Robert Benge was born circa 1760
probably in the Cherokee village Toquo to John Benge and Wurteh, a Cherokee.
Robert grew up to be the most notorious Cherokee in history. He was so feared
in the central Appalachian areas of present-day Kentucky, Virginia, and
Tennessee, that the settlers admonished their children by saying, "if you
don't watch out, Captain Benge will get you." Toquo was a Cherokee village on
the Little Tennessee River in present-day southeastern Tennessee. Robert
grew up as a Cherokee, but with his red hair, European look, and his good
command of English, he could also pass as a pure Euro-American. He used this
double identity to good effect in his raids against the settlers. He was
known as Captain Benge, Chief Benge, Chief Bench, or just The
Bench. If he had a Cherokee name, it is not known.
Robert's father was John Benge,
an Indian trader who lived among the Cherokee, and his mother was Wurteh
who was part of an influential Cherokee family. [Robert's pedigree can be
found in the genealogy database, "Our Ancestors."] John was previously married
to Elizabeth Lewis, daughter of William Terrell Lewis and Sarah Martin, a
prominent family originally from Virginia. Elizabeth's sister, Susannah Lewis
married John's brother, Thomas Benge. John and Elizabeth had several children
at their home in western North Carolina. These were William Lewis, Sarah,
and Obadiah Martin. Apparently, John was also living with Wurteh at his home
with the Cherokee (probably Toquo) and had several children born there. These
were Robert, Utana "the Tail," Lucy, and Tashliske. After Elizabeth and the
Lewis family found out about John's Cherokee family, their marriage was dissolved
and Elizabeth latter remarried John Fielder and had other children. Wurteh
also had a child from a man whose last name was Gist or Guess and their child
became known to history as Sequoyah. Robert and Sequoyah were half brothers.
The following is a chronology of
events that may help us put together something about the life of Robert Benge.
If you have any additional information, please let me know.
Date unknown, circa 1777: John Benge, Wurteh, and their family moved with Dragging Canoe to the south near the southern border of Tennessee [from Evans, 1976].
Date unknown, after 1777: Robert Benge lived at Running Water Town in Tennessee next to the northwestern border of Georgia. Here he was befriended by the Shawnee Chiksika, an older brother of Tecumseh. A small group of Ohio Shawnee were there to assist Dragging Canoe in his efforts against the whites. Robert and several Cherokee joined the Shawnee in their attacks against white settlements especially in the upper Holston River area of northeastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia. Robert was thought to be Shawnee by some because of his association with this band. His skills in these raids elevated his rank among certain of the Cherokee and Shawnee [from Evans, 1976].
June 29, 1785: The cabin of Archibald Scott and Fannie Dickenson Scott (of Castle's Woods) on Wallen Creek in present-day Lee County, Virginia was attacked by thirteen Indians coming from Wallen Ridge. At nighttime the Indians broke down the door and shot Archibald who died. The Indians then tomahawked and scalped all four of the children. They carried Mrs. Scott outside, packed their booty and then burned the house. At this time she heard the name Benge spoken several times by some of the Indians. A white man with the Indians told her that he was Hargus [what is his last name?] and had taken up with the Indians (he had committed a crime and joined the Indians to escape punishment). During the night they headed north, crossed Wallen Ridge, and headed up the Powell River valley. By daybreak they entered Big Stone Gap and went up a tributary to the north flowing from Black Mountain near the present-day Kentucky-Virginia line. On the northern side of Black Mountain in present-day Kentucky, the chief divided the booty equally and sent a party of nine to head for the Clinch River settlements in order to steal horses. The other four traveled northward. On the eleventh day of the attack, the four Indians stopped at their rendevous to wait for the other nine. Three went hunting leaving Mrs. Scott with the oldest of the group. She escaped from the lone Indian and traveled through the rugged wilderness for many days traveling along the Big Sandy River, through the gorge at Pine Mountain and finally, on August 11, 1785 she broke through the wilderness at New Garden in the upper part of the Clinch River. [from Addington, 1966, p. 88-96; sources were: Virginia State Papers, vol. IV, p. 40; Freeman's journal, Philadelphia [Dec. 15, 1785]; and Journal of Francis Asbury] [It is unknown whether Robert Benge was a member of this Indian party.]
1788: John Sevier led a group of whites to attack Cherokee towns.
Robert saved many of the Cherokee of Ustalli (Ustally) Town by evacuating
them before and during the attack. Ustalli was located in southwestern North
Carolina on the Hiwassee River very close to present-day Tennessee. Five
of the Cherokee rearguard were killed while trying to bide time for the evacuees,
and the white militia captured one young boy. John Sevier and his men burned
the town and attempted to run down the evacuees. Benge set up an ambush at
the mouth of Valley River which delayed the attackers and allowed the Cherokee
to reach safety. However, at this point, the little boy who had been captured
was "brutally murdered" by Thomas Christian who was quoted as saying "Nits
make lice."
Sevier and his men went to the
Cherokee village of Coota-cloochee and started to burn down about a hundred
acres of corn. However, the Cherokee John Watts, with four hundred Cherokee
warriors arrived, forcing a retreat of Sevier's men [from Evans, 1976].
Circa 1788: Robert Benge was married to a Cherokee woman and settled
at a site still called Benge's Field just south of present-day Trenton, GA.
This was the Cherokee village called Lookout Town [from Evans, 1976].
Robert was reported in many
publications to have married Jennie Lowrey and his brother, Martin was reported
to have married Eliza Lowrey, her sister. However, the two Benges who married
the Lowery sisters were the nephews of Robert who had the same name and were
the sons of Robert's half brother, Obadiah Martin Benge. Some of the children
reported as Robert Benge's were the children of his nephew. It is thought
that Robert was married and did have children, but their identity is uncertain
[Oleta Benge Kite, personal communication, 1995-1997].
1789: Earlier, the Cherokee had attacked the ___ Brown family on their flatboat [where?]. Three children had been captured. John Sevier had also captured some Cherokee on Flint Creek. Robert Benge was visiting at the Cherokee village of Nickajack in southernmost Tennessee or in northwestern Georgia when an exchange of prisoners was proposed. The two older white children, Joseph and Polly Brown were in the area and ready to be exchanged, but the little girl (name unknown) was held by a recalcitrant Cherokee at Crow Town, about thirty miles away in present-day northeastern Alabama. The Cherokee who held her refused to give her to a messenger sent to pick her up for the exchange. Robert Benge heard of the trouble, got on his horse with his war axe and said "I will bring the girl, or her owner's head." The next day, Robert appeared at Nickajack with the little girl [from Evans, 1976].
"Sometime in the year 1789, John Wallen built a small cabin at the mouth of Stock Creek where Clinchport is situated now. He located his cabin on the Kentucky Path, and, no doubt, helped to entertain some of the hundreds of settlers who were at that time emigrating to Kentucky over the Wilderness Road. Wallen was not left long in the peacable enjoyment of his new home in the wilderness. Benge and his forest bloodhounds soon found his cabin. One morning just at daybreak, his wife, on opening the door, was shot at by an Indian and slightly wounded. Quickly closing the door, she barred it to prevent its being forced. Wallen, who was yet in bed, then hastily arose and snatching the gun from its rack, shot and killed the Indian nearest the door. The other Indians then rushed upon the house, trying to effect an entrance, nor did they retreat until Wallen had killed three of them. After driving the Indians away, Wallen and his wife went to Carter's Fort, eight miles distant. (Carter's Letter, Draper Manuscripts.) [from Addington, 1977, sent by M. J. Arthur]" [It is unknown whether Robert Benge actually participated in this raid, although it was attributed to him.]
Summer of 1791: At the Cherokee town called Running Water in present-day southernmost Tennessee, Robert Benge announced that he was going to start a raiding campaign against white settlers in southwestern Virginia. Five men joined him and they proceeded northward [from Evans, 1976].
August 23, 1791: Robert Benge's group raided the William McDowell house near Moccasin Gap (Russell Co., VA). Two whites were killed and an 8-year-old boy and woman were captured [from Evans, 1976].
August 26, 1791: Benge's group raided the Elisha Farris house. Four
whites were killed and Nancy Farris, a 19-year-old girl, was captured [from
Evans, 1976].
"August 26, 1791, a party of Indians
headed by a Captain Bench, of the Cherokee tribe, attacked the house of Elisha
Ferris, two miles from Mockison [sic] Gap, murdered Mr. Ferris at his house,
and made prisoner Mrs. Ferris and her daughter, Mrs. Livingston, and a young
child together with Nancy Ferris. All but the latter were cruelly murdered
the first day of their captivity." [Bledsoe et al, in Summers, 1903, p. 438]
Spring of 1792: Robert Benge led raids on the upper Holston River in present-day northeastern Tennessee and Virginia [from Evans, 1976].
April 6, 1792: Robert Benge's group attacked the Ratcliff settlement. Four whites were killed [from Evans, 1976].
Spring and Summer, 1792: A militia company commanded by Captain James Cooper was formed to protect the settlers against Indian attacks and they patrolled the area of Hawkins Co., now in northeastern Tennessee. The presence of the militia company prevented further raids in the area. Robert Benge was reported to have been seen in several areas of eastern Tennessee during this time, but the militia never came in contact with him [from Evans, 1976].
September, 1792: Robert Benge and his brother, Utana ("The Tail") visited Hiwassee Town in southeastern Tennessee. They were heavily armed and traveling north. They announced that they were going to kill John Sevier. They never located him [from Evans, 1976].
October 2 or 3, 1792: Robert and Utana "The Tail" Benge reached Black's Blockhouse at the head of Crooked Creek of Little River [Knox Co., NC (now Blount Co., TN)]. This fort "was commanded by a sergeant from Captain Crawford's Company. The Benge brothers reached the fort about an hour after dark. Part of the garrison was sitting out of doors by a fire, with no thought of danger. Both brothers fired and, changing their position, quickly reloaded and fired again. This procedure was repeated, giving the impression that they were a much larger force. Two of the militia by the fire, George Moss and Robert Sharpe, were killed, and John Shankland was wounded. James Paul was killed inside the blockhouse. During the shooting three of the white's horses were killed, but Benge [Robert] and his brother were able to capture seven of the animals which they took back to the Lower towns with them." [from Evans, 1976; also from "History of Blount County," p. 10 (thanks to Jean Sharp).]
Circa 1792: "On another occasion, Benge [Robert], with a small war-band, ambushed a party of whites traveling from Southwest Point to Nashville. The group consisted of seven men, a boy and four women. One of the Cherokees fired too soon, alerting the whites. At the sound of the shot, the seven men set spurs to their horses and fled at top speed, leaving the women to their fate. The four women were too terrified to move. Benge approached them and, speaking in English, told them they would not be hurt. He shook hands with each of them, assuring them that they were safe. One of their horses had bolted and Benge caught it an tied it to a tree. He then built a fire for their use, and courteously took his departure. Four of the white men did not slow their horses until they reached Nashville. The other three, when they were sure the Cherokees were gone, returned to the women and escorted them the rest of the way in safety." [Evans, 1976].
January 22, 1793: Robert Benge, his two uncles, Doublehead [Taltsuska] and Pumpkin Boy [Iyahuwagiatsutsa] and several other Cherokee, in retaliation for the Cherokee defeat at Buchanan's Station, went into the "barrens" region of southwestern Kentucky. [This was a region with little water because of the large number of sinkholes, i.e. a karstic plain. It was also thought to have been burnt in the past to provide grassland for bison.] They set up an ambush at one of the few watering holes, Dripping Spring, along the Nashville-Kentucky road. Captain Overall and a Mr. Burnett were proceeding south on the road with nine packhorses loaded with provisions (whiskey, salt, etc.) for the settlements along the Cumberland. Both were killed in the ambush and their scalps were taken. "…The whiskey they found was regarded as a pleasing bonus for the victory. After making liberal use of it, Doublehead made a suggestion which shocked even his battle hardened companions. He calmly drew his knife and began cutting strips of flesh from the bodies of the two white men, proposing that the Cherokees join him in the ancient Iroquoian ritual of 'eating their enemy.' This type of ceremonial cannibalism was the means by which the northern Iroquois enhanced their reputations as fierce warriors. After several rounds of reciting their own war exploits and consuming the booze, their ferociousness was second to none and Benge and the others followed Doublehead's example by partaking of the hearts and brains of their victims. The deed was done with little sense of ceremony, but rather as a deliberate atrocity, well calculated to strike terror in the hearts of the Cumberland settlements." [Evans, 1976]
After January, 1793: Robert Benge, Doublehead and party returned to the Lower Towns and planned to form larger war parties against the whites along the Cumberland River [Evans, 1976]. Robert and two or three others set out for Virginia in March [from Evans, 1976].
Sometime in March, 1793: "In the month of March, 1793, a considerable
band of Indians were seen on the headwaters of the Clinch river attempting
to steal horses. The Indians finally succeeded in stealing eight horses,
and made off toward the Ohio. In the meantime Major Robert Crockett proceeded
to gather a company to pursue the Indians, and while engaged in gathering
them in he directed Joseph Gilbert and Samuel Lusk, two scouts, to follow
the Indians, and, in case they found them, to give him information.
"Gilbert and Lusk had not followed
the Indians more than an hour, when they came to a lick, at which the Indians
had concealed themselves waiting for deer or elk. As soon as the scouts
approached the lick they were fired upon by the Indians, and Lusk was wounded
in the hand. Gilbert turned and started to run, when Lusk called him to stay
and save his life, if possible. Gilbert, fired with all the noble instincts
of true manhood, turned and shot the first Indian dead on the spot. The Indians
surrounded him, and, his gun being empty, he dropped it and drew his hunting
knife, and attacked the Indians with such spirit that they dared no longer
get within his reach; but they used their tomahawks with such effect that
he soon lay dead by the side of Lusk, who was now reviving. The Indians scalped
Gilbert and carried Lusk off a prisoner. Major Crockett and his force came
up after some time, but they were too late to accomplish any good." [Campbell,
in Summers, 1903, p. 436-437]
Circa March 15, 1793: "..several emigrants were killed on the Kentucky road. Captain Andrew Lewis, to appease the settlers who were about to break up, placed a sergeant and twelve men at Dump's creek." [Summers, 1903, p. 434-435]
March 20, 1793: "…a party of Indians numbering twenty-three appeared upon the frontiers of Wythe and Montgomery, frequently showing themselves, to the terror of the inhabitants. John Davidson was murdered by them and a number of horses were stolen from Wolf creek, Bluestone and Island creek. The Indians made their escape, except a small party entrusted with the care of about eighty horses, from Island creek. This company was pursued by a large party from Bluestone and another from the head of Clinch, and were overtaken the next day, at the mouth of Little Cole, at what is called the Island of Guyandotte, where they were attacked by the whites. Three of their number were killed and scalped, all the horses retaken, with the arms and blankets of a part of their warriors. The number of Indians concerned in the murder of John Davidson at the Laurel fork of Wolf creek was about twelve. This party of Indians carried off a number of horses from that neighborhood and passed with them in daylight through the heart of the Bluestone settlement."" [Summers, 1903, p. 435]
March 31, 1793: The small Benge group set up an ambush along a road
near the top of Powell Mountain in present-day Lee County, Virginia. Three
white men were leading a pack train down the mountain. "…As the whites
drew closer Benge [Robert] recognized their leader as Moses Cockrell. Cockrell
was a loud mouthed ruffian, whose reputation as an 'Indian Fighter' in the
Holston area was similar to that which Overall had formerly enjoyed on the
Cumberland. Cockrell was a large man, and very vain of his size and strength.
He had frequently boasted that he would relish an encounter with the notorious
'Captain' Benge in personal combat, and had in profane terms predicted the
outcome for the amusement of many tavern audiences. Benge had heard of his
boasts, and grimly determined to give Cockrell an opportunity to make good
his words. He instructed his men to shoot Cockrell's companions, but to leave
the big man for him. The ambush was successful, and Cockrell's friends fell
at the first fire.
"Leaving his rifle behind, Benge
sprang from the bushes with his tomahawk in his hand. Cockrell immediately
recognized Benge from his red hair. In spite of his vivid descriptions of
what he would do upon meeting Benge, Cockrell could only think of flight.
He dashed down the mountainside, crashing through the underbrush like a wounded
buffalo, with Benge in close pursuit.
"Two miles away, in the valley
of Wallen's Creek, was a settler's cabin. Cockrell felt that his only hope
for escape lay in reaching that cabin, and to this end he drove his strength
to the utmost limits. Although he was handicapped by the weight of two hundred
dollars in silver at his belt, the big fellow managed to stay a few steps
ahead of Benge. At last, by a desperate effort, he reached the clearing.
Benge was only a few feet behind when Cockrell vaulted the rail fence surrounding
the cabin. As Cockrell jumped, Benge threw his tomahawk. The razor sharp
axe stuck in the top rail of the fence, and the white man reached the safety
of the cabin. Not knowing how the house might be guarded, Benge withdrew
to join his companions on the mountain, leaving Cockrell to nurse his wounded
pride. The big man continued to be a source of amusement in the local taverns,
but after this, the laughter was of a different sort." [Evans, 1976].
The story as told by Summers (1903)
follows…"The trouble with the Indians began at the opening of spring
in the year 1793. On Sunday about the first day of April, Ensign Moses Cockrell
and two men were passing from Rye Cove to Powell's Valley, with several loaded
horses. On the top of Powell's mountain they were fired on by twelve Indians.
The two men who accompanied Cockrell were shot dead on the spot, and Cockrell
himself was pursued to the foot of the mountain. Two of his horses were killed
and all the loads lost."
"Captain Neal, with a party, pursued
the Indians but did not succeed in overtaking them. The Chief who led this
company of Indians was a half-breed Shawnese [actually Cherokee] by the name
of Benge. A writer in speaking of this occurrence says: "He was remarkable
for his strength, activity, endurance and great speed as a runner. He was
a man of more than average intelligence also, as well as of great bravery
and strategy, and had more than once approached the settlements so stealthily
and by a route so secret that he fell upon the scattered settlers without
an intimation of his approach and retired to his wigwams beyond the Cumberland
without leaving a trace of the route he had traveled, though rangers were
constantly on the lookout for his trail. One of these rangers of the Holston
settlements was a man by the name of Cockrell, and the writer must make a
digression to record an incident in his history. He was famous for his size,
activity and handsome person. Benge and himself were rivals in manhood and
woodcraft, each jealous of the other's prowess and courage, and both anxious
for an occasion to meet in single combat. Not many months before Benge's
last incursion, they met on top of Powell's mountain, in what is now Lee
county, each with a band of followers. The Indians were in ambush, having
observed the approach of the whites, who were not aware of their proximity,
and Benge instructed his companions not to kill Cockrell, so that he himself
might run him down and capture him. At the crack of the Indian rifles two
or three of Cockrell's companions fell; seeing which and at once comprehending
the folly of a combat with dozen savages, he sprang away down the mountain
side, like an antelope, with Benge in close pursuit. Two miles away in the
valley on Wallen's creek was the cabin of a pioneer, in reaching which Cockrell
knew was his only chance of escape. Having two hundred dollars in specie
in a belt around him, he found he was carrying two much weight for a closely
contested race, and that Benge was gaining on him. Making a desperate effort,
however, he increased his speed a little, and as he leaped the fence that
surrounded the cabin, Benge's tomahawk was buried in the top rail before
Cockrell reached the ground. Benge seeing that he had missed his aim, and
not knowing how many men and rifles might be in the cabin, fled back to his
companions, sadly disappointed.
"A few years after this Cockrell
died on the north fork in this county, and during the 'wake,' while his body
lay in the cabin, an old comrade who had been in many a hard pinch with him,
thus gave utterance to his thoughts and feelings as he paced the puncheon
floor in great sorrow: "Poor Cockrell, he is gone! He was noble fellow after
Injuns and varmints, and I hope he has gone to where there is as much game
and as desperate good range as he had on Holston!" [from Summers, 1903]
First week in April?, 1793: "During the same week [as the attack on Cockrell], fourteen persons were killed on the Kentucky road, near the Hazel Patch. The whites discovered the Indians and attempted to secure the first fire, but failed, and only two of the whites made their escape. The Indians lost five dead, and one white man with them killed. Both parties broke and ran at the same time in opposite directions." [Summers, 1903, p. 434]
April 1793: "…the same chief ['Captain Bench'] with a party of Indians, attacked and murdered the family of Harper Ratcliffe, six in number, about eight miles west of the above-mentioned gap [Mockison Gap, sic]. [Bledsoe et al, in Summers, 1903, p. 438]
April 20, 1793: "Colonel Isaac Bledsoe was killed on Cumberland in the month of April, and on the 20th of the month, a skirmish took place between twenty Indians and eight white men at Laurel river, in Kentucky, in which skirmish the white people were all killed, except McFarland, who escaped, and a number who were wounded." [Campbell in Summers, 1903, p. 436]
June 12, 1793: Cherokee chiefs and delegates appointed by President George Washington were holding a meeting to discuss peace prospects at the Cherokee town, Coyatee (at the mouth of the Holston, southwest of Knoxville, TN). A renegade white militia, led by Captain John Beard, charged into town firing upon Indian and white alike. Major Thomas King was sleeping with Chief Hanging Maw's daughter and had to jump out of a back window of their cabin to avoid death. Other government agents, James Ore and Daniel Carmichael were fired upon but they escaped harm. The Cherokee Fool Charlie, Betty Kitegista, and four others were killed. Chief Hanging Maw, his wife, and the daughter of Nancy Ward were wounded in the attack. The remaining government delegation were finally able to convince Beard and his men to halt their attack, spare the rest of the Indians, and to not burn their town. Beard was later arrested and was brought to a military court, but was acquitted, probably because of his friendship with John Sevier [from Evans, 1976].
July 17, 1793: "…Bench with two other warriors traversed the settlement, on the north fork of Holston for upwards of twenty miles, probably with the intention of making discoveries where were negro property. In this rout they fired at one Williams, and took prisoner a negro woman, the property of Paul Livingston, who after two days captivity made her escape." [Bledsoe et al, in Summers, 1903, p. 438]
Summer, 1793: Beard's attack and subsequent acquittal caused the Cherokees to elevate their attacks on white settlements. Chief John Watts called for warriors to gather and the largest Cherokee war party in history. Robert Benge was one of the first among them to volunteer. Also joining were Shawnees from Running Water in southern Tennessee and a large group of Creek enlisted by Chief Doublehead [from Evans, 1976].
Summer?, 1793: As the war party moved north, Nettle Carrier [Talotiskee] and his brother, Pumpkin Boy went ahead to scout. The scouts approached the blockhouse at Ish's Station which was commanded by John Sevier. The two were spotted by sentries and Pumpkin Boy was shot and killed [from Evans, 1976] [Pumpkin Boy was Robert Benge's uncle].
Summer?, 1793: John Watts wanted to target Knoxville, Tennessee because it was the largest white town in Cherokee territory. Chief Doublehead attacked and burned every white cabin along the way, announcing their approach to Knoxville and defeating Watts' plan to make a surprise attack there [from Evans, 1976].
Summer?, 1793: John Watts attacked the fort at Cavett's Station instead. The owner, Alexander Cavett was killed while fighting. During the course of the battle, Watts decided to offer clemency and asked Robert Benge, because of his excellent English, to arrange the cease fire. Robert talked to the settlers and told them that they would be not be killed, but would be traded for Cherokee held captive by the whites. The surviving settlers agreed to the terms. Doublehead, whose brother Pumpkin Boy had recently been killed by Beard's attack, didn't want any whites to survive. He and some of his Creek friends charged the fort as soon as the gates were opened and proceeded to attack the defenseless captives. Robert Benge and Cherokee James Vann tried to save the captives, but they were outnumbered. "James Vann pushed his horse into the surging mob and pulled a small child up behind his saddle. Doublehead immediately rushed forward and smashed the boy's skull. Raising his voice, Vann taunted Doublehead with the name 'Baby-killer,' a parody of the honorable war title, 'Man-killer.' The enraged Doublehead swung his axe at Vann, who was able to turn his horse in time to avoid the blow. John Watts attempted to save another child. He gave young Alexander Cavett, Jr., to three of the Creeks, instructing them to take the boy to a safe place. His efforts, noble though they were, were useless, because the Creeks murdered the boy." [Evans, 1976]
Fall, 1793 [reported as July 17 above]: "In the fall of 1793, a party of eight Indians passed through the thinly-settled parts of Russell county, and captured a negro woman, the property of Paul Livingston, near Big Moccasin Gap, but before they could carry her beyond the settlements she made her escape and reached her home." [Campbell, in Summers, 1903, p. 437]
October 3, 1793: "…On the third day of this month [October] a party of Indians attacked two families who had lately settled on the road through the wilderness, on the Kentucky side of the Cumberland mountain, within three miles of Hawkins' Station. They killed one man and wounded two children, but were driven off by a man who occupied an adjoining house." [Campbell, in Summers, 1903, p. 437]
Fall and Winter 1793-1794: Robert went home to be with his family for the winter and never again allied with John Watts or Doublhead [from Evans, 1976].
Spring, 1794: When the weather started to warm, Robert Benge went to Willstown in northeastern Alabama to get his brother "The Tail" [Utana]. Together they went to Running Water Town in southern Tennessee and met up with several other Cherokee warriors. This small group then proceeded northward to southern Virginia to make raids on whites in that area, as they had before [from Evans, 1976].
April 6-9, 1794: The story in Elizabeth Livingston's own words [from interview of Mrs. Livingston by A. Campbell in Summers, 1903, p. 439-441]:
April 6, 1794 "About 10 o'clock
in the morning, as I was sitting in my house, the fierceness of the dog's
barking alarmed me. I looked out and saw seven Indians approaching the house,
armed and painted in a frightful manner. No person was then within, but a
child of ten years old, and another of two, and my sucking infant. My husband
and his brother Henry had just before walked out to a barn at some distance
in the field. My sister-in-law, Susanna, was with the remaining children
in an out-house. Old Mrs. Livingston was in the garden. I immediately shut
and fastened the door; they (the Indians) came furiously up, and tried to
burst it open, demanding of me several times to open the door, which I refused.
They then fired two guns; one ball pierced through the door, but did me no
damage. I then thought of my husband's rifle, took it down but it being double
triggered, I was at a loss; at length I fired through the door, but it not
being well aimed I did no execution; however the Indians retired from that
place and soon after that an old adjoining house was on fire, and I and my
children suffering much from the smoke. I opened the door and an Indian
immediately advanced and took me prisoner, together with the two children.
I then discovered that they had my remaining children in their possession,
my sister Sukey, a wench with her young child, a negro man of Edward Callihan's
and a negro boy of our own about eight years old. They were fearful of going
into the house I left, to plunder, supposing that it had been a man that
shot at them, and was yet within. So our whole clothing and household furniture
were consumed in the flames, which I was then pleased to see, rather than
that it should be of use to the savages.
"We were all hurried a short distance,
where the Indians were very busy, dividing and putting up in packs for each
to carry his part of the booty taken. I observed them careless about the
children, and most of the Indians being some distance off in front, I called
with a low voice to my eldest daughter, gave her my youngest child, and told
them all to run towards neighbor John Russell's.
"They, with reluctance, left me,
sometimes halting, sometimes looking back. I beckoned them to go, although
I inwardly felt pangs not to be expressed on account of our doleful separation.
The two Indians in the rear either did not notice this scene, or they were
willing the children might run back.
"That evening the Indians crossed
Clinch Mountain and went as far as Cooper creek, distant about eight miles.
"April 7th, set out early in the
morning, crossed Clinch river at McLean's fish dam about twelve o'clock,
then steered northwardly towards the head of Stoney creek. There the Indians
camped carelessly, had no back spy nor kept sentries out. This day's journey
was about twenty miles.
"April 8th. Continued in camp until
the sun was more than an hour high; then set out slowly and traveled five
or six miles and camped near the foot of Powell's mountain. This day Benge,
the Indian chief, became more pleasant, and spoke freely to the prisoners.
He told them he was about to carry them to the Cherokee towns. That in his
route in the wilderness was his brother with two other Indians hunting, so
that he might have provision when he returned. That at his camp were several
white prisoners taken from Kentucky, with horses and saddles to carry them
to the towns. He made enquiry for several persons on Holston, particularly
old General Shelby, and said he would pay him a visit during the ensuing
summer, and take away all his negroes. He frequently enquired who had negroes,
and threatened he would have them all off the North Holston. He said all
the Chickamooga [Overhill] towns were for war, and would soon be very troublesome
to the white folks.
"This day two of the party were
sent by Benge ahead to hunt.
"April 9th. After traveling about
five miles, which was over Powell's mountain, and near the foot of the Stone
mountain [near Dorchester], a party of thirteen men under command of Lieutenant
Vincent Hobbs, of the militia of Lee county, met the enemy in front, attacked
and killed Benge the first fire, I being at that time some distance off in
the rear. The Indian who was my guard at first halted on hearing the firing.
He then ordered me to run, which I performed slowly. He attempted to strike
me in the head with the tomahawk, which I defended as well as I could with
my arm. By this time two of our people came in view, which encouraged me
to struggle all I could. The Indian making an effort at this instant pushed
me backward and I fell over a log, at the same time aiming a violent blow
at my head, which in part spent its force on me and laid me for dead. The
first thing I afterwards remembered was my good friends around me, giving
me all the assistance in their power for my relief. They told me I was senseless
for about an hour.
"Certified this 15th day of April,
1794. A. Campbell"
On the subject of the militia's
pursuit of Benge, Summers states (1903, p. 441-442): "Vincent Hobbs was a
lieutenant in the militia of Lee county, and, at the time in question, he
was attending the court of that county which was in session. Upon the arrival
of the express with the news of the Indian invasion, the court immediately
adjourned and a party was organized upon the spot, under the command of Hobbs,
to waylay a gap in Cumberland mountain called the Stone gap, through which,
it was supposed, the Indians were mostly to pass. [In this party, besides
Vincent Hobbs, were: John Van Bever, Job Hobbs, Stephen Jones, James Huff,
James Van Bever, Peter Van Bever, Abraham Hobbs, Adam Ely, Samuel Livingston,
George Yokum and ___ Dotson. Also probably present was Capt. William Dorton.]
On his arrival at the gap, Hobbs discovered that the Indians had just passed
through before him; he therefore pursued with eagerness and soon discovered
two Indians kindling a fire; these, they instantly dispatched, and finding
some plunder with them, which they knew must have been taken out of Livingston's
house, they at once came to the conclusion that these two had been sent forward
to hunt for provisions and that the others were yet behind with the prisoners.
Col. Arthur Campbell in Summers,
1903, p. 442-443: "The object of Hobbs was now to make a quick retreat, to
cover his own sign if possible, at the gap, before the Indians should discover
it, and perhaps kill the prisoners and escape. Having gained this point he
chose a place of ambuscade; but not exactly liking this position he left
the men there, and taking one with him by the name of Van Bibber, he went
some little distance in advance to try if he could find a place more suitable
for his purpose. As they stood looking around for such a place, they discovered
the Indians coming up with their prisoners. They cautiously concealed themselves
and each singled out his man. Benge, having charge of the younger Mrs.
Livingston, led the van, and the others followed in succession; but the Indian
who had charge of the elder Mrs. Livingston was considerably behind, she
not being able to march with the same light, elastic step of her sister.
When the front came directly opposite to Hobbs and Van Bibber they both fired,
Hobbs killing Benge, and Van Bibber the one next behind him. At the crack
of the rifle the other men rushed forward, but the Indians had escaped into
a laurel thicket, taking with them a negro fellow. The Indian wha had charge
of the elder Mrs. Livingston tried his best to kill her, but he was so hurried
that he missed his aim. Her arms were badly cut by defending her head from
the blows of his tomahawk. The prisoners had scarcely time to recover from
their surprise before the two Livinstons, who heard the guns and were now
in close pursuit with a party of men from Washington, came running up and
received their wives at the hands of Hobbs with a gust of joy. Four Indians
were killed and five had escaped, and it appears they were separated into
parties of three and two. The first had the negro fellow with them, and,
by his account, they lodged that night in a cave, where he escaped from them
and got home.
"In the meantime a party of the
hardy mountaineers of Russell collected and proceeded in haste to waylay
a noted Indian crossing place high up on the Kentucky river. When they got
there they found some Indians had just passed. They immediately drew the
same conclusion that Hobbs had done, and hastened back to the river for fear
those behind should discover their sign. Shortly after they had stationed
themselves, the other three made their appearance; the men fired upon them,
two fell and the other fled, but left a trail of blood behind him, which
readily conducted his pursuers to where he had taken refuge in a thick canebrake.
It was thought imprudent to follow him any further, as he might be concealed
and kill some of them before they could discover him. Thus eight of the party
were killed and the other perhaps mortally wounded."
April 29, 1794: Senior militia officer, Col. Arthur Campbell, sent
Benge's scalp to Virginia's governor, along with the letter, quoted in Summers
(1903, p. 443):
"The scalp of Captain Benge, I
have been requested to forward to your Excellency, as a proof that he is
no more, and of the activity and good conduct of Lieutenant Hobbs, in killing
him and relieving the prisoners. Could it be spared from our treasury, I
would beg leave to hint that a present of a neat rifle to Mr. Hobbs would
be accepted, as a reward for his late services, and the Executive may rest
assured that it would serve as a stimulus for future exertions against the
enemy."
The General Assembly of Virginia
send Mr. Hobbs a silver-mounted rifle.