Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-04-29
Letter to Gen. Washington.
Elk Run. FAUoUIER COUNTY, !
January 20. 1881.


January 20, 1881.
DEAR SIR.-General Arnold. with 1900
men, is now encamped three miles west of
this spot. They continue to exercise tine most
unheard of cruelty, Unfortunately on men,
women and children, and wanton destruc-
ton of every kind of property. All eyes are
turned to you for vengeance. 1t was only
yesterday that Sally Metcaf was shot from
her horse 10y British sentinel whilst she " as
endeavoring to make her escape. She is the
wife of Captain Metcalf, with whom you are
well acquainted. will help you with TWEEN
ty mounted men, most of them good marks
men, and if no objection is made, they pre-
fer TO be near you and bring with them their
own rifles, in the use of which they will prove
etfectual. The bearer, Jack Brown, 6 feet 6
in his stockings, though above the average,
is not an unfair sample of the remaining nine
teen who anxiously await your reply to this
tender of their services, and hope you will ac-
cept the same in the manner they desire.
/ would suggest that you retain Jack, and
in his place send back Tim Weeden with
your reply. For other information l refer
you to Jack. l would trust my life in his
keeping.
With the highest regard, your very hum
BILE servant. HORACE RANSDALI.
Gen. GEO. WASHINGTON. Philadelphia.
A few weeks since, (says the OJserrer). in
repairing a mantlepiece at Mount Vernon, an
old letter was found. of which the above is
true copy. 1t had fallen through a crevice
and made Judgement, where, without the
knowledge of any one, it has remained I'M
disturbed for more than seventy years. What
is most remarkable in connection with this
letter is that the tcrlter is still dlipr and still re-
sides in Fauquier! On being shown the let
ter he recognised the same. 1t was read to
him by Mr.. Jeffries. YES said he, Il re-
member well. Sally Metcalf recovered from
the shot, and with her husband she after
wards moved to Kentucky; her son was af-
forwards Governor of Kentucky. They
moved out with Col Tom Marshall, 1893
Col Marshall was Colonel of the Virginia
Artillery of the Third regiment. and fought
at the battle of Brandywine. Captain John
Chiffon was under him and killed in that bat
tie. Lafayette had just been promoted; was
then about twenty-One. and was wounded at
the same time. Col. Tom Marshall was the
father of John. afterwards appointed Chief
Justice of the United States. He died about
the year 1902 or -. We have seen the grave
at Washington. Mason county, Kentucky,
about five miles from Maysville.n AS Mr..
Jefiries came to that point of the letter in
relation TO Jack Brown" Ransdall was
brought to tears. He exclaimed, "My God
poor Jack Brown; | was the cause of his
death just to crafty Tim Weeden's wife, who
had not seen her husband for two years y
Mr.. Jeffries remarked You did it all for
the best in a 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. Washington to me about
eighteen months Afterwards
Ransdall has never received pension for
his services, of which he always speaks in a
light manner, If not entitled 10 one. he at
least deserves the gratitude of his country
men. The original letter may be seen at
the Office of the County Court of Fauquier.
above was the grandmother of our fellow-cit
izen, Col. S. p. AMENT. Good stock.