Historical Background
When the French and Indian War broke out in 1754, the Cherokee allied with the British against the French. However, by 1758, relations between the Cherokee and British had soured. A dispute that year over stolen horses touched off an escalation of hostilities between the two groups, culminating with the British murder of several chiefs who had traveled to Charleston to negotiate peace in 1759. Following the deaths of the would-be peacemakers, the Cherokee tribes united in their efforts to resist the British in the Carolinas.
After two failed Cherokee attacks on Fort Ninety Six, Governor Lyttleton of South Carolina appealed to General Lord Jeffrey Amherst for support. Colonel Montgomery was entrusted to command an expedition against the Cherokee with a force consisting of 400 men of the 1st Royal Regiment of Foot and 700 men of the 77th Montgomery’s Highlanders.
After arriving in Carolina, on February 2 and 3, the regulars were soon joined by 300 mounted Carolina rangers, 100 militia, and a party of 40 to 50 Catawba warriors. Beginning in Charlestown, Montgomery marched roughly 150 miles to Fort Ninety Six, reaching it in late May. Montgomery pushed forward from Fort Ninety Six through dense forest and mountainous country without finding any sign of Indians. Concluding that the Cherokees were unaware of his advance, he decided to leave all tents and baggage behind in order to make a forced march to surprise the Indians before they could escape.
However, the main body of the Indians retired to the Middle Towns before Montgomery could reach them. He was able to accomplish the destruction of crops and of the Cherokee Lower Towns, including Keowee, Estatoe and Sugar Town, while killing or capturing around 100 warriors. The ensuing negotiations with the Cherokee failed after Montgomery relieved Fort Prince George. It was then decided to make a fresh advance into the forest towards the Middle Towns.
On June 27, near Etchoe, the lowest settlement of the Cherokee Middle Towns, a company of rangers forming Montgomery’s advanced guard was ambushed in a deep valley. The Indians burst upon the rangers suddenly, as they had upon Braddock, with a scattered but deadly fire of superior rifles. Captain Morrison, and several of his rangers were killed while the rest ran in retreat. The light infantry companies and grenadiers rushed forward to support the rangers while the 1st Royal Regiment of Foot moved forward on rising ground to the right of the Cherokee. The 1st Royal Regiment of Foot was thrown back by heavy rifle fire and it took much effort to reform and fight off the Cherokee counter-attack. Montgomery then extended his line on the left with the 77th Highlanders, who turned the Indian right. The Indians retired from this advance and came into heavy contact with the 1st Royal Regiment of Foot in an encounter from which they retreated to a position on a hill from which they could not be dislodged.
Montgomery ordered an advance on to the town through the pass, but some of the Cherokee ran to warn the inhabitants to make leave. In an attempt to cripple Montgomery’s army, some warriors had got around his flanks and attacked his supply train and pack animals. While the attack was eventually driven off, the engagement ultimately cost the British over 80 men killed and wounded.
Montgomery found himself after the battle with a large number of seriously wounded men which he could neither leave behind if he advanced or retreated. Coupled with the loss of many of his pack animals he found it impossible to proceed any further. Abandoning his advance along with a large quantity of supplies in order to transport the wounded to safety, Montgomery and his force retreated to Fort Prince George.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history?
Battle Notes
Cherokee Army
• Commander: Oconostota
• 6 Command cards & 5 Combat cards
• Move First
British Army
• Commander: Montgomery
• 5 Command cards & 3 Combat cards
Victory
7 Victory Banners
Special Rules
- Indian War Cry is in effect
- Indian Deception is in effect for the Cherokee player only.
- Cherokees were armed with superior rifles – their range is extended to (2), 2, 1, 1.
- The Light cavalry represent Mounted Rangers and hit on crossed swords.
- The two hill groups representing Etchoe Pass (outlined in brown) are High Hills.
- Burning a Building rule is in effect for the Town of Etchoe. Each building (outlined in red) burned is worth one victory banner for the British player.
- British gain one permanent victory banner for each Cherokee leader that retreats off the board.
- The three hills on the British left flank (outlined in green) are worth one temporary victory banner for the side who controls the majority at their turn start.
- British gain one permanent victory banner for each unit that starts and exits from the road hex on the Cherokee base line.
- British gain one temporary Victory banner at the start of their turn for each section of the battlefield not occupied by a Cherokee unit. (A lone leader is not a unit.)
- Cherokee gain one permanent victory banner when both Supply Wagon units are eliminated.
- Indian Warriors
- Indian War Cry
- Indian Deception
- Burning a Building
- High Hills
- Supply Wagons