Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century (1853)

58

MASSACRE OF THE GARRISON.

fifteen miles on their way to Fort Prince George. At night they encamped upon a plain about two miles from Taliquo, an Indian town, when all their attendants, upon one pretence or another, left them; which the officers considered as no good sign, and therefore placed a strict guard around their camp. During the night they remained unmolested, but next morning about break of day, a soldier from an outpost came running in, and informed them that he saw a vast number of Indians, armed and painted in the most dreadful manner, creeping among the bushes, and advancing in order 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 yells, which struck a panic into the soldiers, who were so much enfeebled and dispirited that they were incapable of making any effectual resistance. Captain Demerč, with three other officers, and about twenty-six privates, fell at the first onset. Some fled into the woods, and were afterwards taken prisoners and confined among the towns in the valley. Captain Stuart and those that remained were seized, pinioned, and brought back to Fort Loudon. No sooner had Attakullakulla heard that his friend Mr. Stuart had escaped, than 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 Demerč’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 the hands of the savages; but the poor soldiers were kept in a miserable state of captivity for some time, and then redeemed by the province at great expense.

While the prisoners were confined at Fort Loudon, Oconostota formed the design of attacking Fort Prince George. To this bold undertaking he was the more encouraged, as the cannon and ammunition surrendered by the garrison would, under the direction of French officers who were near him, secure its success. Messengers were therefore dispatched to the valley towns, requesting their warriors to meet him at Stickoee.

By accident a discovery was made of ten bags of powder, and a large quantity of ball that had been secretly buried in the fort, to prevent their falling into the enemy’s hands. This discovery had nearly proved fatal to Captain Stuart; but the interpreter had such presence of mind as to assure the incensed savages that these warlike stores were concealed without Stuart’s knowledge or consent. The supply of ammunition being sufficient for the siege, a council was held at Chota, to which the captive Stuart was taken. Here he was reminded of the obligations he was under for having his life spared, and as they had determined to take six cannon and two cohorns against Prince George, the Indians told him he must accompany the expedition—manage the artillery and write such letters to the commandant as they should dictate to him. They further informed him that if that officer should refuse to surrender, they had determined to burn the prisoners one by one before his face, and try whether he could be so obstinate as to hold out while his friends were expiring in the flames.