Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-01-08
PETER FRANCISCO.

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II is the misfortune Of the rank and file Of army that,
while they do all the hard fighting and encounter the grea-
test pes the battle field they receive The smallest por-
nn Of The glory and applause which follow victory They
have the lions share Of danger and their officers the lions
share uf renown. Sometimes however, there among the
humble ranks of the private soldiers individual whose
peculiar powers and sodery and physical qualities single
him from the multitude and rve upon him the
ton and admiration Of his counymen. The eye of,he
wurld then passes by the gerng groups Of Generals and
Counes and fixes upon this hero of nature his plain at
tre and with his backened by the smoke and
dust of battle, yet whose vaen spirit rradates the most
doubtful strife and exas the humblest station
Such man was Peter Francisco, man who, in extra
ordinary physical strength oke courage and genteness
of disposition of the remarkable the Revo
luo, ,ary warriors Of Virginia We coud easily fill this
journal with anecdotes illustrating his character and prow-
eSs, but our limits forbid than brief sketch of the
history Of one who at least deserves not TO be forgotten
Peter Francisco did not remember. if he knew, his
native country Returning evening from school, lin
his native and wherever that may have been when five
years Of age together with his sister and two other children
boy and GIRL they passed near the Shore vessel
lay at anchor short distance from the Several
Sailors were just landing in small boat Francisco stop
ped to admire the white sails of the vessel his sister alarm
ed at the presence of the sailors, home, begging him
follow her, The sailors eniced him and two of his COM
panons on board the vessel and they not permitted to
return. They brought this country. and Francisco
was sOld (unti q years od) man named Wright, who
lived at the place known Rains Tavern in Cumberland
county He was seventeen years age when the with
Great Britain commenced and felt very strong desire TO
join Gen. Washnguns army. Col. Anthony Winston, Of
Buckingham taking an interest in the patriotic and
geous youth, b0ughI his time un Wright, and told him to
go. He accordingly entered the army and commenced a
career in the course of which believe it is exaggera-
ton say that he performed actual service than any
twelve of the other patriots ofhe Revou,on At the storm
ing Of Stony Point perhaps the must dangerous and des-
perate achievement of the Revolutionary warhe was the first
man who entered the fortress after Major Gbbon which
occasion he received bayohe wound in the thigh He
al Brandywine, Monmouth, and other battles al the
North, and fought heroicay under Green in the South
where he engaged in the actions fhe Cowpens Cam
den GuRrd Court House. &C. Probably no soldier of the
Revolution in battles, and served his country
more frequently the cannons mouth than Peter Fran
CISCO
The man hmsef perfect Hercules in strength land
In hand to hand combat was perfectly nvircble His sta
lure was SIX feet and inch he weighed 260 pounds
his complexion dark and swarthy his hands and feet un-
commonly large He welded sword six feet in length
That sword is In the hi chnond Armory. used wave
in the front of the fight like meteor bearing down all be-
fore it, Fancisco welded it with as mucb .se and eff
cheney as did Richard OF the Lion Hear, his amous
! batte-axe.
Some of the anecdotes of his personal strength and
chevenens would be absolutely Incredible hut for the un
exceptOnabe authority upon which they founded On
one occasion, when visit 10 Richmond purchase
barrel of wine the merchant said he might have the barrel
1t he would raise il and drink from it, Francisco raised
with ease, aud drank from the bung hoe On another oc
ea'on noted bully who had heard Of his great strength
rode all the way from Kentucky to match himself agains
him in personal encounter Francisco who was mar
OF emneny pacific disposition, endeavored dissuade the
bully "m his purose but finding him determined he rails
ed him from the ground, if he had been feather, and
put him over the fence The picked himself up, and
requested Mr. Francisco put his horse over after him.