Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-02-21
Gbuirt Iitrratarf.
From the Richmond Republican.
PETER FRANCISCO.

=
II is the misfortune Of the 4Ank and
file of an army. that while they do sal
the hard fighting and encounter the great
est perils Of the battlefield, they receive
the smallest portion Of The gleFy and ap-
plause which follow victory. They have
the lions share of danger, and their Of
ficers the lions share of renown. Some
times, however. there is among the hum
Bile ranks Of the private soldiers an indi-
viduai whose peculiar prowess and SOL
diarly and physical qualities single him
out from the multitude and riyet. upon
him the attention and admiration of has
'countfymen. The eye OF the world then
passes by The glittering groups Of Gene
rails and Colonies, and fiXes upon This he
70 Of nature. in his plain attire. and with
his countenance blackened by the smoke
and dust Of battle.y whose valiant spir-
il iIradiates the most doubtful strife, and
exalts ~.he humblest station. >
Such man was Peter Francisco-a
man who. in extraordinary physical
strength, lion-like courage and gentleness
of disposition, was one ofthe most remar.
kable of the Revolutionary warriors oI
Virginia. We could easily fill this jour.
nal with anecdotes illustrating his char.
acter and prowess, but our limits for.
bid more than brief sketch of the histo
Ey Of one who at least deserves not to be
forgotten.
! Peter Francisco did not remember, i
he ever knew. his native counny. Re
tuning one evening from school, lin hi
native land, wherever that may have
been when FIVE years of age, togethe
with his sister and two other children,
boy and girl, they passed near the SCI
shore. A vessel lay at anchor shor
distance from the sea coast. Several sail
! ors were just landing in small boat
, Francisco stopped 10 admire the whit
! sails Of the vessel his sister, alarmed a
: The presence Of the sailors, ran home
begging him TO follow her. The sailor
5 enticeG him and Of his companion
: on board the vessel, and they were no
! permitted to return. They were,brough
9 TO this Country, and Francisco was sol
e (under d years old) TO man name
q Mright who lived al place known a
n Raines' Tavern, in Cumberland county
r He was seventeen years Of age when th
f war With Great Britain commepced, an
t felt very strong desire TO join Gener'
: Was kingdoms army. Colonel Anthon
y Winston, Of buckingham, taking an ipte
e est in the patriotic and courageous bdtl
g bought bis time from Wright, and tol
r him 10 GO. He accordingly entered II
Is army aAnd commenced a career in II
; course OF which, we believe il is no e.
l. aggeration TO say that he performed mo-
n actual service than any twenty Of II
s other patriots OF the Revolution. At ii
storming of Stony Point, perhaps II
A. most dangerous and desperate achiev.
at ment OF the Revolutionary war, he ",
N the fist man who entered the fortre
n after Mai. Gibbon, on which occasion
le received bsyonet wound in the thig
r. lie was at Brandywine, Monmouth, al
n other battles at the North, and foug
Of forcibly under Greene in the South. whe
" he was engaged in the actions Of Il
ii Cowpens, Camden. Guilford Court Hop.
st SC. Probably no soldier Of the Revol
II, ton was in more battles, and served
it couutry more frequently at the cannon
mouth, than Peter Francisco.
in The man himself was perfect H
ite cules an strength. and in hand-to-ha
Of combat was perfectly invincible.
Ike stature was six feet and one inch
hat weight $50 pounds; his complexion d.
4 and syarthy bis hands aud fee. unco