e cooperation collapsed in 1759. Almost 100 Cherokeeaccompanying a Virginia expedition against the Ohio Shawnee lost their provisions whilecrossing a river and were abandoned by their white "allies." Angry at this treatment, theCherokee helped themselves to some of the Virginians' horses and were attacked. Afterkilling more than twenty Cherokee, the Virginians scalped and mutilated the bodies. Theylater collected a bounty for the scalps. While their chiefs rushed to arrange restitution to "cover the dead," outraged Cherokeewarriors launched a series of retaliatory raids against outlying settlements. Blaming Frenchintrigue rather than Virginia treachery, Governor Littleton of South Carolina raised an1,100 man army and marched on the lower Cherokee settlements. Stunned to discover theBritish were attacking them, the lower Cherokee chiefs quickly agreed to peace. Twowarriors accused of murder were handed over for execution, and 29 chiefs weresurrendered as hostages at Fort Prince George on British suspicions of their hostileintentions. Satisfied with these arrangements, Littleton left, but the Cherokee were furious.His army had barely reached Charleston when the Cherokee War (1760-62) exploded withfull fury. Settlers were massacred at Long Canes, and a militia unit was mauled near BroadRiver. In February of 1760, the Cherokee attacked Fort Prince George in attempt to freethe hostages, killing the fort's commander from ambush. The fort's new commanderpromptly executed the hostages and fought off the assault Fort 96 also withstood anattack, but lesser outposts were not so fortunate, and the war quickly expanded beyondLittleton's resources. He appealed for help from Lord Jeffrey Amherst, the British commander in North America(who despised Indians, friend or foe). With the French defeated, the entire British army inNorth America was available for use against the Cherokee. In May Amherst sent 1,200Highlanders and Royals under Colonel Montgomery...
