"Need information - Battle of Island Flats" Topic

I hope some of the scolarly historian types can help. I am researching the little skirmish Battle of Island Flats (in present day Kingsport, TN), July 20, 1776. I want to create an accurate wargaming scenario.

This 10-minute battle involved a raid of British-aligned Cherokees under the command of Dragging Canoe against the local "American" militia. Technically, the militia was located west of NC and VA, as they were illegally squatting on Indian land. But they were siding with the Patriot cause. Many of these men probably fought later at Kings Mountain.

My research question is this: What were the Cherokees armed with at this battle? I found an internet account of a militia man being wounded with an arrow. So obviously, some used bows and arrows. But did the Cherokees also have muskets? Did the British supply them with muskets this early in the war, and in an unimportant backwoods theater?

Some sources say the Cherokees were able to access firearms as early as 1670. They had even managed to get some rifles before the AWI. A quick source of information for the Cherokees during the F&IW can be found here: link

link

This talks about a skirmish between a large Native American and a Mr Moore

– "… their rifles being uncharged they clinched immediately…"

Would appear at least the "Chief" had a rifle and a tomahawk.

Another article link

States
"Cherokee warriors carried the tomahawk, the scalping knife, the faggot, meting out death and destruction.

and

"The scouts came on 20 warriors. Fire was exchanged" – but not clear if that was rifle/musket fire or rifles/muskets and bows.

Hope it helps – my guess is there were a limited about of muskets

Thanks to both of you for the info. I'll give some time for others to chime in. But lacking any additional evidence, I'm guessing for my scenario I'll assign all the Cherokee tomahawks and knives; perhaps 25-33% with muskets, and the rest with bow and arrows.