Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-09-30

| We uUu III tu6 lhSL uuluDcI vi o Shhio Son
temporary, the Culpeper Observer, the subjoine.
account OF the recent discovery ofan ancientrel
| ic in the shape Of manuscript letter addressed
to General Washington by citizen of Fauquie
county, Va, ih the year 1881:
Letter to General Washington. ~ .
Elk RUN, FAUoUlER Co., Va, +
January 90, 1881. !
DEAR SIR: General Arnold, with 1900 men,
| is now encamped about three miles west of thit
spot They continue to exercise the most M
heard of cruelty, indiscriminately on men, wo-
men and children, aud wanton destruction oi
every gind of property. All eyes are turned to
you for vengeance It was only yesterday that
Sallie Metcalf was shot from her horse by q
British sentinel while she was endeayoring to
make her escape. She is the wife of Capt. Met
calf, with whom you are well acquainted. |
will help you with twenty mounted men, most
of them good marksmen, and, if no objection is
made, they would prefer to be near You and
bring with them their own rifles, in the use of
which they will prove efectual. The bearer,
Jack Brown, 6 feet in his stockings, though a.
bove the average, is not a very unfair sample of
the remaining nineteen, who anxiously await
your reply to this tender of their services, and
hope that you will accept the same in the man.
ner they desire.
would suggest that you retain Jack, and in
his place send back Tim Weeden with your re-
ply. For other information refer you black.
i would trust my life in his keeping. With the
highest regard, your very humble servant,
20 HORACE RANDALL.
General George Washington, Philadelphia.
A few days since, says the Observer, in re-
pairing mantel piece at Mt. Vernon, an old
letter was found, of which the above is a true
copy. 1t had fallen through crevice and made
a lodgment, where, without the knowledge of
any one, it has remained undsturbed for
more than seventy years. What is most re-
markabe in connection with this letter is, that
the aoriter IS still aIipe and still resides in Fau-
quier! On being shown the letter he recogniz-
ell the same. 1t was read to him by James JEFF.
fries. "Yes," said he, VI remember well. Sal
lie Metcalf recovered from the shot, and with
her husband she afterwards moved out 10 Ken
lucky. Her son was afterwards Governor OF
Kentucky. They moved out with Col. Tom
Marshall, in 1898. COL Marshall was Colonel,
of the Virginia Artillery of the Third Regiment
and fought at the battle Of Brandywine. Col.
John Chiffon was under him and killed in that
battle. Lafayette had just been promoted was
then about 81, and was wounded at the same
time. COL Tom Marshall was father of John,
afterwards appointed Chief Justice Of the Uni
ted States He died about the year 1902 or 3.
We have seen his grave at Washington, Mason
county, Kentucky, about five miles from Mays
Vile" AS Mr.. Jeffries came to that portion of
the letter in relation to "Jack Brown" Randall
was brought to tears He exclaimed, "My God I!
poor Jack Brown; was the cause ofhis death,
just TO crafty Tim Weeden's wife, who had not
seen her husband tor two years" Mr.. Jeffries
remarked, "You did it all for the best in good
cause and it should not disturb you; it shows
the goodness of your heart" YES" said he,
''those are precisely the words of Gen. Wash
ington to Inc about eighteen months after
wards"
Randall has never received pension for his
services, of which he always speaks in light
manner. If not entitled to one, he at least de-
serves the gratitude of his countrymen. The O.
riginal letter may be seen at the office of the
County Court OF Fauguier.