Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-03-28
FOR THE sPEcrAroR.
RIcnMoNp. March 10. 1910.

ApSH~AoND, WiaiCu ~, kCfJ.
.uessrs. Editors Knowing the interest always
felt by the public in preserving remembrance of
the interesting events that characterised the COM
mencement of the Revolution, and more particular
ly those in which our O,pn ancestors bore so con-
spicuous part have at considerable pains, copied
some communications, fUund in Vol. LIST, American
Archives, 4th Series the subject of the memora-
bic battle of Point Pleasant-I feel assured they
will be read with interes, by your readers.
'NlETROPOLITAN.
"From the Camp, on Point Pleasant, at the
mouth of the Great kanawha, Oct. IL, MA.
For the satisfaction of the publick, in'this letter
they have true state of the battle fought mt this
place on the 10Th instant.
On Monday morning about half an hour before
sunrise two of Capt. Russels company discovered
a large party of Indians about mile from Camp,
one Of which men was shot down by the Indians
the other made his escape aud brought in the intel
ligence in two or three minutes after, two of Capt
Shelby's came in and confirmed the account
COL Andrew Lewis, being Informed thereof, inme-
diaiely ordered out Col. Charles Lewis to take
command Of one hundred and fifty of the Augusta
troops and with him went Capt. Dickinson, Capt
Harrison, Capt. Wilson, Capt. John Lewis, of
Augusta, and Capt. Lockridge, which made the
first Division. Col. Fleming was also ordered to
take the command Of one hundred and fifty more Of
the Botetourt and Bedford, and Fincaste Troops,
viz: Capt. Thomas BurfOrd, of Bedford, Captain
Love, of Bo,elourt, Capt. Shelby, and Capt. Rus
sci, of Fincastle, which made the second Division
Col. Charles Lewis's Division marched TO tie
right, some distance from the Ohio and Col. Flem
ing, with his Division, on the bank Of the Ohio 10
the left. Col. Charles Lewis Division had not
marched quite hafa mile from Camp, when abou,
sunrise an attack made on the front of his Di-
vision IN most vigorous manner, by united tribes
of Indians, Shawnyse, Delawares, Miugocs, Ia.
was, and of several other Nations, in number not
less than 800 and by many thought to be 1000
In this heavy attack Col. Charles Lewis received
wound which in a few hours caused his death
and several of his men fell on the spot In fact the
Augusta Division was forced to give way to the
heavy fire of the enemy. In about the second of
minute after the attack ON Col. Lewis Division,
the enemy engaged the front Of Col. Fleming's D
vision, on the Ohio, and in short time the Col re-
ceved two balls through his left arm, and one ihro'
his breast and after ahma,ing the officers and SOL
dierS in most calm manner, TO The pursuit of VIC
tory, retired TO Camp. The loss from the field was
sensbly felt by the officers in particular; but The
Augusta Troops being shortly reinforced from the
Camp by Col. Field, with his Company together
with Capt. Mcdowell, Capt. Mathews, and Capt.
Stewart, from Augusta, Capt. John Lewis, Capt.
Paulin. Capt. Arbuckle, and Capt. McClannahan,
from Botetourt, the enemy no longer able to main
tain their ground, was forced to give way till they
were in line with the Troops, Col Fleming being
left In action on the Ohio. In this precptaie re.
treat, Col. Field was killed. During this time,
which till alter IL O'clock the action contin-
ued extremely hot. The close underwood, many
steep banks and logs greatly avoured their retreat;
and the bravest OF their men made the best use of
them, whilst others were throwing their dead into
the Ohio, and carrying off their wounded After
IL O'clock the action in small degree abated, but
continued except at short Intervals sharp enough
apI Nhairl a..
most advantageous spot of ground, from whence
1t appeared to the officers SO difficult to dislodge
them, that 1t was thought most advisable to stand
as the line then formed, which was mile and
quarter in length, and had sustained till then
constant and equal weight of the action, frsn wing
to wing. 1t was till about half an hour of sunset,
'hey continued firing on us scattering shots, which
we returned tot their disadvantage. Atlength night
coming on, they found safe retreat. They had not
the satisfaction of carrying off any Of our mems
scaps, save one or TWO stragglers, whom they kill
ed before the engagement. Many of their dead
they scalped rather than we should have them but
our Troops sea ped upwards OF twenty of their men
that were first killed 1t is beyond dotb their loss
in number far exceeds ours which is considerable"
Extract Of letter from Stanton in Virginia,
dated Nov. 9TH, l774
On the 10Th of October, our Army being cncamp-
ed in the Fork of the Great Kanawha, two men
went out early 10 hunt, but were fired upon by
the other made his escape and brought the inelli-
gence to the Camp. Col. Lewis Immediately or
dered out three hundred men, who after marching
about 'hreequarers of mile before SUNRISE, were
attacked by number (supposed to be from 800 to
lOOO) OF desperate savages. They made our
men retreat about quarter Off mile, when rein
forcement coming up, they continued fighting until
noon, and were never above twenty yards apart
often within six, and sometimes close together tom.
ahawking one another. The Indians, then began
TO fall back, but continued fighting at distance till
night came ON and parted them. Such battle with
Indians, it is imagined was never heard of before.
We had upwards of fifty men killed and ninety
wounded. Amongst the slain were many brave
men, both officers and privaies and Magistrate
of this place, Mr. Frog, very worthy gentleman,
was also killed So eager, were the Indians for his
scalp, that one man shot three of them over him,
endeavourng by turns TO scalp him. The number
OF Indians killed cannot be ascertained as they were
continually carrying them off and throwing them
into the river but from the tracks of blood the mum
Der must have been great. Our men got upwards
of twenty scaps, eighty blankets, forty guns, and 4
great many toInahawks; and intended in few days
to go over the River, 10 meet the Governor twenty
| or twenty-five miles from their Towns. The In
dams, the Governor lately concluded a peace with
II is assured were in this battle We suppose they
have had the other struggle before this time, and
are very impatient to know the issue"
Extract ola letter from an officer late under the
command Of Lord Dunmore, against the Indians,
dated Fort Augusta, Nov. 81, I774.
returned from the Shawnese expedition to my
own house, the ih instant, an account OF which
! is as follows:
left home with my Company The 25th Of Au-
gust and arrivedat the Levels of Greenbrier (Which
was the place Of general rendezvous) on the LIST OF
Sept, and agiihsi The Str we had about 100 men
assembled but the Fincastle men wete not yet ar
rived. However; Col. Charles Lewis, with the
AuOusta men which Wete about sY In nd red mn rcl,