Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-01-07
AN INTERESTING SKETCH.
Jacob Warwick, n Private,
Turns the Tide of Battle at
Point Pleasant.
Ohio Valley Bee.l
Mt. CLINTON, Sept. 10, 1874

Il
minds me of something that / have
been intending to send you for some
time-a fragment of unwritten his
tory. Among the troops that went
from Augusta, in the company
commanded by Captain Mathews
was Jacob Warwick. hope
this may receive the attention of
Point Pleasant papers, and some no
tice be taken of it by some one OF
the speakers that may take part in
the forthcoming Centennial. The
battle of the Point was one of the
most decisive in its results that had
hitherto been fought with the In
dians. 1t occurred Monday morn
ing. October 10, IVA. 1t is to bere-
gretted that the history of this en-
gagement, as now recorded and gen
orally received as authentic, does not
accord full justice to some humble
but very deserving persons.
1t is conceded, | believe, that when
the enemy were assailed in their
flank, the battle was virtually deci-
ded in favor of the Virginians, and
there is much reason to believe that
had not such an attack been made
the day would have been lost to our
people, the army sacrificed, and un-
speakable disaster would have be-
fallen the Valley of Virginia. The
Revolutionary war would have been
deferred for Years, possibly for all
the time, and the whole history of
America might have been far differ
ent from what it is. In the account
given by DIR. Foote, which is one of
the most minute known to the writer,
the following statement occurs:
Toward evening, Lewis seeing no
signs of retreat or even cessation of
battle, dispatched Captain Shelby,
Mathews and Stuart, at their request,
TO attack the enemy in the rear. Go
ing up the Kanawha under cover of
the banks to Crooked Greek, and up
that creek, under cover of the banks
and weeds, they got to the rear of the
Indians unobserved, and made
rapid attack. Alarmed by this un-
looked for result, and thinking the
of Colonel Christian
was approaching, before whose arri-
val they had striven to finish the
battle, the savages became dispirited,
gave way, and by sundOwn had re-
crossed the Ohio. Colonel Christian
entered the camp about midnight,
and found all things in readiness for
a renewed attack. > Foote'S sketch
es, 2nd series, p. los.
Kercheval. who says that he de
rived his information from Joseph
Mayse and Andrew Reed, states, on
their authority, shat about = O'Clock
in the afternoon Colonel Christian
arrived on the field with about five
hundred men-the battle was still
raging. This reinforcement decided
the issue almost Immediately. The
Indians fell back about two miles;
but such was their persevering spirit,
though fairly beaten, the contest was
not closed until the setting of the
sun. when they relinquished the
ield." = History of the Valley, PIP.
I0l 2, foot note.
There are persons yet living in the
of Bath, and the writer con
rersed with one of them last Septem-
Der, almost in view of the residence
where Joseph Mayse lived and died,
who are of the impression that Mr..
Mayse gave the credit of that as
,ault upon the enemy's flank and
ear to Jacob Warwick.
According to his statement, and
nv impression is that it was confirm
ii by the late Colonel Charles Came
on, Mr.. Warwick, an obscure pri
rate in the ranks, was detailed with a
number of others, perhaps fifty or
sixty in all, as butchers and hunters
% bring in a supply of meat, that ra-
ions might be prepared for a hasty
march to the Indian towns, in Obedi-
,nce to Governor DunmOre's order.
These persons crossed the Kanawha
about day-break or little before,
md while they were at work in the
hunting grounds or at the slaughter
pens, they heard the firing beyond
,he limits of the camp, so far up the
Ohio. they supposed it to be salute
n Governor DunmOre. But as the
iring continued too long for this, 1t
vas surmised that the troops were
putting their arms in order for the
expedition across the
ohio. But as the firing was kept up, |
md seemed to be more rapid, com
ny down the Ohio and then going
Jack, and that to for hours, they were |
ed to believe it was a battle. Mr..
" Narwick was one of the first to as
certain the fact. He took measures
o rally the hunters and butchers and
ross over to help. They landed and |
opened fire on the enemy's flank and
ear. This was noticed by our
roops and it was at once supposed
hat Colonel Christian had arrived,
md it was deemed important to com
nunicate with him, which was un-
lertaken by the Captains named;
The Indians, too, it would seem, had
heir suspicious that the hunters were
he advance of Colonel Christians
orce. They at once began to fall
pack upon the Ohio, and their forces
lrawn from the Kanawha, when it
became very practicable for our Off
,ers to execute the flank movement
successfully.
If this be true, and considering the
,ouree of my information, l have no
'eason todoubt its authenticity in the
main, it illustrates how important re-
,ults are sometimes made to depend,
n the providence of God, upon fideli-
v to duty on the part of the most /
obscure, and it brings to the light the
.uidings of Gods hand In affairs of
he world.
We do not write in complaining