Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-09-25

though very prominent In ITS he
received his commission from Congress
The defeat of his pride at Monmouth
crushed him somewhat. In that bat
tie he permitted his command to retreat,
and when reproachel by Washington
used disrespectful language, and being
! tried by court-martial was sentenced to
a wears suspension. This caused him
to retire to his home here, which is
low stone house, one story high, con-
sisting not of rooms, but of one room,
in which his popularity existed, for he
marked out lines upon the floor separa-
ting the different apartments. "The
better" said he, ''to supervise all of the
departments of one household, for /
can sit in my library and see what is 60
ing on in my kitchen" 10th to forgive
he never forgot, and when Washington
with all the nobleness of man and a
general, wished to blot out the unfriend-
ly feeling, he would not meet him. On
one occasion he announced that himself
and family would dine with him, but
Lee, committing one of the greatest
breaches of Virginia hospitality, closed
his doors with the written announce
ment outside, "No meat cooked here to-
day." Peculiar in life, 50 in death, and
in his will, which is still to be seen, he
made the following as one of his last
requests: "Do not bury me within four
miles Of either Baptist or Presbyteri
an graveyard, as l have kept bad COM
pany long enough while living"
"Travelers Rest" now owned by l.
II. Strider, Esq, and kept by Matthias
Widmyer, was the homestead of Gen.
Horatio Gates, who was born in Eng
land 1928, and soon after the French
war purchased and built this place.
AT the opening of the revolution he
was appointed adjutant general, and
commanded the southern army after lis
maneuvers at Crown Point and Ticon-
derosa. His action at the battle of
Camden caused an investigation, after
which he retired to his home here. In
his time no doubt this "Travelers Rest"
was grand structure, though time Is
now beginning to tell upon it. A stone
house, one story and half high, it con-
tains in all about eight rooms. Every
thing about il is curious and of ancient
style. Upon pane Of glass in the par
lor is the coat of arms of the general,
cut no doubt by him with diamond.
This is to be framed and exhibited at the
Centennial exposition.
So throughout this section is replete
not only with revolutionary facts, but
the late war, for around here are some
of the battle-6elds of Virginia, and even
where this is being written was the
scene of many terrible conflicts. Often
times thi&is titled "Mulligan's retreat"
not after the Mulligan Guards, but be-
cause of the lightning speed made by
Gen. Mulligan and bis command when
pursued by Gen. Brad. johnson on the
23rd of July, 1868.
Now, where war and strife prevailed,
the flower of peace blooms, and fertile
and cultivated fields succeed the carnage
and bloodshed of the battle-ground; the
swords have been turned into plough
shares, "and spears into pruning hooks,
for nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war any
more The smiling farmer realizes
this, and in g'ancing over the effect Of
his labor is convinced
"There duly shall appear
J In verdure beauty strength,
/ The tender blade, the stalk, the ear,
And the full corn at length;"
for all of which gratitude within him
self is felt to the kind Master in heaven,
"who doeth all things we'll.
Before concluding, a word on the
Blue Sulphur Springs must be added.
Thslooks well in drint and sounds high
toned when spoken, but the ideas which
invariably picture the place when it is
mentioned is soon changed on behold
ing it. This being popular for the good
it has done is much treasured spot; SO
it was decided to make a pilgrimage to
it that the noted waters might be quaf-
ed ana due obeisance to it made.
The ladies, who are essential 10 every
real pleasure, occupied pheatons, (what's
in nancy while the cavaliers were
mounted on some of the noted steeds
of the valley. Mr.. +. +. Smith, OF
Washington, Hon. John Aglionby, Of
Shepherdstown and Prof Messeaus, of
ST., Jamess College, with Master jim
mic, Charlie, and Albert, assisted in
doing the honors.
After travelling over very unsteady
road we reached our destination and
looked around for the noted spring,
which we found at the foot of hill
surrounded by an old fence and almost
lost in the exuberance of long grass
which borders it. With surprise we
exclaimed SIS this the placer and yet
but half century ago this was the
popular resort of Virginia, and what
the White Sulphur, Rawley, Jordan
Alum, and other springs are now, SO
this was then, and the prominent sons
and daughters of Virginia and other
States assembled each year to enjoy
the medicinal waters and pleasures at
tendant at such places. But alas! It's
indeed thing of the past, sad relic
of departed worth; not even vestige of
the hotel stands, nor is there anything
to mark the spot-nothing remains but
what nature put there, which seems to
say the works of man have come and
gone-yet we are steadfast. Sitting
upon the hillside, Fancy entertained us,
! ~