The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-07

scenes, lofty mountains, transparent
streame. falls OF water, rich valleys; and
majestic woods, the whole interspersed
with an infinite variety OF 1owery shrubs
constitute the landscape surrounding them.
The people are subject TO few diseases, are
generally robust and in perfect health. and
enjoy this life's blessings, for which princes
would give their dominions." To those who
are acquainted with this beautiful valley
| the picture Is not overdrawn. While some
OF the original woods have given way TO
the march OF enterprise and civilization.
while the irOn-horse may now travel in the
path formerly travelled by the wild beast,
while fertile fields now take the place OF the
beautiful shrubbery, yet the magnificent
scenery. with its valleys and its mountains,
still remains TO gladden. the eve and cheer
the heart Of all who witness it,
EARLY SETTLERS.
While the early German settlers enjoyed
| the privileges OF this great country in its
wild and disorganiZed state, and while we,
their descendants, enjoy the fruits OF their
| suflerings and hardships, 1t must not be
supposed that they did not take their part
in the revolution which made these United
States free and independent republic.
From the very outset Of their settlement in
this country they always stood ready to take
Of what was then the West, the early Ger
man immigrants were steady in their sup
port OF the British flag against their heredi-
tary enemy the French. They gave
freely of their men and their
means TO the cause of liberty IN
the war of the Revolution, they took a full
share in the war Of 1912 and in the Next
can war. and were represented IN their
proportionate strength in the Federal and
Conferate armies. They were ever true TO
the country ofbheir adoption, and in the
late war father was pitted against son, and
brother against brother, each standing up
for the section with which he had cast his
lot In Kapp's history OF the early German
soldiers who bore arms in defense OF their
homesteads against the French soldiers and
their allies, the Indians, we find the names
Of the Weisers, father and son. Inc
elder died in Pennsylvania IN l,i6 and the
latter died near Reading in the same
state in 1850. As lieutenant-c0lonel
of Pennsylvania regiment he shared
in the hardships Of the Old
French war and secured from the allied
Indians an affection and respect which
aided his fellow Germans in later years.
His daughter was the wife Of the elderly
Muhienberg, the first of that name TO come
to this country, and the mother of General
Muhenberg, of Revolutionary fame. OF the
soldiers OF the Revolutionary war none were
more distinguished or did nobler service
than did Barons DE kalb and steuben. who
were both major generals, and whose eN-
ploits are familiar TO every student OF the
Revolutionary struggle. In addition 10
these we have acknowledgements William
Friedrich de Woedtke, I. l.. e.
Muhlenberg, George Weldon, and a
host of colonies and 0sher minor officers.
~ m .f.l. ok fol ~
the friend and companion of Washington,
Steuben. and De kalD. lie was dstin-
guished for his personal gallantry. and was
honored by Washington and Congress with
many marks of grateful acknowledgment.
He died in New Orleans in 1896, poor IN
purse but rich in glory. He was the first
yice-president of the German Society IN
New York, and was one OF the original
members of the Society Of the Cincinnati.
General Weldon was born in Hanover,
served in the Austrian war of ms he
served during the Revolutionary war. and
commanded the Virginia militia ut the
siege of Yorktown.
GENERAL MCHLENBURG.
One Of the most noted characters oi Inc
war OF Independence was General Mullen
burg, born in Montgomery county, Pennsyl-
yani. i'm l7iB, the son of the oldest clergy
~
mia. In lII2 he settled in Virginia as
pastor of German Lutheran congregation
in the Shenandoah Valley. lie there be-
came a friend of Washington and Patrick
Henry. Earnestly supporting the cause
Of American independence, he became
colonel of the Eighth Virginia regiment. In
January. 1916, he preached his last sermon,
urging on his hearers the duty Of patriotic
devotion TO the cause of his country,
hA nj. nj
he showed his military uniform and
Immediately over 800 of his listeners
Joined his regiment. Congress soon made
him a brigadier-general, and throughout
the war his zeal, courage, and energy were
appreciated BY Washington, Lafay cite, and
other officers Of the Revolution. He was
member of the First. Second, and Sixth Con-
crosses from Philadelphia, and ] suppose it
will not be to his disparagement in this as
sembly to say that he was a member OF the
Democratic party. His descendants and
those of his venerable father have served
the State and the Church in many ways,
and always with honor to their German
blood. His statue now stands in the capt.
toll at Washington as one Of the two
representative linen chosen by his native
State TO take place among the heroes OF this
country a His name and fame are part Of
the Inheritance Of the German population
which his great state transmits 10 future
generations TO show how thoroughly the
German element has performed its duty in
war and in peace. Time will not allow me
to devote any more to the Germans who
took part in the struggle for independence.
Many were present at Yorktown at the sur
render and detachment OF Germans placed
the flag on the walls of Yorktown after its
capture.
can army fought ags inst the Germans I'M
der the English flag, and that the commands
were given on both sides in German. In
the Mexican war the Germans bore con-
spicuOus part and among the general OFF,
GERS was General John A. Quitman, who
was born in New York. He was IA distn-
guished lawyer and a member of Congress
from Mississippi, and "A gallant soldier in time
OF war. In fact, the register and rolls Of the
regular and volunteer army bear the names
of many distinguished soldiers of German
birth and descent.
ON FEDERAL SIDE.
In the late war we have on the Federal
side Generals Carl >churZ, Weitzel, Seigel.
Heintzelman, KautZ, Wagner, and many
others who were born in Germany, and
were distinguished soldiers in that army,
while in nearly every regiment the Ger
eral George A. Custer, whose untlmely
death was much deplored. was the descend
ant of German officer of the Revolution.
In the register OF the Confederate army we
find the names Of Generals ilOtZclaw, Hell
yenstein, WAGNER, and j. \. Waul, and
many Icolonels, stan and field others.
Among others Gustaye Schleisher, who was
"A colonel OF a Texas regiment. lie was the
first German in Congress in later years
who won reputation as representative OF
the German element. He served several
terms with honor, and his premature death
In 1879 cut short career which gave FROM
Use Of honor to himself and usefulness to his
country.
Among the most distinguished soldiers OF
the Confederate army was Colonel lleros
Won Borcke, who visited this city since the
war and Is personally known TO many Of
you. | recall with special pride, as had
the pleasure Of voting for il, the resolution
adopted on the presentation Of his sword by
r. T.. Lee Camp TO the State Of Virginia.
Resolved by the General Assembly, That
the State of virginia, approaching the high
manly qualities and virtues OF Lieutenant
Colonel Heros Won Borcke, accepts the
sword and hereby directs the secretary Of
the Commonwealth to place IL among the
relics preserved In the public library