Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-02-26
Col. John Augustine Washington.

Col. John Augustine Washington.
The writer having beea II early ijfr int
mstely associated Wiz; he a-b Ct Of this
sketch, assume nat the fees herein set
forth, and especially those ssiet;0g 30 the
death OF Col Wa=hiagton, mag pravs OF in
terest ss Z Glatter of history. The Mount
Vernon estate, the home Of Washington,
was devised by Augustine Washington, who
died in Stsford county. Va april u, 1743,
to Lawrence, tbs second eou by his first
wife. Jane Butler. Lawrence Washington,
who gave the name OF Mount Vernon 10 the
estate, 10 honor vi Admiral Vernon, of the
English navy, under whose command ne
served in the expedition against Carthagena,
died in 1852, and under pToviso OF his will
it became the property of his heIf brother,
George, the olGeat child of Augustine aud
his second wife, Mary Bali.
General Washington, who died December
II, 1898, lef5 Monut Vernon TO his nephew
Bushrod, son OF his brother john Aueus-
tine, and al associate justice o! the Supreme
Court. Bnehrod Washington died NoyeIO-
her 26, 1929, without Issue, leaving it IN tu:n
10 John Augustine Washington, q son OF his
brother Corbin. John Augustine Washing
ton, soon after the death of MS uDc'o Bush
rod, removed to Mount Vernon, where he
resided until bis death 10 Juoe 1882 After
the death OF his widow Mount Vernon be
came the property OF his SOB, John Angus
tine, who name appears at the head OF this
notice.
Col. JohEeAugustine Washington was
born May 3, 1920, at "B!akely," the resi-
dence of his father. in Jefferson county, Va,
Il p
ruary, 1912, sL Exeter" boudoun county.
Va, Eleanor Love, daughter of Wilson Ca
rev Selden, esq. He mad issue TWO sons
and five d9ughiers, all of whom are now
living, and eli married save one daughter.
He resided at Mt Vernon until short tme
prior to the late war, ard unit it passsd IT,
to the possession of the Ladies Mt. Yer
non association" under the control of which
it is still held.
On the breaking out Of ho5tiitie5 between
the States Col. Washington b6cams voun
teer aide, with the rank Of colonel, on the
staff of Gen. Rob't Z. Lee, and was killed
September 13, 1861, while conducting re-
connoisance On the turnpike along Elk
Water river, about 8 miles northwest OF
Huttonsvile, Randolph county, ". Va,
Col. Washington was graduate Of the Un-
iversity of Virginia, aud vas man OF fine
natural parte as we'll as gentleman of cu-
ture, of warm impulslve temperament
and generous nature; in manners and hos
pitality q veritable type of the Virginia
gentleman. The following facts connected
with the circumstances of his death were
recently related TO the writer by Col. J. ID.
Morrow, late Third regiment, Ohio volun-
teers, who commanded brigade Of four
regiments under Gen. George 3. Mcclellan
in the West Virginia campaign at the time,
and in whose arms Colonel Washington ex-
pired, and with whose permission | make
this statement. Tte old State turnpike
road ran from Brady's to! gate, or Brady'a
gap, as the point was also designated,
along the valley, following the course OF
Elk Water river and being OF low ground,
was subject to overflow from the river in
seasons of high water. On this account o
new pike had been constructed on higher
ground, and on this new road at some dis
tance below Brady's gate, General Lee
had established his headquarters. The
bluffs on the opposite side of the river from
the old road had beer heavily picketed by
Federal soldiers for several miles. extend
ing from Col. Morrow's camp below, very
nearly if not quite up to Brady's gate. Ow-
ing TO the mountainous character CT the sur
rounding country, General Lee was imper.
fectly informed ofthe location of the Federal
forces, and in order to obtain reliable infoT-
nation in this regard, directed Colonel
Washington, with detachment, to proceed
up the new road to the forks at or near
Brady's gate and thence down the old road,
cautioning him not to venture beyond GER.
tsin point. Washington, however, itappears,
probably sctuated by over zeal and anxiety
lDah inf ticp
went beyond the point indicated. His
movements along the entire route on the old
road we're it seems, fully observed by the
pickets and Immediately alter he finally
started on his return Yoley was delivered
from the pioket-line aud Washington was
seen to fall from bis horse, which gal
loped away with the retreating escort. He
was apparently the only one stricken By the
volley, Colonel Morrow states that be was
standing but 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 SO as 10 enable
him TO recline against hi5 breast, and
directed one of his men, standing near, and
who wore felt hst, TO run and Ill! it with
water from the stream. Col. Morrow bathed
the wounded mans forehead and endeayor-
ed to press water between his lips from q
saturated handkerchief; but he could not
swallow, as blood was flowing from his
mouth and nose, and in few minutes later
he was dead. The dead officer wore val
liable ring, pin in his shirt bosom, and q
oold watch snd chain. These Col. Morrow
removed, Fem and also took possession of hia
sword and pistols, and ordered new am
bulance, under his control, to be brought at
once from camp, in which he bad the body
placed and taken to his headquarters, near
by.
ing flag, and accompanied by twc-horse
wagon, arrived from Gen. Lees camp in or
der TO obtain possession of and remove the