After Fort Loudoun surrenders, days later a Massacre
Here are accounts of the massacre of the men who surrendered South Carolina's Fort Loudoun (in today's Tennessee). The real place is now underwater from the Tennessee Valley hydro dam projects. The men of Byrd's Expedition - all of whom saw service at another Fort Loudoun in Winchester VA were way too late in saving them. This is August 1760.
South Carolina's Fort Loudoun officers vote to surrender August 6, 1760. The next day, the fort's commander, Demere, and two Cherokees, Standing Turkey, and Oconostota sign the Articles of Captiulation. On August 9, 1760, the fort's cannon and blackpowder is released to the Cherokees. On August 10, 1760, Cherokees massacre the prisoners. There are varying versions of this massacre.
August 19, 1760 the message about signing Articles of Capitulation of South Carolina's Fort Loudoun, in today's Tennessee, comes from the already dead Captain Paul Demere arrives in Charleston SC. All the provinicial government knows is that the fort surrendered and there was a peace agreement.
They do not know about the massacre yet.
September 16, 1760 Virginia's executive Council to the Governor receives a letter from Colonel William Byrd who enclosed a letter from Major Andrew Lewis about the massacre. The Council sends a message asking first Gov Bull of SC and then Gov Dobbs of NC what they suggest doing about this.
October 9, 1760 Governor Bull of South Carolina reports the massacre of 32 killed to the legislature.
Some prisoners are saved
from this massacre.
Some are made healthy and strong enough to move the cannon from Fort Loudoun to attack Fort Prince George.
Fort Prince George is still an Alamo surrounded by a ring of Cherokees.
It sits near Keowee, one of the outermost eastern towns of this de-centralized federation of Cherokees.
The Story of Captain John Stuart
One prisoner in particular, Captain John Stuart, was saved by Attakullakulla (Little Carpenter) under pretense of needing a fellow hunter to provide for this caravan of Cherokees and prisoners. Instead he took Stuart to Byrd's Virginians.
The Cherokee "offered Captain Stuart his freedom should he manage the cannon for them. But the Little Carpenter, who from his retreat must have regard the proceeding with dismay, took the Captain into the woods on a pretext of hunting and led him to Colonel Byrd" - Maryland Gazette, Nov 6 1760, page 221 The Cherokee Frontier, Conflict and Survival 1740-1762, by David H Corkran, published by the University of Oklahoma Press 1962).
Another version states, "The Round O's brother, Onatoy of Toqua, whisked Stuart across the creek to safety during the fighting. The Captain had a close bond with many Cherokees. "Bushyhead" also had an Indian wife --- and reportedly had fathered a child --- and therefore must be protected by his wife's clan. Demere was not so lucky. . . . . . As Captain Stuart once admitted, Demere "always has been the most heartyly hated by the Indians. Nor is he greatly Esteemed by any white man here." - Page 133, Carolina in Crisis: Cherokees, Colonists, and Slaves in the American .Southeast 1756-1763 By Daniel J. Tortora, published by the University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 2015.
BTW, Round O, not wanting to be separated from his son held prisoner, died of Small Pox after volunteering to be a prisoner at Fort Prince George.
MASSACRE
Corkran states, on page 220,
This massacre occurred 10 miles from the fort at Ball Play Creek, 10 August 1760.
Tortora states on page132
This massacre occurred "where Cane Creek flows into the Tellico River . . . just two miles from the Great Tellico . . . "
This massacre is not be confused with the Long Cane Massacre of Feb 1760.
Twenty Five to 30 privates and 3 women were killed.
"Some were beaten in the face with raw scalps to hasten their movement. Parading the captives through each of the river towns, the warriors herded them into the chunky yards near the town house, and, flailing them with switches and clubs, made them dance." page 221 The Cherokee Frontier, Conflict and Survival 1740-1762, by David H Corkran, published by the University of Oklahoma Press 1962).
Epilogue of Captain Paul Demere
Those officers tortured first and then killed were the commander Captain Paul Demere of the Independent companies of South Carolina's Fort Loudoun (today's Tennessee).
"A warrior darted in and lifted the commandant's scalp without killing him. Others forced him to dance.
When taken captive, Indians generally sang and danced as they recalled their martial deeds. By making Demere do this, the Indians completed a familiar ritual. And singling out a powerful leader like this sent a message that intended to deter future villains. According to Samuel Terron, Ostenaco next "ran to every part of the Camp, and ordered the Indians to stop their hands [stop the massacre] for that they had got the many they wanted," Captain Demere.
Then they chopped of his limbs one by one.
Word soon reached the French in Louisiana that the Indians stuffed dirt down his throat and sneered, "Dog, since you are so hungry for land, eat your fill. " [this story is repeated in other Indian incidents - especially by Kercheval about Bemino (aka Killbuck].
Page 133, Carolina in Crisis: Cherokees, Colonists, and Slaves in the American .Southeast 1756-1763 By Daniel J. Tortora, published by the University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 2015.
Also killed were Lieutenant James Adamson and Ensign William Wintle of the South Carolina provincials.
Researched in 2020, compiled by Jim Moyer 8/7/2024, 8/11/2024, 8/12//2024, 8/19/2024, 8/20/2024, 8/25/2024
Research notes:
This has the Timetable:
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The Byrd Expedition asks questions and decisions from Virginia's Council
Byrd Expedition and timetable
Articles of Capitulation
The specific Articles of Capitulation are presented here in their entirety:
ARTICLE I That the garrison of Fort Loudoun march out with their arms and drums; each soldier having as much powder and ball as their officers shall think necessary for the march, and what baggage he may chuse to carry.
ART. II. That the garrison be permitted to march for Virginia or Fort Prince George, as the commanding officer shall think proper, unmolested: And that a number of Indians be appointed to escort them, and to hunt for provisions on the march.
ART. III. That such soldiers as are lame, or by sickness disabled from marching, be received into the Indian towns, and kindly used until they recover, then to be returned to fort Prince George.
ART IV. That the Indians do provide the garrison with as many horses as they can conveniently, for the march; agreeing with the officers or soldiers for payment.
ART. V. That the fort, great guns, powder, ball, and spare arms be delivered to the Indians without any fraud, on the day appointed for the march of the troops
(SCG, August 23, 1760, No. 1360).
Page 56-57 (74-75)
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