Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-09-17
DE UAss, HISTORY.

history OF western sHShio' 'SSShay 80
sued f1om the press. Thisis thefonly hook
ume that contains general and complete
history of the settlement and Indian warso
this region, which was the scene of some of
the most important and thrilling incidents
in the annals of our country. WITHERs'
Border Warfare, DR.. DopDRIDGE's Notes,
and KERcHIvAL's History of the Valley,
although highly interesting, do not aspire to
the character of general histories; and, more
over, they are now quite out of print, ex-
cept the last named, of which we believe a
new edition has just been published. DIR.
De HAss has embraced all the leading facts
and incidents mentioned by these writer's,
in his work, with the addition of large a
mount of interesting matter not elsewhere
to be met with, and presents to the public
a most attractive volume. 1t is printed IN
handsome style, and appropriately dedica-
ted to the Hon. A. H. II. STUART, Secre-
tary of the Interior.
On exaning the volume our first feeling
was that of disappointment, at finding so
little said about the early history of this
part of the Valley. But a moments rehec-
ton caused us to acquit the author of neg
ligence or partiality. The first settlers of
Augusta and the neighboring counties en-
countered no difficulties exceptthose which
are common to all persons going into new
and wilderness country. They suffered
very slightly, if at all, from the inroads of the
Indians, and within the present limits OF
Augusta County, though there were fire.
quent alarms, not single Indian massacre
occurred The settlement ofthe county was
very rapid, as the first white people located
here subsequent to the year 1872. In
1888 the county was formed, and in l745
the first County Court was held at Staun-
ton. At that time, the greaterpart of West
ern Virginia, and even several of the West
ern States were embraced within the linn
its of Augusta.
1t must not be presumed, however, that
our ancestors did nothing but fell trees and
cultivate the soil. They acted a conspicu-
Gus part in all the stirring scenes of the
times. Our County furnished to the State
and the Country the LEwIsEs, the MCLEAN
NAHANs, spelt McCLENAcHAN in De HAss]
the MATTHEwsEs and others, whose names
are known not only as champions IN lndi-
an warfare, but as brave soldiers IN the war
ofindependence. One of the Augusta Com
panies at the battle of Point Pleasant was
remarkable for the great stature of the men
which composed it. Previous to their de-
parture for the West, they assembled in
house in Staunton, still standing, then used
as tavern, and the height of each man
was marked upon the wall, and could be
seen till comparatively recent date. In
the Revolutionary war, which followed, our
County was represented, more or lees nu-
merously, on many field Of contest. The
extent to which she contributed to achieve
our independence, may be inferred from the
fact that after the battle of Guilford, in the
single neighborhood ofGreenville, eight Wo-
men mourned the loss Of husbands slain in
that bloody fight.
DR.. De HAss' work is for sale at the
Book Store of Mr.. R. CowAN. See adver-
tisement in another column.
IMPORTANT CoRREcT1oN.-Every now
and then newspaper paragraph with cap
ton that strikes the eye gets afoat, and,
however erroneous its statements, goes the
rounds of the press before it is arrested
OF this description is short piece from the
Frederick Maryland Herald, headed, "Gret- |
no Green of Virginia Lovers" in which it
is said that "Virginia SWANS and their sweet
lasses" fly to Frederick County, "not from
the cruelty of parents, but from the more
cruel law which requires the intended hus-
band to give security against becoming a
charge" Now as some of our SWANS
and lasses, reading the paragraph, may be
frightened off to Maryland, if not 'out of
their wits, we beg leave to assure them that
the law of Virginia requires no such bond.
Formerly, the intended husband was requir-
ed to execute bond with the single condi-
ton 'that there is no lawful cause to OBJ
struct the marriage" but the new Code dis
penses with even that. In order for mi
nor to obtain marriage license, however, our
law, as is generally known, very properly
the consentof theparent or guardian.
The paragraph alluded to may be found
On the first page of this paper, where it was
inserted unwittingly.
JUDGE THoMPsoN's LETTER.-In anoth-
sr column will be found an interesting cor
between the members OF the
Amherst Bar and Judge LUCAS 2. THoMp-
SON. The high estimate of the Judicial Of
ice and character evinced by this gentle
nan in his reply-the delicacy attached to
he ermine of Justice and the sacredness OF
he Jndoment-seat-the care for Dreseryino ,