The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-16

transactions were immediately sue
.cceded BY the war, usually called
Braddock's war, which put an end to
the contemplated settlement, and the
events of which are, for the most part,
matter of general history. It may
not, however, be amiss to relate some
incidents connected with this war
which, though OF minor importance,
may yet be interesting TO some, and
which have escaped the pen of the
historian. 81
In Braddock' army there were two
regiments Of volunteer militia from
Virginia. One Of these was command
ed by Colonel Russell, of Fairfax; the
other by Colonel Fry, and was from
Shenandoah and james rivers. In
this latter regiment there was a
company from, Culpepper, Commanded
by Captain Grant, afterwards known
as q considerable land,holler in
Kentucky and Of which John Field,
(who was killed in the battle at Poin,
Pleasantly was.'a lieutenant. There
was likewise in this regiment com.
pany Of riflemen, from Augusta,
commanded by Captain Samuel Lewis,
the eldest son of John Lewis, who,
with Mackey and Sailing, had heen
foremost in settling that country, who
was afterwards known as Colonel
Samuel Lewis, Of Rockingham. In
this company was also contained the
FIVE brothers Of Captain Lewis
Andrew. afterwards General Lewis, Of
Botetourt. Charles. afterwards Colonel
Lewis, who was likewise killed a; Point
Pleasant, William. john and Thomas.
Amongtheir oompatriots in arms, were
the FIVE sons of Captain John
Matthews, who had accompanied
Burden to Virginia, Elihu Barkley.
John Mcdowell, Paul Witty, James
Bell, Patrick Lockard, and u number
Of others of the fist settlers OF
Augusta Rockbridgc aud Rocking.
ham.
From the time the army crossed the
Alleghany mountain, its movements
were constantly watched by Indian
spies from Fort du Qlesne; and az it
approached nearer the point of desli-
nation, runners were regularly DIES
patched to acquaint the garrison with
its progress, and manner ofmarching.
When intelligence was received that
BradGock still moved in close order.
the Indians laid The plan for surprising
Lin. and carried i, into most efIectual
execution with bat little assistance
from til" French ... .'ri 70 Z
At the place where the English
erased the M0nnngahcla river. there
are about two acres Of bottom land.
bounded by the river on the east, and
by ledge Of hi Oh cliffs on the west.
Through these cliffs thcrcis coasid.
cradle ravine, formed by the flowing
of a small rivul"t: on the summit, a
wide prospect opens to the est, of a
country whose base is level, but surface
uneven. On this summit lay the French
and Indians, concealed by the prairie
grass and timber, and from this situa>
ton, in almost perfect security, thew
fired down upon Braidoek's men
The only exposure of the French and
lndiansresulted from the circumstance
of their having to raise their heads 20
peep over the verge ofthe cliff,in order
to shoot with more deadly precision.
In consequence, all ofshem who we're
killed in the early part Of the action,
were shot through the head
The companies commanded by
Captain Grant and Lewis, were the
first to cross the river. As fast as they
landed they formed. and proceeding up
the rayine, arrived at the plain on the
head Of the. rivulet, without having
discovered the concealed enemy which
they had Just passed. Sosoon as the
rear of Braddocks army had crossed
the river, theLenemy raised a heart.
rending yell, and poured down con.