Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-07-20
Annals of Acknowledgement Series.

Chapter n. - Wsshington's Command at Alex
| aadra.
1854 The opening Of 1854 was frightened
ia Alexandria by the temperance of Major
| Washington on Lis return from bis perilous
embassy to The French on the Ohio. Hereaohed
here about the close Of its first week, stopped
day at Belvoir to recuperate, perhaps in the
hope Of seeing Miss Cary, ard hurried on to
Williamsburg, with the French commanders
answer TO Governor DiIwiddie's demand.
Basing an urgent call for supplies upon the
ioteIIigeLce which Washington brought, Gov;
DinWiddie succeeded in awakening the General
thousand pounds, Virginia currency, were
placed 10 his hands to resist the encroachmeuts
OF the French. With this sum he set about
military operations, of which Alexandria was
made the base Of supplies. The little town
was soon astir With wariike preparations. Maj.
Washington. Who was made Lieutenant Colo.
mel oil Col. Fry's new regiment of three hun.
dred men, speedily gathered here the military
skill and talent OF this section Of the Dominion.
Military equipments wcrc hurried from the
magazines at Williamsburg, and stored in the
warehouses here. A small battery Of four
Founders (part OF the thirty cannon presented
by tho King TO Virglnia) were brought up on
trucks. Leather workers, blacksmiths and tal)rs
were busy. The Points and the hill top heard
for the first time the clangor OF many smiths,
and the grassy streets felt the sloveu gait OF
raw recruits changed into the measured tread
Of trained soldiers. Lieut.. Col. Washington
was everywhere commanding, pushing, 10
spiriug and shaping into 90 effective force the
scores oil men that gathered to his colors Van
Braam rendered him valuable aid. and was
made captain. lie served through several
campaigns, but did not enter the Continental
army, and served in ITS 10 the Royal West
India regiment. Not few of tho officers were
men who had served in tho Scotch army Of
Charles Edward, been ovcrbor0e when the
clans of Colloden were scattered 10 flight" had
been sent, or had sought safety and the chance
of a new career in Virginia. Polsop. who was
lieutenant, had been at Preston pans and COL
loden. He was afterwards captain Of Virginia
rangers, under Braddock. and was killed 10 the
ambuscadc. His son John was given a com
mission in The British army, and fought against
Washington in ITS. William, Chevalier de
Peyronie, was ensign in the Fairfax Company.
| lie too was afterwards captain under BraddOck.
Thomas Wacgener, was lieutenant in this
company. lie TOO served under Braddock. His
descendants resided here long after the revolu
|
and is said by Campbell to have been AN &C.
uuaintarc, of David Hume and friend Of
Smollet."
At the time the driiog first began, the new
recruits did not promise to become very dapper
looking soldiers, but when, after weeks OF tra'o
| ing, they fell into line at tho "arHet tqusre'
| tho oficcrs in .Lcir new red coats and buckskl0
| blceCnes, and the men 10 hunting shirts, they
| were as straight, soIdierly and smart looking
| men as any the colony had ever seen. They
had each had pistole, bounty money, a shill
| ing to drink the Kings health and were to be
paid eight pence per day during their term Of
service.
o. the . / Of April the Alexandria portion
OF tho regiment assembled in the market
square, Washington, now twenty. two years old, |
at their head, and started for the Ohio river.
His command was two companies, about $50
men, Alexandra again bsde Washington
farewell.
While the troops were 10 Alexandria an
event occurred, which has long been historical
Old Parson Wecms, the most entertaining
character of his time, is the author Of the mar
rative which follows:
In 1854, and in the 22l year Of his sge he Was |
stationed at Alexandria with his regi ment, the
only one in the colony, and OF which he was
colonel There happened at this time to he al
sembly: and the contest ran high between Gel.
George Fairfax and Mr.. Eizey. Washington
was The warm friend OF Fairfax: and Mr..
Payne headed the friends of Elzey. A dispute
happening TO take place in the cou;t house yard,
Washington thing very uncommon with him,
BECAME warm: and. which was still more un-
common, said something l sst blended Payne
whoreupon The little gentleman, who though |
but cub IN szo, waa the old lion in heart, rails
ed his sturdy hickory, and. at Jingle baow,
Wasbingtons officers being present, whipped
out their cold irons in an instant: and it was be-
loved that there would have been murder oil
hand. TO make bad worse, his regiment. hear
ing how he had been treated, boted out from
their barracks, with every man his weapon in
his hand, threatening dreadful vengeance on
those who had dared to knock down their be- |
loved colonel. Happily for Mr.. Payne and his !
party, Washington recovered time enough to go
out aud meet his enraged soldiers: and, after |
thanking them for this expression of their love.
and assuring them that he was not hurt in the |
least, he begged them as they loved him or their
duty, to return peaceaby TO their barracks. As |
for himself, he went to bis room. generously |
chastising his inprudence, which had thus |
struck up spark that had like TO have thrown !
the whole town into fame. Finding on ma |
ture reflection that he had been the aggre=sor, |
he resolved to make Mr.. Payne honorable repa. |
ration, by asking his pardon on the morrow
No sooner had he made this noble resolution,
than recovering that delicious gaiety which &C.
companies good purposes in virtuous mind, he
went to ball that night, and behaved as pleas.
antly as though nothing had happened Glo-
riouS proof that great souls like great ships,
not affected by those little puiIs which overset
feeble minds with passion, or sink them with |
spleen!
The next day he went TO tavern, and wrote
polite note to Mr. Payne, whom ho requested to !
meet MIN. Mr.. Payne took it for challenge, |
and repaired to the tavern not without expect.
in IN sea q neir OF pistols produced. But what |
was bis surprise on enteringt the chamber, to see
decsnter of wine and glasses on the table
Washington arose, and in a very friendly man man
ner met him; and gave him his hand. Mr..
PAYNE" said he ITO err is nature to rectify er
ror is glory. find was wrong yesterday but
l wish to be right to-day. You have mad some
satisfaction: and if you think that sufficient.
here's my hand lot us be friends"
A few years after thia, Payne had cause tried
in Fairfax court, Nhen held in Alexandria,
Washington happened on that day to be in the
house. The lawyer on the other side. finding ne
,uaa roin I, faat TO laawsrd thought he would luti