ritain exerted
themselves to excite the Indians to hostility against the United States.
The mass of Shawnees entertained a strong animosity against the Americans.
But, two of their chiefs, Cornstalk and Redhawk, not participating in that
animosity visited the garrison at the Point, where Arbuckle continued to
command. Cornstalk represented his unwillingness to take a part in the
war, on the British side: but stated, that his nation, except himself and
his tribe, were determined on war with us, and he supposed, that he and
his people would be compelled to go with the stream. On this intimation,
Arbuckle resolved to detain the two chiefs, and a third Shawnees, who came
with them to the fort, as hostages, under the expectation of preventing
thereby any hostile efforts of the nation. On the day before these
unfortunate Indians fell victims to the fury of the garrison, Elenipsico,
the son of Cornstalk, repaired to Point Pleasant for the purpose of
visiting his father, and on the next day, two men belonging to the
garrison, whose names were Hamilton and Gillmore, crossed the Kenhawa,
intending to hunt in the woods beyond it.--On their return from hunting,
some Indians who had come to view the position at the Point, concealed
themselves in the weeds near the mouth of the Kenhawa, and killed Gillmore
while endeavoring to pass them. Colonel Stewart and Captain Arbuckle were
standing on the opposite bank of the river, at that time and were
surprised that a gun had been fired so near the fort, in violation of
orders which had been issued inhibiting such an act. Hamilton ran down the
bank, and cried out that Gillmore was killed. Captain Hall commanded the
company to which Gillmore belonged. His men leaped into a canoe, and
hastened to the relief of Hamilton. They brought the body of Gillmore
weltering in blood, and the head scalped, across the river. The canoe had
scarcely reached the shore, when Hall's men cried out "Let us kill the
Indians in the fort." Captain Hall placed himself in front of his
soldiers, and they ascended the river's bank, pale with rage, and carrying
their loaded fire locks in their hands. Colonel Stewart and Captain
Arbuckle exerted themselves in vain, to dissuade these men, exasperated to
madness by the spectacle of Gillmore's corpse, from the cruel deed which
they contemplated. They cocked their guns, threatening those gentlemen
with instant death, if they did not desist, and rushed into the fort.

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