Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-11-06
From M pistgssf Dbl
O. n raj Andrew Lawia-A Family ~ Iei
Ia Hafcfes


Capitol square:
.Onr Virginia historians have confined their
narratives too much to the trivial details of n
thousand .kirmshes and petty incidents in the
East. and have almost totally omitted Ia record
the contest Of Western Nirginians with the saw
ngc at their doors, rs well n with the tories and
aud red coats in the Caronas, which they yolun-
tecred to march hundreds of miles To fight and
defeat They would stare vacant surprise, if
asked who was Andrew Lewis though he won a
fame second only TO Wasbington's, in command
of the Virginia buckskins at Braddock's defeat :;
though he commanded in the most desperate Of
all the ante Revolutionary Indian battles at Point
Pleasant. though he urgently nominated by
Washington as q MAJ General, TO the Congress
which selected him the first Commander in
Chief Of the American nrmes-a man who, in
the rugged energy Of his military character was
10 the polished Washington in the field what JEFF
ferson was afterwards to Madison in the cabinet.
There are seine additional facts of interest con
nected with the subject Of this eulogum, and
with hi remarkable family, contained in n trndi-
ton of n race: which was found among the pa
rers Of the late John Howe l'eyton Esq of Siaun-
tom and published by his SON, John Lewis Pey-
ton in the Virginia Historical Register. From
this source. and from llowe's Historical Collec-
ton we make the following condensation;
John Lewis the first of the family who emigra-
ted to Virginia, was II citizen of Ireland, descen
led from IInguenot family, which took refuge
in that kingdom His rank was that OF an Es-
ouire, and be inherited handsome estate, which
he increased by industry and frugality. lie mar
ricd Margaret Lynn, daughter OF the Laird OF
Loeb Lynn, who was defendant OF the chief
tains of one powerful clan is the Scottish High
lands. He had four sons by this marriage, Thorn
as, Andrew and William born in Ireland, Charles
the child of his old nge, born in Virginia.
The emigration of John Lewis to Virginia was
the result of brutal and ferocicus attack made
upon his legal rights and domiclleby an Irish no
hIeman and party Of armed desperadoes whom
he had employed for that purpose. Lewis,unarm-
ed aud unnsssted, killed the nobleman and one.E
his servants with n club, when the rest, terrified
by his fierce resistance made percipitate retreat.
This awful occurrence brought the affairs OF Lew
is in ireland to n crisis The connections of the
noblcmen were rich and powerful, and it was
deemed by the friends of lewis rash and unwise,
that, even with law and justice on his side, he
should surrender himself TO his enemies lie
cordingly left Ireland and in the summer of 1923,
established his residence in Augusta county, Va.
After due investigation Of the ailGir by the
thortics in ireland, pardon was granted to John
Lewis, and patents are still extant, by which his
majesty granted to him n large portion of Western
Virginia
We could Gil this journal with thrilling detail.
of the heroic feats of the Lewis family in iepeng
the assaults of .hc Indians and conqucring them
throughout Westcrn Virginia. The MINES of the
four sons of John Lewis have become like house
hold words in the annals of Indian warfare in the
West. The feats of Charles, (who afterwards fell
at the bead his regiment, leading on the attack
mt Point Pleasant have not been eqnulled IN ro-
mantle hrroism since the days of Capt. John
Smith. During This savage warfare, on one oc-
casion. John Lewis, ihen very old and nfrm, oc
cupied IA fort which was attacked by the Indians.
The only occupants mt this fort were the old he
~. his wife, and two young women. Lewis, how
ever. opened port hole. from which he fired at
the savages, while his wife re loaded the guns
Ia this wny he sustained siege of six hours, du-
ring which he killed upwards of score of the In
dions, when he was relieved by the appearance
of a rarity of friends. An old settler relates an
annecdote illustrating the Indian iden of the PROV
ess of tho Lewises: The white clover is OF indi-
,ycnous growth the red was introduced by John
Lewis. and it was generally reported and believed
by the Indians that the blood of the red men stain
bv the Lcwises and their followers had dyed the
trefoil to its sanguine hue.
The women of the family shared the spirit of
the men. When, in the of the revolution,
volunteers were called for to prevent Tarleton
from passing Rockfsh Gap, the wife Of William
Ga son of john CHILLED her only thes sonse who
were not in the army, whose ages were q, ID
and l3 years and said: "Cso my children: | spare
not my youngest my fair haired boy,the comfort
III my declining years. | devote you all to my
country. Keep back the foot of the invader from
the soil of Augusta or see my face no more" 1t
was when this incident related to Washing
ton that he made the famous exclamation: Leave
me- but banner TO plant upon the mountains OF
Augusta. and | will lift our bleeding country
from the dust and set her free"
Gen. Andrew Lewis. to- whom a statue is to be
erected in the Washington group, was the sec
and son of John and Margaret Lewis. In Brad
docks war he was in company in which were
all his brothers. They were especially dlStln-
guished at Bradlock's defeat They were in the
advance and the first attacked by the enemy
Severed from the rest of the army they cut their
way through the enemy to their companies. In
the attack upon Fort Duquesne, Andrew Lewis
wns n Major, and his conduct acquired for him
the highest reputation for courage and prudence
He was the commanding genera! of tho Virginia
troops at the great battle of Point Pleasant fought
May 10, IVA. The splendid vaor and skill dis
played on this memorable occasion were rewar-
dcd by the total defeat of the Indians, who were
driven west of the Ohio. "Wnslington." say,
Howe, lin whose regiment Lewis had once beer
II MAJOR, had formed So high opinion of his
bravery and military skill, that at the commence
mcnt of the revolutionary war; he was induced tt
recommend him to Congress one IF the Major
Generals of the American army" 1t is also said
that when Washington was commissioned rs com
mander- in-chef .'he expresseda wish that the
appointment had been given to General Lewis
lie commanded the Virginia troops when Lore
! Dunmore was driven from Gwynns in l776 ant
| announced his orders for attacking the enemy
| by putting II match TO the first gun, an eighteen
| FOUNDER, himself.
Gen. Lewis" says Stuart, in his Historical
Memoirs, was upwards of six feethigh, of I'M
common strength and agility, his form of the most
| Il
cnuutonance. and was Of reserved aud distant
| lnnnrfmpnt which rendered his nresence mnre