USA > Virginia > A history of the valley of Virginia, 3rd ed > Part 39
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We have another tradition in this neighborhood in relation to this great man. It is stated that when he was retreating before the British army in New Jersey, he at once expressed to some of his officers his determination, if he was still pursued, and unable to make a stand, to continue his retreat until he reached Powell's Fort, which he would fortify and defy all their forces. * This tradition
* Powell's Fort is in fact a natural fortress. The mountains on each side are of immense hight, and covered with loose stone ; at the entrance, they come so close together that a few hundred men placed on the heights could destroy ten times their number, by hurling stone down on the enemy. If
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was communicated to the author by a highly respectable gentleman of this vicinity.
There was another tradition related to the author by an old lady, Mrs. Elizabeth Mason, on Roanoke River, of great respectability. She stated the following fact : Several old Indian chiefs had offered considerable premiums to any warrior or set of warriors, who would bring out Washington's scalp. Seven Indians who were living in the neighborhood of Roanoke, got to hear that Washington was on his way out to inspect the Fort very near the Roanoke River. There were two roads leading to the Fort; one across the point of the mountain, and the other on level land. The one across the moun- tain was the shorter way; the other on the level land the better. The seven Indians placed themselves in ambush close to the side of level road, and lay concealed two days and nights ; but Washington did not pass. They grew impatient, and their chief, the third day, stated that he would go to the other road and ascertain whether Washington had taken that route to the Fort, the two roads being only one mile apart. He gave his men positive orders not to fire at any person that might pass in his absence. While he was gone, Col. Washington, Col. Lewis and Col. Preston, all three passed close by the enemy without being molested.
Another tradition informs us that Lord Fairfax appointed Wash- ington one of his surveyors. He boarded with Capt. Charles Smith, within half a mile of Battletown. He kept his office in an upper room in the spring house. This small log building is on the farm owned by John B. Taylor, Esq., the only son of the late Col. Grif- fin Taylor, now in Clarke county.
THE INDIAN CHURCH.
This is said to be a most grand work of nature. It is a spaci- ous and beautiful cavern, in a high rock, about four miles west of Watkins' Ferry, on the Virginia side of the Cohongoruton (Poto- mac). It is a circular dome of considerable height, with a most ex- traordinary spiral opening in the arch, resembling the steeple of a church. Seats are formed all around the interior ; the inlet is by a large door. Tradition inforins us that the Indians, when in posses- sion of the country, used to assemble in considerable numbers in this place. For what particular object is not known ; but it is probable they used it as a place of worship, or for holding their councils.
PROSPECT ROCK.
This splendid work of nature is in the county of Morgan, about
the enemy had attempted by a counter route to enter the Fort, a few hun- dred active and brave riflemen, from the mountainous character of the coun - try, conld cut to pieces an army of almost any force.
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three miles S. W. of Bath, immediately on the bank of Capon River. It is certainly not less than one thousand feet perpendicular height. Capon River viewed from this immense height presents to the eye a most curious and interesting sight. The River running to consider- able distance to the west, makes a gradual turn around a point of level land, thence returning an easterly course to the base of the mountain, enclosing some two or three hundred acres of fine, fertile, alluvial land, constituting a most valuable farm. 'The River viewed from this rock appears to the eye not to exceed fifteen or twenty feet in width, and forms, as it were, the shape of a horse shoe. It is at this place, not less than fifty or sixty yards in width. The two points of the water are but a few poles apart at the base of the mountain. There is an extensive view of the valley up the River ; some say fifteen miles. The top of the Alleghany mountain can be distinctly seen from it.
NEW CREEK GAP.
This is seen in the County of Hardy, about twenty miles S. W. of Romney, and is too, a most tremendous work of nature. The author viewed this place with considerable awe and tripidation1. The passage is quite narrow, between two mountains of stupendous height, probably from fifteen hundred to two thousand feet high. The points of the mountains are covered with numerous rocks, and appears to be hanging over the travelers head. Through this pas- sage is a fine, lively stream of water, which, after leaving the moun- tian, forms Patterson's Creek. At the west side of the mountain there are two streams, one from the south and the other from the north, which meet at the gap and unite their waters, and run through the gap directly an east course. About midway the gap is seen what is called the "spouting spring." This spring, it is said, is formed by a stream of water which runs to the northern base of the mountain, and has formed a subterraneous passway under the mountain, and bursts out in a large spring in the gap. Near the eastern termination of the gap, nature has formed a natural dam of solid rock, quite across the cavity, twenty-five or thirty feet high. By the aid of this dam, Messrs. Harness & Turley convey the water to their iron works on Patterson's Creek.
A LARGE CAVE IN BERKELEY COUNTY.
Near the mouth of the Opequon, in the County of Berkeley, exists a large cave. In the year 1813, a man named , called in the evening at old Mrs. Furman's, staid till next morning, and after breakfast, told the lady he would go;into the cave and'examine it, in order to ascertain whether he could or not obtain saltpetre clay, for the making of powder. The old lady furnished him with candles, and he left her house alone, promising to return in the evening. He
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entered the cave, and was not seen or heard of that day. The second day passed over, and no tidings was heard of him. The old lady grew uneasy, apprehended he had lost himself in the cave, and would perhaps perish. The third day his absence continued, and the old lady proposed to two of her grown sons and another young man who happened to be at her house, to go in search of him. They at first objected, suggesting it was probable he had gone down the Potomac in some of the trading boats to Georgetown. She de- clared if they would not go, she would go herself and make the search. The young men then agreed to go, furnished themselves with sufficient lights, and forthwith proceeded to make search. They had not proceeded far before they found the poor fellow's hat, which satisfied them that he was in the cave. They continued the search and at length found him in a most perilous and distressing condi- tion. He stated to them, that he had not proceeded far into the cave before his candle, by accident, became extinguished, and he was left in more than "Egyptian darkness." The second day he became distressed with thirst, but could fine no water. He con- tinued scrambling in the cave, in the hope of getting out, but instead of finding the entrance, got farther from it. At length he heard the dropping of water, and groping his way, he found the water was dropping into a deep cavern. He contrived to get into the cavity, and after reaching the bottom, the only chance he had to get the water into his mouth, was by laying himself down on his back, and letting the water drop into it. But after his thirst was assuaged, he could not get out of the sink, and he had given out all hope of relief, and reconciled himself to his fate, expecting to die in a very little time.
The young men, in searching for him, frequently called aloud ; he could hear them, but was so exhausted and weakened, that he could not make himself heard by them until they approached very near his place of seclusion. They succeded in raising him out of his confinement ; he soon recovered his strength, and lived some fifteen or eighteen years after this perilous experiment.
There is an amusing tradition related in connection with this cavern. An old German, by the name of Bidinger, had ascertained that by building a fire in the mouth of the cave, the smoke would ascend and pass out at the small aperature in the rocks on the top of the hill, about three hundred yards from the entrance. This shrewd old man persuaded several young men that he could raise ord Nick out of the cave, and invited them in the morning to go with him, and see his experiment. He directed a negro man to go to the mouth of the cave and raise a large pine fire. The old gentleman had ascertained about what time it would take for the smoke to show at the top of the hill ; they assembled near the aperature, and he engaged in many incantations and juglings whilst watching for the smoke to appear. The young men waited with trepidation and fear. When the smoke burst out, the old man exclaimed, "See,
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there he comes ! See his smoke !" It was enough for the young men ; they saw the devil's smoke, and precipitately took to flight, leaving the old gentleman to make the best terms he could with his satanic majesty.
There is a most extraordinary cave a short distance from Shep- herdstown. The Rev. Mr. Hill informed the author, that he once explored this cavern about one mile ; it passes under the Potomac River, and reaching into the State of Maryland, contains a great variety of stalactite formations and beautiful curiosities.
HOUSE CAVE.
This cave is on Apple Ridge, in the County of - -. It is remarkable for its vast depth and has a pretty good room near its entrance. It is said this cave is not less than six hundred feet deep. At its termination a most delightful stream of cold water runs across its bottom. The author, several years ago, visited this place, and partially explored it; descending about one hundred feet into it. Two young men descended about one hundred feet below where the author stopped.
In the County of Frederick exists a cave, on the land now owned by Dr. Walker M. Hite, near the waters of Cedar Creek. It is not so remarkable for its size as for its production of natural curi- osities. Several years ago the author explored this cavern, but had abundant cause to regret his undertaking. He became so exces- sively fatigued that it was with great difficulty he was enabled to get out. He was reminded of an anecdote of a Dutch woman : Two men in the County of Shenandoah had missed their way in the night and got into the enclosure of a farmer, found the house, and asked the way out. The woman of the house replied, "So you come in so you can got out acain." There are several other caves the author has heard of, but has not seen. There is one on the land of George F. Hupp, Esq., the former residence of Mr. Joseph Stover, near Strasburg. This is said to be pretty extensive, and contains much stalactite matter.
On the land of Mr. Israel Allen, in the County of Shenandoah, exists a most valuable cavity, forming one of the finest dairies the author has ever seen. At the early settlement of the country, it was discovered that a small cavity in the rocks, on a pretty high hill, led to a charming stream of delightful water. But it was at- tended with some difficulty to descend and ascend the aperature to get water. Mr. Allen built a handsome brick dwelling near the mouth of the cavity, then dug a well so as to strike the stream of water. At the depth of thirty-two feet below the surface, he came upon a bed of black alluvian mud, in removing which he found a very large human skeleton, which was greatly above the common size of the human frame. Mr. Allen himself was rather upwards of six feet high ; he stated that he placed one of the leg bones and
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measured it by his own leg. It was between two and three inches longer than his own leg. From this data, is is probable the indivi- dual owner of this skeleton was little under, if not full eight feet high. Mr. Allen opened and improved the mouth of the cavern, and constructed one among the most valuable places for preserving milk, butter and fresh meats, in our country. The aperature from the milk house to the water is still open, and in warm weather dis- charges a constant current of cool air into the dairy, and keeps it perfectly cool. In winter the current of air is tipid and protects everything in the dairy from freezing.
HARRISON'S CAVE.
In the County of Rockingham, on the land of Mr. Har- rison, on the turnpike road leading from Winchester to Staunton, is to be seen a most beautiful cave, seven miles north of Harrisonburg, the seat of justice for the county. Mr. Harrison has improved the entrance in the cave with steps, so that it is very convenient to enter it. This cave, which the author explored, presents several most interesting works of nature. Near the center, a splendid column of about twenty-five feet high, stalactite formation, stands as if designed to support the arch. Pretty near this column is set- ting the bust of a very large old woman, covered over with beauti- ful white drapery, in numerous folds ; the walls generally covered stalactite formations, several of which have a strong resemblance to pipes of an organ. The whole length does not exceed three hun- dred yards. The floor is pretty level, and convenient to walk upon. It is generally above twenty-five feet higli from the floor to the arch, and thirty-five or forty wide. The author heard of several other caves in Rockingham, but did not visit them.
At the head of the South Branch a man by the name of Ruth- ledge, was shot through the body by an Indian ; the ball penetrated the left breast and passed out within an inch of the spine. This man recovered and lived many years after. There were two female children, daughters of John Moore, taken by the Indians and grew up with them. The elder had two children by a white trader ; the younger became the wife of the distinguished war chief Blue Jacket. She left an Indian son with his father, was enceinte, when brought home, and brought forth a daughter, who grew up and married a man by the name of John Stuart. Her father, Blue Jacket, secured her a tract of land on the waters of Lake Erie, to which Stuart re- moved and settled.
Two of John Cartmell's daughters were taken by the Indians and remained with them several years. Their brother went to the Indian country, obtained their release and brought them home.
James Stuart was shot while crossing the Greenbrier River,
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reached the opposite shore, and died immediately. Several others were killed the same summer, whose names are not recollected.
A few years ago, there was found on the banks of Greenbrier River, in the cavity of a rock, a very large human skeleton, his bow and arrows, mat and tomahawk, and a deerskin was deposited with the body at the time of its burial ; it was about ten feet below the surface.
Human skeletons have been frequently discovered on the mar- gin of the water courses. About thirty years ago, Samuel McDon- ald discovered a human skull on the bank of the Cowpasture River. It was remarkable for its great size and thickness, had a visible mark of a tomahawk wound on it, supposed to be head of a giant- like warrior. A walnut tree of immense size, which grew on the bank of the Cowpasture River, was blown down in a violent gale of wind, and a number of human bones were discovered in the cavity. The author was informed that the body of this tree was not less than six or seven feet in diameter. If so, it must have grown over the bodies after they were buried, it was probably several hundred years old.
But to return to this digression. Mrs. Sarah Erskine, in her eighty-fourth year, was first married to John Pauly, they were remov- ing to Kentucky, and on the 23d of September, 1779, on the east branch of New River, they were attacked by a party of five Shaw- nee Indians and a white man by the name of Morgan. Mr. Pauly was killed, and his little child, about two years old, had its brains dashed out against a tree and left a prey to wild beasts. This ven- erable and highly intelligent lady was once while a prisoner threat- ened with the most horrid destruction. An old chief who had a favorite son killed in a battle in Kentucky, had determined to re- venge his son's death on her little son, who was born a few months after captivity, and two young prisoners, Calway and Hoy. The old savage monster had determined to enclose them all in Mrs. Erskine's house and set fire to it. But Col. McKee, the British agent, successfully interposed ; he called on Mrs. Erskine and told her not to be alarmed ; that if he could not restrain the violence of the old monster, he would immediately convey her off to Detroit; but from the friendly interposition of Mr. McKee, a majority of the Indians became opposed to the violent and vindictive revenge of the old savage. She was upwards of three years a prisoner. Her son, young Pauly, she brought home with her ; he grew up, went west, became Secretary to the great Missouri Fur Company, and was killed while engaged in that business. Mr. John Higgins came out to the Shawnee towns and redeemed and aided her in get- ting home to her friends.
There was a brother of Mr. John Pauly, also a married man, with his wife and one child, on his way to Kentucky. He was killed at the same time, his infant killed and his wife taken prisoner. She was taken to the Shawnee town, was claimed by two squaws,
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and taken to Detroit and sold, from whence she escaped, but never got home to her friends.
Mrs. Erskine stated to the author, that she did work for the men, making their garments ; that one particular occasion a warrior called on her to make him a calico shirt ; the fellow informed her that he had lately returned from a trip to the neighborhood of the Sweet Springs, in quest of a box of red paint. * He obtained his paint, and returning, he passed the house of a farmer, who left his shot-pouch and powder horn hanging to the corner of his corn- house. The Indian took off the pouch and horn, and left his own Buffalo horn, with a little powder, in place of it. He observed to Mrs. Erskine, that " it was an even exchange, no robbery." But if the owner had happened to discover the exchange at the moment, it is highly probable the fellow might have paid for liis even exchange with his life.
Mrs. Erskine said that the Shawnee women, from the number of white persons taken among them, had greatly improved in their domestic arrangements, and several of them had become pretty good housekeepers.
Mrs. Erskine resided in Greenbrier county, near Lewisburg. The author met with her at her son's in Lewisburg, who is a highly respectable merchant of that place.
Tradition relates that the Sweet Springs was discovered by a man who was passing near the Spring. A colt, which was follow- ing the horse he was riding, was bitten by a rattlesnake, when it immediately ran into the spring, where it continued for some time, nor could it be induced to come out until it had been entirely relieved from the pain occasioned by the wound. ¡ The man examined the water and found that it possessed some valuable medicinal quality.
A man by the name of Robert Armstrong, in those troublesome times had removed his family across the mountain to a place of safety. He was on a visit to his family, accompanied by a young man. Seven Indians approached his house, and were in the yard before discovered. Armstrong told the young to jump into bed and threw a blanket over him. The Indians pushed into the house, and Armstrong went to the bed, raised the blanket, and asked the man it he was better. He replied in the negative. An Indian immedi- ately asked, "Man very sick." "Yes, small pox, very bad." They cried "Wough," and ran off, crying as they ran, "Small pox ! Small pox !" as far as they could be heard. It is said the Indians are dreadfully afraid of this disorder. Armstrong, by this stratagem, saved himself and property from being touched by the enemy.
* It was stated to the author, when in that section of country, that there is a considerable bank of beautiful red paint in Peter's Mountain, five or six miles from the spring.
+ Dr. Lewis, the present proprietor, informed the author that he had had a favorite dog bitten by a rattlesnake ; he immersed him in the spring, and it entirely cured him of the bite.
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In the year 1774, in the month of June, there were four white families settled on the head waters of Greenbrier and apprehensive of danger, removed their families into the settlement where they were safe. A man by the name of John Johnson came in, and stated he had seen fresh signs of Indians. The late Col. John Dickinson, a brave and active Indian fighter, raised a party of twenty-seven men, and marched out ; but it was two or three days before they found any traces of Indians. They went to Jacob Riffle's house, found the beds totally cut open, and the feathers scattered to the winds. The Indians had kept themselves so completely concealed, that they could not be discovered ; yet they contrived to kill one of Dickinson's men, named Malone, and wounded Robert McClay. Col. Dickin- son was himself pretty severely wounded at the battle of the Point, in the year 1774, under Col. Lewis. The ball penetrated high up his shoulder and came out very near his spine. Yet he soon re- covered, suffering but little from the wound. The Indians, after a few days lurking about, and discovering Dickinson's party to be too strong for them, fled. It is said there were only three Indians in the party.
The warrant of Mr. Joseph Maye's land was issued in 1743, surveyed in 1746, patent or grant issued in 1761. Joseph Maye, Esq., at about twelve years of age was taken prisoner by a part of Indians ; but was rescued by his friends after five days of captivity, and brought safely home. This venerable and intelligent man was wounded at the battle of the Point. He was at the time preparing to shoot the Indian that wounded him, who was standing behind a tree that was rather small to protect him. It had a crook in the body, below which Mr. Maye attempted to fire at him, for which purpose he bent his right knee and stooped a little ; but the fellow was too quick for him, fired at him and struck him very near the cap of the knee. The ball ranged down the bones of his leg, shiv- ering them pretty much. He was not able to walk for three years . afterwards. He, however, so far recovered as to be able to use his leg about twenty years or upwards ; but it frequently would inflame and break out, and he was finally compelled to have it amputated above the knee. When the author saw this highly respectable old gentleman, he was eighty-four years of age, and appeared to enjoy fine healthı.
A story was told to the writer, of rather singular and extraor- dinary character. Seven Indians were lurking about one of the Forts. A young woman had walked out, perhaps in search of wild fruit. The seven Indians seized her and took her off. They pro- ceeded a few miles, and halted for the purpose of terrifying and tor- menting the unfortunate girl. They stripped her, tied her hands above her head to a sapling, and threw their tomahawks at her, try- ing how near they could pass their instruments by her body without wounding her. A bold and enterprising hunter happened to be within hearing of her screams, and ran to see what produced the
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poor girl's terrors. As he approached he discovered the scene, and with his rifle killed one of the party ; the other six fled, and the hunter ran to the relief of the unfortunate suffer, instantly cut the bandage from her hands, threw his hunting shirt around her, and directed her to run to the Fort, and he instantly reloaded his rifle and followed her. The remaining Indians, discovering there was but one man, gave chase. The hunter discovering this, slackened his pace, and as they approached pretty near him, brought another down. He was master of the art of loading as he ran. The remaining five continued the clase until this brave and skillful marks- man brought another down. The others continued the pursuit until the whole number was killed. The author can not vouch for the truth of this story, but has given it as he heard it related by several respectable individuals ; the reader can take it for what it is worth.
George Kencade was killed, and his wife and four children taken off. An old Indian, soon after her arrival at the village, pro- posed to marry her, but she promptly refused the offer. The savage monster threatened to burn her. A Frenchman told her if she would consent to marry him, he would take her off. She consented to his offer, and he soon took her to Redstone, and married her. This Frenchman kept a little store in the Indian village. Paul Leash was the name of this Frenchman.
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