Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-03-07
INTERESTING HssTORsCAL ABTI-
GEES.

With great pleasure we announce a genuine
surprise for our people; surprise in the form
of unique and valuable contribution to our
national literature by a most celebrated au-
thor. Arrangements have been perfected
whereby we shall be enabled to place before
our readers the latest no some of the mos
readable, interesting aud captivating chapters
yet contributed to the American press, Hours
with Men and Women Of the Revolution"
We will commence the publication of these
numbers next week. The illustrious histori-
an, populBr and venerable citizen, born "a
years after Washington died, whose announce
ment needs no further Introduction than hia
name, Benson j. Losing. LII. D., viii give in
narrative form. "reminiscences of his expert
ences and discoveries. Many years ago cas-
ual incident in his life, at Connecticut, urged
him, with an inexpressibled desire TO seek such
memories ofthe great conflict for freedom and
independ nee wherever they might exist and
before it should be too late to make a pilgrim
age to The dwellings ofliv'ng men and women
who were actors in the stirring events of the
long past and hear from their lips the story
| their experiences and recollections in the birth
time of our Republic and record them for the
benefit of his couutrymen. Whereupon he
undertook pilgrimage of many months, en-
bracing nearly 5000 miles of travel, in the thir-
teen original States of the Union and in
Canada, to all dwellings ofliving men and wo-
men and places of interest associated with the
events that marked the founding Of this power
full and free republic" Eow well he accom-
plished his purposes and matured his studies
and investigations, his celeb ratad Field Boot
of the Revolution attests. Bat he tells us that
"in the vast storehouse of recorded incidents
and objects that he gathered and preserved,
there is much that could not be used in detail
in his published worlsa," and it is With this
old and unadultersted wiue that We are TO be
refreshed.
We shall discover in this bow the little side
incidents of life become important factors in
momentous issues, and we shall be brought
face to face with heroes and herOines with
whose names we bad not hitherto become
familiar. We shall find reflected the many
mirrors which the honored historian places in
position, the heroism, valor. patriotism no.
bility of nature genius and pathos Of those
whose efforts ia cornell and in war, as also in
peace. secured for us our country, We shall
also be favored with an introduction to the
last survivor of Washington, who participated
in the great events; we shall see the last Of
Sumter's men, listen to Washington's last sur
yiving bondwoman, and be introduced to the
last surviving belle of the Revolution. We
shall admire che fair courier of important
secrets, take lessons from Montcalms Grand
boy, be told of the captive child of Wyoming,
learn som ething new of the last battle for in
dependence, and discover som interesting de-
tail regarding the great seal of the United
States, adopted by Congress six years after the
declaration Of independence. %e shall call
upon the patriotic widow OF the Copgaree. ao-
company the cicerone ofTiconderoga, and pay
later attention TO an interesting communion
ton concerning the famous and heroic Flora
Macdonald, whose husband, the Scottish Cen
eral, Douald Macdonald. fought on the wrong
side.
Men. women and children pass in review
and crowd the story. which is repete with
matter Of highly interesting character to the
American people aud has never before been
published. The literary gifts of the distn-
guished author are all happy ones; his style is
picturesque. lucid, and always pleasing. In
this instance g surrasses himself.