Chief Bowl, also known as Diwal’li, Colonel Bowles, Bold Hunter, and simply the Bowl, stands as a pivotal figure in Cherokee history, representing the unwavering determination of his people to secure a permanent homeland amidst relentless colonial expansion. Born around 1756 in North Carolina to a Scottish father and a Cherokee mother, Chief Bowl’s life was defined by a series of migrations, diplomatic efforts, and ultimately, a tragic final stand against overwhelming odds. His story is a testament to the complex and often brutal challenges faced by Native American tribes in the 18th and 19th centuries.
As a prominent leader, Chief Bowl navigated treacherous political landscapes, attempting to secure a future for his people through both diplomacy and armed resistance. His journey from the ancestral lands of North Carolina to the frontiers of Texas exemplifies the relentless pressure exerted on the Cherokee to cede their territories and relocate, a narrative common to many indigenous groups during this tumultuous period.
Early Diplomacy and Disputed Treaties
Chief Bowl’s involvement in formal diplomacy began early in his career. In 1791, he was among the signatories of the Treaty of Holston, a significant agreement between the Cherokee Nation and the United States that aimed to define boundaries and regulate trade. However, his later actions would reveal the precarious nature of such treaties and the internal divisions within the Cherokee Nation regarding land cessions.
In 1805, Chief Bowl signed an unauthorized cession treaty, a decision that proved immensely unpopular with the majority of the Cherokee people. This act highlighted the challenges of unified leadership and the differing perspectives on how best to respond to the encroaching American settlements. Such unauthorized agreements often led to further displacement and resentment, laying the groundwork for future conflicts.
The Long Search for a Permanent Home
The early 19th century saw Chief Bowl and his band embark on an arduous series of migrations, driven by the constant pressure for land and the search for better hunting grounds and a secure future. In 1810, they moved westward to the vicinity of New Madrid, Missouri. This move was followed two years later by another relocation to northwestern Arkansas, as they continued to seek an unmolested existence.
By 1819, their hopes for stability led them to northeastern Texas, near Nacogdoches. Here, Chief Bowl assumed the role of “peace chief,” presiding over a council that brought together several Cherokee villages. The Mexican government, which controlled Texas at the time, initially welcomed the Cherokee, viewing their presence as a strategic buffer against increasing white settlement from the United States. This period offered a glimmer of hope that the Cherokee might finally establish a permanent and recognized home.
Negotiations with Mexican Authorities
Recognizing the opportunity, Chief Bowl began earnest negotiations with the Mexican government to obtain a permanent title to the land his people occupied. These negotiations were complex and protracted, involving intricate legal and political considerations. Despite promising overtures, a definitive agreement was never finalized. The shifting political landscape of Mexico, coupled with the internal dynamics of Texan independence, meant that the Cherokee’s land claims remained in a state of limbo, vulnerable to future changes in governance.
The Texas Revolution and Renewed Uncertainty
The outbreak of the Texas Revolution introduced further instability for Chief Bowl and his people. After Texas achieved independence from Mexico, the newly formed Republic of Texas became the sovereign power, and the Cherokee once again found themselves needing to secure their land rights with a new, less sympathetic authority.
In this new climate, Chief Bowl re-engaged in negotiations, this time with Sam Houston, a prominent figure in the Texas Revolution and later its president. Houston, who had lived among Native Americans and understood their plight to some extent, proved more amenable to the Cherokee’s claims than many of his contemporaries. On February 23, 1836, Chief Bowl signed a treaty with Houston that, while substantially reducing the Cherokee’s landholdings, promised them permanent title to their remaining territory.
The Betrayal and Lamar’s Hostility
Tragically for the Cherokee, the treaty signed with Sam Houston was never ratified by the Texas Senate. This failure to ratify marked a devastating blow to Chief Bowl’s diplomatic efforts and the hopes of his people. The political tide in Texas turned sharply against Native American rights with the ascent of Mirabeau B. Lamar to the presidency. Lamar held a deeply antagonistic view towards all Indian tribes within the new republic, famously advocating for their complete removal from Texas.
Lamar’s hostile policies culminated in an unequivocal order for Chief Bowl and his people to leave Texas. This directive ignited what would become known as the Cherokee War, a conflict driven by Lamar’s aggressive expansionist agenda and the Cherokee’s desperate fight to retain their land.
The Battle of the Neches and Chief Bowl’s Final Stand
On July 14, 1839, President Lamar sent troops to enforce his expulsion orders. The Cherokee, unwilling to surrender their homes without a fight, fled northward into present-day Van Zandt County. On July 15, they halted their retreat and prepared their defenses at the strategic confluence of Warrior Creek and Kickapoo Creek on the Neches River, bracing for the inevitable confrontation.
The morning of July 16, 1839, dawned with the sound of approaching Texans. Chief Bowl and his warriors were severely outnumbered, but the veteran leader rallied his forces, driving them to fight bravely against the encroaching soldiers. Despite their valiant efforts, the Cherokee warriors were eventually depleted of ammunition, and the superior numbers of the Texans began to take their toll. Recognizing the futility of continued engagement, Chief Bowl reluctantly gave the order to retreat.
However, Chief Bowl himself chose to remain. In a powerful act of defiance and sacrifice, he sat astride his horse, resplendent in a military hat and with a sword—gifts from Sam Houston—facing the advancing Texans alone. He was soon struck by gunfire, wounded in the thigh and then in the back. Lying on the ground, unable to walk, he mustered the strength to raise himself to a sitting position, beginning to sing a war song in a final, defiant act of cultural pride. It was at this moment that Captain Robert W. Smith approached and shot him in the head, ending the life of the indomitable Cherokee chief.
In a further act of profound disrespect and barbarity, Captain Smith not only took Chief Bowl’s sword as a trophy but also cut swaths of skin from his arm as a grotesque souvenir, highlighting the brutal nature of the conflict and the deep-seated prejudice prevalent at the time.
Legacy and Remembrance
The Battle of the Neches marked a somber end to the Cherokee presence in Texas, representing the last major engagement between the Cherokee and white settlers in the region. The sacrifices made by Chief Bowl and his people are commemorated today by a roadside park marker on Highway 20, five miles east of Colfax, Texas, serving as a solemn reminder of a pivotal moment in Texas and Native American history.
Chief Bowl’s life story is a powerful narrative of resilience, leadership, and tragic resistance. He consistently sought peaceful resolutions and permanent homes for his people, demonstrating unwavering commitment despite repeated betrayals and insurmountable odds. His final stand at the Battle of the Neches solidified his place as a symbol of the enduring spirit of the Cherokee Nation, a leader who fought until his very last breath for the sovereignty and well-being of his community.
