Cherokee attack Fort Dobbs
"At Fort Dobbs on February 27 [1760] between eight and nine at night, Major Waddell, suspecting by the barking of dogs that Indians were near, took out a patrol and was hit by sixty or seventy Cherokees. Another large party assaulted the fort. The Major's men killed ten or a dozen Indians, and the Major himself was nearly captured before the Indians drew off with but one English scalp and the garrison's horse herd."
Page 196 The Cherokee Frontier, Conflict and Survival 1740-1762, by David H Corkran, published by the University of Oklahoma Press 1962). Citing South Carolina Gazette April 12, 1760
Another look at that same attack:
"Cherokees scouted and planned an attack on Fort Dobbs for several days. On February 27 [1760], the warriors gathered along a spring a few hundred yards below the fort to make their move. Between 8:00 and 9:00 PM, the garrison's dogs began to bark. The commotion lured Colonel Hugh Waddell and nine others out of the fort and down the hill toward the spring to investigate. it unfolded just as the Cherokees planned. Sixty or Seventy Setticos opened fired and advanced "either to tomahawk or to make us prisoners," Waddell said. Three of his men fell dead. The Colonel ordered his troops, twelve paces from the Setticos, to return fire. The volley stunned the Cherokees and bought time for Waddell''s dettachment to retreat back up the hill. But, as they did, gunfire shattered Waddell''s gun barrel and another party of warriors attacked the fort. The garrison repulsed the Cherokee attack. But one of the wounded men was scalped. Waddell guessed that his men killed "not less than 10 or 12" Cherokees. The next morning, the soldiers "found a great deal of blood" and a dead Cherokee. Waddell's men lacked the numbers to engage the numerous and well-armed Indians. Nor could they leave the fort to protect or rescue North Carolina settlers."
Page 108 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.
Compiled, researched by Jim Moyer 4/15/2024
Nearby attacks
"By February 10, [1760] Indian alarms and killings occurred in North Carolina. For a month the Wachovia-Fort Dobbs-Salisbury region experienced constant attack, and refugees swarmed into the stockade of the Moravian settlement at Bethania."
Page 196 The Cherokee Frontier, Conflict and Survival 1740-1762, by David H Corkran, published by the University of Oklahoma Press 1962). Citing Fries, op. cit. I, 228.
"Near Bethabara two settlers were killed and another wounded. One Cherokee party however, suffered heavily. Having raided along the Catawba River, it was caught by a vengeful pursuit near Broad River lost thirteen men. By April 1 [1760] the North Carolina frontier quieted."
Page 196 and 197 The Cherokee Frontier, Conflict and Survival 1740-1762, by David H Corkran, published by the University of Oklahoma Press 1962). Citing Fries, op. cit. I, 228.
Meanwhile:
Colonel William Byrd III and Major Andrew Lewis (both often at Fort Loudoun Winchester VA) and Nathaniel Gist (Gist is alleged to to have sired Seqoyah, the Cherokee who created the written language for the Cherokee) are on an expedition to help the beleaguered Fort Loudoun in today's Tennessee.
Much more deadly than that expedition, is the coming of the official British Army.
Commander in Chief of all forces in North America, Jeffery Amherst, has assigned Montgomery to quell the Cherokee rebellion. He is already on the march in South Carolina. They landed their troops on the 5th and 6th of April 1760 on Coopers River SC just above Charlestown (Charleston SC). They'll reach Monck's Corner in May 1760, two hundred some miles for Keowee, the closest Cherokee town, adjacent to Fort Prince George.
Also:
About 20 miles travel southeast of Fort Dobbs, in Salisbury, sat the Virginian Supplies and Presents dedicated to the Cherokee before war broke out in January 1760.
The Virginians' supplies at Salisbury NC
They had a supply depot there. Virginia had promised Little Carpenter and the Cherokees some presents and supplies prior to this outbreak of hostilities.
December 12, 1759
#169 (p.151)
Executive Journals , Council of Colonial Virginia 151
if Matters are brought to a successful Issue , in the Cherokee Nation , to take the first Opportunity of acquainting those who remain with the Goods at Salisbury therewith .
At a Council held
February 21st 1760
Present
John Blair
William Nelson
The Governor
Thomas Nelson Philip Ludwell Esqrs .
Mr. Commissary
His Honor was pleased to communicate to the Board a Letter from Governor Lyttleton , dated Fort Prince George Decemr . 27th 1759 , transmitting a Copy of the Treaty which he concluded the Day before with the Cherokees - Also another Letter from him , dated Charles - Town Feby . 2d informing that since the Treaty of Peace concluded with those Indians , they have renewed their Hostilities , and slain a considerable Number of his Majesty's Subjects trading in their Towns , and that he has strong grounds to apprehend they will very speedily make Incursions in that , and the neighbouring Provinces - inclosing a Copy of a Letter to him from Lieutenant Coytmore , dated Fort Prince George giving a
#172 (p.154)
154 Executive Journals , Council of Colonial Virginia
particular Relation of the late Behaviour of the said Indians - in- treating his Honor to send a Reinforcement of Men and Provisions to Fort Loudoun as soon as possible , to secure that Post from falling into the Hands of the Indians - adding that he had dispatched an Express to Salisbury in No. Carolina with a Letter to the Store keeper of the Indian - trading - Goods lodged there , belonging to this Prov- ince , a Copy of which was inclosed .
Upon which it was the Advice of the Council that his Honor would postpone the Consideration of Governor Lyttelton's Letter and Request till the Meeting of the Assembly .
His Honor was likewise pleas'd to communicate two Letters from his Excellency General Amherst dated New York the 21st and 27th of Decemr . last : The first , signifying it gave him great Pleasure to learn that the Assembly had resolved to keep up the Regiment in the Pay of this Colony till May next , which he esteems as an Earnest of their further Zeal for the Good of the common Cause , if their Service should be any longer requisite .
The 2d . thanking his Honor for his kind Congratulations on the distinguishing Mark of his Majesty's Approbation of his Endeavors to discharge the Trust reposed in him — that he had defer'd acquaint- ing his Honor therewith till the Arrival of his Patent , which , so soon as it comes to his Hands , he shall transmit to him .
Also a Letter of General Stanwix dated Pittsburg the 6th of Jany . , signifying how absolutely necessary it will be to keep up the Virginia Regiment to a Thousand Men , during the War , for protect- ing our own Frontiers , to assist in carrying on the Works at Pittsburg , and for keeping open the Communication from Redstone - Creek to Fort Cumberland .
Also a Letter from Sir John St. Clair , dated Trenton , Decemr . 8th promising as soon as he is able to send the Account stated between this Government and the Crown , in the meantime sending his Honor the Order for the Ballance due to the Colony , which Colo . Hunter will pay at Sight , amounting to £ 912.4d . Sterling , after deducting Major Stewart's Demand .
Where the Winchester troops are in the 1760s
Last updated by Jim Moyer 4/21/2024
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