Siege of Fort Randolph
The Siege: The Siege of Fort Randolph is an outdoor drama that pulls the public into the midst of living history. Spectators will see Indians besiege the Fort, militiamen defend the Fort walls, and Virginia women & children assist the defenders inside the Fort. The public will be able to imagine the feelings that led to the tragic murders. Cornstalks sister, Nonhelema, believed that there must be peace between the Virginians and the Shawnees so strongly that she put aside her own personal losses of her murdered brother and nephew to assist Captain McKee. She helped to disguise white soldiers as Indians so that they could warn the Greenbrier Valley settlements of the Indian armys approach.
There will be demonstrations of life skills all day in the Fort and the Indian Village. The gift shop is open from 10am to 5pm. T-shirts featuring original artwork by Andrew Knez, Jr and refreshments are available. Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are suggested for this outdoor drama. There are also picnic shelters on site in Krodel Park for picnic lunches.
The History: On October 10, 1774, an American Indian army attacked and was repulsed by a Virginia military force at the confluence of Ohio and Kanawha Rivers. This battle, since known as the Battle of Point Pleasant, was the most decisive engagement of Dunmores War that finally settled the longstanding boundary dispute between Ohio Valley Natives and Virginians. In the spring and summer of 1776, disagreements between European Americans and American Indians once again were reaching a fevered pitch. Forbidden land deals west of Kanawha River resulted in Cherokee and Shawnee lands being cleared for settlements. The killing of immense numbers of animals for the skin trade caused those native nations to have depleted food sources. Relations between red men and white men were very strained. Unrest between the colonies and the King of England ld both to side with them in what was to become know as the Revolutionary War.
The People: Captain Matthew Arbuckle marched a Virginia force to the forks of the Great Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. Under orders from General Edward Hand, Arbuckle had a stockade erected there that was named after Continental Congressman Peyton Randolph. Fort Randolph became the scene of important events in the first years of the American Revolution. Shawnee Principal Chief Cornstalk, the leader of the Indian army at the 1774 battle, returned to Point Pleasant in the summer of 1777 to warn the garrison that despite his best efforts at maintaining peace, his nation was bent on war with Virginia. Arbuckle detained Cornstalk and three other Shawnees that came to the Fort. After Cornstalks detention, several companies arrived at the fort, including Caption James Hall from recently formed Rockbridge County, Virginia.
The Tragedies: The Indians presence at the Fort was intended to promote and insure peace, but when a Virginia soldier was killed outside the Fort, Cornstalk and his followers were wrongfully blamed. An angry mob led by Caption Hall pushed past the Forts commander and murdered the Indians. The following spring, the Governors of Virginia and Pennsylvania sent dispatches to the Shawnee apologizing for the murders and assuring that the criminals would be brought to justice. In April 1778, farcical trial was held and the men were acquitted. The Shawnee war faction planned for war. Fort Randolph would have to be captured to begin the return of lands back to the Shawnee nation. In May of 1778, an army of 300 Shawnees and Wyandottes besieged Fort Randolph, and tried the defensive skill of its current commandant, Captain William McKee.
The Siege of Fort Randolph is an outdoor drama depicting the murder of Chief Cornstalk, his son Elinipsico and Petalla, and the events that took place over a year later. The re-enactors who participate in this event are dedicated to bringing the public a quality event with emphasis on documented facts. The living historians of Fort Randolph hope that the public achieves a better knowledge of the people and events that are part of our history.
The Drama and Siege are at 2pm on Saturday, May 19th only. Admission is $3 for adults with children <6 free. All proceeds go towards keeping Fort Randolph open to the public. The Fort will be open to the public Fri., May 18th 9am-5pm; Sat. May 19th 9am-5pm; and Sun. May 20th 9am-2pm. A full schedule of events, as well as registration information for re-enactors, can be found on the website: www.masoncountytourism.org.
Other upcoming events at Fort Randolph:
Native Peoples of the Point, June 13-15, 2008
Fall Harvest Fest Oct. 25-26, 2008
*******REGISTRATION INFORMATION*******
Eighth Annual
Siege of Fort Randolph
Encampment and Reenactment
May 16th-18th, 2008
In May of 1778, a war party of over 200 Shawnee warriors appeared at Fort Randolph. Unable to entice the men from the fort, the Indians rose from their hiding places to form a line stretching from the Ohio to the Kanawha Rivers, thus placing Fort Randolph under siege.
Welcoming all 18th century enthusiasts to the seventh annual Siege of Fort Randolph encampment and reenactment at Krodel Park in Point Pleasant, WV. The main event features the reenactment of Chief Cornstalks fate filled visit to Fort Randolph in the fall of 1777 and the subsequent siege placed upon the fort in May of 1778.
Friday evening there will be seminar by Doug Wood. Saturday events include demonstrations and drama/reenactment at 2 pm for the public. Saturday evening there will be a fort feast, auction, and tavern entertainment. Sunday a trek among the hills will be offered. Pre-registration is highly appreciated. Early set-up is available on Thursday.
Straw, firewood, water, restrooms, and showers are available on site.
For more information contact:
Craig Hesson
994 Sandhill Road
Point Pleasant, WV 25550
(304)-675-7933
e-mail: chesson0000@charter.net
To pre-register for the event, complete and detach the pre-registration form below and send to the address listed above.
Siege of Fort Randolph 2008
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________
Native or Colonial Camp ____________________ (wikwam/cabin space available on a first-come, first-serve basis)
Do you need straw? ______________
Please bring an 18thC item to donate to the auction to support Fort Randolph.
Please bring extra items to be used as props such as:
small kegs, wooden boxes, empty powder horns, old looking garden tools, wooden buckets... Thank you!
|
