NEW LONDON, Va. — On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19, the Friends of New London and the VA 250th Campbell County Committee are hosting New London Days and a 250th anniversary commemoration of the Oct. 10, 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant. The event will be held on both days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 672 Alum Springs Road., Forest. Follow signs for parking.

There will be a Revolutionary War encampment by members of the Fincastle County Militia, including descendants of veterans of Point Pleasant portraying their ancestors. Isaac Owen will portray Ensign Jonathan Cundiff; Reve Carwile, Jr. will portray Sgt. John Fields. Others include Col. Charles Lynch and Col. James Callaway. There were 52 men in Capt. Buford's Bedford County company. Bedford County men in Botetourt and other companies included John Arthur, Dudley Callaway, John Teass and William Teass.

Friday events include a plaque presentation by the Callaway Family Association, and Rev War marker services at the Stevens family cemetery and the Callaway - Steptoe family cemetery. There will be crafters, music, archeology exhibits, an author book signing table and tables and tents for the Friends of New London, Bedford County Museum, Avoca Museum, Callaway Family Association, Sons of American Revolution, Daughters of American Revolution, Virginia Canals and Navigation Society, and others.

Saturday events include the above, as well as tours of the 1763 Mead's Tavern, the former Bedford Alum Springs Hotel, the African American church, former Driskill's Store, and archeology sites of the New London arsenal (in operation 1775-1812) and John Hook's store. Also see an antique car show, petting zoo, crafters, music groups, and food trucks.

Bedford County militia assembled at New London, the county seat, then joined with other Virginia companies marching to Point Pleasant, where the Kanawha River joins the Ohio River, in what was known as Lord Dunmore's War. Here the Virginia forces defeated Shawnees led by Chief Cornstalk.

Anyone who is a descendant of a Bedford County soldier or of a veteran of the companies from Botetourt, Fincastle, or Augusta Co's and would like to participate, email Reve Carwile, Jr. at RevelyBJr@aol.com.

This is also in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.

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