Most people think the Cherokee all moved to Okla. during the Trail of Tears. But, there was a remnant that refused to surrender and formed an enclave in the Smoky Mountains. During the yankee invasion they formed Thomas' Highland Legion...2000 Cherokee and mountain men. They made guerilla warfare into a art form; spent the war hunting...had a nasty habit of collecting ears and making necklaces out of them.
Their descendants still live in the area and tell interesting stories about 'grandpa'.