Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-10-27

We take the following very interesting
letter from the Lancaster, Pa, Examiner,
being written from Shephcrdstown under
date of September IS, 1855. The letter is
in the main correct, but we think that our
"provincialsms" are little over drawn,
and that as people our erroneous Gus
toms" are no greater than those of any
community, either North or South. The
writer, we think, has formed some of his
opinions from observing the manners OF
few individuals rather than from study
ing the character of the community. The
letter is extremely interesting, and we
publish it in full:
After only five hours tide the Lam
castrian can arrive ut Shepherdstown.
The route is most beautiful and varied,
taking in the Cumberland valley. which
is only surpassed in agricultural wealth
by the fair county Of Lancaster; and also
part of the Shenandoah valley which is
famous for its mountains and picturesque
scenery. The bridge crossing the Potomac
is a fine specimen of engineering, being
ITO feet high, and from it the traveller has
one of the most charming views inagina-
BILE. The cliffs along this river, decked
with luxuriance offoliage, now enriched
with autumnal hues, together with the
romantic and historic interest associated
with them, are thoroughly enjoyable.
After YOU have crossed this bridge you
are at Shepherdstown, which lies on the
Potomac, being only sixteen miles from
Hagcrstown. find that mary persons
are much surprised to find that any point
in West Virginia should be so near Ha-
gerstown, for which you can readily ac-
count the reason.
Shepherdstown has for three or four
years enjoyed the facilities Of the Shen-
andoah Valley Railroad, which is giving
the place some new life and enterprise.
The town thereby is made easy of access
to the cities of Baltimore and Washington
as we'll as to Philadelphia and New York.
The town has population of 900, which
is not any larger than that OF the year
l776. You can imagine it is an old town,
and suppose that it is one OF the very
Oldest in the entire Valley. 1t was settled
by the Germans and originally named
Mecklenburg. Afterwards, owing to the
fact that the Shepherd family owned most
OF the real estate in the community, 1t
was named Shepherdstown. For several
wears it was the county seat OF Jefferson
county, which honor was again accorded
Charlestown, which fact accounts largely
for the rivalry existing between these two
towns.
The manufactures of the place consist
in the Manufacturing Company's works,
which turn out large quantities of grain
drills and other agricultural implements,
to supply the great demand. Then we
have a large paper mill conducted by
New York firm, cement mill and few
smaller mills. The people are an earnest
people and take firm hold of any religious
and moral enterprise. AS far as intelli-
yencc, social life and dress is concerned,
the town is not at all provincial, but thor
oughly up to the times. Like in all South
ern towns the buildings are very old, but
we'll laid out, with wide halls and commo-
dious apartments. But the spirit of enter
prise seems to dawn upon the people, and
this year number of new Buildings are
going up while many others are being re-
paired.
The town has great historic interest,
80 m nf
for which there has not been some contest.
1t figured prominently in the revolution
airy war, and when the call came to rein
force General Washington in New Eng
land, it is said that the men responded al
most to n man. When Washington first
saw them with their hunting-jackets, he
mt once recognized them as being from his
dear old Virginia, and the tears rolled
down his cheeks, caused by his emotion.
Having been on the border, this was one
of the most conspicuous fields in the late
civil war. Antietam or Sharpsburg is but
three miles from this place. and the old
red brick house which served rs General
Lees headquarters is still preserved. a
week ago | passed by the hill Oh which
John Brown was hanged, which is along
tho road to Charlestown. After the battle
of Antietam 4 900 wounded were cared for
in this town, which number was aug
mentcd after the battle of Antictam.
Shephcrdstown was shelled OH one occa-
sion, and oftentimes the rebels would hold
it one day and the Union men the next.
There are no less than dozen ex-COn-
federate officers in this community. Col.
Boteler, who was one of the Tariff Com
mssioners, and whose article in the July
Century, OH John Browns Raid, ," created
| SO much comment, resides in town. lie was
a staff officer under Generals Jackson,
Stewart and Anderson. His daughter and
granddaughter, Mrs. and Miss Shepherd,
whom see very frequently, give many
incidents of his several arrests, and enjoy
| the "reminiscences of the rebellion us much
rs northern people. Here OIL the border
at least, the folks are perfectly reconciled,
though not few lost their $50, 900 and
500. 900 i'm their zeal for the Confederacy.
1t was something new to me to learn the
other day that spectators farther South
are buying up the certificates for bonds in
the Confederate Cover nment at the rate
| of seven dollars thousand. l would like
to relate some of Col. Boteler's thrilling
experience i'm the war about which he now
laughs heartily, but time and space for
bid. Col. Boteler is enthusiastic about