Or, Savannahs Yemassees Yamassees, a tribe of American Indians figuring in South Carolina history, and apparently comprising some or all of the bands of southern or. Spanish Shawnees. They were in Florida about 1680, and soon after commenced hostilities against the Spaniards. They then retired to the Savannah and settled on the N. E. side, where, becoming allies of the English, who called them first Savannahs and then Yemassees, they formed a check to the Spaniards. In 1705 they were won over by the latter, or from their restless character formed a confederacy of tribes, and began a general massacre, April 15. They advanced to Stono, killing all and burning the settlements. Gov. Craven met them at Saltcatchers, defeated them, and drove them beyond the Savannah, when they retired to Florida. Three years later they made a raid into South Carolina, and were again defeated. After this they are scarcely mentioned in English accounts, but the Spanish notices indicate that they retired to the Creeks. They are thus identified with the Shawnee band which afterward moved north to the Ohio, and from which Tecumseh sprung.