“The Battle of Point Pleasant”
Description
"Let us mind the tenth day of October, Seventy-four, which caused woe." "Captain Lewis and some noble Captains" engage in battle with the Indians by the Ohio River; "seven score," including the officers, are casualties, but the battle is won
Notes
This song is item dA31 in Laws's Appendix II. - RBW
The Battle of Point Pleasant was the culmination of "Lord Dunmore's War." John Murray, Earl of Dunmore (1732-1809), was governor of Virginia, but determined to control territories beyond the Appalachians (a plan completely contrary to official British policy). His maneuvers pushed the Shawnee and Ottowa Indians to war.
The Battle of Point Pleasant was fought when the Shawnee chief Cornstalk was caught between two converging columns of Virginia soldiers, led by Dunmore and Colonel Andrew Lewis. Cornstalk, realizing his plight, attacked Lewis's force at Point Pleasant (at the mouth of the Great Kanawha River), but was defeated.
After Point Pleasant, there was little the Shawnee could do, and diplomats had already convinced other tribes to leave them to their fate. Negotiations secured the Europeans free passage of the Ohio and hunting rights in Kentucky. - RBW
Historical references
- Oct 10, 1774 - Battle of Point Pleasant
References
- LPound-ABS, 40, p. 93, "The Battle of Point Pleasant" (1 text)
- Roud #4029
- BI, LPnd093