The History of Fort Randolph
1776-1779
In 1776 Captain Matthew Arbuckle marched a Virginia force to the confluence of the Great Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. Under orders from General Edward Hand, Arbuckle erected a large stockade with block-houses and cabins that would become known as Fort Randolph. Named after Continental Congressman Peyton Randolph, this fort outpost on the early American frontier served to protect the “backdoor” of Virginia from the native American threat. Strategically located deep in the Kanawha Valley, Fort Randolph was garrisoned by the Governor of Virginia, at Continental expense, by a company of one hundred men, commanded by one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, and the usual number of inferior non-commissioned officers.
Under the command of Captain Arbuckle throughout 1777, the fort came under the command of Captain William McKee with a body of state troops at "Continental Expense" early in 1778. It then remained garrisoned under Captain McKee until all troops left in early 1779. By midsummer of that year, the fort no longer existed. Colonel William Crawford, stationed at Pittsburg, wrote General Washington on July 12, 1779, to report that "as soon as Fort Randolph was evacuated, the Indians burnt it".
Although only briefly in existence as an early American fort outpost, Fort Randolph played a key role in preventing an Indian alliance with the British during the early days of the American Revolution. It was also here, at Fort Randolph, in November of 1777 that Chief Cornstalk of the Shawnee tribe, was murdered along with his son Elinipsico, and some other Shawnees by an angry mob. A few months later over 200 Shawnee, Wyandotte and Mingo warriors attacked and laid siege to Fort Randolph in retaliation for Chief Cornstalk’s death, sorely trying the defensive skill of Captain William McKee, who succeeded in holding his ground.
Today's Fort Randolph
A replica of Fort Randolph now stands approximately a mile from the fort’s original location in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Built as a commemorative project partially funded by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration in 1974, this structure, like the original, features a complete stockade with multiple buildings.
Modern day visitors can watch history come to life at a variety of special events held throughout the year. Events, designed to give visitors the opportunity to experience West Virginia’s 18th century cultural past, feature costumed interpreters and reenactors. In addition to these events, on weekends throughout the summer months, visitors may casually enjoy the fort grounds through self-guided at their own pace or interpretive tours.
1776-1779
In 1776 Captain Matthew Arbuckle marched a Virginia force to the confluence of the Great Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. Under orders from General Edward Hand, Arbuckle erected a large stockade with block-houses and cabins that would become known as Fort Randolph. Named after Continental Congressman Peyton Randolph, this fort outpost on the early American frontier served to protect the “backdoor” of Virginia from the native American threat. Strategically located deep in the Kanawha Valley, Fort Randolph was garrisoned by the Governor of Virginia, at Continental expense, by a company of one hundred men, commanded by one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, and the usual number of inferior non-commissioned officers.
Under the command of Captain Arbuckle throughout 1777, the fort came under the command of Captain William McKee with a body of state troops at "Continental Expense" early in 1778. It then remained garrisoned under Captain McKee until all troops left in early 1779. By midsummer of that year, the fort no longer existed. Colonel William Crawford, stationed at Pittsburg, wrote General Washington on July 12, 1779, to report that "as soon as Fort Randolph was evacuated, the Indians burnt it".
Although only briefly in existence as an early American fort outpost, Fort Randolph played a key role in preventing an Indian alliance with the British during the early days of the American Revolution. It was also here, at Fort Randolph, in November of 1777 that Chief Cornstalk of the Shawnee tribe, was murdered along with his son Elinipsico, and some other Shawnees by an angry mob. A few months later over 200 Shawnee, Wyandotte and Mingo warriors attacked and laid siege to Fort Randolph in retaliation for Chief Cornstalk’s death, sorely trying the defensive skill of Captain William McKee, who succeeded in holding his ground.
Today's Fort Randolph
A replica of Fort Randolph now stands approximately a mile from the fort’s original location in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Built as a commemorative project partially funded by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration in 1974, this structure, like the original, features a complete stockade with multiple buildings.
Modern day visitors can watch history come to life at a variety of special events held throughout the year. Events, designed to give visitors the opportunity to experience West Virginia’s 18th century cultural past, feature costumed interpreters and reenactors. In addition to these events, on weekends throughout the summer months, visitors may casually enjoy the fort grounds through self-guided at their own pace or interpretive tours.