Fall of Carolina's Fort Loudoun (now in Tennessee) 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 Gov Dobbs of NC and Gov Bull of SC what they suggest doing about this.
October 9, 1760 Governor Bull of South Carolina reports the massacre of 32 killed to the legislature.
Fort Loudoun sits on top left corner of this map. The Cherokees were supposed to take these prisoners to Fort Prince George, sitting on bottom right of this map. The 1761 Fort Robinson on Long Island in today's Kingston TN lies just northwest of Fort Loudoun on this map in today's Kingsport TN. The location of Byrd's Expedition in 1760 is north of this map.
Researched in 2020, compiled by Jim Moyer 8/7/2024, 8/11/2024, 8/12//2024, 8/19/2024, 8/20/2024
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)
NOTES
On the 6th of August John Stuart and James Adamson went to Chote to negotiate a peace with Oconostota and Standing Turkey. On the 8th of August, 1760, Paul Demere sent his last dispatch to Governor Bull explaining the situation and transmitting a copy of the Articles of Capitulation that were agreed upon and signed by Demere. He informed the governor: That they had agreed to the capitulation that was enclosed, with the Great-Warrior (Ocunnahstotah) and other headmen of the Cherokee nation; which, considering the great distress they were in, he hoped would not be disapproved of: That nothing but the inclination of those Indians (the Over-Hills Cherokees) had for a Peace could have saved them; for they would have been obliged to abandon the fort that day, happen what would, and few of them could even have reached Carolina: That the Garrison were to set out the next morning, flattering themselves that the Indians meant them no harm; and they would make all the dispatch their starved condition would admit of... (SCG, August 23, 1760, No. 1360). 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 h
On the morning of August 9th the garrison left the fort with the party including some 180 men, 60 women and some children (Brown 1938:101). Ironically, the South Carolina Gazette reported in its August 9th to August 13th issue that an account arrived stating that the Virginians were in “full march for the relief of fort Loudoun” (SCG, August 13, 1760, No. 1358). The Fort Loudoun garrison was escorted by Oconostota and a large body of Cherokee, who gradually withdrew as the day wore on (Alden 1944:118). Camp was made that evening on Cane Creek near its confluence with the Tellico River [This is approximately six miles (9.6 km) northwest of present day Tellico Plains. No attempt was made by this project to locate this camp and the site of the massacre, although efforts have been made to locate the site since then by Joseph L. Benthall of the Tennessee Division of Archaeology. Cook (1921) provided an account of his attempt to locate this site about 1920]. The following morning the garrison was attacked by the Cherokee. The best account by an eyewitness was that of John Stevens which was published in the South Carolina Gazette: Stevens said that the Fort Loudoun garrison marched out on the 9th of August, with their arms and 18 rounds of ammunition, full powder horns and some buckshot in their pouches; and proceeded that day as far as Cane Creek, about 16 miles, where they encamped. Although Oconostota (Cherokee Great
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