A Meeting Turned Deadly
In 1623, English soldiers held a meeting with the Powhatan Confederacy at a site near today’s West Point, Virginia. With a supposed offer of peace, they invited roughly 200 Powhatan leaders to share wine. Unbeknownst to the Powhatans, the English had poisoned the drink, intending to weaken the confederacy under the leadership of the powerful chief Opechancanough.
Colonial Strategy Unfolds
The English, led by Captain William Tucker, claimed to have come in peace. Tucker and his men used poisoned wine during a toast, reportedly resulting in mass casualties among the Powhatan leaders present. Following the poisoning, Tucker’s soldiers launched a surprise attack, killing and scalping 50 more Indigenous people.
Aftermath and Denial
When questioned, colonial officials in Virginia denied poisoning the wine, though records show that some officials considered it justified by prior hostilities. This incident marked a turning point, with colonial tactics against Indigenous people growing increasingly severe.
The Secret Poison Plot Against the Powhatan Confederacy 🍷
A Meeting Turned Deadly
In 1623, English soldiers held a meeting with the Powhatan Confederacy at a site near today’s West Point, Virginia. With a supposed offer of peace, they invited roughly 200 Powhatan leaders to… pic.twitter.com/z7lXrEJCoS— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) October 30, 2024