Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-07-04
Thursday Morning. July 4. 1861.
cumberland q Military POSt-The
Past and the Present.

tents, and our vallies resound with clango
of War In connection with presen
scenes, it may be interesting to recall
part of our past history.
This is classic ground. More than
century ago, though then almost isola
ted from the civilized world, it attracted
the attention of Europe and America. -
To the American, it must ever remain ;
place of peculiar interest as connected
with the early life Of our beloved Wash
ington, who arrived here on the 18th o
Nov. 1853, and frequently afterwards
during the French and Indian War mad,
it a post of military sojourn.
Fort Cumberland was erected, on thu
hill now occupied by the Episcopa
Church and other buildings, in 1854, by
Col. Innes, with Mackay's company o
South Carolinians. and two independent
companies from New York.
1t was far beyond the settlements oil
Maryland and Virginia, and served as a
resting place for the expeditions under
taken against the French and indians on
the Ohio.
The Fort was OF simple structure and
named after the Duke of Cumberland.
On the 10Th of May, 1855, the forces
of Braddock 8 unfortunate expedition ar
rived at Cumberland with the display of
European army.
The Fort became at once busy militia
~ camp. Tents whitened the hill, and
the beat of the rcueiHe and the booming
of cannon, awoke the silence of our
mountain solitudos. The regulars of
England in their gay uniforms, and the
Proyincials in their blue hunting shirts
presented, az grouped together, most
picturesque scene. Cumberland, with
The exception of the fort and few cab
ms. was then Il wilderness; our green
hills were clothed with forests; marshes
covered the low grounds where portion
of the city now stands, and the Potomac
and Wills Creek uninterrupted By dams
or bridges, flowed on over their rocky
beds, rejecting from their clear waters,
the dark foliage of the tall trees that
lined their banks. The proud Briton
and the gallant Washington looking out
rom Fort Hill, behed nothin- but dense
orcsts, flowing streams, rugged rocks
a2d s Wilderness of mountains An eye
aiacs. as quoted by Irving, has pre-
served some of the scenes of this noted |
f9riod. Braddock is represented as
travelling in some degree of state in a
chariot purchased of Governor Sharpe.
In this he dashed by Dunbar's dvis-
on of the troops which he overlook near
Wills Creek, (probably few miles
rom the city,; his body guard of light
horse galloping on each side Of his char
lot, his staff accompanying him, the
lrums beating the Grenadier's March as
he passed. In this style too he arrived
at Fort Cumberland amid l laundering
salute Of seventeen guns
The discipline of the camp was strict,
The roll was called morning, noon, aud |
aight, and arms and accoutrements un.
derwent the strictest examination.
The General held lovec in his tent
every morning from ten to eleven. He
was strict in the morals of the camp
Drunkenness was severely punished, 4
soldier convicted Of theft was sentenced !
to receive one thousand lashes and to be
drummed out of his regiment Part of
the first part of the sentence was remit
ted. Divine service was performed eve
ry Sunday at the head of the colors of
each regiment by the Chaplain
A number of indians were collected
around tho camp, where they spent half
the'uisht singing. dancing and bowling.
The Indians by day loitered about
the English camp, tiercely painted and
srraycd, gazing with silent admiration
at the parade of the troops-aud delight
ed with tho horse races with which the
Young officers recreated themselves
Fort Cumberland in 1855 was not
destitute of female society. 1t is true,
they were not visited and .teted by Eng,
lish and American bellies in silks and
crinolinc. but they received the most pc.
lite attention from the young Indian
beauties, described by writer among
them, as having seductive forms. small
hands sud feet aud soft voices One of
them rejoiced in the name of Bright
Lightning.
The fondness of the Indian Ladies
for the white soldiers aroused the jeal
ousies of the warriors, and to prevent
discord, Bright Lightning and all the
other women were sent back by express
to their homes.
But the light and joyous scenes of
Fort Cumberland were soon brought to
a close. On the 10th of June the West
ward march began. from which in a few
weeks remnant only returned, with the
loss of their brave General, and leaving
the bones of hundreds Of their compan-
ions to bleach upon the bills and vallies
Of the Monongahela. The main body
soon evacuated the fort leaving the from