The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
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Battle Days at Point Pleasant T he 17th Annual Battle Days Memorial Weekend was held Oct. 5-7, 2012, in Point Pleasant, W.Va., marking the 238th anniversary of the battle. At the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, the bloody, day-long Battle of Point Pleasant was fought. On Oct. 10, 1774, Col. Andrew Lewis' 1,100 Virginia militiamen decisively defeated a like number of Indians led by the Shawnee Chieftain Cornstalk. Some believe the battle, considered a landmark in frontier history, to be the first of the American Revolution. This action broke the power of the ancient 24 Americans in the Ohio Valley and quelled a general Indian war on the frontier. Significantly, it also prevented an alliance between the British and Indians—one that possibly could have caused the Revolution to have a different outcome, altering the entire history of the United States. In addition, the ensuing peace with the Indians enabled western Virginians to return across the Allegheny Mountains to aid Revolutionary forces. Tu-Endie-Wei State Park now sits on the same point. The Powder Magazine Memorial is where wreaths are placed in memory of the first fallen men of the battle. It is the final event of the weekend. On Friday, Oct. 5, local school children came to see the re-enactors demonstrate skills such as drilling, dance and games, and to listen to music by local musicians. Camps were set up as they had been in 1774. Students talked to people portraying "Mad Ann" Bailey, Lewis, Chief Cornstalk and Daniel Boone. They watched land surveyors do their job and learned how to build a fire with flint and steel and a magnifying glass. Some of the demonstrators were local SAR members. On Friday night, a candlelight tour guided visitors through the park to see how it was in Revolutionary times. Saturday started out with a parade led by SAR color guardsmen. The evening featured the Colonial Governor's Reception, followed by the Colonial Dance. The fellowship with old and new friends was a sight to see, with costumed Colonial soldiers, militiamen, citizens and Indians eating together. Sunday began with a Colonial church service, followed by a DAR/ SAR luncheon, after which the memorial wreath-laying service took place. It was a stirring service that left attendees with a heavy heart and a new lease in the honor of our patriot forefathers who fought for the founding of our great country. This event could not have been possible if not for Jack and Jane Coles, John and Joanne Sauer, and Craig Hesson from the Point Pleasant Chapter. Next year's weekend will include a visit to Fort Randolph, which also is depicted on a floodwall mural in Point Pleasant. SAR MAGAZINE