Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-02

] OF inc uOuuldlhi ohN VIZ NN
level land. The one across the
mountain was the shorter way ; the
other on the level land the better.
The seven Indians placed them
selves in ambush close to the side
of the level road, and lay conceal
ed two days and nights but
Washington did not pass. They
grew impatient, and their chief, the
third day, stated that he would go
10 the other road and ascertain
whether Washington had not taken
that route to the fort the two
roads being only one mile
apart. He gave his men positive
orders not to fire at any person
that might pass in his absence.
While he was gone, Col. Washing
ton, Col. Lewis and Col. Preston,
all three passed close by the enemy
without being molested.
Another tradition informs us
that Lord Fairfax appointed Wash
ington one of his surveyors. lie
boarded with Capt. Charles Smith,
within half a mile of Battletown.
lie kept his Office in anupper room
in the spring house. This small
log building is on the farm owned
by John B. Taylor, Esq.,-the only
son of the late CO... Griffin Taylor,
now in Clarke county.
THE INDIAN CHURCH.
This IS said to be most grand
work of nature. 1t is a spacious
and beautiful cavern, in a high
rock, about four miles west OF
Watkins Ferry, on the Virginia
side of the CohongOruton, (Poto.
mac.) 1t is a circular dome ofcon-
siderable height, with a most ex-
traordinary spiral opening in the
arch, resembling the steeple of a
church. Seats are formed all
around the interior; the inlet is by
large door. Tradition informs us
that the Indians, when in posses
sion of the country, used to as
semble in considerable numbers in
this place. For what particular
object is not known; bu. it is
probable they used it as a place OF
worship, or for holding their coun-
ellis.
PROSPECT ROCK.
This splendid work of nature is
| in the county of Morgan, about
three miles southwest of Bath, I'M
mediateIy on the bank of Capon
river. 1t is certainly not less than
one thousand feet perpendicular
height. Capon river viewed from
this immense height presents to
the eye a most curious and interest.
ing sight. The river running a
considerable distance to the west,
makes gradual turn around a
point of level land-thence return
ing an easterly course to the base
of the mountain, enclosing some
Two or three hundred acres of fine,
fertile, alluvial land, constituting a
most valuable farm. The river
viewed from this rick appears to
the eye not to exceed fifteen oil
twenty feet in width, and forms, as
it were, the shape of horse shoe
1t is at this place, not less than
fifty or sixty yards in width. The
two points of the water are but
few poles apart at the base Of th'
mountain. There is an extensive
view of the valley up the river
some say fifteen miles. The top o
! the AIlegany mountain can be dis
tinctly seen from 1t.
NEW CREEK GAP.
This is seen in the county o
Hardy, about twenty miles south
, west of Romney, and is too, q mos
Z tremendous work Of nature. Th'
, author viewed this place with con
siderable awe and trepidatiOn, Th'
passage is quite narrow, betweel
two mountains of stnpendon'
: height, probably from fifteen hun
dred TO two thousand feet high
= The points Of the mountains ar
> covered with numerous rocks, ant
appear to be hanging over tn
+ travellers head. Through thi
+ passage is fac, lively stream @
, water, which, after leaving thu
mountain, forms Patterson's Creek
= At the west side of the mountai
y there are two streams--One fror
i the south and the other from tn
l. north-which meet at the ga
and unite their waters, and ru
!, through the gap directly an ea'
u course. About midway the gap
j. seen what is called "the spontln
u spring" This spring, it is said,
Q (a) Powelps Fort is in fact natur'
r fortress. The mountains on each SIDE a
of immense height, and covered WI
70 loose stone at the entrance, they con
z 40 close together that a few hundred I'M
IN placed on the heights could destroy T.
TO times their number, by hurling Sto
AZ down on the enemy. II the enemy h
attempted by counter route to enter
~ fort. a few hundred active and bra
K r,aemen, from the mountainous charsct
rs Of the country, could have cut to pie'
IN. an army Of almost any force,