relations between the garrison of fort loudoun and the local cherokee inhabitants were initially cordial, but soured in 1758 due to hostilities between cherokee fighters and european settlers in virginia and south carolina. after the massacre of several cherokee chiefs who were being held hostage at fort prince george, the cherokee laid siege to fort loudoun in march 1760. the fort's garrison held out for several months, but diminishing supplies forced its surrender in august 1760. hostile cherokees attacked the fort's garrison as it marched back to south carolina, killing more than two dozen and taking most of the survivors prisoner.