Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-03-31

ed as one of the most impartial and
perhaps one of the most censorious
of our historical critics, in descr ib-
ing that battle, utters not a word in
disparagement OF Gen. Stephen.
"His (Washington's) plan was to
direct the chief attack on the ene'
my's right, to which the approach
was easy; and for that purpose, to
Greene, in whom of all his generals
he most confided, he gave the com :
mand of his left wing, composed of
Greene and Of Stephen, and flanked
by Macdougall's brigade
Again, "Greene should by this
time have engaged the British right !,
but nothing was heard from any
part of his wing" Again, "and
where was Greene? From some
cause, which he never explained, he
reached the British outpost three
quarters of an hour later than the
troops of Washington then at a
very great distance from the force,
which he was to have attacked, he
formed his whole wing, and thus in
line of battle, attempted to advance
two miles or more through marshes,
thiekets and strong and numerous
post and rail fences. Unbelievable
disorder was the consequence !; the
divisions became mixed and the line
was broken"
Again, "Greene on that day, fell
under the frown" of the Comman-
der.in Chief. Had the forces en-
trusted to him acted as efficiently as
the troops with Washingtol the day
might have been fatal to Howe's
army"
Thus Greene and Woodford are
censured by the historian, for their
conduct in this battle; not word of
censure is cast upan Gen. Stephens.
From all which infer, that whilst
he may have been proved to have
been intoxicated on the day of bat
tie, there is nothing in these accounts
to show that his intoxication dis
qualified him for command, or that
the country sustained any injury
from his improper indulgence in the
use of liquor.
Thus ended the military career of |
this distinguished soldier, after a
service of IA years in fighting the |
French and Indians, and two in |
lighting the enemies of our liberty |
and independence. l have seen no |
evidence in his previous career, and
none in his subsequent life, that he |
was habitually addicted to the use !
in excess of ardent spirits. For this |
one violation of military discipline,
he seems to have been treated with |
unusual harshness.
CIVIL HISTORY.
After the return of Gen. Stephen
from military services,i 176S, he gave
his attention to his private affairs,
and was chiefly instrumental in hav-
ing the county of Berkeley created,
by an act of the General Assembly.
Its limits were so arranged as to
make the present site Of Martins
burg about the centre of the county.
So perfectly was this understood
that the justice appointed by Lord
DunmOre assembled at that point On
the 10th of May, 1772, and formed
the first court OF the county. Gen.
Stephen was one of the justices so
appointed and alse at the same time
com missioned first High Sheriff of
the county. Prompt arrangements
were made for the erection Of all the
necessary county buildings, and
there being no town then establish
ed, it was only known as the
Berkeley Court house. Gen. Stephen
being withdrawn from the county,
by his services in the Revolutionary
army, no steps were taken for the
of a town, until his
return in 1777. In 177S Martinsburg
was by an act of General Assembly
laid out on $50 acres of land granted
for that purpose by Gen. Stephen.
Mr.. Bancroft, incorporated into
his great historical work, a letter
Of Gen. Stephen, written in advance
Of the war, indicating the position
then being taken by the colonies,
that would have done honor to the
patriotism and public spirit of
Henry or Jefferson.
In 1883 Gen. Stephen and General
Darke were elected by the voters of
county to the convention
which assembled in Richmond on
the End of June of that year to de-
whether Virginia would
give her consent to the adoption of
our present Federal Constitution.
1t is difficult to imagine higher and
more important trust that could
have been con6ded to two of her
citizens. The convention was near.
" equally divided on the question Of !.
Tie ratification or rejection or that
In favor of its adOp
lion were such men as Jas. Madison,
John Marshall, Edmund Pendleton
and Geo. Wythe; for its rejection were
such men as James Monroe, Patrick
Henry, George Mason and Theodore 9
Bland. The vote stood SO for adop-
ton, 70 against it. 1t is almost un-
n oaocoo M IN co fhof thu dalpOQf1ou |