Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-14
sssnsru Of eYss,srn Yiralnta.

king summer ramble through Virginia. by the
way of h,c White Sulphur Springs, gives the fol-
lowing pleasant description of some of the scenes
he enloye in his tour. We dissent entirely from
his judgm ltthat1he valley of the Kanawha river
is not pictl esque:
Leaving = White Sulphur Springs with reluctance,
for unrivaed watering place tor its scenery,
accommodations and the attractions of its society,
drive OF nine miles the 10th June, brought us TO Lew
isburg, place noted in our remembrance for piece
OF history to be presently mentioned We arrived be-
fore dusk, in the pleasant Valley where lie the Blue
Sulphur Springs. AT the hotel met parry OF
friends from New ork formerly residents OF Charles
ton, who returning home after short western
tour. Two fatigung days ofstaging were before US,
and tested the first fruits in being called up to start
at three o'clock in the morning. The varied and ro
mantle region through which we had passed, was
changed roagh and uncultivated country, extern
sye views being shut out by rugged hills which
posed the soft light OF the waning moon: but this in
turn replaced by the scenery OF one OF the most
wild aud picturesque portions of the State. 1t might
have been called Alpine; sometimes large rocks, partly
covered with foliage, overhung the road; sometimes
we pass along the brink OF preclpce, looking over
the verge, while lar below lay patches OF greenland
waving fields with the huts OF hewn logs cemented with
clay, which abounds in the country. must not forget
TO mention one OF the incidents OF our rambe across
the Alleghanies; coming upon small encampment by
the way side, where fire was blazing in front OF three
tents, in of which was writing at small ia
ble woman being engaged near him in some fen-
nine occupation, and children playing under the shelter
Not far from this gipsey looking group, plaeard
nailed tree, announced lecture in New ork by
Park Benjamin. and it furnished material lor spccula-
ton to imagine no such an advertisement come to be
found in wild spot.
1.-THE Hawks Nest' is a few miles above the falls OIL
the Great Kanawha the bank OF New river, one OF
its branches At this point the sheer cliff projects, at
height it said of more than twelve hundred eet from
the river ar down in the narrow valley it is seen
winding, like thread OF silver, It's serpentlne way be-
tween the mountains that enclose it. The bright stream
with the rich foliage that overhangs it, seen from this
dizzy height appeared to belong to an inner world; the
perpendicular cliffs rise in savage grandeur almost TO the
Clouds among which those the verge seem to stand;
the outline of the distant peaks family dscerned and
the awful beauty of the scene fills the beholder with
utterable emotion. All expressed surprise that good
hotel not located near, that visitors might enjoy this
magnificent view. 1t is well worth pilgrimage across
the Alleghanies. From this spot TO the falls, success
sion of startling and grand pictures are presented. The
road runs along the verge OF heprecipce; and gmpses
are obtained through the trees every few moments OF
the river, at an immense distance below, washing the
base OF the cliffs. On both Sides the rocks are often
perpendicular and cetts in the mountain side, forming
deep ravines, are filed with wealth of bright green
foliage, the wild grape growing in such luxurance as
to shut out the sunlight from the woods, and weathng
lis tends into the most graceful and inviting arbors
little farther on the narrow and rapid stream grow
suddenly broader, and is calm as pure lake, studded
too with tiny isles; still Graded in the embrace OF giant
mountains. The perfect solitude of these scenes-ths
primitive wldness OF natue uxuriang in her creation
OF beauty-foms nots least charm. One or two points
resembled the passage of the Delaware through the
water gap and the Wyegat, near Easton, Pa. except
that these mountains much lotier and more abrupt
They seemed 10 tower in awful majesty we de-
scended to the level OF the river following its to
itsjunction with the Gauley. "'The Falls" pretty
dawn of day saw us many miles on our way down the
Kanawha, in the hope of finding steamer at Charles
ten, an old town situated the river.
Emerging from the sanctuary Of natures wild ard
lnUa yvQC rpfh dnnr6 M M
serve signs OF human life and activity AT intervals
furnaces for the manufacture of SALT poured their vol
umes OF black smoke on the air. coal heaps were lying
either side the river, and flat boats OF the peculiar
Western construction, never seen at the East-some
with their rude shops tor artisans work, began to en-
cumber the placid waters. 1t is not uncommon, we
were told for craft thus constructed, having black
smiths carpenters shop board, to float with the
current to New Orleans, the workmen stopping along
the shore at every convenient place to do obs for the
jewellers in the country, and selling out their establish
beautiful specimens OF coal The mountains had sunk
into Insignificant hills before we reached Charles
ton, nor was the scenery along the river OF pic ur
esque character though varied and pleasing The Ohio
proved SO low that detention at Gallipois una
yodabe the larger steamers having ceased running, anC
the smaller beng not yet established. This town has
peculiarly old and time-defaced appearance, not ir
the least attractive to stranger. 1t was settled by
body OF French emigrants in 1870, and has an int
resting early history, into which we obtained glimpse
by some ineded papers kindly lent US BY one OF the
OlueSl pudDltdHlS FROM MIN i also learned SOIIle
thing Of the singular history OF an old woman who
lived long in the vicinity. Ann Trotter came with he
husband from Eug land before the war o. the Revolu
tion and both, account of poverty, "sod out
to service, according to custom, for the payment O
their passage money Having served their term in
of the central counties Virginia, they became settlers
but in l774, Troer wasinduced to go with party tc
defend the frontier against the ncursops of the
and killed in the battle that took place at Point
Pleasant, where the Kanawha enters the Ohio. From
the period ofhis death strange and wild spirit seemed
to possess the wife, who frequently expressed hel
hatred of the Indians and determination to seek
revenge. The opinion entertained by her neighbors
that her inteects had been somewhat disoidered by
the shock, was confirmed by her entire abandonment
OF all feminine empoyments and her adoption OF those
OF men. She no longer sewed, spun, attended to
household or garden concerns, but practsed with the
rifle slung the tomahawk and rode about the country
attending every muster ofsoldiers. She even discarded
female attire, and clad in hunting shirt leg
gins and moccaslps, wearing her knife and tomahawk
and carrying her gun. Her manly spirit and resolve
to avenge the death OF her husband did prevent bel
contracting second alliance and it wasas ANN BAL.
LEY that, about 1882, she followed body of soldiers
to- Charleston, Va where they were ordered TO man
| tort under the command OF Col. Cndenin for the
protection OF the frontier. Here she performed the ex-
plot which ought immortaze her name Indians had
tor some time been lowering in the neighborhood and
the discovery OF party morning on the opposit.
shore-one OF them being killed by ball fired by tho
commander OF the ior-2ave warning that speedy at
tack might be expected AT this crisis the terrible fac
| was announced that their ammunition YVES nearly ex
lhansted! WAT was 10 be done! The Coonel coul(
| not well spare man from the fort vet powder aut
shot must be procured and the nearest place where
could be obtained was in Greenbrier, at the presen
site OF Lewisourg, one hundred miles dstan-lhe way
trackless forest N wonder every man shrank from
the idea of SO periIous journey, and that even ,
small party was unwilling TO undertake it. Mrs Bal
ley became acquainted with the difficulty and instant
y offered her services, insisting upon going alone. He
acquaintance with the country her excellent horseman
ship, her perseverance and fearless spirit were wei
known, and the commander OF the garrison at lengt
yielded TO her solicitation. good horse was furnish
ed her. she set her face towards Greenbrier and witt
rife, tomahawk, &c, and resolntsy overcoming ever
obstacle in ruggedness of the way through the woods
the mountains she had to cross, and the rivers TO swim
undauned by the perils to be encountered from will
beasts and Struggling parties of Indans-reached tn,
place other destination in safety, and returned leadiu
another horse laden, well her own, with the need
ed supplies Such Fan instance of herosm is scarce
paralleled, even among the many that abound in tn
history oilhe
Throughout life prolonged bevond the Ordinary
limits, Mrs Bailey retained her singular habits and he