Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-01-18
interesting Reiic.-A sione,

!
Frostburg, is an object of historic interest
! With much reason it is rcputed to have been
erected in this locality by BRADDocH's army
/ as marking the first days march from Fort
Cumberland to Fort Du Quesne. Tt is leg
| ibly inscribed in letters which clearly fince
the style of English Typography prevalent
in that period. Upon its northern face ii
bears a sentiment significant more of patri-
otto determination than the result tells OF
the execution Of that memorable march:
Orr CouNTRY's RIuuTs WE Will De-
FENDw
On the opposite, or southern side, these
sentences:
I'll Mu.Es TO Fort CUMBERLAND"
"29 MILES TO CAPT. SMITHS ISIS AND
BRIDGE-BIG CROSSINGS"
The Best ROAD TO RED STONE"
"OLD Font, Ct MILES"
This stone, il is presumed, stands as it
was erected by BRADDoCK's men, markin- {,
ut lis location at least, the exact route pur-
sued No trace, however, OF that route is
underground, and the surface shows no
evidence of having been beaten by the
march of regiments, or the roll Of artillery
and other army carriages The stone itself
exhibits some marks Of the curosty-hun-
ter's hammer, but not enough to dctace it
materially. The inscriptions are easily
rcad-thc single one upon the northern and
the first upon the southern face-if we may
presume again-being cut upon the uC2na}tce,
the remaining ones upon the retreat Of the
army. This circumstance, we may say,
writes the history of the campaign. Flush
ed with pride and assured of success by the
splendid martial array presented, some sol
der engraved the patriotic sentiment upon
this table of stone" On the other side he
placed all he then knew of this hitherto un-
Travelled r0utc-''1l Miles to Fort Cumber
land Returning he had nought to add to
Our Country's Rights We Win Defend"
Below this solemn blank expresses how
did not cffacc entirely tie motto of advance
For the benefit of the provincial tourist,
therefore, lie could only write of the route.
His information is full and correct enough,
except to name the distance to Fort Du
Quesnc. But be didn't reach that far.
AS a mcmento OF provincial times and as
a point of local interest, we think this rock
deserves some attention. The ground for
some space around it should be cleared and
the rock enclosed in neat iron railing. 1t
should be made easy of access by opening
Il path to the spot 1t should be made a
pleasant place to visit We have no doubt
that arrangements can be easily effected
VITA the owners Of the land 10 carry ont
this object. We submit this hint to those of
CT light, and suggest that, as the project in
wolves but little expense and trouble, it be
at once taken in hand by some active, STIR
ring ladies and pressed to success. This
may be regarded by some as a trivial prop
osition, and as concerning Il commonplace
object, but strangers do not view as we do.
The wonder has been expressed already that
tic town has not recognized the claim Of this
rock to pcrpetuatc in q respectable manner
its need of hiStoGy-that it has not been
made pleasant place of resort, where our
youth may see tie truth of history confirm
cd 10y the testimony of a rock" the record
Of which was written while the old Ficnch
War was in progrcss-tWenty years before
the Revolution. Who knows but it was
the Surveyor Of the lordly majors OF COLOR
ial times he who measured the Allegheny
Wildcrnesses, BEADDoCK's Virginia Buck
kin attcrward General W ASuINGToN, who
cliac!cd these letters and reared this stone !?
With significance SO probable tits crude
monument win be regarded with intcnser
interest as we rccede from the events of
colonial history 1t has already passed its
ccntennial-its record reaches back to a pc
riod thirty five years beyond the recollection
OF the oldest inhabitant' four generations
have looked upon this stone sign-board
the fourth dropping into the grave, and the
time has come for the fifth to look to its
better preservation and protection. Win
we do it? Let the ladies answer