Letter from Colonel William Preston to Patrick Henry (Battle of Point Pleasant)

 

Letter from Colonel William Preston to Patrick Henry

August 6, 1774

Dear Sir,

I have the pleasure to inform you of a very important victory gained by Colonel Andrew Lewis, over the Shawnee Indians, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha, on the 10th of October last.

Colonel Lewis, with about 800 men, marched from Camp Union on the 6th of October, in order to join Lord Dunmore, who was then advancing with another army against the Shawnee towns. On the 10th, Colonel Lewis arrived at the mouth of the Great Kanawha, where he was attacked by a large body of Shawnee Indians, under the command of their chief, Cornstalk.

The battle began about one o'clock in the afternoon, and continued with great fury for about two hours. The Indians fought with their usual bravery, but the Virginians were more numerous, and better disciplined; and in the end, the Indians were obliged to retreat, leaving behind them a great number of their dead and wounded.

The loss of the Virginians in this battle was about 70 killed and 140 wounded. Among the killed were Colonel John Field, and several other officers of distinction.

The victory gained by Colonel Lewis is of great importance, as it has put an end to the Indian war, and secured the safety of the frontier settlements.

I have received the following account of the battle from some of the soldiers who were engaged in it:

"On the morning of the 10th of October, we marched from our camp at the mouth of the Great Kanawha, about ten o'clock. We had not proceeded far when we discovered a large body of Indians lying in ambush on the side of the river. Colonel Lewis immediately ordered us to form in line of battle. We had scarcely done this when the Indians fired upon us. We returned their fire, and the battle began.

The Indians fought with great fury, but we stood our ground bravely. The battle raged for about two hours, when the Indians began to give way. We pursued them for about two miles, killing and wounding many of them.

The loss of the Indians in this battle was very great. We counted over four hundred of their dead on the field. The loss of the Virginians was about seventy killed and one hundred and forty wounded."

I have the pleasure to inform you that Colonel Lewis is recovering from his wound, and that he is in good spirits.

I am, dear Sir,

Your obedient servant,

William Preston

Document History: Dunmore's War, p. 291

This letter from Colonel William Preston to Patrick Henry provides a detailed account of the Battle of Point Pleasant, which was the only major engagement of Lord Dunmore's War. The letter is based on information that Preston received from letters and returning soldiers.

The letter describes the battle as being long and furious, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. In the end, the Virginians emerged victorious, forcing the Shawnee to retreat. The victory was a significant one, as it put an end to the Indian war and secured the safety of the frontier settlements.

The letter also mentions that Colonel Andrew Lewis was wounded in the battle, but that he was recovering and in good spirits.