250 years of independence not only demonstrates endurance and perseverance through hardship, but it elevates the foundations of our country.
My column last week focused on some of the figures who contributed to these foundations. These leaders, whose names are honored in our Ninth District communities, helped light the revolutionary flames for independence.
Our region served as a flashpoint for these revolutionary flames.
Take what is recognized by many historians as the first battle of the American Revolution, the battle of Point Pleasant.
At the orders of Governor of Virginia Lord Dunmore, Colonel Andrew Lewis led forces from Western Virginia on a weeks-long trek to Point Pleasant in what is present-day West Virginia.
Interestingly, Dunmore with an army from northern Virginia was supposed to meet Lewis at Point Pleasant.
Instead, Lewis and his men faced an attempted ambush from the Shawnee and Mingo warriors in the early morning hours of October 10, 1774.
Lewis’ men felt they had been intentionally betrayed by Lord Dunmore in order to make the western part of Virginia insecure if additional trouble in the colonies was to occur.
Lewis and his soldiers responded courageously to the Shawnee and Mingo threat. The Americans fought off the Natives’ attack and defeated Chief Cornstalk.
Action by Lewis and his forces delivered victory for American settlers. This opened up the Kentucky territory for westward expansion by those like Daniel Boone, who was in charge of supplies under Lewis.
This action was one of many to be taken to help fortify Virginia and its western flank.
Soon thereafter, Virginians from our region asserted our revolutionary intentions in the Fincastle Resolutions.
In early 1775, 15 Virginia frontiersmen signed onto these articles in a display of support for the Continental Congress, the revolutionary cause and liberty.
They were called the Fincastle Resolutions because they originated in what was then Fincastle County. Fincastle County would later be divided between Montgomery County, Washington County and Kentucky County.
Those who signed the Resolutions included William Preston.
Colonel William Preston, who owned the Smithfield Plantation located in present-day Blacksburg, was one of these revolutionaries.
During his experiences on the frontier, Preston had worked to survey and establish peace. Additionally, he at one time served under Andrew Lewis.
Preston was a prominent military figure during the French and Indian War.
Given his background in combat, Preston joined the revolutionary effort. He joined revolutionary campaigns to fight the British in the South, most notably the battle at Kings Mountain.
The Fincastle Resolutions fueled the sentiment that eventually led to the Declaration of Independence.
Just a few days after July 4, 1776, Andrew Lewis and Lord Dunmore met again.
Dunmore, unsafe on land, sailed to Gwynn’s Island. There, the British camp was fortified from any land attack. On July 9, Lewis fired a heavy artillery barrage from Fort Cricket Hill down onto Dunmore’s camp.
After taking damage, Dunmore sailed from Virginia never to return.
Dunmore’s retreat marked the end of royal authority in Virginia!
While Lewis accomplished this feat on the Eastern Shore, others still took action to secure the frontier.
Governor Patrick Henry was concerned about the threat posed in the West. In 1777, Henry appointed Joseph Martin to handle Indian Affairs.
Martin had familiarity with the western frontier. Dr. Thomas Walker selected Martin to help lead an expedition west into the Powell’s Valley.
In what is now Lee County, the establishment of Martin’s Station helped serve frontiersmen looking to explore beyond.
Through his appointed role as Agent and Superintendent, Martin worked on the frontier to handle conflicts and disputes between natives and settlers. Martin’s development of relations with neighboring tribes preserved peace on the frontier and protected numerous settlement communities during the American revolution.
Thanks to our region’s efforts in combat and diplomacy, revolutionary success and independence were within reach.
The powerful message that the American independence movement sent around the world continues to reverberate. Not only did Americans gain victory but set the tone for the American ideals of freedom to flourish elsewhere in the world. A beacon of liberty that still resonates in the world today.
This Fourth of July, we honor revolutionary successes of 250 years ago that brought about American greatness and the unprecedented liberties that millions still enjoy.
I am proud to recognize this history on our 250th birthday.
Happy July Fourth!
