ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, June 22, 1996 TAG: 9606240037
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: SHAWSVILLE
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS
The site of a Colonial frontier stronghold here will be the scene of a ceremony Tuesday marking the 240th anniversary of a battle between settlers and Indians.
Re-enactors from the Explore Park in Roanoke County will conduct the event, part of the park's activities this weekend commemorating the French and Indian War battle at Fort Vause.
The Shawsville event will begin at 6:30 p.m. when the Explore re-enactors, dressed as 18th-century militia, gather at Shawsville High School. The group, accompanied by fife and drum, will then march along Oldtown Road to the Fort Vause historical marker at the village's western end.
At the marker a brief ceremony will be conducted at 7 p.m., with the militia firing a musket salute as a memorial wreath is placed.
Built around 1755 and named for its builder, Ephraim Vause, the outpost was "of very great importance," George Washington wrote.
On June 25, 1756, a force of more than 200 Shawnee Indians led by French military officers attacked the lightly defended fort and forced it to surrender.
A number of defenders were killed or wounded, and their wives and children were carried off into captivity. The log fort was burned to the ground.
A larger scale re-enactment of the Fort Vause incident will occur today and Sunday at the Explore Park.
The public is invited to attend the Shawsville march and ceremony.
ROBERT FREIS
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB