[...continued]

RAMSAY'S HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
From ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT IN 1670 
TO THE YEAR 1808.
by David Ramsay, M.D. 

Volume I
Preface dated "Charleston, December 31st, 1808"
Published in 1858, by W.J. Duffie, Newberry, S.C.  
Reprinted in 1959, by the The Reprint Company, Spartanburg, S.C.   

CHAPTER V, Section II, pp 100-104

-=-=-=-=-=-=

Before the end of April, 1760, Colonel Montgomery landed in Carolina and
encamped at Monk's Corner. Great was the joy of the province upon the arrival
of this gallant officer; but as the conquest of Canada was the grand object of
that year's campaign in America, he had orders to strike a sudden blow for the
relief of Carolina and instantly return to headquarters at Albany. Nothing was
omitted that was judged necessary to forward the expedition. Several gentlemen
of fortune, excited by a laudable zeal for the safety of their country, formed
themselves into a company of volunteers, and joined the army. The whole force
of the province was collected and ordered to rendezvous at Congarees. 

A few weeks after his arrival Colonel Montgomery marched to the Congarees
where he was joined by the militia of the province, and immediately set out
for the Cherokee country. Having little time allowed him, his march was
uncommonly expeditious. After reaching a place called Twelve Mile river he
proceeded with a party of his men in the night to surprise Estatoe, an Indian
town, about twenty miles from his camp. On his way there was another town
called little Keowee. He ordered the light infantry to surround the latter,
and to put every adult male Indian in it to the sword. He then proceeded to
Estatoe which he found nearly abandoned. This town, which consisted of at
least two hundred houses, and was well provided with corn, hogs, poultry, and
ammunition, he reduced to ashes. Sugartown, and every other settlement in the
lower nation, shared the same fate. The surprise to every one of them was
nearly equal, and so sudden and unexpected, that the savages could scarcely
save themselves, far less any little property they had. In these lower towns
about sixty Indians were killed and forty made prisoners, and the rest driven
to seek for shelter among the mountains. Having finished his business among
these lower settlements, with the small loss of three or four men, he marched
to the relief of fort Prince George. Edmund Atkin, agent for Indian affairs,
dspatched two Indian chiefs to the middle settlements to inform the Cherokees
that by suing for peace they might obtain it as the former friends and allies
of Britain. Colonel Montgomery finding that the savages were not yet disposed
to listen to any terms of accommodation, determined to carry the chastisement
a little further. Dismal was the wilderness into which he entered, and many
were the hardships and dangers he had to encounter from passing through dark
thickets, rugged paths and narrow defiles, in which a small body of men
properly posted might harrass the bravest army. He also had numberless
difficulties to surmount; particularly from rivers fordable only at one place,
and overlooked by high banks on each side, where an enemy might attack with
advantage, and retreat with safety. When he had advanced within five miles of
Etchoe, the nearest town in the middle settlements, he found a low valley
covered so thick with bushes that the soldiers could scarcely see three yards
before them. Through this natural ambuscade it was necessary for the army to
march, though the nature of the place would not admit any number of men to act
together. Captain Morison who commanded a company of rangers, well acquainted
with the woods, was therefore ordered to advance and scour this thicket. He
had scarcely entered it when a number of savages sprung from their place of
concealment, killed the Captain and wounded several of his party. Upon which
the light infantry and grenadiers advanced and charged the invisible enemy. A
heavy fire then began on both sides, and for some time the soldiers could only
discover the places where the savages were hid by the report of their guns.
The woods resounded with Indian war-whoops and horrible yellings. During the
action, which lasted above an hour, Col. Montgomery had twenty men killed and
seventy-six wounded. What number the enemy lost is uncertain, as it is a
custom among them to carry their dead off the field. Upon viewing the ground,
all were astonished to see with what judgment they had chosen it. Scarcely
could the most experienced officer have fixed upon a spot more advantageous
for attacking an enemy. 

This action terminated much in favor of the British army, but reduced it to
such a situation as made it very imprudent to penetrate further into the
woods. Orders were therefore given for a retreat which was made with great
regularity. A large train of wounded men was brought in safety above sixty
miles through a hazardous country. Never did men endure greater hardships,
with fewer complaints, than this little army. Colonel Montgomery returned to
the settlement, and in August embarked for New York agreeably to his orders;
but left four companies for covering the frontiers. 

In the meantime the distant garrison of fort Loudon, consisting of two hundred
men, was reduced to the dreadful alternative of perishing by hunger or
submitting to the mercy of the enraged Cherokees. The Governor having
information that the Virginians had undertaken to relieve it, waited to hear
the news of their having done so. But so remote was the fort from every
settlement, and so difficult was it to march an army through the barren
wilderness where the various thickets were lined with enemies; and to carry at
the same time sufficient supplies along with them, that the Virginians had
relinquished all thoughts of even making the attempt. Provisions being
entirely exhausted at fort Loudon, the garrison was reduced to the most
deplorable situation. For a whole month they had no other subsistence but the
flesh of lean horses and dogs, and a small supply of Indian beans which some
friendly Cherokee women procured for them by stealth. In this extremity the
Commander called a council of war to consider what was proper to be done. The
officers were all of opinion that it was impossible to hold out any longer,
and therefore agreed to surrender the fort to the Cherokees on the best terms
that could be obtained. For this purpose Captain Stuart procured leave to go
to Chotè, one of the principal towns in the neighborhood, where he obtained
the following terms of capitulation which were signed by the Commanding
officer and two of the Cherokee chiefs. "That the garrison of fort Loudon
march out with their arms and drums, each soldier having as much powder and
ball as their officer shall think necessary for their march, and all the
baggage they may choose to carry. That the garrison be permitted to march to
Virginia or fort Prince George, and that a number of Indians be appointed to
escort them and hunt for provisions during the march. That such soldiers as
are lame or sick be received into the Indian towns, and kindly used until they
recover, and then be allowed to return to fort Prince George. That the Indians
provide for the garrison as many horses as they conveniently can for their
march, agreeing with officers and soldiers for payment. That the fort, great
guns, powder, ball, and spare arms, be delivered to the Indians without fraud
or further delay on the day appointed for the march of the troops." 

Agreeably to these terms the garrison delivered up the fort, and marched out
with their arms, accompanied by Occonostota, the prince of Chotè, and several
other Indians; and that day went fifteen miles on their way to fort Prince
George. At night they encamped on a plain about two miles from Taliquo, an
Indian town, when all their attendants left them. During the night they
remained unmolested; but, next morning, about break of day a soldier, from an
outpost, informed them that he saw a number of Indians, armed and painted in
the most dreadful manner, creeping among the bushes and advancing to surround
them. Scarcely had the officer time to order his men to stand to their arms,
when the savages poured in upon them a heavy fire from different quarters,
accompanied with the most hideous yellings. Captain Paul Demere, with three
other officers, and about twenty-six private men, fell at the first onset.
Some fled into the woods, and were afterwards taken prisoners and confined.
Captain Stuart and those that remained were seized, pinioned, and brought back
to fort Loudon. As soon as Attakullakulla heard that his friend Stuart had
escaped, he hastened to the fort and purchased him from the Indian that took
him; giving him his rifle, clothes, and all he could command by way of ransom.
He then took possession of Captain Demere's house, where he kept his prisoner
as one of his family, and freely shared with him the little provisions his
table afforded, until a fair opportunity should offer for rescuing him from
their hands: but the soldiers were kept in a miserable state of captivity for
some time, and then redeemed by the province at a great expense.

While these prisoners were confined at fort Loudon, Occonostota formed a
design of attacking fort Prince George; and for this purpose dispatched a
messenger to the settlements in the valley, requesting all the warriors there
to join him at Stickoey old town. By accident, a discovery was made of ten
bags of powder, and of ball in proportion, which the officers had secretly
buried in the fort to prevent their failing into the enemy's hands. This
discovery had nearly Proved fatal to Captain Stuart, and would certainly have
cost him his life, if the interpreter had not assured the enemy that these
warlike stores had been concealed without his knowledge or consent. The
Indians having now abundance of ammunition, for the seige, a council was
called at Chotè; to which the captain was brought and put in mind of the
obligations he lay under to them for sparing his life. They also stated to
him, that as they had resolved to carry six cannon and two cohorns with them
against fort Prince George, to be managed by men under his command, he must go
and write such letters to the commandant as they should dictate to him. They
informed him at the same time, that if that officer should refuse to
surrender, they were determined to burn the prisoners one after another before
his face, and try if he could hold out while he saw his friends expiring in
the flames. Captain Stuart was much alarmed at his situation, and from that
moment resolved to make his escape or perish in the attempt. He privately
communicated his design to Attakullakulla, and told him how uneasy he was at
the thoughts of being compelled to bear arms against his countrymen. The old
warrior taking him by the hand, told him he was his friend. That he had
already given one proof of his regard, and intended soon to give another.
Strong and uncultivated minds often carry their friendship, as well as their
enmity, to an astonishing pitch. Among savages, family friendship is a
national virtue; and they not unfrequently surpass civilized men in the
practice of its most self-denying, and noblest duties. 

Attakullakulla claimed Captain Stuart as his prisoner, and had resolved to
deliver him from danger. Accordingly he gave out among his countrymen, that he
intended to go a hunting for a few days and carry his prisoner along with him
to eat venison. Having settled all matters they set out on their journey,
accompanied by the warrior's wife, his brother, and two soldiers. For
provisions they depended on what they might kill by the way. The distance to
the frontier settlements was great, and the utmost expedition necessary to
prevent any surprise from Indians pursuing them. They traveled nine days and
nights through a dreary wilderness, shaping their course for Virginia, by the
light and guidance of the heavenly bodies. On the tenth they arrived at the
banks of Holstein river, where they fortunately fell in with a party of 300
men, sent out by Colonel Bird, for the relief of such soldiers as might make
their escape that way from fort Loudon.

[To be continued....]

==== SCROOTS Mailing List ====