1759, November 3, Fort Loudoun

The following data is extracted from Letterbooks of William Henry Lyttleton 1756-1760.

Sir

Sixteen Days ago I Reed, a letter from Capt. Stuart, and inclosed a Copy of a letter from your Excellency to him.

The 24th of last month arrived Little Carpenter, and Willeleway with their Gang, having two French Prisoners, with them; as he knew very well, that there was at Fort La Afsumption, great many Savana Indians, constantly watching, and on Scouts, he went on Mifsifsipi River, where he knew that there were constantly People pafsing and repafsing, from New Orleans, to New Charlres, and from thence to Fort La Afsumption: he thought to meet some whom he might take Prisoners: but having wait’d sometime in vain, and his Scouts having discover’d fresh tracks, towards For La Afsumption, he marched towards it. On the 15th of Sept. two of his Men came to give Notice, that they had discover’d White Men, and Indians Solling by the Water side: on which they advanced and unperceived fired on them, in the ingagement, the Carpenter had on kill’d on the spot, and an other wounded; who died soon afterwards. They kill’d three of the French and one Savana Indian, and took two French men alive. the enemy were fifteen in Number, and Sixteen of their Gang were gone that morning a Buffalo hunting. As the French were drefsing their _ictuals, when Surpriz’d having four Buffaloes with them our Indians eat very heartily. they had not been long there, before one of his Indians, discover’d a great Boat under sail, wherein were a great many People, on which they hid themselved behind a Rock, and when the Boat came near enough, they fired on them and saw some fall in the Water, and some in the Bank: and they made the best of their way to the other sice of the River which in that part is very wide, I have ask’d one of the Prisoners if he knew any thingh of that boat, he told me they were coming from New Charlres to Fort La Afsumption, loaded with Amunition, and Provision, and Liquor for the Indians: that there was likewise an Engineer and about 20 Men, I ask’d him, what the engineer was going to the fort for, he daid that he did not know, except it was to build another Fort. having
Asked him how many Men there was at Fort La Afsumption, he said about a hundred Whit Men, and a great many Savana Indians: that they had built a Fort adjoyning to the other. I asked him likewise if he had saw when the Indians fired on the Boat, he said yes, and saw severall drop in the Water from the Boat, and as I wanted to know more perticulars of him, he said that he had seen but very little time there, and knew Nothing, but the Fort was Supply’d with every thing from New Charlres, and the Indians were bringing in Buffeloes very often.

Capt. Stuart arrived here with his Party 27th. Of last Month. He has brought with him the Amunition, some Salt, and Flour. since his Arrival, we had severall meetings with the Indians, in the Fort; and Yesterday was fixed by Old Hop and the other Head Men. To give a pofsitive Answer of what they had to say. Accordingly they came, and when we were all together, the Little Carpenter gave his Talk, and as I am sure that he knew very well that all the Towns were suspicious that he wou’d say something concerning what had hapned, they were jealous of him, concerning satisfaction that they had to give; he said nothing on that subject, only that he was sorry that the Indians had not been so good on their word, after the Talk he gave them before he went away; that the White People were intirely under his care and he wou’d protect them, and desired that I wou’d send his Talk to your Excellency, which I do inclosed. After he had done, Old Hoop gave his Talk, and according to the custom, said nothing to the purpose, but went on saying, that as his Bother the Great Warriour was in Charles Town, and had conculted with your Excellency, he cou’d give no Answer, til he shou’d see him; in any Opini8on, they do not inted to give any satisfaction, and seem to afraid of the other Towns.

I hope they will send Flour soon from Keowee, I have but 31 bags in the Store. Capt. Stuart has left behind __owt. Of Powder, that was intirely spoiled.

I am

Sir

Your Excellency’s

Most Obedient
and Most Humble Servant

Paul Demere

Source: Letterbooks of William Henry Lyttleton 1756-1760

  Go Back