USA > Virginia > Historical collections of Virginia : containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities ; together with geographical and statistical descriptions ; to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia. > Part 55
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Mr. Monroe was wise and fortunate in the selection of his ministers. He went fur- ther than either of his two immediate predecessors, in maintaining the necessity of an othcient general government, and in strengthening every army of the national defence. He encouraged the armny, increased the navy, and caused those foreign naval expeditions to be sent out to the West Indies, the Mediterranean, the coast of Africa, and the shores of South America, which have given instruction to our officers, augmented our seamen, protected the national commerce, and caused the country to be universally respected by distant nations. He ordered the principal headlands, and exposed points along our bor- ders and sea-coasts, to be accurately surveyed, plans of fortifications drawn; and the re- ports made up with a view to the ultimate complete defence of the frontiers of the Uni- ted States, both on the land and sea-side. He directed inquiries, surveys, and plans, as to the most suitable sites for the northern and southern naval depots for the repair and accommodation of our flects, in time of war and peace. 'The cession of Florida, by Spain, to the United States, was effected during his administration. It was during his administration, that the emancipated Spanish and Portuguese colonies were formally re- cognised by the United States. He assumed high constitutional ground in favor of in- ternal improvement and the United States Bank. He was mainly instrumental in pro. moting the pension law for the relief of indigent revolutionary soldiers. During his administration the illustrious Lafayette visited these shores as the guest of the nation. He took the most energetic measures in favor of the abolition of the slave-trade, and continued to encourage the establishment of the principles of commerce with all nations, upon the basis of free and equal reciprocity.
It is a high compliment to the firmness, judgment, and sagacity of Mr. Monroe, that he proclaimed to the world the determination of the United States not to suffer any. Eu- ropean government to interfere with the internal concerns of the independent South American governments. The well-timed expression of this sentiment put an end to all Tumors of any armed intervention in the affairs of Spanish America Col. Monroe re- tired from the office of president at the end of his second term.
In the late story of his life, he was associated with the ex-presidents Jefferson and Madison, in founding the University of Virginia. Subsequently, he was chosen a mem- ber of the convention of 1829-30, for revising the state constitution, and presided over its deliberations. He did not disdain to act as justice of the peace in Loudon.
Mr. Monroe died at New York, July 4th, 1-31, the anniversary of American Inde. pendence, like the ex-presidents Jefferson and Adams. Col. Monroe's biography is inti-
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LOUISA COUNTY.
mately and honorably connected with the civil and military history of the United States, He was one of the leaders of the democratic or Jefferson party, and involved in most of the party questions and occurrences by which the country was divided and agitated. He pressed avery coracetic, persevering spirit; a vigorous mind, and extraordinary powers of warlection. He has muhammed devoting to publier business, he neglected ois private af- fars. He retired from other extremely deep in debt ; & situation free when he was lieved, though when almost too fato, by liberal appropriations of Congress to satisfy the large claims which he preferred on the government for moneys disbursed, and debts iu- curred on its account.
LOUISA.
LOUISA was formed from Hanover in 1742: its mean length is 30, mean breadth 18 miles. The county is watered by the North and South Anna Rivers and their numerous branches. The sur- face is hilly ; the soil, originally of middling fertility, has been in- jured by injudicious agriculture. Several gold mines have been opened in the county, but not worked with much profit: in 1810 the gold mined was worth $3,000. Pop. in 1840, whites 6,047, slaves 9.010. free colored 376 : total. 15.433.
Louisa C. H., 60 miles ww. of Richmond, on the line of the Lonist rail-road, is a small village containing a few dwellings only. There are no places of note in the county.
Louisa has been the scene of no important historical incident. Its citizens bore their full share in the Indian and French war of 1735, and in the war of the revolution. Tarleton with bis cavalry passed up by the court-house in 1781. on his expedition into Albo- marle : and when Lafayette bad united with Wayne at the Raccoon Ford, on the Rapid Ann, and turned to pursue the British general from whom he had been retreating, he made a forced and rapid march across this county, from Brock's bridge on the North Anna, to the Fluvanna line, in order to intercept the enemy. The read which he opened for this purpose is still known as " the Marquis's rond ;" passing southwesterly three or four miles above the Green Spring. In the same year, two tories who had attached .bom- selves, as marauders, to the British army, were summarily hung by one Holland and another man, near the Goochland boundary, twenty-one miles south from Louisa C. H., with the countenance and before the eyes of the neighboring people. Louisa first sept Patrick Henry as a delegate to the House of Burgesses in 1765, soon after his removal from Hanover ; and she again elected him in 1776-7, till he returned to his native county.
As the Virginia House of Burgesses had the merit of originating that powerful engine of resistance-corresponding committees be- tween the legislatures of the different colonies-so Louisa had the honor of furnishing the member, in the person of DABNEY CAPR, Esq., who introduced the measure March 12th. 1973. The resolu- tions adopted were entered upon the public journals, one of which placed Mr. Carr on the standing committee of correspond- ence and inquiry. Wirt says of him :
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LUNENBURG COUNTY.
In supporting these resolutions, Mr. Carr made his debut, and a noble one it is said to have been. This gentleman, by profession a lawyer, had recently connueneed me practice at the same bar with Patrick Henry ; and although he had not yet reached the meridian of life, he was considered by far the most formidable rival in forensic eloquence that Mr. Henry had ever yet had to encounter. Ilo had the advantage of a person at once dignified and engaging, and the manner and action of an accomplished gentleman. His education was a finished one ; his mind trained to correct thinking ; his conceptions quick, and clear, and strong ; he reasoned with great cogeney, and had an imagination which enlightened beautifully, without interrupting or diverting the course of his argu- mont. His voice was fairly toned, his feelings acute ; his style free, and rich, val vari- one : bis devotion to the cause of liberty verging on entintaen ; and his spirit firm and undaunted, beyond the possibility of being shaken. With what delight the House . of Burgesses hailed this new champion, and felicitated themaclyes on such an access to their cause, it is casy to imagine. But what are the hopes and expectations of mortals ! " Ostendent terris hunc tantum fata, neque ultra " Esse sinent-"
In two months from the time at which this gentleman stood before the House of Bur- gesses, in all the pri lo of health, and genius, and eloquence -- he was no more : lost to his friends and to his country, and disappointed of sharing in that noble triumph which awaited the illustrious band of his compatriots.
LUNENBURG.
LUNENBURG WAS formed in 1716 from Brunswick : its length is 25, mean breadth 16 miles. The Meherrin runs on its southern bound- ary, and the Nottoway on its northern. Pop. in 1840, whites 4,132, slaves 6,707, free colored 216; total, 11,055.
Lewiston, the county-seat, situated in an elevated and healthy part of the county, 98 miles sw. of Richmond, was laid off in 1817 by act of Assembly, when there was but one family residing here. It now contains about 20 dwellings.
When the British invaded Virginia in 1781, Tarleton, with his legion, passed through this county and committed depredations upon the people. His men entered private dwellings, and wan- tonly ripped open beds and scattered their contents, notwithstand- ing the tears and remonstrances of the females. whose husbands and brothers were mostly with the army. The Rev. Mr. Craig, & strenuous whig, owned a fine mill a few miles from the C. H., where flour was manufactured for the American troops. To this mill Tarleton was guided by a young tory. The old parson, hear- ing of the proximity of the enemy, was busily engaged in rolling the last barrel of flour with the U. S. mark into the mill-pond, when Tarleton appeared at the head of his men. They burnt the mill, a trace of the dani of which is now to be seen, and compelled the good old parson to off with his coat and assist in slaughtering his pigs for their use. They carried off his slaves, but they, with a single exception, returned, reporting that they were harshly used by the enemy .*
* From mes. of R. F. Astrop, Esq .. containing historical and descriptive matter re lating to this section of the state.
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MASON COUNTY.
MADISON.
MADISON was formed in 1992, from Culpeper. It is about 23 miles long, and 13 miles wide. It lies at the eastern foot of the Blue Ridge, From which extend several mountains into the west- ern part of the county, some of the smaller of which are very fertile. The tobacco raised on the highlands is of a superior quality: between the mountains are fine valleys of rich bottom land. The county is watered by the Rapid Ann and its branches. Pop. in 1840, whites 3,729, slaves 4,308, free colored 70; total, 8,107.
Madison, the county-seat, is 97 miles NNW. of Richmond. It is situated in the heart of the county, on a high and elevated ridge, and commande a beautiful and picturesque view of the Blue Ridge and the neighboring mountains. It contains 4 mercantile stores, 1 Baptist and 1 Episcopal church, and about 50 dwellings. At the post-offices of Rapid Ant Meeting-House and Leon are a few dwellings ; the first contains a Baptist and a Free church.
The late HON. LINN BANKS, of this county, " for 20 successive years was speaker of the House of Delegates, an office for which he was so pecaharly qualified, that be was selected to fill it in all the mutations of party. He retired from the legislature in 1538, and was elected to Congress in that year, to complete the unexpired term of Mr. Patton, who was chosen counsellor. He was re-elected in 1839, and again in 1841. He served in the extra ses ion of 1841, and then agreed with his competitor, to submit their caose to the people of his district. He consequently resigned his seat, which was obtained by his opponent, the majority against him being small. He was found drowned (Feb. 24th, 1842) in a stream which he had to cross in going from Madison Court House to his residence, a few months after he was thus consigned to private life."
MASON.
Mysox was formed in 1301 from Kanawha, and named from the celebrated statesman George Mason. It is about 80 miles long and 22 broad. The Ohio forms its western boundary, and the Great Kanawha passes centrally through it. The surface is bro- ken, and much of the soil of a good quality. Pop,, whites 5,993, slaves 808, free colored 46 ; total. 6,777.
Buffalo, in the se. part of the county, on the E. bank of the Kanawha, 21 miles from its mouth, contains a Presbyterian church and about 20 dwellings.
Point Pleasant, the county-seat, is situated at the junction of the Great Kanawha with the Ohio, 370 miles west of Richmond. It contains 1 Episcopalian and 1 Presbyterian church, 3 mercantile stores. 1 steam flour, and I steam saw-mill, 2 tanneries, and about 50 dwellings.
There was once an Indian town of the Shawnee tribe at the mouth of Old Town creek, near Point Pleasant, on the land of Thomas Lewis, Esq., the clerk of the county It was deserted by them, it is supposed, about the year 1760. In ploughing there in 1798, about 80 gun-barrels were found. Au anvil, a vice, hammers, and other black.
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MASON COUNTY.
smith's tools have been disinterred. Mr. Lewis, the county clerk, has opened several of . the sinall mona is which abound in this section, and found a gun-barr !, a camp kettle, a butcher knife, tomahawk, u pewter basin, a variety of beads, and human skeletons,
Point Pleasant is on the site of the bloodiest battle ever fought with the Indians int Virginia, -- the battle of Point Pleasant-which took place in Dominore's war, Oet, Joth, 1221.
To illustrate more clearly this desperate action, we present our readers with a plan of the battle-ground, with explana- tory references, obtained by us while at Point Pleasant, in the Roads autumn of 1843 : @. A small pond and ravine where the action com. menced, and where Col. Charles Lewis was mortally wounded. From this place, at right angles to the Ohio, to Crooked creek, both Crestice armies, early in the action, were extended through the woods. Af- ter a while the Indian line extend- ed further down on the creek. d. Position of the fort huilt after the 0.8110. VER battle. All the officers who fell in the battle were buried at or near this spot, in what is now known as the Point Lot. b. The court-house. c. Cornstalk's grave. He was ori- Plan of the battle of Point Pleasant. ginally buried near the Kanawha ; but a few years since his remains were disinterred, and removed to their present resting-place.
The subjoined account of this action, is from the work of Withers :
'The army destined for this expedition was composed of volunteers and militia, chiefly from the counties west of the Blue Ridge, and consisted of two divisions. The northern division, comprehending the troops collected in Frederick, Dunmore, (now Shenandoah.) and the adjacent counties, was to be commanded by Lord Dumaore in person ; and the southern, comprising the different companies raised in Botetourt, Au- gusta, and the adjoining counties east of the Blue Ridge, was to be led on by Gen. An- drew Lewis. , These two divisions, proceeding by different routes, were to form a . junction at the mouth of the Big Kanawha, and from thence penetrate the country northwest of the Ohio River, as far as the season would admit of their going, and de. stroy all the Indian towns and villages which they could reach.
About the first of September, the troops placed under the command of Gen. Lewis rendezvoused at Camp Union, (now Lewisburg,) and consisted of two regiments, com- manded by Col. William Fleming of Betetourt. and Col. Chattes Lewis of Angusta, and containing about four hundred men each. At Camp Union they were joined by an in- dependent. volunteer company under Col. John Field of Culpeper, a company from Bedand under Capt. Buford, and two from the Unatera settlement, how Washington county. under Capte Evan Shelby and Harbert. These three latter companies ware part of the forces to be led on by Col. Christian, who was likewise to join the two main divisions of the army at Point Pleasant, so soon as the other companies of Mig regiment could be assembled. The force' under Gen. Lewis, having been thus augmented to eleven hundred men, commenced its march for the mouth of Kanawha on the IIth of September, 1:74.
From Camp Union to the point proposed for the junction of the northern and south- era divisions of the army, a distance of one hundred and sixty miles, the intermediate the army at once tedious and Iberiess. Under the guidance of Capt Matthew Ar backle, they, however, succeeded in reaching the Ohio River, after a march of nigeteen days ; and fixed their encampment on the point of land innediately between that river and the Big Kanawha. The provisions and ammunition, transported on pack-horses, and the breves in droves, arrived soon after.
46
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MASON COUNTY.
When the southern division arrived at Point Pleasant, Governor Dunmore, with the forces under his command, had not reached there; and unable to account for his failure to form the preconcerted junction at that place, it was deemed advisable to await that richt; as by ro ding a better entretenit would be aforded to Col Christian of com- ing up with the postum of the army which was then with him. Meanwhile Him. Jewis. to learn the cause of the delay of the northern division, dispatched runners by land in the directive of Fort Bitte to obtain tidings of Lord Diamore, and to wana nicate them to him immediately. In their absence, however, advices were received from his lordship, that he had determined on proceeding across the country, directly to dec Shawnee towns; and ordering then. Lewis to cross the river, march forward, and form a junction with him near to them. These advices were received on the 9th of October, and preparations were immediately begun to be made for the transportation-of the troops over the Ohio River.
Early on the morning of Monday, the tenth of that month, two soldiers left the camp, and proceeded up the Ohio River, in quest of deer. When they had progressed about two miles, they unexpectedly came in sight of a large number of Indians rising from their encampment, and who, discovering the two hunters, fired upon them and killed one ; the other escaped unhurt, and ruuning briskly to the camp, communicated the intelligence, " that he had seen a body of the enemy, covering four acres of ground, as closely as they could stand by the side of each other." The main part of the army was immediately ordered out under Cols. Charles Lewis,* and William Flemming ; and having formed into two lines, they proceeded about four hundred yards, when they met the Indians; and the action commenced.
At the first onest, Col Charles Lewis having fallen. and Col. Fleming being wounded, both lines gave way and were retreating briskly towards the camp, when they were met by a reinforcement under Col. Field,t and rallied. The engagement then became gen- eral, and was sustained with the most obstinate fury on both sides. The Indians per- ceiving the " tug of war" had come, and determined on affording the colonial army no chance of escape, if victory should declare for them, formed a line extending across the point, from the Ohio to the Kanawha, and protected in front by logs and tallen timber. In this situation they maintained the contest with unabated vigor, from sunrise ull to- wards the close of evening ; bravely and successfully resisting every charge which was made on them ; and withstanding the inipetuosity of every onset, with the most invin- cible firmness, until a fortunate movement on the part of the Virginia troops decided the day.
Some short distance above the entrance of the Kanawha River into the Ohio, there is a stream called Crooked creek, emptying into the former of these, from the northeast, whose banks are tolerably high, and were then covered with a thick and luxuriant growth of weeds. Secing the impracticability of dislodging the Indians by the most vigorous attach, and sensible of the great danger which must arise to his army, if the contest were not decided before night, Gen. Lewis detached the three companies which were commanded by Carts. Isaac Shelby, George Matthews, and John Stuart, with or- ders to proceed up the Kanawha River and Crooked creek, under cover of the banks and weeds, ti !! they should pass some distance beyond the enemy ; when they were to emerge from their covert, march downward towards the point, and attack the Indians in their rear. The maneuvre thus planned was promptly executed, and gave a decided victory to the colonial array. The Indians finding themselves en Idenly and unexpect- edly encompassed between two armies, and not doubting but that in their rear was the looked-for reinforcement under Col. Christian, soon gaye way, and about sundown com- menced a precipitate retreat across the Ohio, to their towns on the Scioto. The victory, indeed, was decisive, and many advantages were obtained by it; but they were not cheaply bought. The Virginia army sustained in this engagement a loss of seventy-five
* Few oficers were ever more, or more deservedly, endeared to those under their command than Col. Charle: Lewis. In the many skirmishes which it was his fortune to have with the Indians. he was Arcommonly successtil ; and in the varias scenes of life through which he passed, his conduct was invariably marked by the de tinguishing characteristics of a mind of no ordinary stamp. His early fall on this bloody field was severely falt during the whole engagement; and to it has been attributed the partial advantages gained by the Indian army near the commencement of the action. When the fini Til struck loni, he fell at the root of a free : from wheree he was carried to his tent, against his wish, by Capt. Withant Morrow and a Mr. Bailey, of Capt. Paul's company, and died in a few hours after-
t An active, enterprising, and meritorious officer, who had been in service in Braddock's war, and profited by his experience of the Indian movie of fighting. His death checked for a time the andor or bis Woops, and spread a gloom over the countenances of those who accompanied him on this campaign.
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MASON COUNTY.
killed, and one hundred and forty wounded --- about one-fifth of the entire number of the troops.
Among the slain were Cols. Lewis and Field ; Capts. Buford, Morrow, Wood. Cundiff, Wilson, and Robert McClannaban; and Lients Allen, Celdeby, and Dillon, with ame other subalterns. The loss of the enemy could not be ascertamed. Un KY BORIS after the action, Col. Christian, who had arrived after the battle was ended, marched his men over the battle ground, and found twenty-one of the Indians lying dead ; and twelve others were afterwards discovered, where they had been attempted to be con- cealed under some old logs and brush.
From the great facility with which the Indians either carry off or conceal their deud. it is always difficult to ascertain the number of their slain ; and hence arises, in some measure, the disparity between their known loss and that sustained by their opponents in battle. Other reasons for this disparity are to be found in their peculiar mode of war- fare, and in the fact that they randy continue a contest, when it has to be maintained with the loss of their warriors. It would not be easy otherwise to account for the cir- eumstance, that even when signally vanquished, the list of their slain does not, fre- quently, appear more than half as great as that of the victors. In this particular instance, many of the dead were certainly thrown into the river
Nor could the number of the enemy engaged be ever ascertained. Their army is known to have been composed of warriors from the different nations north of the Ohio, and to have comprised the flower of the Shawanee, Delaware, Mingo, Wyandotte, and Cayuga tribes ; led on by inen whose names were not unknown to fame,* and at the head of whom was Cornstalk, sachem of the Shawanees, and king of the northern con. federacy.
This distinguished chief and consummate warrior, proved himself on that day to bo justly entitled to the prominent station which he occupied. His plan of alternate retreat and attack was well conceived, and occasioned the principal loss sustained by the whites. If at any time his warriors were believed to waver, his voice could be heard above the din of arms, exclaiming, in his native tongue : " Be strong ! be strong ! and when one near him, by trepidation and reluctance to proceed to the charge, exited a dastardly disposition, fearing the example might have a pernicious influence, with one blow of his tomahawk he severed his skull. It was, perhaps, a solitary instant in which terror predominated. Never did men exhibit a more conclusive evidence of bravery in making a charge, and fortitude in withstanding an onset, than did these un- disciplined soldiers of the forest in the field at Point Pleasant. Such, too, was the good conduct of those who composed the army of Virginia on that occasion, and such the noble bravery of many, that high expectations were entertained of their future distinc- tion. Nor were those expectations disappointed. In the various scenes through which they subsequently passed, the pledge of after eminence then given was fully redeemed . and the names of Shelby, Campbell, Matthews, Fleming, Moore, and others, their com. patriots iu arms on the memorable tenth of October, 1774, have been inscribed in bril liant characters on the roll of fame.i
Having buried the dead, and made every arrangement which their situation ad- mitted, for the comfort of the wounded, intrenchments were thrown up, and the army commenced its march to forin a junction with the northern division, under Lord Dun- more. Proceeding by the way of the Salt Licks, Gen. Lewis pressed forward with as- tonishing rapidity, (considering that the march was through a trackless desert ;) but before he had gone far, an express arrived from Danmore with orders to return june- diately to the mouth of the Big Kanawha. Suspectis the integrity of his lordship's motives, and urged by the advice of his officers generally, Gen. Lewis refused to chey
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