Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-03-12
HISTORY OF THE VALLEY.
CHAPTER III.
NOTES, dc.-Prelimindry ObScrra-
tioRs on the Character Of the In
dian Node Of Warfare, and Its
adoption by the White People.
THE DEATH OF CoRNsTALK.

THE DEATH OF CORNsTALK.
This was one of the most afro
cious murders committed by the
whites during the whole course of
the war. TDunmOre's war.
In the summer Of 1777, when tho
coniederacy of tue Indian nations,
under the influence of the British
government, was formed, and be-
gan to commit hostilities along our
| frontier settlements, Cornstalk,
aud a young chief Of the name Of
! Red hawk, with another Indian,
made a visit to the garrison at the
Point. commanded at that time By
! Can't. Arbuckle. Cornstalk stated
to the captain, that, with the e1-
ception of himself and the tribe to
which he belonged, all the nations
had Joined the English, and that
unless protected by the whites,
"they would have to run with the
stream
Capt. Arbuckle thought proper
to detaln the Cornstalk chief and
his two companions as hostages for
the good conduct of the tribe to
which they belonged. They had
not been long in this situation be-
I fore a son of Cornstalk, concerned
for the safety Of his farther, came
to the opposite side of the river
and halloOed ; his farther knowing
his voice, answered him. He was
brought, over the river. The father
and son mutually embraced each
other with the greatest tenderness
On the day following, two In
dians, who had concealed them
selves in the weeds on the bank OF
the Kanawha opposite the fort,
killed a man Of the name of Gfi-
more, as he was returning from
hunting. AS soon as the dead
body was brought over the river,
there was a general cry amongst
the men who we're present, "Let us
kill the Indians in the fort" They
Immediately ascended the bank of
the river with Capt. Hall at their
head, to execute their hasty reso-
luton. On their way they were
met by Capt. Stuart and Capt.
Arbuckle, who endeavored to dis
suade them from killing the In
dian hostages, saying that they
certainly had no concern in the
murder Of Gilmore but remon-
STRANGE was in vain. Pale as death
with rage, they cooked their guns
and threatened the captains with
instant death, if they should at
tempt to hinder them from eIecut-
ing their purpose.
When the murderers arrived at
the house where the hostages were
confined, COrnstalk rose up TO
meet them at the door, but instant
| ly received seven bullets through
his body; his son and his other two
fellow-hostages were instantly de-
spatched with bullets and tona-
hawks.
Thus fell the Shawnee war chief
COrnstalk, who, like Logan, his
companion in arms, was conspic-
uous for intellectual talent, bravery
and misfortune.
The biography of Cornstalk, as
far as it is now known, goes to
show that he was no way deficient
| In those mental endowments which
constitute true greatness. On the
evening preceding the battle oil
Point Pleasant, he proposed going
over the river to the camp Of Gen,
Lewis, for the purpose of making
peace. The majority in the council
of warriors voted against the
measure. "Well," said Cornstalk
"since you have resolved on fight
ing, you shall fight, although it Ii
likely we shall have hard work to
morrow; but if any man shall at
tempt to run away from the battle
| will kill him with my own hand,
and accordingly fulfilled his threa
with regard to one cOwardly fellow
After the Indians had returned
from the battle, COrnstAlk called
council at the Chillicothe town, t
consult what was to be done next
In this council he reminded tn
war chiefs of their folly in prevent
ing him from making peace, befer
the fatal battle of Point Pleasant
, and asked, "What shall We d
now , The Long.knives are COMM
upon us by Two routes. Shall W
t turn ont and fight them Al
were silent. lie then asked, "Shal
: we kill our squaws and children
and then fight until we shall all b
. killed ourselves p To this no re
ply was made. lie then rose n
and struck his tomahawk in th
5 war post in the middle Of theco
Gil house, saying, "Since you ar
not inclined to fight, I will 20 ant
make peace !" and accordingly di
so.
On the morning of the day Q
his death, a council was held in th
y fort at the Point, in which b
was present. During the rit
ting OF the council, it is said tina
ne seemed to have a presentimen
of his approaching fate. In one {
his speeches, he remarked to tn
council, "When was young, ever