Cornelius Gilliam facts for kids

Cornelius Gilliam (born April 13, 1798 – died March 24, 1848) was an important pioneer in the early history of Oregon. He is best known for leading volunteer soldiers against the Cayuse during the Cayuse War. Gilliam was born in North Carolina. He served as a soldier in the Black Hawk War and the Seminole Wars.

Later, he moved to Missouri. In Missouri, he was a county sheriff and a member of the Missouri State Senate. He also served in the local army against a group of settlers called the Mormons. After his time in Missouri, he traveled west to the Oregon Country.

Early Life and Military Service

Cornelius Gilliam was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina on April 13, 1798. His parents were Epaphroditus and Sarah Ann Gilliam. In 1820, he married Mary Crawford in North Carolina. They had eight children together, including six daughters.

Gilliam was a soldier in several conflicts. In 1832, he fought against Native Americans in the Midwest during the Black Hawk War. He also served as a captain in the Seminole Wars in Florida in 1837.

After these wars, Gilliam moved to Missouri. There, he continued his military service. He was a captain in the state militia during conflicts with the Mormons in 1838. That same year, he was elected to the Missouri State Senate. He represented District 12 and was re-elected in 1842 for District 10. Gilliam also served as the sheriff of Clay County, Missouri.

Journey to Oregon

In 1844, Cornelius Gilliam decided to move west. He traveled along the famous Oregon Trail to the Oregon Country. This area was not yet a state. Gilliam was in charge of the wagon train at the start of their long journey. However, the large group later split into smaller ones.

Role in the Cayuse War

In 1847, a sad event called the Whitman massacre happened in Oregon. After this, the Provisional Government of Oregon needed to act. They formed a group of about 600 volunteer soldiers. Cornelius Gilliam was chosen to lead them as a colonel. His mission was to fight against the Cayuse.

In 1848, Colonel Gilliam led his soldiers east. They reached The Dalles, Oregon in February. His forces then continued on to the Whitman Mission, arriving in March.

Death and Lasting Legacy

After his mission at the Whitman Mission, Gilliam started heading back. He planned to get more supplies at The Dalles. Then, he would go to Oregon City, Oregon to report to Governor George Abernethy. Sadly, on March 24, 1848, he was accidentally shot and killed. This happened in what is now Morrow County, Oregon.

His body was brought back to Oregon City by Henry A. G. Lee. Cornelius Gilliam was buried in Polk County, Oregon at the Dallas Cemetery. Today, Gilliam County, Oregon is named after him. A ship used in World War II was also named in his honor, called the Cornelius Gilliam.