Dunmore's War - 250 Years Class 2: Last Indian Conflict of the Colonial Era

July 25, 2024
7:00pm - 8:30pm

July 25, Class 2: Lord Dunmore's War: Last Indian Conflict of the Colonial Era   

This presentation explains the causes and conduct of the last Indian War before the start of the American War for Independence. Set during what some would call the "Quiet Time," many historians pay it little attention or misinterpret its historical significance. However, John Murray, fourth Earl of Dunmore, the last royal governor of Virginia, led the colony's soldiers "in his majesty's service" in a defensive war that culminated in a successful offensive military expedition. Set against the backdrop of the deepening constitutional crisis that soon spun out of control, the campaign's decisive battle was fought as delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies met at Philadelphia in the First Continental Congress. Although the victorious Lord Dunmore returned to Williamsburg in triumph and at the height of his popularity in December 1774, before another year ended he would be vilified by Virginians and flee his capital. At the conclusion, participants will learn that Revolution was not necessarily inevitable in 1774 Virginia. Furthermore, Dunmore's War had a surprising beneficial effect that favored the Americans in the early years of the Revolutionary War. It will also dispel many "myths", about Virginia's colonial militia before the Revolution. The information is based on research for Lord Dunmore's War: the Last Conflict of America's Colonial Era (Westholme, 2017). See: http://www.westholmepublishing.com/dunmores-war.php   

Glenn F. Williams is a historian at the U.S. Army Center of Military History, Fort McNair, Washington, DC. He has served as the historian of the National Museum of the U.S. Army Project, the Army Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration, and the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program. He is the author of a number of books and articles, including the award-winning Year of the Hangman: George Washington’s Campaign against the Iroquois. He holds a PhD in history from the University of Maryland.