Transcript
Narrator: The Revolutionary War forced native people to once more choose sides between warring groups of whites. Many thought an alliance with the British would buy them at least temporary safety.
In 1777, known as the Bloody Year of the Three Sevens, Shawnee war parties again struck the western Virginia frontier now nearly empty of young men.
At the fort Lewis had built near Point Pleasant, Cornstalk warned Commander Matthew Arbuckle that he was no longer able to restrain his young warriors. “All Shawnees are our enemies,” declared Arbuckle. He took Cornstalk and his son prisoner.
A week later, two whites were killed near the fort. An angry mob went to Cornstalk’s cell.
“Cornstalk arose and met them. Seven or eight bullets were fired into him. I grieved to see him so long in dying. The great Cornstalk who was undoubtedly a hero.” John Stewart
Narrator: Five settlers were charged with murder, but they were all acquitted when no witnesses would testify against them.
