USA > Connecticut > A complete history of Connecticut, civil and ecclesiastical, from the emigration of its first planters, from England, in the year 1630, to the year 1764; and to the close of the Indian wars > Part 45
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CHAPTER XXI.
War with the Cherokees. Reasons of the war. The chief. tains of the nation go to Charleston to treat of peace. The haughty, insidious conduct of governor Littleton. Peace made by constraint. The whole nation burn with resent- ment ; rush to war as one man. Make terrible slaughter and devastation on the frontiers of Carolina and Virgin- ia. Their lower towns destroyed. They take fort Lou- don. Colonel Grant desolates their country with fire and sword. They make peace, and the whole country is quieted.
HILE the northern colonies, and the nation in gen- eral, were rejoicing in the success of his majesty's arms, and especially in the conquest of Canada, some of the southern colonies were exceedingly distressed by the
* A special thanksgiving was appointed on that account, by the gov- ernor and council, and religiously observed through the colony, on the 23d of October, 1760.
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the war.
Book II. sudden breaking out of a war with the Cherokees. During several of the first years of the war, this numerous and pow- 1760. erful nation had appeared cordially to espouse the inter- Reasons of ests of the English. At their desire, a fortress had been built in their country, called fort Loudon, in honour to the carl of Loudon, at that time commander in chief in Ameri- ca. Parties of them had assisted in the expedition against fort du Quesne. But it seems that while they were engag- ed in that enterprise, they were treated with such coolness and neglect, and received such insults, as made deep im- pressions on the minds of that vindictive people .* These were kindled into resentment by the treatment which they received from a number of Virginians on their return from that expedition. Many of the warriors had lost their hors- es in the service ; and as they were returning home through the back parts of Virginia, they caught such as they found running loose in the woods, not knowing that they belong- ed to any individuals in the province. The Virginians, without seeking redress, fell on the unsuspicious warriors, and murdered twelve or fourteen of them, and took some prisoners. The Cherokees were highly exasperated at such an outrage, from allies whose frontiers, by their assis- tance, had so lately been turned from a field of blood into peaceful habitations. No sooner had they returned than they reported to their nation the bloody treatment which they had received. The flame of resentment and revenge flew instantly through their towns. The relatives of the slain were implacable, and breathed nothing but vengeance against such ungrateful and perfidious allies. In vain did their chieftains interpose their authority. Nothing could restrain the fury of the young warriors. They rushed down on the frontier settlements, and perpetrated many cruel ravages and murders on the defenceless inhabitants. f
About two hundred soldiers were stationed at fort Lou- don, under the command of captains Demere and Stewart. These, on every excursion from the fort, were attacked by them. Some were killed, and the rest were soon closely confined within the fort. All communication between them and the distant settlements was cut off; and as their sup- plies were scanty, the only prospect before them was fam- ine and death. It was feared, at the same time, that the arts of the enemy would influence the powerful neighbor- ing nation of the Creeks to the same hostile measures.
In this alarming situation, governor Littleton gave or- ders to the commanders of the militia immediately to as-
* Wright's History of the war, vol. ii. p. 241, 242.
History of S. Carolina, vol. ii. p. 214, 215.
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semble their men and act on the defensive. The governor Book II. determined, with such independent companies and militia as could be raised, to march without delay into the enemy's 1760. country, and to prosecute such measures as should bring them to reasonable terms of accommodation.
The Cherokees, notwithstanding what had happened, Chieftains were averse to war. Therefore, hearing of the prepara- come to tions making against them, they sent thirty of their chief Charles- men to Charleston, if possible to settle all difficulties, and treat of ton, to prevent a war with the Carolinians. They arrived before peace. the governor had marched on his designed expedition against them. A council was called, and the governor addressed them in a very haughty, imprudent manner, importing that he knew all their hostilities against the English, and what they still designed ;- that he would soon be in their country ;- that they should know his de- mands ; and that, unless they should be granted, he would take satisfaction by force of arms. He, nevertheless, gave them full assurance, that, as they were come to Charles- ton as friends, to treat of peace, they should go home in safety, and that a hair of their heads should not be touch- ed. At the same time, he gave intimations, that he had so many men in arms, in various parts of the province, and it would be unsafe for them to return, unless they marched with the army, which was going into the country : thus treacherously putting them under duress.
Ouconnostota, the great Indian warrior of the Cherokee Perfidious nation, began an immediate reply ; but as the" governor conduct of was determined that nothing should prevent his expedition, Littleton, governor he would neither hear him speak in the defence of his na- tion, nor with respect to any overtures of peace. Lieu- tenant governor Bull, who had a much better acquaintance with the manners of the Indians, and the dangerous conse- quences of an Indian war, urged the necessity of hearing the great warrior, and the happy consequences of an ac- commodation, before more blood should be shed. But governor Littleton was inflexible, and put an end to the conference, without hearing the warriors. This treatment fired them with the highest resentment. After such a num- ber of them had travelled more than three hundred miles, to represent their grievances, and to make peace, not only to be disappointed with respect to the great object of their journey, but not to be allowed even to speak on the sub- ject, nor even to return at liberty, but under the guard of the army, was matter of prodigious chagrin, a source of jealousy and fear.
Soon after the conference, the governor marched for the
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Book II. Congarce. This was about a hundred and forty miles from Charleston, and the place appointed for the general 1760. rendezvous of the militia. Hither the sachems were obli- ged to march with the army, putting on the appearance of content, while inwardly they burned with the most furious resentment. The governor, having mustered about four- teen hundred men, of whom about three hundred were regulars, marched for fort Prince George. When the army marched, the chieftains were all made prisoners, and, to prevent their escape, a captain's guard was mounted over them. To complete the indignity and ill treatment, when they arrived at fort Prince George, the thirty-two chief- tains were shut up in a hut, scarcely fit for the accommoda- tion of half a dozen soldiers. They were not allowed to speak with their friends, nor to see the light of day .*
By the time that the governor arrived at this post, he found his army to be so illy armed, and so undisciplined and mutinous, that he judged it unsafe to proceed against the enemy. Here, therefore, he opened a conference with the Indians. For this purpose, he had previously sent for Attakullakulla, otherwise Little Carpenter, who was not only esteemed the wisest man in the nation, but the most firmly attached to the English. This old warrior, though just returned from an excursion against the French, in which he had taken some captives, hastened to the gover- nor's camp, and presented him with one of them.
The governor opened the conference with a long and. pompous speech, representing the great power of the Eng- lish nation; their victories over the French ; the treaties between them and the English, and their violation of those treaties ; and the power of the colonies to destroy them. In a menacing and high tone, he demanded satisfaction.
Attakullakulla, in his reply, insisted, that the ill treat- ment his countrymen had received in Virginia, was the im- mediate cause of the present misunderstanding. He in- sisted on his friendship to the English, and alledged, in proof of it, his fatiguing march against their enemies, the French. He said he would ever continue his friendship, and use all his influence that the governor should have satisfaction ; but gave intimations that the nation would not comply with his demands. He said that the governor had treated the Cherokees with more severity than the English had shewn to other Indians. He requested that some of the head men, whom the governor had confined, might be released, to assist him in the work of peace.
In compliance with his request, the governor released * History of Carolina, vol. ii. p. 216, 217, 218, 225.
!
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the great warrior Ouconnostota, and two more of the head Book II. men. The next day they delivered up two Indians. The governor put them immediately in irons, which so alarmed 1760. the Cherokees, that they fled out of his way, and could no more be obtained. Attakullakulla, convinced that peace could not be made on the governor's terms, determined to return home, and patiently wait the event. But no sooner was the governor apprised of his departure, than he sent for him back to his camp. The governor, wishing to finish the campaign with as much credit as possible, immediately, on his return, talked of nothing but peace. Articles were Articles of drawn and signed by the governor, and six of the head peace men of the Cherokees. All former treaties were confirm- agreed up- ed. Twenty-two of the chieftains, whom the governor had 26th.
on, Dec. detained, were to be kept as hostages, until such a number of Indians, who had been guilty of murder, should be given up to the chief commander of the province. It was also stipulated, that there should be an open and free trade, as had been usual ; and that they should kill, or take, every Frenchman who should come among them, and hold no in- tercourse with the enemies of Great-Britain .*
Scarcely had the governor finished this disingenuous Small pox and forced treaty, when the small pox broke out in his breaks out camp: Few of the army had ever been infected with the in the ar- disease; and the physicians were wholly unprovided for my. such an event: The men were struck with a general ter- ror, and, with the utmost haste, returned to their respective settlements. Such was the fear which each had of his fel- low, that all intercourse, on the return, was cautiously avoided. By this means, the men suffered exceedingly with hunger and fatigue. The governor followed, and ar- rived soon at Charleston. Here, though a drop of blood had not been shed, nor scarcely any thing achieved but what was perfidious and inglorious, he was received as a conqueror. From different societies and professions, he received the most flattering addresses. By illuminations and bonfires, the citizens expressed the high sense which they entertained of his services, and of the happy conse- quences of his expedition.
But the delusion soon vanished, and it appeared that the governor, by his conduct, had greatly injured, instead of serving the public. When the chieftains came to Charles- ton, they were sincerely desirous of peace. An accommo- dation might have been effected, on terms just and honour- able. But by the treatment which he gave the messengers of peace, the nation were stung to the heart. An Indian * Rider's History of England, vol. xlvi. p. 149, 150,
Ę 3
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Book II. value's his freedom above all things, and, with him, a breach of promise is a crime of the first magnitude. Though no- 1760. thing appeared against the chief men of the Indians ; though they had taken a journey of some hundred miles, to make peace; and though the governor had given ample promises of safety and good treatment ; yet he had treacherously deprived them of their liberty, and treated them not only with perfidy, but inhumanity. He had obtained an ap- pcarance of peace, by taking one of those base and unjus- tifiable advantages, which men of low craft and policy sometimes practice against weak and unsuspicious neigh- bours. This treatment had converted the desires of the Cherokees for peace, into the bitterest resentment, and rage for war.
Attakullakulla, by reason of his known attachment to the English, had little influence with his countrymen. Ou- connostota, whose influence was great, was now become an implacable and vindictive enemy. He determined to treat the governor in his own way, and to repay meanness The treaty and perfidy in their own kind. No attention was paid to is disre- garded. the treaty. Ouconnostota, collecting a strong party, killed fourteen men in the neighbourhood of fort Prince George. He surrounded the fort, and confined the garrison to their works. Finding that he could make no impression on the fort, he had recourse to a stratagem, to surprise the garri- son, and to relieve his countrymen, who were held there in confinement.
tagem.
the fort. The hosta- Mes are killed.
Ouconnos- As the country was covered with wood's and dark thick- tota's stra- ets, it was favourable to his purpose. Having concerted his measures, two Indian women, who were known always to be welcome to the fort, made their appearance on the other side of the river, to decoy the garrison. Lieutenant Dogherty went out to them, to inquire the news. While they were conversing with the women, Ouconnostota join- ed thein, and desired lieutenant Dogherty to call the com- manding officer, saying, that he had matters of importance to communicate to him. Accordingly, captain Cotymore, ensign Bell, Dogherty, and Foster, their interpreter, went. out to him. He said he was going to Charleston, to pro- cure the release of the prisoners, and wished for a white man for a safeguard. The captain told him he should fle 'decoys have a safeguard. No sooner had he received the answer, and kills the com- than turning and giving a signal, nearly thirty guns were mander of fired from different ambuscades. The captain was killed, and Bell and Foster were wounded. In consequence of this, orders were given that the hostages should be put in irons. In attempting this, one of the soldiers was killed.
.
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and another wounded. These circumstances so exaspe- Book II. rated the garrison, that they fell, with one consent, on the unfortunate hostages, and butchered them, in a manner too 1760. shocking to relate.
In the evening, the Indians approached the fort, and, after firing signal guns, and crying aloud in the Cherokee language, "Fight manfully, and you shall be assisted ;"' they commenced a furious attack on the garrison, and kept up their fire the whole night. But, they were so warmly received, they were obliged to give over the assault.
Disappointed in their attempt on the fort, and knowing English that the hostages were slain, they wreaked their vengeance slain. traders on the English, who were trading in their country. These they butchered to a man, without mercy or distinc- tion. In the massacre of the hostages, the Cherokees had not only lost a great number of their head men, but most of them had lost a relative or friend. Nothing, therefore, could exceed the resentment and rage of the nation. The leaders of every town, seized the hatchet, proclaiming to their fellows, that the spirits of murdered brothers were flying round them, and calling for vengeance on their ene- The war mies. With one voice, the nation declared for war. becomes Large parties, from different towns, rushed down on de- general. fenceless families, on the frontiers of Carolina, and men, women and children, without distinction, fell a sacrifice to their merciless rage, At Long Canes, and about the forks of Broad river, they made horrible carnage among the in- habitants, who, trusting to the late peace, were reposing in perfect security .*
About two hundred of the enemy, made a furious attack on the fort at Ninety-six ; but they were obliged to retire with considerable loss. This, they revenged on the open country, ravaging the English houses in that quarter, and all along the frontiers of Virginia, They were not satis- fied, barely with pillaging, and destroying the inhabitants, but they wantoned in the most horrible acts of barbarity. Many, who fled into the woods to escape the scalping knife, perished with hunger. Those who were made prisoners, were carried into the wilderness, where they suffered in- credible hardships. So secret and sudden were the mo- tions of the enemy, that it was impossible to tell where the storm would fall, or to take the precautions to prevent the mischief. Every day brought to the capital fresh ac- counts of their murders and desolations.
The southern colonies were all alarmed, and applica-
* Hist. South-Carolina, vol. ii. p. 225, 229. Rider's Hist. of England, vol. xlvi, p. 153, 156,
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Book II. tion was made in the most pressing terms to general Am- herst, for immediate assistance. He dispatched colonel 1760. Montgomery to Carolina, with a detachment of twelve hun- Col. Mont- dred chosen men.
gomery is sent to Carolina. Arrives in April.
Conduct on his ar- rival.
On his arrival at Charleston, he advanced to Ninety-six with as much expedition as possible. As the reduction of Canada was the great object of this year's campaign, his orders were to strike a sudden blow, for the relief of Caro- lina, and then, without loss of time, to return to head quar- ters, at Albany. Nothing was therefore omitted by the colony, which was judged necessary to forward the expe- dition. Governor Littleton had been appointed governor of Jamaica, and the government devolved on governor Bull, a man of erudition and integrity. He spared no pains for the protection of the province. The whole force of it was collected and rendezvoused at the Congarees, for the assistance of the colonel in the enterprise. Seve- ral gentlemen of fortune, formed themselves into a compa- ny of volunteers, and joined the army. Application had been made to the neighboring colonies of North-Carolina and Virginia, for assistance. In consequence of this, sev- en companies of rangers had been raised, to patrol the frontiers, and to prevent the savages from penetrating far- ther down among the settlements. Presents were voted to such of the Creeks, Chickesaws, and Catawbas, as would join in the war against the Cherokees .* Thus as- sisted, by the beginning of June, he advanced to twelve mile river. He prosecuted his route by forced marches, until he arrived in the neighborhood of Keowee. Here he encamped in a strong position ; and imagining that the ene- my were not apprised of his approach, he determined to surprise them. Leaving his camp under a sufficient guard, he marched through the woods twenty-five miles, towards the town of Estatoe. On his march, he detached a com- pany of light infantry, to destroy Little Keowee. They were received at Little Keowee with a smart fire, but, rushing in with their bayonets, they put all the men to cleath. In the morning, the main body reached Estatoe ; but it was abandoned just as they entered the town. Such men as had not made their escape, were instantly put to the sword. The women and children were captivated. The town, well stored with provisions, and consisting of more than two hundred houses, was immediately plunder- ed and reduced to ashes. Some of the enemy, who had se- creted themselves in their dwellings, were consumed with them. The colonel pursued the work he had began, with * History of South-Carolina, vol. ii. p. 228, 230, 231.
His expe- dition a- gainst the Chero- kces.
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surprising rapidity. In a few hours, Sugar Town, as large Book II. as Estatoe, shared with it the same fate. Every settle- ment in the lower nation, was thus destroyed. About sixty 1760. Indians were killed, and forty women and children made Their prisoners. The rest escaped to the mountains. Their towns de- towns and villages were agreeably situated, and consisted stroyed. generally of about one hundred houses, neatly built, and well supplied with provisions. Large magazines of corn, were consumed in the general conflagration. Such had been the cruelties practised on the inhabitants, and such was the revengeful spirit of the soldiers, that they were as merciless as the savages themselves. They were deaf to all suggestions of humanity and mercy .*
Colonel Montgomery having taken such vengeance on the enemy, marched for the relief of fort Prince George, which the savages, for some time, had so closely invested, that the garrison were in great distress, both for the want of wood and provisions. At this post he arrived in safe- ty, having not lost more than five or six men in the expedi- tion.
From this post two Indians were dispatched, to acquaint Messages the Cherokees, that if their chief men would come down, of peace to and treat of an accommodation, peace should be granted the Chere- kees. unto them, on the account of Little Carpenter, and his many good services to the English. At the same time, they were to assure them that, unless they should, in a few days, begin a negociation, all the towns in the upper na- tion would be ravaged, and laid in ashes.t A messenger was also sent to fort Loudon, requesting the commanding officers there, to use their best endeavors for the obtain- ment of peace with the Cherokees of the upper towns.
But as messages of peace produced no good effect, the colonel determined to make an attack on their middle set- tlements. He immediately began his march, but his suc- The gene- cess in this enterprise, was no ways equal to that in the ral begins former. The enemy watched all his motions, took every for the „ his march advantage of him on his march, and determined to mea- middle set- sure swords with him. On the third day, as he was ad- tlements, vancing through a dangerous ground, they attacked him June 24th, in a most furious and obstinate manner. They commenc- Battle ed the action with their usual horrible screams and out- with the cries, maintaining a severe fire from under cover. The Indians. troops were ranged in the most judicious manner, and firm- June 27th. ly stood the enemy's charge. The fight was long, obsti- nate, and well maintained, on both sides. At length, the
* Rider's Hist. vol. xlvi. p. 157.
+ Rider's Hist. vol. xlvi. p. 159. Wright's Hist. vol. ii. p. 343.
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Book II. colonel making a movement, which brought the royal Scots upon their right, the enemy gave way and fled. But the 1760. victory was dearly bought ; the captain of the rangers was killed, and twenty other men. Nearly eighty were wound- ed. It was supposed that the enemy lost about forty men. The army pushed forward about five miles, the succeeding evening, to Etchowec, one of the most considerable towns in the middle settlements. But the Indians had removed their most valuable effects, and forsaken the town. The colonel was able to do them no other injury than to de- stroy a defenceless town. Here the enemy attacked his piquet guard with such fury, that they were with much difficulty repulsed. They also gave him repeated annoy- ance, by their vollies from the surrounding hills. Though he had gained the field, and been able to advance after the action, yet it had the effect of a defeat, So many of his men had been wounded, and such a number of his hor- ses killed, that he found it absolutely necessary to retreat, to save his wounded men from the massacre of the enemy. In the beginning of July, he returned to fort Prince George. The expedition had cost him five officers, and about an hundred men killed and wounded.
Montgom- ery re- treats,
He supposed, that his orders now obliged him to return, with the troops under his command, and rejoin the main army. To the consternation of the whole country, this was found to be his determination. The intreaties of the province, however, prevailed with him to leave about four hundred men, to assist in the defence of the frontiers.
Carolina and the neighboring colonies, were again ex- posed to the fury of a merciless foe, not so much weaken- ed as exasperated, by their late chastisement. Fort Lou- don soon fell into the hands of the enemy. They had as- sembled in strong bodies, and formed the siege of it, near- ly a month before the departure of colonel Montgomery. They were now left, without molestation, to continue it with their whole force. The garrison held out about two months, until their provisions were totally consumed. The enemy manifested peaceful dispositions, and promised kind Fort Lou- treatment. These circumstances had their influence, in con sur- renders, Ang. 7th. the surrendry of the fort, on terms safe and honorable. But the enemy, regardless of faith or humanity, fell upon them, in their march homeward, and butchered all the of- ficers, except captain Stewart, and twenty-five of the sol- diers. These were carried into horrible captivity.
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