Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-09-25
HISTORY AND TRADITION

we kave heard some persons remark, on ths
strength Of traditions, that our account NJ M.
Cuiioch's leap, given some days SINCE was not
strictly correct as relates to the circumstances at
tehoin9 II. The facts we related are such as
they appear in the most authentic records tn
which we have access. There are always yaria-
lions In the traditions by which all incidents are
handed down; but so long as they do not change
The facts OF the case, they are of but little inn.
poTiance. History will be made up of the ear.
Hest printed accounts Of transactions and thus
whether they are literally correct or not thew be
come established as facts.
In this sense refer to Incidents most int.,.
esting In the history of our town and surround.
ing country. We do not profess any very urea,
knowledge Of our early history-but we have Of.
ten referred 10 the productions of our former fell
low townsman, George S. M'Kernan: who de-.
Voteh much time to the examination of all the
papers connected with the early history of This
city and surrounding country. We have not
many OF his pages at hand bat we have often
Pefnsed them and others, and often reflected with
regret thai so few OF us had taken tine pains tn
make ourselves familiar with the history of the
irontlersmen who settled on the ground we in.
haoH' when almost every leaf covered an arrow
/ and every tree shaded an Indian and foe
we DO not know what may be the FEELINGS Of
olhers' put we never pass plain grave stone
standing between Wheeling and Grave Creek.
without feeling Ola awe, and suffering our mind
10 wander back 10 the days of Indian warfare of
o'ood and carnage, OF war-whoops, of Indians
scalping knives and tomahawkS That stone
bears this inscription, 'This humble stone is o.
rec,ed TO the memory of Capt. Foreman and Of
OF his men who were slain by band of ruthless
savages-ihe allies Of a civilized nation of Eus
rupe; on the 25ih Sept. l777
So sleep the brave who sank TO rest
BY all their country's wishes best
Ill.
miles from Wheeling. and Just where The hill
approaches the river TO commence what is calles
Grave Greek 'narrows.' SO fine a place for an
ambush could scarcely be found elsewhere. and.
IL 10 ny no means surprising that the Indian.
succeeded In cutting off near the whole force :.
urave Greek lad then fort, having been settled
oS MI. Joseph Tomlinson, only one year after
me me settlement Of Nheeling by the Zanes, ITO.
oa the 10Th OF September, I777, smoke waa
seen from the heeiing fort in the direction IF
1Fave Creek. Captain Foreman with as men
ma!ched down 20 Grave Creek, and finding all
sale there started home. W hen they had reach
ed the foot of the narrows, Mr.. Lynn. an old In
dian lighter advised Capt. F. to return by the
rdge route and thus secure themselves agains,
any at'ack by The Indians, whom, he presumed.
Sd" mem 90 down from the opposite side Of the
river, and intended attacking them on thoi, re-.
'urn. he captain did not rely sufficiently upon
'he opinion oil Lynn. and continued IN the val.
ley, while Lynn and some of the soldiers wen.
over Owe, the rd9e. These last were safe; but whem
brennan win his men had nearly reached the
place where the stone now stands, thew found
some trliiing Indian trinket in the road before
them.-IheIr attention was attracted by il. and
al The instant, half dozen indians stepped into
Inc pain before them, many i'm the rear. and
then as they attempted 10 meet their sssaiants,
on every side and from every bush an Indian
rose up. they were huchered without the reL
lno'es' nope OF escape or successful defence. A
lew reached the hill, some succeeded in cjimbina
H. but the majority were shot as thew went ne,
and either killed or famed. Captain Foreman
| fought well, but was among the first who fell
me number Killed was %, and it is supposed
that the Indian force was not less than three ~
four hundred. This was among the most bloodv
| OF The frontier sklrmshes and deserves ~ be-
P'aced on record, not on account Of any par,icnL
lar courage or skill, but as it shows the deter
n'ne1 oIoooineSs OF the savage foes with which
our frontiersmen had TO contend. =. Ihe,Ena
Times.