Fort Randolph (West Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Randolph |
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| Point Pleasant, West Virginia | |
Modern replica of Fort Randolph
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| Coordinates | 38°50′16″N 82°07′19″W / 38.83765°N 82.12202°W |
| Type | stockade |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | West Virginia Humanities Council |
| Site history | |
| Built | original construction in 1776, rebuilt in 1785, modern reconstruction in 1974 |
| In use | 1776–1779; 1785–1790s |
| Battles/wars | Western theater of the American Revolutionary War |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
Matthew Arbuckle, Sr. William McKee |
| Garrison | 100 men at full strength |
Fort Randolph was an important fort during the American Revolutionary War. It was built where the Ohio River and Kanawha Rivers meet. This spot is now Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
The fort was first built in 1776, on the spot of an older fort. Fort Randolph is well-known because the Shawnee Chief Cornstalk died there in 1777. The fort survived an attack by Native American groups in 1778. However, it was left empty the next year. It was rebuilt in the 1780s when fighting started again. But it was not used much and was later left empty once more. Today, a copy of the fort stands about a mile away.
Contents
History of Fort Randolph
Why This Location Was Important
The area where Fort Randolph was built became a key spot before the American Revolution. In 1768, the British Crown gained control of what is now West Virginia. This happened through the Treaty of Fort Stanwix with the Iroquois.
After this, American settlers and land buyers began exploring the region. One of the first was George Washington. In 1770, he traveled down the Ohio River. He wanted to see the land around Point Pleasant. Many other American settlers and surveyors did the same in the following years.
Dunmore's War and Fort Blair
The Ohio Country was home to Native American groups. They hunted on the land south of the Ohio River. These groups were not asked about the 1768 treaty. This led to Dunmore's War in 1774. This war was mainly between Virginia militiamen and the Shawnee and Mingo people. Chief Cornstalk led the Native American groups.
The Battle of Point Pleasant was the only big battle of this war. It took place where Fort Randolph would later be built. After the battle, a small fort called Fort Blair was constructed nearby. But when the American Revolutionary War began in 1775, Lord Dunmore ordered the fort to be left empty. He was the Royal Governor of Virginia. This was one of his last acts before American revolutionaries made him leave office.
Building Fort Randolph
In 1776, the Virginia Assembly was worried. Their western border had no defenses. So, they ordered a new fort to be built on the same spot. Virginia militiamen, led by Captain Matthew Arbuckle, Sr., built Fort Randolph in May 1776.
The fort was named after Peyton Randolph. He was the first president of the Continental Congress. Fort Randolph, along with Fort Pitt and Fort Henry, had a goal. They were meant to stop Native American raids into western Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Challenges and Chief Cornstalk
These forts did not stop all raids. In November 1776, Andrew Donnally and Archer Mathews worked for the fort. They said it was hard to get food and supplies. This was because of constant threats from Native American groups.
In 1777, Americans planned to attack the Ohio Country. In November, Chief Cornstalk visited Fort Randolph. He came to talk about the rumored attack. Shawnee people who followed Cornstalk wanted to stay out of the war. But Cornstalk warned the Americans that he might not be able to keep all of his tribe neutral.
The planned attack was canceled because there were not enough soldiers. However, Captain Arbuckle decided to hold Cornstalk and other Shawnee leaders. He hoped this would make sure the Shawnee stayed neutral. On November 10, an American militiaman was killed outside the fort. His angry friends rushed into the fort. They harmed Cornstalk and the three other Shawnee prisoners. Virginia's governor, Patrick Henry, tried to bring the people responsible to court. But they were not found guilty because no one would speak against them.
Siege and Abandonment
On May 20, 1778, about 200 Wyandot and Mingo warriors surrounded Fort Randolph. They were led by Dunquat, the Wyandot "Half King." They tried to take the fort for a week. But they could not force the fort to surrender.
The Native American groups then moved up the Kanawha River. They attacked Fort Donnally, which also held strong. Fort Randolph was left empty by the Americans in 1779. This was likely because soldiers and supplies were needed elsewhere. Native American groups burned the fort after it was abandoned.
Rebuilding the Fort
The fort was rebuilt nearby in 1785. This happened during a time of more fighting. This fighting led to the Northwest Indian War.
A copy of the fort was built in 1973 and 1974. It was officially opened on October 10, 1974. This was 200 years after the Battle of Point Pleasant. The town of Point Pleasant had grown over the original fort site. So, the rebuilt fort was placed at Krodel Park. This is about one mile from the first location.
