The result was a war in 1715. Ultimately, the colonist were able to mass their forces and after achieving several victories, the tribes began to pursue peace. Peace was made with the Cherokee who were given a large quantity of guns and annunition in exchange for their alliance with the colony. About 1738, smallpox broke out among Cherokee with such terrible effect that nearly half the tribe died from the disease within a year. These Native Americans had not been exposed to European diseases and had no immunity to them. When the Seven Years War, (French and Indian War) began, the Cherokee would have sided with the French except for their dependence on trade with the English. A treaty was signed in 11754 reaffirming the Cherokee alliance with the English, and the usual stipulation of land cessions, provided for British forts in the Cherokee country.

Painting by Robert Lindneux

The actual military defense of Virginia's extreme western frontier did not begin, on a large scale, until the spring prior to the outbreak of Dunmore's War in the fall of 1774, more commonly referred to as the Point Pleasant Campaign.

There were seven of the original forts erected in compliance with Lord Dunmore's order, four on the lower Clinch River under Captain William Russell's militia command, and three on the upper Clinch River under the militia command of Captain Daniel Smith. These forts were erected by the settlers as a means of protection for the locals living in the area. The seven original forts were: Fort Preston in Upper Castlewood, Russell County, Fort Christian, between Dickensonville and Lebanon, Russell County, Moore's Fort in Castlewood, Blackmore's Fort, at the mouth of Stoney Creek in Scott County. Elk Garden Fort in Scott County, Witten's Fort near Tazewell, and Maiden Springs Station, located on the branch of the Clinch River near Tazewell. There were other forts built a few years later in the southwestern part of Virginia. They included: Daniel Smith's Fort in Lebanon, New Garden Station, in Russell County, Tate's Fort, on Moccasin Creek in Russell County, Rye Cove Fort, in Rye Cove. Carter's Fort, also in Rye Cove, Houston's Fort and the Kilgore Fort in Scott County.

Painting by Robert Lindneux

Robert Benge was born in 1760 in the Cherokee Village Toquo, which is in Eastern Tennessee. 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 grew up to be the most notorious Cherokee in history. MORE ...