The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-08-29
GEN. ". W. AYEEILI.,

UENs ". W. az AAdGAAp
Gen. W. W. Averill, Of New York. has
written letter in response to statement
that he had signifed his purE osc to join 10 a
reunion of the Federal soldiers at Pittsburs.
to promote the election of Grant in which
he emphatically repudiates Grant and urges
the election of Greeley.
We know Gen. Averill well. In 1878
we campaigned with him, in tbs lead of
severe winter, when the snow was three feet
deep, through the canyons and de6'es of the
Rocky Mountains, against the Navajoe In
dams messed with him, slept with him,
fought by his side and nursed him when he
was wounded
There is not more accomplished gentle
man or truer patriot living than Gen. Av-
GRILL His manly bearing towards the people
Of the Valley during the late war, was not i'll
keeping with the brutal and barbarous policy
Of the Federal authorities, and he was inally
relieved Of command to make way for some
more supple tool after which he resigned his
commission in the army.
When we were intimately acquainted with
him, he was Second Lieutenant of Mounted
Rifles. commanding his company. Gen. Lo-
ring, then Colonel, commanded the regiment
the only regiment OF mounted rifles in the U
C r A
skill. daring and dash caused him to be Sc.
lected on all occasions when dangerous and
difficult enterprise was to be accomplished =
He never failed, and it was on one Of these
perilous reconuoitcrs that he received bull
lei and arrow wound in the thigh. When he
had nearly recovered 10 tusslng with It. W,
D. Whipple Of the 2nd infantry, chief OF
staff to Gen. Thomas during the late war, he
fell and broke his leg precisely where he re-
ceiyed the bullet wound We were with him
great deal during his confinement, and
learned to love the man. Accomplished in
manners and mind, as gentle as woman,
and as brave as Corsair, he added flow OF
spirits and a wealth of humor that always
made him favorite with the entire garri-
son.
We could write good sized book, detail
ing thrilling adventures. amusing incidents.
and almost reckless rencounters, during the
zine months campaign against the Navajoes,
did our time allow it. Throughout every ei-
cissitude and trial Of that perilous Indian war
1t. Averili bore himself as the brave soldier,
the elegant and cultivated gentleman and
the tenacious friend. A splendid horseman
and fine pistol shot, he was ever foremost
in the Fray and the wonder to us was that he
was not killed. On several occasions he had
his horse shot and disabled under him, and
was twice severely wounded himself.
Should this brief and imperfect allusiou to
the most exciting and attractive period Of a
somewhat checkered and adventurous life, meet
the eye of Gen. Averill, it will doubtless call
to mind many interesting incidents aud dan
gerous associations, which he and the writer
have shared together.
We shall ever hold in kindly remembrance
the high character and splendid courage of
the then youthful soldier, whose fine talent
and well balanced brain, caused him to be
selected to lead the most perous enterprises
that the necessities Of the campaign present.
ed.
THIS CONGRESSIONAL DIsTRIcr-The
counties of Page and Shenandoah have APP
pointed delegates to the congressional conven-
ton which meets in this city on the 9TH of
September to nominate candidate for Con-
gress. We understand from a reliable source
that both counties send unanimous delega
tions for Harris We believe now that it is
generally conceded he will be nominated on
the first ballot It is believed that the con,
test will be between Harris aud Duke. We
have the highest respect for Col. Duke, but
should he be the nominee, the great Valley
of Firgina-the back bone of the Conserva-
tive party of the State-will not have rep
resentative in Congress. In the Rockbridge
district the numerical power of the east ern
counties defeated Letcher and nominated
Whitehead, of Amherst In the Frederick
district. the Valley counties we're oyersaugh-
ed. and Gen. Hunton nominated over Col
Moore We think that se!f-defence requires
the Valley counties to stand together aud
supror their strongest man.
The Republican party of New York has
nominated Gen. John A. Dix for Governor
Gen. Dix was war democrat. Il is regard
4 Us strong 'ix:sot, =. ~. 80