Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-08-22
For the Spectator.
GEN. ANDREW LEWIS.

My friend, Hon. VIM. M. Burwell,
for many years resident of New Or
leans In responding to enquiries as to
his knowledge of what tradition had to
say of the death and burial of Gen.
Lewis in his native county, says:
UNITED STATES LAND OFFICE |
NEW ORLEANS, July II, 1882. !
Hon. j. M McCMe:
My dear friend, Your note recalls
legislative associations, of which I am
very proud, and events which have in
creased in importance with the fulfill.
ment of our santicipatiOns. I refer es-
pecially to the success of the Virginia
and Tennessee Railroad and the Valley
Road, just completed, most important
connection between the Northern States
and the Southwest, &c.
But in regard to Gen. Lewis, are you
certain you have the name right? Gen.
Andrew Lewis was an old citizen of
Botetourt within my own memory.
think he led a secluded life on some
rarely descended. 1 think the Revolu-
tionary Gen. Lewis, of whom it was
said that bis name alone was connected
in company with that of Gen. Wash
ington's, must haveowned the property
in Roanoke county near Salem, after
wards acquired by the late Nathaniel
Burwell. And now in regard to your
enquiry. have heard, most probably
from Capt. Buford, that Gen. Lewis was
taken i'll and died at BufOrd's. At
that time all western travel to Rich
mond or Washington City crossed at
that Gap. 1 remember my uncertainty
at that time as to the Gen. Lewis to
whom my informant referred. 1t was
evidently a distinguished man, but
there was at least one other Gen. Lewis
of local reputation. By the way, will
write to Mr.. Q. Busby, son-in-law Of
Capt. Buford, and will see Gen. John
Lewis, of this city, (of the Virginia
stock, y and give you the result of my
enquiries.
Truly your friend,
w. M. BURwELL.
In letter from DR.. Daniel Tomp-
kins. now far advanced in life, tone of
alike vigorous in mind and body" as
one of his county men said Of him,
writes me as follows:
NEAR FANCY GROVE, /
Bedford county. August A, 1882.
j. Marshall McCMe, Esq:
My dear friend,-I fear I can be of
little service to you in your efforts to
honor the memory of Gen. Andrew
Lewis I have the utmost reverence
for his character, patriotism, and prOw-
ess, yet know nothing except by tradi-
ton. 1 have forgotten from what
source obtained, the idea that he was
buried In or near the farm of my friend,
the late Capt. Pascal Buford. I ON
sure his remains have not been removed,
or the Buford family would have known
it. SIxty-five years ago, when in my
"teens" and a citizen of Lynchburg,
where / was mostly raised, there lived
Maj. Towles a square or more from
my mothers, and with whose family
| ours was intimate. He was about fifty
five years old. His wife was Lewis,
and / think daughter of Gen. An
drew Lewis. She was tall and very
graceful in manner. Ijudge from re-
mark made by her husband in my hear.
ing, that she was not afraid of anything
on land or water. The remark was,
'that he and his wife had crossed
Greenbrier river, swimming abreast,
many a time, for amusement only"
Their daughter married DR.. Langdon
G. Rives, of Cincinnati, a brother of the
late Hon. w. G. Rives and Judge Alex.
Rives. They'moved to Cincinnati about
1928, and, believe, are both dead. A
daughter of DIR. Rives married Doc
tor, forgotten his name, who settled in
Salem, Roanoke county, ten years ago.
This gentleman, if you can find him.
could perhaps give you the information
you want. A better way to relieve the
plethoric United States treasury than
moving individual bones, however just
ly honored, would be to divide the sur
plus among the States. This was done,
| hut XTirninio fhon oOntrOllo6 nv old
Democracy, and wearing the jacket of
"State Rights, ;" laced tight behind and
before, refused her share. The war de-
stroyed the jacket, but there are many
places Just now where the money would
fit in, oh so nicely.
With much and sincere regard, and
of long duration, your friend,
DANIEL ToMPKINs.
In a volume, now nearly extinct,
from the pen of Gov. Geo. r. Gilmer, a
natlvei of Georgia, written in 1856
"Sketches of some of the first settlers
of Upper Georgia, of the Cherokees,
and the Author"-on page so says:
"Andrew Lewis commanded the Vir-
ginia troops at the commencement OF
the Revolutionary war. His first i'm
portant service was to drive the Scotch
Governor DunmOre and his adherents
from the State. His military service
was afterwards confined to the defence
of the country bordering the Chesa-
peake Bay. His mountain constitution
gave way from the unhealthiness of the
climate. He resigned, set out for hii
home, but died before he reached it,"
He treats at some length of the Gil
mers, Grattans, Lewises, Strothers
Mathews, Merriwethers, Bibbs, Man
| Toh H-r-fOudo Ron
J netts, Harveys, Andrews, Marks, Talia.
ferros, McGeehees, &C.
t J. MARSHALL MCCUE,