The American Indian revolution

During the American Revolution, most Indians sided with the British or attempted to remain neutral. A few Indian nations supported the Patriots. Indians viewed the settlers as the main threat to their lands and livelihood. Since many settlers sided with George Washington, Indians naturally tended to support the Loyalist side. The Patriots responded with systematic attacks on Indian settlements, burning down buildings, storehouses and cornfields as they went, thereby confirming the Indian's fears.

"The American Revolution in Indian Country" isn't a detailed, chronological overview of the actual warfare between Indians and White Americans. Although the cover shows Joseph Brant, he is only a minor character in the book itself. Rather, the author has concentrated on a few select communities, describing how the various phases of the War of Independence affected these.

One chapter deals with the Indian town of Odanak at the Canadian-American border, a town inhabited by the Abenaki. This Native group lived relatively dispersed over a large territory and managed to keep out of the war. More tragic was the fate of the Iroquis Confederation, which split during the war and went down to utter destruction. The author tells how the factional infighting among the Iroquis affected the community of Oquaga at the Susquehanna River. There is also a chapter on Fort Niagara, a British fort which became surrounded by virtual refugee camps during the war, the refugees being pro-British Indians.

Equally interesting is the section about the pro-American Indian town of Stockbridge, which was overrun by apparently ungrateful settlers after the Patriot victory. The final part of the book introduces us to the Seminoles (or proto-Seminoles), one of the few successful Indian groups during this period. The Seminoles staunchly supported the British, but when Florida became Spanish, the new colonial governor decided to maintain cordial relations with them. At the time, the Seminoles controlled large parts of the Florida hinterlands.

There are also chapters on Shawnees, Cherokees and the Chickasaw.

Personally, I think Calloway's book is unsuited for the general reader. It's probably better for more advanced students of the subject, since only the first chapter contains something resembling a general overview of the Indian wars. However, if you already know the basic facts, you might find it an interesting addition to the literature on American Indian history.