Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-09-21

the Blue Ridge, and the woods grew
dim, as the Virginians approached
the house of their general. Scouts,
who had been sent in advance TO re-
connoiter, reported that there was an
intrenchmcnt around the house,
within which huge council fire had
been lighted exactly at sunrise. 1t
was evident no time was to be lost.
The mounted cavaliers, under the
command Of WHITLEY, were ordered
to sweep around to the right, while
Gen. Bacon led the bulk Of the force
directly up the bill, against the frown-
ing, silen; brcastwork.
On they moved, with cautious
tread, uncertain as TO whether their
coming was known TO the intrenched
foe. But when they were within a.
bout twenty PAGES of the breastwork,
there came along from its whole
front a cloud of arrows, making
mnny u brave man bite the DUST
The scene which followed is describ-
ed as one of deadly warfare, for no
sooner had the Virginians reached
the breastwork, then yell was Civ
en-. and the rude terrace swarmed
with painted warriors, each bearing
IN his left hand a blazing pine torch,
and in his right war club. Spring
ing into the midst of their assallants,
the savagcs dealt their murderous
blows on all sides, often thrus,ing
their burning torches into the faces
OF the whites, who could not use
their firearms, so close was the en-
counter.
Sound n retreat y shouted Gen.
Bacon and in obedience to the
brazen trumpets, his men fell back.
AT that moment, the cavaliers under
Wyibley charged through the saw
ages, and when they had passed, the
infantry, hastily formed into line,
poured in murderous volleys. Again
the cavaliers moved off a swarth Of
the now discomfitcd sayages, again
a storm Of iron had swept through
their painted ranks, and then with a
cheer, the intrenchment was stormed.
At the head of those who first entered
the breastwork, fighting like a very
demon, was Rupert WHITLEY, and
at the door Of the old mansion as be
rode up TO it, with heavy heart, he
saw his own Henrietta.
Safe ! safe Thank God, she is
safe = he shouted and in an instant he
had reached her side, and she was
clasped to his heart.
Our limits will not permit US TO
portray the story Of her imprisonment
as she narrated il that night around
the family hearth stone. Destined
for sacrifice, she had been carefully
treated, and allowed the unmolested
liberty of her own room. But tina,
night was TO have witnessed her i'm
notation. A Divine Providence had
norved her heart, though escape APP
peated impossible, as she was already
summoned TO the burning pile when
a scout gave the alarm cry.-'rhen,
by the light Of the torches, she plainly
witnessed the fray, impIoring, upon
her knees before the window, that n
heavenly arm would sustain those
whom she loved so well.
Morning dawned and horrible
scene presented itself around the
house, Thore--where st. Johns
Church now stands-lay mangled
corpscs in the stiff attitude Of death,
and the stream near by was tinged
with life-blood. The wounded were
cared for the dead inferred and by
dinner time the horrors of grimed
vsagod war; no longer met the eye.
The last council fire Of the Indian
race at James River Fall was extn-
guished, and the few surviving de-
scendanis of Pocahonias began their
funeral march toward the setting sun.
Success insures success. Had Ba-
con been defeated, he would have
been shot as traitor to his king !;
but now the naughty governor re-
warded him, and he was hailed by
the Virglnlans as their defender.
Marching through Jamestown, he
forced the governor to adopt new
laws, which code was completed July
1, l676-one hundred years to day
before the Congress of the United
States, adopting the declaration fran
ed by a statesman Of Virginia, began
a new era in the history Of man. The
eighteenth century in Virginia was
the child of the seventeenth and
Bacon's rebellion, with the correspon-
ding scene in Maryland, Carolina
and New England. was the early
harbiuger of American Independence
And where was Henrietta, thai
sturdy loyalisi Not in the stately
saloons OF the Governor, but with The
sisters Of her aiiianced lover, Rupert
/ WHITLEY, who had residence a
Jamestown. Her dreams Of roya
protection and a noble husband had
vanished during her terrible captivity
and she now bowed in homage to hen
hearts lord. Soon they were mar
ried, and returned to the plantation,
which Nathaniel Bacon gave his sis,
ter as dover. Some clouds darkenec
their pathway of life at first, but the,
lived many years in as perfect hap
piness as mortals can enjoy; nor die
she ever forget in after years, in mar
rating to her grand children the
events of her rescue, TO add: 'FoI
all That, my dear, your grandfather
did not hold the kings commission.