Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-12-18
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tended with the most disastrous
consequences to our country. The
whole western frontier was left ex-
posed TO the ravages Of the forces
of the Frenchand Indians combined.
After the defeat and fall OF Brad
dock, Col. Dunbar, the next IN com
mand Of the British army, retreat
ed to Philadelphia, and the defence
Of the country fell upon Washing
ton, with the few troops the colo.
MES were able to raise. The peO.
pie forthwith erected stOckade forts
in every part of the Valley, aud
took shelter in them. Many fam
lies were driven off, some east Of
the Blue Ridge, and others into Ma
ryland and Pennsylvania.
Immediately after the defeat of
Braddock, Washington retreated
to Winchester, in the county of
Frederick, and in the autumn of
1875 built Fort LOudoun. The
venerable and highly respectable
Lewis Neill, who was born on
OpeQuon, about five miles east of
Winchester, l747, stated to the au-
thor, that when he was about eight
years of age, his father had bust
ness at the fort, and that he went
with him into it. Mr.. Thomas
Barret, another aged and respecta-
BILE citizen, states that he has often
heard his father say, that Fort
Loudoun was built the same year
and Immediately after Braddocks
defeat. Our highly respectable
and venerable general, John Smith,
who settled in Winchester in 1913,
informed the author that he had
seen and cOnveTsed with some Of
Washington's officers soon after he
settled in Winchester, and they
stated to him that Washington
marked out the site of the fort, and
superntended the work; that he
bought a lot in Winchester, erect
ed a smiths shop on it, and
brought from Mount Vernon his
own blacksmith to make the Deces.
sary iron work for the fort. These
officers pointed out to Gen. Smith
the spot where Gen. Washington's
huts or cabins were erected for his
residence while in the fort. The
great highway leading from Win
chester to the north passes through
the fort precisely where Washing
toms quarters were erected. 1t
stands at the north end of Loudoun
street, and a considerable part Of
the walls are now remaining. 1t
covered an area OF about half an
acre; within which area a well,
one hundred and three feet deep,
chiefly through solid limestone
rock, was sunk for the convenience
of the garrisoD.(a) The labor of
throwing up this fort was performed
by WasbingtOn's regiment; so says
Gen. Smith. 1t mounted six eigh-
teen Founders, six twelve Founders,
six six Founders, four swivels, and
two hOwitzers, and contained
strong garrison.(b) No formidable
attempts were ever made by the en-
emy against it. A French officer
once came to reconnoiter, and found
it too strong to be attacked with
any probability of success.(c)
For three years after the defeat
of BraddOck, the French and In
dams combined carried on a .Jnost
destructive and cruel war upon the
western people. The French, how
ever, in about three years after
Braddock's defeat, abandoned Fort
Duquesne, and it was Immediately
taken possession of by the British
and colonial troops under the COM
mand of Gen. Forbes. Washington
soon after resigned the commander
the Virginia forces, and retired to
private life. A predatory warfare
was nevertheless continued on the
people of the valley by hostile In.
dian tribes for several years after
the French had been driven from
their strong holds in the west; the
particulars of which will form the
subject ofmy next chapter.
Ca) The water in this well rises near
the surface, and in great floods Of rain has
been known to overflow and discharge a
considerable stream Of water. The site OF
the fort is upon more elevated ground than
the head of any springs in its neighbor-
hood. Upon what principle the water
should here rise above the srrface the
author canuot pretend to explain.
(b) Gen. John Smith stated this fact 10
the author. The cannon were removed
from Winchester early in the war Of the
revolution. Some further account Of this
artillery will be given IN future chapter
Nlr. Henry W. Baker, Of Winchester,
gave the author an account Of the num-
Der of cannon mounted on the fort.
(c) William l.. Clark, Esq, is now the
owner of the land including this ancient