The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-06
GrEuIug Trlegaph
TUESDAY, DECEMBER G, 1864.
FIOM sHERDAN,s AMY.

General sheridan Gives the citizens of
winch,ster an Audience Something
historical
MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Tuesday, De-
eember g lsGi.- General Sheridan, on one or
two occasions, recently, has given "audience" to
the citizens of Winchester and vicinity, to hear
whatever complaints they might have to make
relative 90 matters in any way pertaining to the
military occupation Of the place. While the
General is a hard dgbt.r, he nt the same time has
that attendant quality which distinguishes all
brave heterogeneous and humane impulses.
These audiences have delighted the hearts Of
hundreds, though, perhaps, q few only of the ap-
plicants obtained what they desired. Still, When
the heart is burthCucd it is some relief TO be able
70 pour out ones feeling, IN presence OF the
highest in authority, who has the power, If he
deems il iteXp,dient, to afford relief. A majority
Of the visitors, believe, were friends or relative
Of those recently arrested for dislOyal conduct
and sent to Washing on or elsewhere.
Il Is not at all Improbable tH1 many mistakes
were made that some citizens were sent away
who had q right, strictly speaking, to remain
and that Others were overlooked, or permitted to
remain, who should have Chad they received the
dCsCrt.l been sent away. In the hurry of the
moment and particularly in war times, such mis-
takes are always liable to be made. But of ono
thing feel assured, majority of tAcse OYorsghts
were on the side OF mercy
Aside from the immediate satisfaction afforded
the citizens Of meeting the cOmmaEdiug-geucra
face to face, these interviews have gone a grea
ways towards modifying the bitter, rampant,
relentless SecessOui,ts, who saw in the ncces-
sary destruction Of property in this valley an
opportunity to eNasperate the bold and make
bold the timid or lukCwarm in the cause OF Sc
CessiCn.
persona, interview has removed much of the
natural prejudice existing, for they ind the
General not only human being but one largely
gifted with the noble qualities. | know OF per
sons indeed, that could not bear to hear the name
OF the commander OF this department mentioned
before an interview, who have suddenly become
retiCent aud would pass very well for non. COM
batants now. In word, General Sheridan has
been exercising a little "wise craftsmanship" but
upon no dubious basis.
This SDcc beautiful valley now desolatcd by
the ruthless hand of war; was the scene of many
interesting events in our early colonial history.
The first settlements west OF the Blue Ridge were
commenced about 1850, by sixty Germans who
mostly came from the land of William Penn;
but few wandered to the theu far western will
dernesS, from the more ancient settlement called
Germanna, in Spottsyyama county.
The settlers were hardy, industrious race,
and their TeutOnic origin mas given character
30 the people of the whole valley to this day, en-
trely different from that of any other portion of
the State. Indeed, as class, they more nearly
resemble the people of some portions of
Pennsylvania in habits and custOmS and
there is an absence of that intensely
Southern feeling found among the degen-
crate sons of the old English cavaliers so credit
able to the SOuthrons heart at the expense of his
head. Hence we find that the secession heresy
has not taken such deep root here as elsewhere.
In this connection may state that there are more
intense secessonists to be found among the slave
catchers in the borders of the free States than
here.
Of all the towns in this valley, ! believe Win
chester claims the most historic honOrs. Here
are to be seen to-day the carly footprints Of
George Washington and others, who either took
times, or both.
Portions (the basiiOns) of old Fort Loudon, laid
out by Colonel George Washington, and con-
structed by his regiment, are still 70 be seen in
the nortberly edge of the town. This fort was
constructed in 1856, 10 protect the inhabitants
against the French and their Indian allies, par
ticularly the Shawnees The well dug by Wash
ingtOn's regiment is in daily use now by Union
soldiers. 1t is cut through solid rock to the depth
of l03 feet and has in it to-day about sixty feet Of
water.
Winchester was the extreme frontier depot for
the troops operating against the French aud In
diaDs on the Allegheny and Ohio; here Wash
ington's regiment returned to recruit after the
action of Great Meadow, July 4, 1854, and here
again the troops were gathered after BraddOck's
defeat Immediately after the reduction of Fort
Duquesne, Washington was elected to represent
this county (FTedeTick) In the House ofDelegates.
In the graveyards Of the town are to be found,
among others of more or less revolutionary re-
nown, the remains of that "thunderbolt of war;
Major General Daniel Morgan, General Daniel
Roberdeau, aud Major Peter Helphistine. The
house in which Morgan died is still standing.
Lord Fairfax was also buried in this place. The
stone over Morgan's grave has been much dis
figured by curiosity hunters.--N. Y. Times.