attakullakulla, who remained on good terms with the garrison, was expelled from the council at chota for warning the garrison that oconostota had planned a ruse to lure them out of the fort. in early june 1760, demeré reduced the rations to one quart of corn for three men. in early july, the garrison ran out of bread, and was forced to subsist on horse meat. a dispatch in late july described the condition of the fort's garrison as "miserable beyond description." news of montgomerie's retreat further demoralized the garrison, and men began deserting. on august 6, 1760, demeré called a council of war, which determined it was "impracticable to hold out any longer." john stuart and james adamson met with oconostota and standing turkey at chota to negotiate the fort's surrender. the fort, its cannon, and gunpowder would be turned over to the cherokee, while the soldiers would be allowed to keep their personal arms and baggage.