USA > Virginia > Augusta County > Augusta County > Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, with reminiscences illustrative of the vicissitudes of its pioneer settlers (A Supplement) > Part 16
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We may state that the rhetorical declaration about West Au- gusta, attributed to Washington, at a dark day during the war, is sheer fiction. What Washington said, in the simplest terms, was, that if driven to extremity, he would retreat to Augusta county, in Virginia, and there make a stand.
The State undertook to provide a navy, but the trouble was to obtain linen clotli for sails. Therefore, an act passed by the Legislature during its first session "in regard to the Virginia fleet," appointed Sampson Mathews and Alexander St. Clair, of Staunton, trustees, “.to erect at public expense and superintend a manufactory at such place as they shall think proper, for the
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making of sail duck," at a cost not exceeding one thousand pounds. We can imagine the reasons which induced the selec- tion of this region for the purpose mentioned. Staunton was regarded as a place not likely to be invaded by the enemy ; much flax was then and afterwards raised in the county; and there were many natives of the north of Ireland living here, who were skilled in weaving linen cloth. England having no rival indus- try, for a long time imposed no restriction upon the manufacture of flax and hemp in Ireland. The people of Ulster took advan- tage of their opportunity, and finally supplied sails for the whole British navy. The manufacture extended to England, however, and the Irish trade was thereupon crippled by a duty on sail cloth. This led to another flight of Ulster people to America a few years before the outbreak of the Revolution. We have found no other reference to the manufacture of sail cloth in this region.
The Legislature of 1776 passed an act repealing all acts of the British Parliament which made criminal the maintenance of any religious opinions, forbearing to attend church, or the exercise of any mode of worship. The act also exempted Dissenters from all levies, taxes, and impositions for the support of the "Estab- lished Church "-still so-called. But all Dissenters, as well as others, were required to contribute to the salaries of ministers and other parish dues, up to January 1, 1777. The vestries were to continue their care of the poor. Glebes, churches and chapels were to be kept for the use of the " Established Church," but all acts providing salaries for ministers were suspended.
At the meeting of the vestry of Augusta parish, in February, 1777, Mr. Jones, the rector, appeared by Robert McClanahan, his attorney. He was allowed {200 for the year 1776, and to February 1, 1777 ; but Mr. Balmaine, late curate, was to receive out of the said sum the balance due to him-£103, 10s. 1od. It was ordered that the collector pay to Robert McClanahan the remainder of the {200, he entering into bond to keep and main- tain Mr. Jones, and save the parish any expense on his account for three years. Very likely, before the three years expired, the aged rector had departed this life. We hear no more of him. The Glebe was turned over to the vestry to make what they could of it. William Bowyer and Alexander St. Clair were elected church wardens.
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At the beginning of the war, when the State first called for troops, the young and ardent men no doubt rushed into the army, and there was no difficulty in filling up the ranks. The officers were eager for military distinction, and others, not anticipating a protracted war, were anxious to participate in the frolic. As months and years rolled by, and the war still continued, the popu- lar enthusiasm evidently cooled down. It was one thing to march out and shoot at the British and return home " covered with glory," and a different thing entirely to be kept from home indefinitely, marching about or lolling in camp, exposed to the weather, badly clad, and nearly all the time without sufficient food. Many men who had courage and patriotism to serve a campaign, hesitated about voluntarily taking upon themselves the sufferings mentioned. But the casualties of war depleted the regiments in the field, and recruits were demanded. Volun- teers in sufficient number were not forthcoming, and drafting was resorted to.
The Legislature passed an act in May, 1777, "for completing the quota of troops to be raised in this Commonwealth for the Continental army." Any two militiamen procuring a recruit for three years, or the war, were exempted from draft and muster. To complete the six additional battalions already mentioned, drafting was ordered to be made on the 10th of August, unless the number of men required had previously enlisted.
At the session of the Legislature, which began in October, 1777, another act was passed " for recruiting the Virginia regi- ments on the Continental establishment, and for raising additional troops." It provided that Colonel George Gibson's battalion should continue in the Continental service in place of the Ninth Virginia regiment, which was captured at Germantown. It also provided for the speedy recruiting of the Virginia regiments in service, Augusta to furnish ninety-seven men by drafting, if a sufficient number of volunteers did not come forward. The drafting was to be made at the courthouse of each county on the second Monday in February, 1778, and only unmarried men were liable to be called out. Foote relates that a company of volun- teers was made up at this time in Rockbridge, of which the Rev. William Graham was elected captain, but which was not called into service. We are informed, however, that the statement is not entirely correct.
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The counties of Rockingham and Rockbridge were estab- lished by act of assembly passed at the session which began in October, 1777, the former being taken from Augusta, and the latter from Augusta and Botetourt. From that time till further reduced, Augusta consisted of her present territory, the county of Highland, and part of Bath.
The first session of the County Court of Rockbridge was held April 7, 1778, at the house of Samuel Wallace, the justices pre- siding being John Bowyer, Samuel McDowell, Charles Camp- bell, Samuel Lyle and Alexander Stuart. Other justices com- missioned were Archibald Alexander, Andrew Reid, John Trim - ble and John Gilmore. Andrew Reid being appointed clerk, was sworn in. A commission from Governor Patrick Henry, appointing Archibald Alexander sheriff of the county during pleasure, was produced, and the sheriff executed bond and took the oath of office. Other county officers who qualified were Samuel McDowell, colonel; John Gilmore, Sen., lieutenant-colonel; Alexander Stuart, major ; John Bowyer, lieutenant; and James McDowell, county surveyor. The surveyor was still appointed by the president and masters of William and Mary College.
The court sat April 18 and May 5, 1778, for the examination of Captain James Hall and Hugh Galbraith, " upon a charge of suspicion " of being guilty of the killing of Cornstalk and two other Indians in November, 1777, and they denying their guilt, and no one appearing against them, they were acquitted. On both occasions the sheriff made proclamation at the door of the courthouse for all persons who could give evidence in behalf of the commonwealth against the accused to come forward and testify, but of course no witness volunteered.
On the 14th of May the court sat for the trial of Mary Walker, wife of John Walker, who stood charged " with speaking words maintaining the power and authority of the King and Parlia- ment of Great Britain over the United States of America." A jury was impanneled, consisting of Henry McClung, William Ramsey, John and Samuel Caruthers, Hugh Barkley, William Paxton, and others, and after due trial the accused was pro- nounced guilty of the charge preferred. Thereupon it was con- sidered by the court " that she be committed to close gaol four days, and that the commonwealth recover against her fifteen pounds, ten shillings as damages," &c.
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No attorneys appear to have qualified to practice. in Rock- bridge County Court till August term, 1778, when Harry Innis and Andrew Moore were admitted to practice. At April court, 1782, Archibald Stuart was recommended to the Governor as "deputy attorney for the State."
The town of Lexington was legalized and named before it existed, or had a local habitation. The act of assembly, which established Rockbridge county, provided that "at the place, which shall be appointed for holding courts in the said county of Rockbridge, there shall be laid off a town to be called Lexing- ton, thirteen hundred feet in length and nine hundred in width." The act further provided for the condemnation of the land (only about twenty-seven acres), and payment for it out of the county levy. One acre was to be reserved for county buildings, and the residue sold by the justices.
Rockbridge was so called from the celebrated Natural Bridge, in the southeast part of the county, and Lexington after the town in Massachusetts, where the first battle of the Revolution occurred.
It is presumed that Rockingham county was named in honor of the Marquis of Rockingham, Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1765-'6. During his administration the Stamp Act was re- pealed by Parliament, which caused great rejoicing in America, and the Minister received more credit for the repeal than he' perhaps deserved.
The County Court of Rockingham held its first session April 27, 1778, at the house of Daniel Smith, which was two miles north of the site of Harrisonburg. The justices commissioned were Silas Hart, Daniel Smith, Abraham Smith, John Grattan, Josiah Davison, George Boswell, Thomas Hewitt, John Thomas, William Nalle, Robert Davis, Henry Ewing, William McDowell, Anthony Ryder, John Fitzwaters, and Isaac Hinckle.
Silas Hart was the first sheriff; Peter Hogg, the first clerk of the court, called in the proceedings "clerk of the peace of the county ;" and Thomas Lewis, the first county surveyor. The following military officers were nominated by the court to the Governor and Council for appointment: Abraham Smith, County-Lieutenant; Daniel Smith, Colonel; Benjamin Harri- son, Lieutenant-Colonel ; John Skidmore, Major. For some unexplained reason the last-named person was not appointed
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Major by the executive, but the office was conferred upon Wil- liam Nalle. John Grattan, John Thomas, and Daniel Smith, were appointed coroners. At May court, 1778, Gabriel Jones was appointed deputy-attorney for the commonwealth, with a salary of £40 a year.
We now take leave of Thomas Lewis, Gabriel Jones, Silas Hart, Peter Hogg, John Grattan, the Smiths, and others, as citizens of Augusta.
Thomas Harrison, of Rockingham, laid off fifty acres of his land in lots and streets, and the Legislature, in 1780, confirmed what he had done by establishing the town of Harrisonburg, without appointing trustees, as was usual.
We resume our narrative of events during the Revolution.
Still more soldiers in the field were needed. Therefore, the Legislature, in May, 1778, passed an act "for raising volunteers to join the Grand Army." A bounty of $30, and a complete suit of regimentals. were promised to every soldier volunteering before August ist to serve till January 1, 1779. To Augusta was assigned a captain, lieutenant and ensign; the captain to enlist twenty-four men; the lieutenant, sixteen, and the ensign, ten, making a company of fifty.
The vestry of Augusta parish held a meeting May 21, 1778, but transacted no business except in regard to the poor. Dr. John Jackson was then practicing medicine in the parish.
The court-martial of the county sat for a number of days in succession in October, 1778, Colonel Sampson Mathews presid- ing. George Moffett was then a colonel also, and a member of the court.
On October 21, sundry persons were reported to the court "as delinquents for not going out when drafted, August 25, 1777," and at other times.
The next day John Bratton, a soldier of Captain Thompson's company, was tried "for deserting from the detachment of militia of this county commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Bowyer, on their march to Fort Pitt to join General McEntosh," but was acquitted, and on account of bodily infirmity, exempted from military duty.
On the 23d of October, "William McCutchen, of Captain Samuel Mccutchen's company, returned for not appearing at the place of rendezvous, 15th September, 1778, to join the said
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company on the expedition commanded by General McEntosh, and for opposing Lieutenant James Buchanan and his guard by force of arms," was duly tried. It was ordered that the accused be fined twenty shillings and imprisoned twenty days.
The following day, it appearing that Sergeant John Barrett, of Captain Laird's company, Tenth Virginia regiment, had hired Campbell McCawly as a substitute, and that Colonel John Green, of the Tenth, had refused to receive the latter ; Barrett and Mc- Cawly being brought before the court, and Captain Laird testify- ing that McCawly had " used some deceit" to induce Colonel Green to reject him, it was ordered that Barrett having "sore legs," and McCawly being fit for service, the latter should return to camp and be accepted in place of the former.
At the same term the court ordered that arms be furnished to various captains for members of their companies too poor to supply themselves.
In October, 1778, the Legislature passed an act for recruiting the Virginia regiments, requiring each county, except Illinois, to furnish the one twenty-fifth man of its militia by May 1, 1779, to serve for three years, or during the war. An act of May, 1779, reciting that the former act had not "produced the end pro- posed," ordered that the " one twenty-fifth man of the militia" be drafted for eighteen months.
By another act passed at the same session, a part of Augusta county was added to Monongalia.
At a court-martial, held April 15, 1779, Lieutenant-Colonel William Bowyer was fined {10 for not attending the court.
On the 17th John Woods, of Captain Simpson's company, "returned at the last court for deserting from his command when he was a substitute for Robert Wallace, who was drafted in Cap- tain Bell's company, on the head of Greenbrier, about the last of September," was fined £4, and ordered to be imprisoned thirty days.
The storming of Stony Point occurred July 15-16, 1779. This famous incident of the war has a place here, because a com- pany of Augusta soldiers participated in it. General Wayne commanded, on the Hudson river, New York, a brigade of four regiments, one of which was from Virginia. The field officers of this regiment were Colonel Febiger, Lieutenant-Colonel
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Fleury, and Major Posey.32 One of the companies of the Vir- ginia regiment was commanded by Captain Robert Gamble, of Augusta.
Stony Point is a hill which projects into the Hudson, a few miles below West Point. The Americans had occupied and par- tially fortified it, but retired before an overwhelming force of the enemy. The hill was then strongly fortified by the British, and garrisoned by about 600 men.
During the summer of 1779, Washington planned the capture of the place, and entrusted the execution of the scheme to Mad Anthony Wayne. Twelve hundred chosen men, led by Wayne, marched in single file over mountains and through morasses, starting after dark the evening of July 15. They depended on the bayonet alone, and not a gun was fired by them. The assault was made before daylight, on the 16th. The Americans were divided into two columns, for simultaneous attack on oppo- site sides of the works. One hundred and fifty volunteers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Fleury, seconded by Major Posey, formed the van-guard of the right, and one hundred under Major Stew- art, the van-guard of the left. In advance of each was a forlorn hope of twenty men, one led by Lieutenant Knox, and the other by Lieutenant Gibbon of the Virginia regiment. It was the des- perate duty of these men to remove the abatis and other obstruc. tions. Of the party led by Gibbon, seventeen were killed or wounded. The Americans were close upon the works before they were discovered. The British pickets then opened fire, and aroused the garrison. The assailants rushed forward, heed- less of musketry and grape-shot, using the bayonet with deadly effect. According to the account given by Irving, in his Life of Washington, Colonel Fleury was the first to enter the fort and strike the British flag, and Major Posey sprang to the ramparts
32 Colonel Christian Febiger was a native of Sweden. He went with Arnold to Quebec, and was conspicuous at Stony Point and Yorktown. After the war, from 1789 till his death in 1796, he was treasurer of Penn . sylvania. Chevalier and Viscount Louis de Fleury, Lieutenant-Colonel, was a Frenchman, and a Marshal of France at the time of his death. He received the thanks of Congress and a silver medal for his conduct at Stony Point. Major Thomas Posey was subsequently known as Gen- eral Posey, of Spotsylvania county, Virginia.
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and shouted, "The fort is our own." They were instantly joined by Major Stewart. General Wayne, who led the right column, was wounded in the head, but insisted upon being carried into the fort, to die there; but soon recovered. The loss of the Americans was fifteen killed, and eighty-three wounded. Of the British, sixty-three were slain, and five hundred and fifty-three were taken prisoners.
General Charles Lee declared the storming of Stony Point the most brilliant achievement he was acquainted with in history. The part in the affair which Captain Gamble is said to have acted is related in a biographical sketch at the end of this chapter.
To Dr. Cary B. Gamble, of Baltimore, we are indebted for a list of the men led by Captain Gamble at Stony Point, who were, it seems, detailed from the Seventh and Eighth Virginia regi- ments. The paper is headed : " A return of the men of Captain Gamble's company when Stony Point was taken from the enemy, 15th July, 1779," and is certified at the end by "Robert Gamble, captain, Colonel Fibeger's Regiment." The names of the officers and men are as follows :
Robert Gamble, captain ; David Williams, lieutenant; James Flauherty, sergeant-major ; William Spencer, George Goimes and Richard Piles, sergeants ; Randolph Death (sic), Samuel Glen and Jesse Page, corporals ; John Farrell, drummer.
The privates from the Seventh regiment were: Joshua Hay- craft, Mathias Martin, Alexander Dresdal, John Malvin, Peter Sheridan, Joseph Fox, Daniel Burcher, Thomas Roberts, Sylves- ter Hurly, William Gibbs, William Hinds, Daniel Rich, Aaron Redmond, Thomas Miller, William Campbell, Moses Plain, Peter Barret, Alexander Strickling and Charles Steward.
From the Eighth regiment : George Ward, John Bray, James Ball, Henry Denny, Henry Normand, Jacob Roads, William Mc- Collum, Henry Denny (two of this name), John Trotter, George Sell, Michael Moore, James L. Masters, Richard Barlow, Stephen Smythers, John Bland, Marshall Burton, Peter Warren, John O'Harroh, Patrick Lyons, William Steward and John Hanson.
The captured property was sold or appraised, and the pro- ceeds, or valuation, distributed to the officers and men, the share of Captain Gamble's company being $4,7511/3.
A fragment of the order book of Captain Gamble's company, while serving under Wayne on the Hudson, subsequent to the
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storming of Stony Point, has been preserved and has come into our hands.33 Much of it is illegible, the writing having faded out, and some of the sheets are mutilated. It was probably kept by the orderly sergeant of the company, who was an indifferent penman and worse scholar. How he made so many mistakes in merely copying orders, &c., is a mystery. But such as it is, it gives us a rare view of camp life during the Revolution, and we offer no apology for the extracts we shall inake.
The first legible order-the date of which has disappeared, but it was some day in August, 1779-is as follows : " Colonels Meggs and Butler, and Majors Hull and Murphy, will attend at head- quarters this afternoon, at five o'clock, to receive their divident of money arising from the sale of the plunder taken in storming Stony Point July 15th, '79."
At a court-martial held August 24th, whereof Colonel Putnam was president, Lieutenant Smith, of Putnam's regiment, was tried upon the charge of taking several articles of plunder from a sol- dier "the night of the storm of Stony Point," and acquitted.
Lieutenant Manyard, of the Massachusetts regiment, was tried by court-martial, August 30, on charges preferred by Lieutenant- Colonel Fleury of disobedience to orders, want of respect to a field officer, and hindering him from visiting the night-guard. Manyard was the officer on duty, and detained Fleury a prisoner all night. The court found him guilty, and sentenced him to be privately reprimanded by the General. Thereupon, Manyard preferred charges against Fleury of ungentlemanly behavior, and abusing him when on duty. A majority of the court thought Fleury guilty, but in view of the provocation he had received, and the punishment of his arrest, the case was dismissed.
The General next issued an order, expressing his dissatisfac- tion at the wrangling amongst the officers, and the frequent arrests " in a corps that has acquired so much glory, as to be- come not only the admiration but the envy of many," and ex- horting the officers to cultivate harmony amongst themselves.
A regimental order, of September 1, sets forth that "the drummers and fifers, instead of improving themselves since they have been on this detachment, have grone a great deal wors," and directs that Philip Goaf, fifer in the First battalion, and Wil-
33 Through the kindness of William H. Gamble, Esq.
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liam Armstead, drummer of the Second, take out the drums and fifes of the regiment every afternoon, Sundays and rainy days excepted, to practice from 4 to 6 o'clock.
Captain Gamble was officer of the day, September 2d.
John Bowling and John Malvin were tried for disobedience to orders, absence from roll-call, and drunkenness, found guilty, and sentenced to receive fifty lashes each, but, in consideration of the former good character of the men, the colonel remitted the penalty. Thomas Roberts was sentenced to receive fifty lashes for absence from roll-call, and one hundred for stealing. The colonel thought one hundred enough for both offences, but ordered that they be " well laid on." James Black, a soldier of Captain Montgomery's company, Virginia regiment, was sen- tenced to receive fifty lashes on his bare back for stealing a ham of bacon, Major Posey commanding approving the sentence, and ordering it "to be put in execution at Retreat beating." Alas ! alas ! the heroes of Stony Point !- the patriots of the Revolution !
By a general court-martial, held September 5, William Mal- lock, of Captain Talbert's company, Colonel Butler's regiment, was convicted of several offences, including "attempting to go to the enemy," and sentenced to suffer death. General Wayne approved the sentence, and ordered Mallock to be shot to death at 6 o'clock the same evening, "the whole of the troops to assem- ble at that hour on the grand parade and attend the execution."
On the 12th of September the General ordered that the men should be kept in camp, as a movement might be made at any moment. A standing order, which was often repeated, required the men to keep on hand two days' rations ready cooked.
Captain Gamble was officer of the day again on the 14th of September.
The following appears under date of September 18, written by Captain Gamble himself in a beautiful hand : "William Askins, of my company, is appointed a Corporal, and is to be obeyed and respected as such." Signed : " R. Gamble, Captain First regiment light infantry."
Captain Gamble was president of a regimental court-martial, held September 19th. Little else appears to have been done, except to hold courts for the trial of officers as well as private soldiers.
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On the 24th of September, the command being near Fort Montgomery, a ship, one or two galleys, and some boats ap- peared in view, and the. General ordered that every officer and soldier should hold himself ready for action "in case any attempt should be made by the enemy, which is rather more wished than expected."
By a general order of September 29th the men are rebuked for their unsoldier-like appearance, and to remove any pretext for it the quartermasters are instructed to "call on Mr. Thomas, each for four pounds of sewing-thread and four hundred needles and immediately distribute them among the companies of their respective regiments."
A regimental order, on September 30, directed that return be made of the barefooted men "in a column by themselves." The Colonel further expressed his astonishment and sorrow that the men, "instead of taking a pride in keeping themselves clean and neat, are daily decreasing in this very necessary point, ap pearing on the parade durty and slovenny, with their caps laped and sloughed about their ears."
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