initiated the war. He led the Tuscarora forces during the first year of fighting and commanded the defense during Barnwell’s siege of Fort Narhantes. In 1712, Hancock was captured by Chief Tom Blunt’s forces and turned over to colonial authorities, who executed him. His death was a significant blow to Tuscarora resistance.
Chief Tom Blunt (c. 1675-c. 1731) Leader of the Northern Tuscarora, Blunt (later Blount) made the strategic decision to ally with the North Carolina colonists rather than join Hancock’s resistance. Colonial governor Hyde offered Blunt leadership over all Tuscarora if he assisted in defeating Hancock. Blunt’s forces captured Hancock in 1712, delivering him to colonial authorities for execution.
After the war, Blunt became recognized by both Virginia and North Carolina as “King Tom Blount” of the Tuscarora, and in 1718 secured a 56,000-acre reservation for his people along the Roanoke River in Bertie County. His alliance with the colonists allowed the Northern Tuscarora to maintain their presence in North Carolina while thousands of other Tuscarora were killed, enslaved, or forced to migrate north.
Core Tom A lesser-known but significant Tuscarora leader whose village of Core Town was located near the mouth of Contentnea Creek on the Neuse River. His settlement was abandoned and later became the site of Fort Barnwell, an important colonial base during the conflict. While less documented than Hancock or Blunt, leaders like Core Tom represent the diverse Tuscarora response to colonial pressure.
The war had long-lasting consequences for both the Native tribes and the British colony:
The Yamasee War is just one of many important events in colonial history. Learn more about other Native American wars and early conflicts: