The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1862-11-13
The white House.
ITS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS.

The Milwaukee News says: Beau
tifully situated on the banks Of the
Pamunky, was a mansion known as the
"White House., burned weeks ago bv
our retiring troops. 1t stood on the
side Of the one in which Washington
was married. From Curtis .sLife of
Mrs. Martha Washington we extract
the account Of his courtship and mar
riage.
cit was in 1853 that Washington at.
tired in military undress, and attended
by a body servant, tall militarie as his
chief, crossed the ferry called Williams
over the Pamunky. branch Of the
York river. On the boat touching the
Southern or New Kent side, the soldiers
progress was arrested by one of these
personages who give the beau ideal of
the Virginia gentleman nf the old
regime, the very soul Of kindness and
hospitality. 1t was in vain that the
soldier urged his business at Williams
burg, important communications to the
Governor tGc..-,Mr CT amberlayne, ON
whose domain the militarip had ins,
landed, would hear Of no excuse. Col
Washington was Il name and character
SO dear to all Virginians, that his pas
sing by one of the castles Of Virginia
without partaking Of the hospitalities Of
the host, was entirely out Of the ques-
ton. The Colonel, however, d:d no,
surrender at discretion, but s,on;ly main
tanned his ground, till Chamberlayne,
bringing up the reserve, in tire intima-
ton that he would introduce his friend
to young and charming widow, then
beneath his roof. the solder capitulate1
on condition that he should dine-onlv
dine-ana then by pressing his charge,
and borrowing Of the night, he would
reach Williamsburg before his excel
lency could shake off his morning
slumbers Orders were accordingly
issued to Bishop, the Coils body ser
want and faithful follower, who toge,h
er with good English charger. had
been beqneathed by the dying Brad
dock to Maj. Washington on the famed
and fa:ed dcld Electromagnetic. Bishop
bred in the school Of European dis
ciplinc, raised his hand to his cap. as
much as to say-"Your orders shall be
obeyed."
''The Colonel now proceeded 70 the
mansion, and was introduced 10 various
guests, for when was Virginian do
micil of the olden time without enests?)
and, above all, to the charming widow
Tradition relates that they were mutual
~ pleased on this their first interview
nor is il remarkable ; they were Of an
age when impressions were strongest
The lady was fair to behold, ofex-
tremely fascinating manners, and splcn-
didly endowed with worldly benefits.
The hero was fresh from his earl, fields
rcd ,lent with fame, and with form on
which ''cvery god did seem to set its
seal, to give the world the assurances
OF a man."
"The morning passed pleasantly
away, evening came, wita the Bishop
true TO his post, holding the fayoritc
charger with one hand. while the other
was waiting to offer the ready s,irrup.
The sun sunk into the h,,riznn, and yel
The colonel appeared nnt.-"Twas
strange, twas passing strange. . surely
he was not wont to be single moment
behind his appointment-for he was the
most punctual ot men" ,...
"Meantimc the host enjoyed the
scene Of the veteran at The gate, while
the Colonel was SO agreeablv employed
in the parlor; and procaiming that ne
visitor ever left his home at sunset, his
military guest was, without much diff.
Guilty persuaded TO order Bishop to put
mp the horse for the night. The sun
rode high il the heavens the ensuing
day when the enamored soldier pressed
with spur his chargers side, and
spceled on his way to the seat Of Ego.
vernment, where having dispatched his
b.siness, he retraced his steps, and, a,
the White House the engagement took
place, with preparation for marriage.
"And much hath tho biographcr
Of that marriage, from the gray haired
domestics who waited at the board
where love made the feast aud w ashing
ton the guest. And rare aud, high was