Black Boys Rebellion at Fort Loudoun

Well, I am not sure how familiar you are with the Black Boys'Rebellion, but yesterday's event incorporated events from May (when the first pack train was inspected and "warlike stores" were siezed and burned), to the resulting appeal for help by merchant Robert Callendar to Lt. Grant commanding Ft. Loudoun's half company of the 42nd, the subsequent firefight at the Widow Barr's, and the November siege of the fort seeking repatriation of 9 siezed firelocks and the surrender of the fort - and the arms - to the locals.

In other words, the program condensed 7 months into about 4 hours. We had an estimated 250 spectators.

Very glad to see the fort, thanks for posting. I didn't know there was an event commemorating the event. Lt. Grant had an up-close-and-personal experience with the Black Boys. 

Lt. Grant was the commander of Fort Loudoun in Western Pennsylvania in 1764 to 1765 with a half-company of the 42nd Regt. to enforce the Proclamation Line of 1763 (which prohibited illegal settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains).  Fort Loudoun was located about 70 miles southwest of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and about 150 miles southeast of Fort Pitt where the largest part of the 42nd Regt. was located. 

In 1765 Lt. Grant was involved in a series of confrontations with James Smith, the leader of a local paramilitary group of about 300 men, nicknamed “The Black Boys,” who darkened their faces prior to engagements.  At one point Grant was captured by Smith but was soon released. A senior officer described Grant’s capture in a letter from Carlisle dated June 1, 1765, writing “I received letters from Lieutenant Grant, commanding at Fort Loudoun, complaining much of some late insult, received from the rioters near that post. He says on the 28th ult., [May], he was taking the air on horseback and about half a mile from his post, was surrounded by five of the rioters, who presented their pieces at him. The person who commanded them, calling to them to “shoot the bugger” – that one of them fired at him, frightened him and his horse that he ran into the bushes and occasioned his being thrown upon the ground. They then disarmed him, carried him fifteen miles into the woods and threatened to tie him to a tree and let him perish if he would not give them up some arms…” Grant was released by the “Black Boys” and resumed his command of Fort Loudoun.

[These arms were rifles confiscated from locals by the Highlanders after the Black Boys burned the packtrain goods. Smith wrote that most of them were owned by men not involved in the packtrain raid.]

Spence

Yes, I've seen the opinion expressed that this was the beginning of the AWI.

James Smith is one of my favorite historical characters. In later life he lived in eastern Kentucky, was a Kentucky legislator for several years. He died in Green County, Ky., right in the middle of my stomping grounds. 

His captivity narrative as told in Scoouwa is one of my favorite books. A unique man, and a rare first-hand peek into NA culture.

Spence

N.B, If memory serves, some of the goods the Black Boys burned were being shipped by Baynton, Wharton and Morgan....or maybe not.

I have read the captivity story of James Smith a couple times.
Is there a good biography of him that covers his life prior to his captivity through the "black boys rebelion" and on into his final years?

Also is there a concise book on the rebellion itself? I have read a little about it but would like a little more background and some more detailed events.

Thanks.

Gus,

It was indeed a hoot!

To answer your question, there were no indications of a parapet / fire step in the archeological survey (supports would likely have left post molds). There WAS clear evidence of the size and shape of the bastions and their supports (as well as at least one period description). We believe there were loopholes at shoulder height at various intervals in the curtain walls made by simply cutting off the interior "furring" logs that fill the gaps in the logs of the curtain walls. That has been recreated in the current incarnation - I just didn't manage to get a picture of them. 😔