The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-23
THE TRAITOR ARNOLD.
rursroyy THAT MS PRO.
CHESS IN vIRGINIA.
,o,.restlns Piece Of Almost Forgotten His'
tory--Account Of His Invasion OF
the State.

pickett on The Grove Road, about |
ono and a half miles west of Richmond. |
How 81 came there has been correctly |
stated OF late by correspondent over the |
vcu-known initials ",r. ii. T." But its |
connection with other historical events |
q he period give II a significance worthy |
Oh more extended notice; especially when |
g. is found that in the several accounts
Given. conflicting statements occur in re-
esrl TO the dates and other circumstances
connected with its history.
i, is well known that the traitor Arnold
as Drlgadier in the British service, invaded
Virginia IN January, I7Sl. This was his
frst and only visit to the South. lie
came not only TO ravish the State but
a. make diversion in favor of Corn
wallis. who at that time was attempting
the conquest Of the Carolinas. His army
consisted Of about eighteen hundred men,
land and naval forces Having anchored
lcar Portsmouth. he advanced up James
TiNcr with n small feet and about nine
hundred troops. lie met with little or no
opposition. because the demands of the
continental army in the North, and under
Green, in the South. had drawn from
\irelnia every available man. As soon
as be entered James river he proceeded
e. carry out the orders Of Sir Henry
Cuaton. then at New York. Whatever
nay have been the Instructions Of his
superior, he faithfully executed the be-
hosts Of a cruel and relentless invader.
Ills progress was marked by such a
career of plunder and destruction as
would commend his zeal in the service
De- had but LACEY adopted. and at The
same time illustrate his hate Of the cause
Dee had deserted.
Public and private property were either
destroyed or carried of Expeditions were
dispatched TO the defenseless parts of the
neighboring country, while his fleet was
81 anchor in Hampton Roads, who laid
waste farms. drove off the slaves. horses
and cattle. leaving i'm must cases dwell
ings barns and out-houscs in ashes.
Upon the approach OF the enemy up
James river "a panic spread over the
country and mo 20 the capital By order
Of Governor jefferson. then az Richmond.
the militia assembled at such points as
were thought best. bat these were few
in number and badly provided for rea-
sons lust assigned. General Nelson had
command Of a small body assembled at
Charles CITY Courthouse from which
place hc sent out mounted volunteers Of
tho ncighboring gentlemen to watch the
r.my and report his movements. Arnold
landed first nj WestOver, IL Is said. on
the 4-h II January This fact made IL
important that the roads leading 10 Rich
morl should be closely watched. An
active and willy enemy might. by forced
march. outwit an inexperienced militia
and surprise tho town. Arnold had with
him two such m-n. Colonel Dundas. who
commanded his infantry, and Colonel
Simcon. known 10 be one Of the bodcst
ard most adventurous Of cavalry officers.
The only other body Of militia, besides
those under General Nelson, was a force
H. 4 rs
place called The Forest less than
twenty miles below Richmond, under the
command Of Colonel John Nicholas. He
hold The main road 70 the capital, and had
thrown out Videttcs I'm the direction Of
Charles city Courthouse TO keep up his
communications with General Nelson.
Tfis place. 1.-THE Forest" from which
Nicholas kept the Governor Informed Of
the cyrr0v's movements. we imagine. was
Of peculiar interest to the latter. 1t
was here that just ten years before, he
lad welded the young and attractive
widow &C Bathurst shelton. II had long
been The home Of Mr.. John Waylcs.
weu-knovn gentleman and successful
lawyer OF that region. and the father OF
Mrs. SHELTON. The building is described
as an unnretonding frame house Of two
stories with dormer windows above, and
fankcd by a brick chimney at either end.
II was a typical dwelling OF the time.
sIIFn as was tftNilltl ny tlir btttfi 'ifl'o
a. people 1t was about three miles
from Shirley. the wcll-known scat Of
tho Carriers. and lay al a convenient dis
lance from the mairroad. emhowered in
forest ~ primeval oaks. Not YES
t.re of this historic place now remains
only the spot where it stood Is known by
flint Indications Of il having once been
habuaion, only by the traditions that
stn lnCer around II.
1luch has been said Of the activity and
energy displayed by Arnold on his ma
raulinc visit 10 Virginia Surprise has
haon expressed that he should have been
permitted 10 penetrate so far into the
country capture at dow 'he capi,al ol
tho state. destroy public stores and carry
or large ana valuable amount Of pri-
,.fa property. not only without resis-
far~r but an done in the incredibly
short time OF fortv-oight hours from the
time ho had landed.
We have seen that the invasion was at
vo.+over ON the 9TH Of January He
and Ibis officers certainly could not nave
hastily deserted the alluring attractions
o. This noted and hospitable mansion at
that time. Had they been engaged In the
vigorous prosecution OF the business
which brought them 10 Virginia, three
DAVIS after this date. they would nave al
ready paid their destructive NiSlt 10
Richmond burned the place. packed up
the tobacco they wanted and should al
ready have doharked with their Spots
on fhoir way down towards Portsmouth.
Instead Of this, what do we find? Colonel
John Nicholas on the 7th OF January
vrttoe 10 the Governor from ''The
Forest" as follows MAY II please Your
TrcaUoncv have lust received an eX-
p.css from Charles City Courthouse, who
proves my mistake last might OF General
Nceon's being there. and informs me OF
q small part OF this county militia be-
inr surprised last night. Neither good
irtoilieence or any manoeuvre OF conse-
ouonce can take place until we have
more horse. I just received. the enemy
are IN motion on Berkiey plain, and
for want OF fresh horse I shall be under
no necessity Of retreatng 10 Malvern
rWs whore I shall endcavor TO stand
in haste" sc.
According to other dates given, II ap'
resrs the British marauders did not
ACCOMPLISH their purpose In the short
time attributed to them The fotowina
letter from Colonel Nicholas TO the Gov
crnor proves this: ., % o,o,oo,
January 8th, The Forest u O'CLOCK
~ nirht-Your Excellency, I doubt not
g. anrious to hear OF the enemy's situa-
ton They are, from every account d,
Wesfover. with some corps advanced
On the road leading 10 THIS place. WI.
annoar 10 be under arms, as l am.
have about 800 men tolerably wen ap'
rointed about forty, the best or wnlcn
arc advanced under the command %