The Catawba Project

Revolutionary War Period (1776–1781)During the American Revolution, theCatawbas sided with their Whigneighbors, and served with Americanforces from 1775 until 1781. Thissmall Indian nation boasted thehighest per capita rate of service ofany community in the colonies.The day after Lord Rawdon reachedWaxhaw, he with a life guard of twentycavalry, visited the Catawba Indiantowns, six or eight miles distance fromhis encampment. These towns aresituated above the mouth of TwelveMile Creek, on the east bank of theCatawba River.Graham, 1827Mouzon Map,1775The advance of Lord Cornwallis’ army in 1780 drove the Catawbas from their homes,and the nation took refuge in Virginia. When they returned in 1781, they rebuilt theirhomes at Old Town.