Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1889-03-07

INTERESTING SKETCH OF THE PASSAGE or
WASHINGTON HOME FROM THE FATHER
OF HIS COUNTRY INTO HIS HANDS, AND
THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH lie
MET HIS DEATH.
As everything associated, even indirectly,
with the memory of George Washington APP
pears to command a continually increasing
interest, the writer hereof having been IN
early life intimately associated with the sub
iect Of this sketch, assumes that the facts
herein set forth, and especially those relating
10 the death of Col. Washington, which, 1t IS
believed, have never heretofore been proper
~ presented to the public, may of In
terest as a matter of history. The Mount
Vernon estate, the home of Washington, was
devised by Augustine Washington, who died
in Stafford county, Va, April II, l743, to
Lawrence, the second son by his first wife,
Jane Butler. Lawrence Washington, who
gave the name of Mount Vernon to the es-
tate. in honor of Admiral Vernon, of the
English navy, under whose command he
served in the expedition against Carthagena
died in 1852 and under prOyisO of his will
il became the property Of his half-brother
George, the oldest child of Augustine and
his second wife, Mary Ball.
GENERAL WASHINGTON,
who died December H. 1899, left Mt. Yer
non to his nephew Bushrod, a son of his
brother John Augustine, and an associate
Justice of the Supreme Court. Bushrod
Washington died November 26, 1929, with
out issue, leaving it in turn TO John Angus
tine Washington, a son of his brother Cor
bin. John Augustine Washington soon af-
ter the death of his uncle BushrOd, removed
to Mt. Vernon, where he resided until his
death in June, 1882. After the death Of his
widow Mt. Vernon became the property Of
his son, John Augustine, whose name ap-
pears at the head of this notice.
col JOHN AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON
was born May 3. 1920, at "Blakely, " the resi-
dence of his father, in jefferson county, Va,
now West Virginia. He married in Feb
ruarv. 1912. at Exeter" LOudoun county,
Va. Eleanor Love, daughter of Wilson Ca
rev Selden, Esq. He had issue, two sons and
five daughters, all of whom are now living,
and all married save one daughter. He re-
sided at Mt Vernon until short time prior
to the late war, and until 1t passed into the
possession of the Ladies Mt. Vernon AssO-
citation" under the control Of which it is
still held.
On the breaking out Of hostilities between
the states Col. Washington became volun-
teer aide, with the rank of colonel, on the
staff of Gen. Robt +. Lee, and was killed
Sentember Is, 1861, while conducting 4 re-
connoissance on the turnpike along Elk
Water river about 9miles northwest of Hut
louisville. Randolph county, w. Va.
Col. Washington was a graduate of the
University of Virginia, and was a man OF
fine natural parts as well as a gentleman OF
culture of a warm, impulsive temperament
and generous nature. In manners and hos
pitalty yeritable type Of the Virginia gen.
tlcman. The following facts connected with
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH
were recently related to the writer by Col. }.
II. Morrow, late third regiment, Ohio volun-
teers, who commanded a brigade of toul
regiments under Gen. George B. Mcclellan
in the West Virginia campaign at the time
and in whose arms Colonel Washington eX
pircd and with whose permission make this
statement.
IA IA 49, s.....f. :L~ .v..I .oa q Vi'
Brady's toil-gate, or Brady's gap, as the
point was also des mated, along the valley,
following the course OF Elk Water river,
aud being on low ground, was subject to
over flow from the river in seasons Of high
wafer On this account new pike had
been constructed ON higher ground, and on
jhlS new road, at some distance below Bra
dy's gate, General Lee had established his
headquarters The bluffs on the opposite OF
a. . -. frr.,, tio oil r,.l I.I l,,or hon ~
iv pickcted by Federal soldiers for several
mies, extending from Col Morrow's camp
below, very nearly if not quite upto Brady :
.ate Owing 70 the mountainous character
of the surrounding country, General Lee
was imperiectly Informed of the location of
The Federal forces, and in order to obtain
reliable information in this regard directed
Colonel Washington, with detachment to
proceed up the new road 10 the forks at or
near Brady's gate and thence down the old
road, cautioniug him not TO venture be- ond
% certain point Washington, however, II
appears, probably actuated by over zeal and
anxiety 10 be able to report valuable inior-
nation, went beyond the point indicated.
His movements along the entire route on
the old road were, it seems, fully observed
~ tire pickets, and Immediately ter he
finally started on his return vOlley was de-
livered from the picket-line and
WASHINGTON WAS SEEN TO FALL
from his horse, which galloped away with
the retreating escort. He was apparently
the only one stricken by the volley. Colo
mel Morrow states that he was standing but a
short distance from where Washington fell,
and hurried to the spot and discovered him
to be an officer Of rank. He knelt by him
and raised him 50 as to enable him to re.
cline against his breast, and directed one of
his men, standing near, ami who wore a
felt hat, 10 run and fiji it with water from
the stream Col. Morrow bathed the
wounded mans forehead and endeavored to
press water between his lips from a satu-
rated handkerchief; but he could not swat
low. MS blood was flowing from his mouth
and nose. and in a few moments later he
was dead The dead officer wore a valua-
BILE ring. a pin in his shirt bosom, and a
90 d watch and chain. These Colonel Nor.
row removed. and also took possession of
his sword and pistols, and ordered a new
ambulance. under his control. to be brought
40 once from the camp, in which he had the
body placed and taken to his headquarters,
near bv.
Not long after. Gen William L. Loring,
hearing flag. and accompanied by two
horse wagon. arrived from Gen. Lees camp
in order to obtain possession of and remove
The body. 1t WAS then that Col. Morrow
learned the name of the officer who had
fallen, and with whom. il happened, be had