New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-08-27
j TRUE SON or THE OLD DOMINION.
81 lYEsI.EY RR AnsH aW.

Previous to the american Revolution that see
tson of Virginia which is watered by the south
arauch of the Potomac and hemmed in east and
west by rugged mountain ranges, swarmed with
Aordes IF savages, and, as natural consequence,
suffered severely at their hands.
But it is a notable fact that, in the midst of
frsubloua times, We generally, if not invariably,
in6 men raised up who are exactly suited to such
times. This fact is amply proved when we run
0nr eyes ever SO curiously over the historic page
and learn that nations fast driven to national
wreck have been saved by the skill, daring or
strategy Of some master-mind; that when Europe
trefnbied at the approach of the naughty Bajazet
n and prepared to mourn the annihiaton of Christ
iauIty, Providence brought to her suecor the ter
Tible Taneriane.
Fame, however, TOO often, too inteutly lowering
over such fields as Platea, Thermopyl@ and Wa
tesioos has left anshadoWed BY her golden wing
ntany glorious battle grave, has neglected to en-
roll upon her scroll the names of heroes whose
zones moulder silently and unhonored in some vii
lage church-yard Or mountain glen.
More especially is this the case in regard to the
4 easty pioneers who carried civilization into the
American wilderness, and most of whose names
and deeds 1--we now only in the recollection Of q
few hoary heads Of the last generation. From a
very old Firginian we obtained the following incl
senE of early life in the Old Dominion, and give it
5ast as 1t was related to us.
Some little distance from the town Of Petersburg
there resided man by the name of Samuel Bing-
Sam. who was noble specimen of the daring
fearless pioneer class OF his day Here, alone in
fhe heart oa a savage, uninviting wilderness, the
roof of Samuel Bingham gave protection to his
falniay which consisted of his wife and two child.
zen, together with his father and mother
One night, some little time after all had retired
sAsxs. Bingham suddenly awoke from slumber
screaming loudly to be saved from the Indians.
afer husband, who had not yet fallen into doze
started nps and, knowing that there was no danger
attempted 10 paeify her. But 1t was long time /
before he was able to convince her that she was
she victim of a mere dream. Succeeding. how |
evaF, ii his efforts, he qaieted her and shortly
iA{tzz ahe again slept.
Not long was ii before she second time started
NJ II terror, AZ though threatened actually pur-
siABaar manifestation repeated on the part Of Mrs
bingham, with whom II was perfectly involuntary,
4Hd Withal strange, for she was of an extremely /
steady and vigorous mind
Mr.. Bingham was not given to superstition, but |
AZ cid believe as he often remarked afterward, in
some dreams.
Tires Hules had bis wife been aroused by fearful
ssfans. each one being like the other two, full of
fearful dangers from Indians. Mrs Bingham, to +
zuse her own werds could not again close an eve I
for fright q but lay trembling like an aspen leaf (;
while her husband, firmly believing that the re- /
peated dreams were a warning not to be disre-
garded, got up, struck q light and proceeded to /
5aasRect his weapons, intending to 70 out for the
purpose of aseertaning # pefohanee there might t
be any Indians lurking in the vicinity
Having dressed himself replenisfed his bullet
pouch and powder horn, and again examined his
giiie, he buckied around him his leather belt, and
sen ascending the ladder that led up to the loft
ap hired man who slept there. This he had par 1
italy succeeded in accomplishing when the sharp
ss-raek Of rifle without was instantly followed BY
= Y ha shrek from his wife, who called up to him
that she was shot
g moment it flashed across his mind that he
nod neglected TO extnguish the light below stairs.
aisa Tbs enemy had thus been enabled to take aim
upon his Tetim through one of the chinks of tbe
les wall. lnwardIy enrsing himself for his care
9easness, Bingham exclaimed in loud tones
Dp, Neg, mp and follow me u and at single
4o9na ne stood at the top of the ladder down I
which he hurried leaving the hired man to come /
sitter. -
Upon reaching The room below, his first move.
Hzslit was TO put cut the light He then told his I
wife to creep under the bed, If possible, which
8 gould be the safest place for tie time being He /
Nncp sought 70 bsIficade his little fort by heaping
everything that he could lay his hands on against
tka go2r, on which the besiegers were already
sainndering |
Again and again he shouted to Ned, tue hired
asa p eome 70 his assistance but the latter, ter
ssasa w 1Re neEee yes OF the sagages without
LAY still, quaking with fear
Al last, enTagea beyond enlaranes ,,,r snc,, mn.
saHi!nity. and while the foe had for n moment
eeased taeT efforts, Bingham sprung back to the
~ fou eusssd hound youg i,aa,t. .,,. ~
sag for such cowardice ii' - ss'''4 s
Ee waa not, haweTer, permitted to mt his threat
sia ufion foE Just as his foot was placed on
we second round CT the ladder crasbins, naisa ~ /
sala him that the enemy had by sudden sbar .sase
t1rced the door, and thus gained an entranes - -
sac cabin The safety and protection of his wennd.
q vie and little ones were more to him than the
lives OF twenty eowards and relinanishing his pur
pose Of vengeance, he turned again. as he after
wards expressed IT "to die in the middle Ct his
tfaes.i y NO
The grayish twilight of approaching dawn en-
zbled him TO see through the shattered slab.door
group OF Indians, each of whom seemed for a mo-
sssent as slassal fearful of entering the breach IN
tase face Of 1le deatlldeang rife that thew well
knew must be silently and fatally leveIled upon tie
zarSl H no should InCantiouElV advance
That nloraent was indeed a fataf one to at least
oae Of their nHnlbef, Tor Bingham, clapping his
niece te his shoulder fred. The leaden messen,