Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-09-07
TO THE EDITORS.

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WHEELING, (yA.) Aususr 20, $780,
Messrs. GALES IL SEAT0N On my recent pas
sage over the Alleghanies, was forcibly Impress
ed with the importance Of selecting from the scene
of WAsHINGToN's first battle ground a block of
stone suitable to enter into the magnificent shaft
now in course Of erection at the national capital.
embraced the occasion to examine the spot where
once stood Fort Necessity-ground hallowed by
the presence OF our incompatible WASHINGTON,
and the scene OF the most trying events of his long
and ilustrous life. Faint indications of the Fort
may still be seen, although the hand of time and
the plough of the husbandman have nearly oblite-
rated every vestige of this memorable entrench-
ment The adjacent scenery, however, is still unchanged;
mountain, wood and rock remain the same when the
intrepid young Virginia colonel led his beneath own-
ing precPice and outspead umbrage Beyond the limits of
the Meadow stone has been disturbed, tree
moested but all remain when the colonial rifles first broke
the silence of those solitary wids and the unfortunate but
imPraden De KNOXVILLE, with ten Of his men, fell beneath
the charge Of the unering Virgnians. ta2
All who have examined the position and force Of Wash
ngtOn this occasion concede that have been Of
the most trying adventures he experienced Nothing,
surely, could surpass that midnight mountain march,
craggd rock through deep avnes amid the thunder Of the
elements and the darkness visible which regned around
With undaunted the youthful officer pressed in the
track Of the Half King, and, at grey dswn fell upon the
French force lying in conscious security little dreading
attack that hour and place. Next follows the assault Of
De VILLIKR upon Fort Necessity with picked army Of
fifteen hundred men, his nine hours SIEGE and FINAL capu-
aon, after loss of two hundred. Such is brief
recapituaon Of the principal of Washngton noun
tain adventure in LISA. None but man Of his unAinch-
ing nerve, intrepid character and iron will could have ac-
comPshed what be did, The marked the man as one
horn tn rdinavu
and splendid achievements which crowned bis after s
But did not design this euIosy upon WAsHrseros;
that indeed useless and uitess task NV object ID
simply to draw the attention of those interested to the mpsr
lance Of securing block of suitable dimensions for the Ma
onal Washington Monument, to be taken from the ground
consecrated with the first blood shed under the command Of
Washington in open conflict with hostile force sa9
That the suggestion may be carried out, would recon-
mend the movement to the patriotism and gratitude Of the
citizens Of Cumberland Frostburgh Maryland whose po-
son and associations emineny fit either Of them for carry
ing out the Recommendation. Itwould come with fine TASTE
and endure lasting memorial Of their united gratitude
This block should be placed side by side with that to be-
taken from Braddocks feld-th commemorate the
saddest and sanguinay in the annals Of the West
the other, that Of Washngons first battle and the st be-
tween the two contendng Powers France and England in
the valley Of the Ohiohe prologue to that long and bloody
conflict the catastrophe Of which France the whole Of her
possessions in North America.
Before closing, may be permitted add that much new
and valuable information concerning the early operations in the
West about to be given the public work Just ready
to be issued from the press entitled " History The Ea-ly
Settlement and Indian Wars Of Western Virginia Peansy
vania" &c. Weook for its appearance with much interest
Its author Dr. W. De Has has devoted great care and labor
to the preparation. Respectfully, VIATOR
p may be well enough state that an effort is now
being made in Western Pennsylvania iron monu
the memory Of WAsHSGfoN the spot where once
stood Fort Necessity sincerely hope the project may sue
ceed company for that purpose chartered at the las
session Of the Pennsyl vana Legislature.
Great Meadow, open spot the Alleghanie where
Washington erected Fort Necessity.