Cornstalk

1872 Chiefs Cornstalk Logan and Red Eagle from Frosts pictorial history of Indian

Fort Randolph

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Death of Chief Cornstalk

Cornstalk gravesite

Cornstalk (c. 1720 – November 10, 1777) was a prominent leader of the Shawnee nation, known for his role in the defense of Shawnee lands during the 18th century. He played a significant part in the Lord Dunmore's War and was a key figure in the early history of the Ohio Country.

Early Life

Cornstalk, whose Shawnee name was Hokoleskwa, was born around 1720. Little is known about his early life, but he emerged as a leader among the Shawnee people by the mid-18th century. The Shawnee were part of the larger Algonquian language family and were known for their resistance to European encroachment on their lands.

Lord Dunmore's War

Cornstalk is best known for his involvement in Lord Dunmore's War in 1774. This conflict was between the Colony of Virginia and the Shawnee and Mingo nations. Cornstalk led Shawnee forces in the Battle of Point Pleasant, which took place on October 10, 1774. Despite the Shawnee's fierce resistance, they were ultimately defeated by the Virginia militia.

Following the battle, Cornstalk sought peace with the colonists. He participated in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Camp Charlotte, which ended the war. The treaty required the Shawnee to cede some of their lands south of the Ohio River.

Death

In 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, Cornstalk was visiting Fort Randolph in present-day West Virginia to discuss peace with American forces. However, tensions were high, and Cornstalk, along with his son Elinipsico and other Shawnee leaders, were taken hostage. On November 10, 1777, Cornstalk and his companions were murdered by American militiamen in retaliation for the killing of a soldier by unknown Native Americans.

Legacy

Cornstalk is remembered as a skilled leader and diplomat who sought to protect his people's lands and way of life. His death is often cited as a tragic example of the violence and mistrust that characterized relations between Native Americans and European settlers during this period.

Related Pages

• Shawnee
• Lord Dunmore's War
• Battle of Point Pleasant
• Treaty of Camp Charlotte
• Ohio Country
• American Revolutionary War

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