Pontotoc Mississippi

The Chickasaw Nation ranged from south of Memphis (Chickasaw Bluffs) angling south of Tupelo to what is now the Alabama line some ten miles north of Columbus Ms. Their territory went north across West Tenn. up into what is now Paduca Ky. My understanding it that there were large villages in Pontotoc and Tupelo.
In the winter of 1540-41 Hernando de Soto's expedition came upon one of the main Chickasaw camps. Desoto demanded 200 women to carry supplies and offer other services for the remainder of his journey. The entire village of males attacked the Spaniards and drove them out. These people were much feared by the Choctaw, and stood their ground against the Creek
Indian removal in the 1830's forced the tribe West. They took their belongings and slaves to Oklahoma
It is said they never lost a major battle until Elk Horn Tavern while fighting with Gen. Earl Van Dorn's Confederate Army.
Pontotoc is thought by some to mean =The Place of Hanging Grapes however further examination seems to indicate the word comes from the Chicksaw - ponti meaning cat-tail
and tokali meaning battle - Battle Where The Cat-tails Stood