Hernando de Soto was the first European to explore the interior of Georgia. during his exploration he stayed in the following chiefdoms, Apalachee, Capachequi, Toa, and in the chiefdom of Ichisi, De Soto ordered that a wooden cross be put up atop a mound in the town. They also stopped in Altamaha, Ocute, and Patofa. After coming through Georgia, De Soto went through South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, the back into Georgia. when they reentered Georgia, they came through the chiefdom Coosa. The chief of Coosa had power of all the chiefdoms up to what is now Knoxville, TN and as far south as Childersburg, Alabama. The expedition continued westward for another 3 years. Half of his army was either killed by disease or Indians, as was he.