Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-08-25
FOR THE sPEcrAToR.
AUGUSTA COUNTY AND THE REVO-
IlJIION

LUTON.
The part acted by tho people of Augusta county
IN the Revolution Is, now, perhaps, not generally
known even by their descendants They produced,
1t is true, no distinguished commanders aud the re-
cords Of our history exhibit but few Of their names
but they furnished much of the bone and sinew Of
the war, and in patriotism and zeal in tho cause of
independence. were unsurpassed. At the call OF
their country of all conditions in life shoulder
ed their rifles and repaired To tho scenes Of action
just before tho battle of Guiliord almost every man
OF suitable age in Augusta and Rockbrdge marched
to join Gen. Green in North Carolina. In that
bloody but indecisivo battle, the Virginia troops
were distinguished by their bravery and one major
three captains, and many private soldiers from the
Valley were slain. In ono neighborlood in Aupus-
Ia, eight women were made widows and there was
scarcely family In the county that did not mourn
the loss OF some relative friend. Tho people
wep, but their courage and ardor were not su6dueJ
Hitherto the war had kept at a distance. No
hostile foot had pressed the soil of the Valley, and
the people felt that their fresides were safe But
soon they were threatened with invasion.
The soldier had scarcely returned and rested from
the fatigue of the southern campaign. when Corn
wallis entered Virginia at the head of ten thousand
men, The famous Tarton was despatched with
portion of the army to capture OF dispense the Lee
gisature sitting at Charlottesville. Seven Of tho
members were made prisoners; the rest, informally
adjourned to Staunton and sat for several days in
the old Stone Church.
1t was Sunday in June, 1871. The people of
Thinking Spring congregation were assembled at
church, when man dressed partly in the uniform
of British soldier was brought in. -Four had been
taken. but three effected their escape. No papers
were found about the stranger, but from his dress
aud suspicious department he was supposed to he
spy, and it was Immediately determined that he
should be sent TO town ami lodged in Jail till he
could be tried. The people probably learned from
him that Iarton contemplated paying them visit,
and not wishing TO spare a larger guard they ac-
cepted the services OF young man named Long,
who offered TO act his conductor. He marched
quietly on, followed by Long with his gun ready
cooked, till they arrived AT Christians creek, when
Long stopped TO take off his moccasins, in order to
wade through the stream. The prisoner knew that
this was his best opportunity to escape. They were
now near town, and if he once arrived there his
case was hopeless; SO, contrary TO command, he
persisted in going forward, and quickened his pace
from walk to a run. After calling 10 him repeat
cdly, TO stop, Long lcveled his gun and shot him
down. He was taken TO a neighborng house and
received every attention his situation required but
the wound was mortal and in few days he died
Before his death he acknowledged that he had been
sent out IS spy, and proiessed his pleasure at be-
ing shot as soldier instead of being hung, as he
would have been had he reached Staunton. He was
buried in one of those hollows near the creek.
The crowd at the church delayed for few min
uies 10 receive word of eXhoraton from the pas
tor and then dashed home To prepare TO resist the
passage of the enemy the mountain. The
preacher himself, when he reached home TO the
great surprise of his little children, who after the
Scotch Irish method had been taught the strictest
reverence for the Sabbath, took down his rifle and
cleaned and loaded it, intending to accompany his
people.
A horseman had previously been despatched to
convey the intelligence to town. and in short time
after his arrival the drum was beating in the streets
and excitement and busy preparation had taken the
were buried or otherwise concealed and the women
and Children got ready TO leave home, if necessary,
and take refuge i'll the mountains The men soon
marched of to meet the enemy.
Riders traversed the county to spread the news,
and one OF them in his enthusiasm, is said TO have
used his wig as horse-whip, not delaying to break
a switch. The report was carried from neighbor-
hood To neighborhood, and from house to house,
with as much rapidity ever the fiery cross ira
versed the Highlands Of Scotland and never did
cansmen assemble with more aacrity at the sum-
mons of their chief, than did the people of Au-
glsta to defend their mountain homes Few men
remained idly at home that night. When Monday
mornings sun arose, the Blue Ridge was lined with
hundreds of rifles. Those who could not procure
guns. had scythes and pitchforks, and some Who
could get nothing else had heaps of stones to repel
the invaders. They waited anXiously for their APP
proach but they came not. Many of the mountain
GERS followed them in their retreat down the coun-
try, and some were present at Yorktown when they
surrendered. X.