241st Anniversary of the Battle of Point Pleasant

3-4 Oct 2015                 Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, WV

picture of the battle of Point Pleasant from the flood wall at Tue-Ende-Wei State Park, WV

The Battle of Point Pleasant October 10, 1774
     Here at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, the bloody, day-long Battle of Point Pleasant was fought. On October 10, 1774, Colonel Andrew Lewis' 1,100 Virginia militiamen decisively defeated a like number of Indians lead by the Shawnee Chieftain Cornstalk. Considered a landmark in frontier history, some believed the battle to be the first of the American Revolution. This action broke the power of the ancient 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 which could very possibly have caused the Revolution to have a different outcome, altering the entire history of the U.S. In addition, the ensuing peace with the Indians enabled western Virginians to return across the Allegheny Mountains to aid Revolutionary forces.
from WV State Parks Official Site:  http://www.tu-endie-weistatepark.com/battle.html

Tue-Endie-Wei State park, WV, before the ceremony on 4 Oct 2015

     The SAR participated in the "Battle Days" activities at Point Pleasant, WV, and Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, where the battle took place 241 years ago.  Attending from Virginia SAR were  3rd Vice President Pat Kelly, past PG Joe Dooley, SAR Foundation Board Member Sam Powell, Peter Davenport, and Bill Schwetke; Pat Kelly and Bill Schwetke were accompanied by their wives.  All of the Virginia SAR members participated in the SAR Color Guard.
     The scheduled parade on Saturday afternoon was cancelled for rain, but the remaining activities, the Governor's Reception and the Colonial Ball, were held indoors and well attended.  Sunday broke with clearing clouds, sunny skies, and crisp fall weather.  That day began with an outdoors church service, an SAR Luncheon, then the Memorial Service at the Battle Monument.  Most prominent participants were Lt. Col Russell McGuire, commander of the cavalry squadron assigned to the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Virginia National Guard, and that unit's color guard.  The 116th Infantry Brigade is the lineal descendant of the Virginia Militia that fought at Point Pleasant, and whose lineage also includes the famed Stonewall Brigade of the War Between the States.

The SAR at the Point Pleasant monument, under the watch of Col Andrew Lewis, who commanded the Virginia Militia at the Battle of Point Pleasant. Center, front row, President General Tom Lawrence. Virginia participants included, past PG Joe Dooley (front row, third from the right), Peter Davenport (second row, just behind and to the left of PG Lawrence), Virginia 3rd Vice President Pat Kelly (second row, just to the left of Peter Davenport), SAR Foundation Board Member Sam Powell (third row, just behind and between Peter Davenport and Pat Kelly), and Bill Schwetke (back row second to right of statue).

Virginia members at Point Pleasant, left to right: SAR Foundation Board Member Sam Powell, Virginia SAR 3rd Vice President Pat Kelly, Peter Davenport, past PG Joe Dooley, Bill Schwetke.

Receiving line at the Governor's Reception, from right to left, Point Pleasant Chapter President Jack Coles, Mrs. Coles, President General Tom Lawrence, past PG Joe Dooley, Central District Vice President General Robert Cunningham, Mrs. Cunningham, West Virginia SAR President Steven Hart, Ohio SAR President James Schaffer, Mrs. Schaffer, Historian General Jack Manning, Mrs. Manning, unknown.

Past PG Joe Dooley dances with one of the ladies at the Colonial Ball

Compatriot Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat dance at the Colonial Ball

The crowd forms for the Sunday morning Church Service at the base of the monument.

Part of the head table at the Sunday SAR Luncheon. Left to right, past PG Joe Dooley, Point Pleasant Mayor Brian Billings, President General Tom Lawrence.

The SAR Color Guard forms. Virginia SAR compatriots, in foreground, with Betsy Ross Flag, dual member and SAR Foundation Board Member Sam Powell, to Sam's right, with SAR Flag in red vest, Peter Davenport, half-way back in the right column, with Culpeper Flag, Bill Schwetke.

The Color Guard of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Virginia National Guard, marches past the SAR Color Guard to post the national colors.

Emblem of the 116th Infantry Bde.

3rd Vice President Pat Kelley presents the Virginia Society's wreath to Lt. Col. McGuire. To the left of the picture is the Virginia Honor Guard, past PG Joe Dooley, with sabre, and Peter Davenport, with the Virginia Flag.

SAR President General Lawrence addresses the gathering.

Lt. Col. McGuire, also a member of the SAR, addresses the gathering.

Lt Col McGuire and his First Sergeant in front of the collected wreaths.

Colonel Andrew Lewis