2008 Official Visitors Guide to Greenbrier County, West Virginia - (Page 29) The Shawnee 1774 – After many Indian raids in the Valley, Governor Dunmore of Virginia instructed Colonel Andrew Lewis to gather “willing and able men” to stand against the Indian forces that had so regularly attacked within the Greenbrier Valley. Over 1,490 men were assembled, including Lewis’ brother Charles and 13 men of political and military distinction. The militia traveled more than 150 miles to “the point” of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. While Dunmore’s army, still a day behind, was moving in from the north, Chief Cornstalk had moved his Shawnees by moonlight toward Lewis’ army of sleeping Virginians. At dawn, the Indians opened with heavy re killing many, including Andrew Lewis’ brother Charles and several of cers. Lewis rushed in reinforcements and the battle raged with increased intensity until just before nightfall. Lewis then moved companies to the rear of the Indians and three quarters of a mile above them and opened with strong re. Mistaking this for the arrival of Dunmore’s reinforcements, the Indians retreated and the battle was won. The Shawnees later met with Dunmore and signed a treaty for peace. The treaty agreed that they would cease hunting south of the Ohio River and return the captives and horses gained in earlier raids. Many historians believe this to be one of the rst battles of the Revolutionary War. Battle of Dry Creek Reenactment North House Museum Dick Pointer The Civil War In 1778, Indians continued raids in the area, including one on Fort Donnally. The most heroic of the defenders of the fort was an African American slave, Dick Pointer. Pointer defended the fort’s log door, giving the settlers enough time to awaken and defend themselves against the Indian invaders. Later, he addressed the Virginia General Assembly and gave a moving appeal that “in the decline of life” he be freed for his defense of Fort Donnally. Historic accounts differ as to whether the legislature ever provided his freedom. Today, his grave is marked beside Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, along with a state historical marker. Pointer’s musket is on permanent display at The North House Museum. The Civil War came to the county in 1861 and several battles were fought in the area including the Battle of Lewisburg in May 1862 and the Battle of Dry Creek in August 1863. You may be wondering if the towns were made up of Confederate or Union sympathizers. Suf ce it to say that Lewisburg was a southern outpost during most of the War, and the entire county sat below the Mason-Dixon line. While some residents may contend that Union sympathizers lived among them, one thing is for certain — if this is true, it made for interesting dinner conversation back in the 1860s. Both of these battles can be experienced annually at the Battle of Lewisburg Living History and Reenactment in May and the Battle of Dry Creek Reenactment in August. 1906 The Raine Brothers start the Meadow River Lumber Company. At the time, it was the largest mill of its type in the world. The town was later named Rainelle in honor of the brothers. 1943-1946 The Greenbrier is converted to a 2,000 bed military hospital, the Ashford General Hospital, to help care for WWII casualties. The hospital admitted 24,148 patients and conducted 11,346 operations. 1942 For 201 days, The Greenbrier is transformed from a private, luxury resort to a temporary internment center, housing diplomats, staffs and their families from Germany, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria and Japan. 1992 The Washington Post uncovers the secret government relocation facility that had been hidden within The Greenbrier for more than 30 years. 2007 The Greenbrier reopens after a three-month renovation. This is the rst time the resort closed its doors since 1946 when it was redecorated by Dorothy Draper, the famous designer. (800) 833-2068 29
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.