Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-24

made especially for him, and probably
the very first pair OF rihed pistols ever
made or seen IN America. Ii was very un-
common TO find rihed pistol In this
country until toward the close OF the
last quarter OF this century. Being an ox-
celient rIneman, II occurred TO him that
the accuracy OF the pistol might
be improved could the principle
Of growing the barrel be applied
10 Il az It was in the rifle. A wealthy
friend, Robert Morris. learned of Wash
ingtons belief and desire, and caused
pair OF riHed pistols To- be made for
him. They were Of the finest workman
ship the Colonies had ever seen.
AT that time there were but three
rine-factories In America-Deckert and
Lcman. in Pennsylvania. and Lang. at
Charlotte. n. c. These three con-
Germs made all the rifles used In the Revo-
luton. The pistols I'm question were the
work OF Lang. He spent nearly three
months In perfecting them. and early In
IN they were finished. They were twelve
inches in the barrel. most carefully sight
ed, and at fifty yards were as sure and
deadly in the hands OF good shot as a
rifle. They were beautifully mounted in
silver, and the locks were OF the finest
French make. They carried a half-ounce
ball. | was present when they saved
General Washlngton's life at Brandy
wine. IL was near birmingham Church
The General and | were riding In that
direction, when We ran squarely into a
picket OF knyphausen's German Riflemen.
The morning was foggy. and we were past
them before we were noticed They fired
n volley but their shots went wild though
they came much too near for comfort or
pleasure. There were six OF them still
In front OF US, but the two behind were
only about forty yards away.
\ GOOD SHOT.
AS those in front Of us began to re-
load, the others behind us were running
up. We were in a lane between two stone
walls. We simply had 10 get by the two
rnemen nearest us. That morning the
General was riding old Nelson. his IA
Vortc war-horse and the only one OF the
four he had that seemed 10 carry we'll
his RIDERS immense weight. He halted
him. and the trained charger stood as
steady as If on dress parade Meantime
the Germans were rel1ading with all pos
sble speed. one Of them seemed To be
having some trouble with a tight bullet
Washington drew the right-hand pistol
from hts holster cooked IL. and with n
quick aim drew the trigger. The sharp
whiplike crack rang out upon the morn
ing air. The man OF the two nearest
had Just got his bullet down and was
printing his piece. He turn 4 half round
and then pitched forward on his face.
shot through the brain. Before the other
could finish loading we were upon him.
and he surrendered. The General turned
the prisoner over TO one Of Sullivan's
captains. who had come up with his COM
pany. aud said nothing. But the prisoner
urt4 81.
workmanship Of the Gencral-in-Chief was
talked about at every campfire Of the
Revolution"
General WashlngtOn's sword was very
sharp as fishting-sWords always were I'm
those days. The present dull-eIged sword
or sabre Of our officers would never have
been allowed a hundred years ago Wash
inStOn was a fairly good swordsnIan
when the war began. bat he habitually
fenced with Baron Steuben and the
French officers under Lafayette. "NOna
Of US could break through his guards"
said General Lafayette To the writer
grandfather, when the illustrious French
patriot visited this country in 1926. lie
was the strongest man and the QUICK
est on his feet for one Of his height
and weight 1 have ever known. He had
a very handsome dress rapicr which
he were upon occasions of state Ii was
sent to him by the King OF France. II
had a gold hit, and was beautifully
mounted. l never knew what became OF
1t, for it certainly was not among his
effects when he died"
What about General Washngton's
fortune? History is greatly at variance
touching it,
Il can answer that question readily"
said Colonel Simms son Of the colonel OF
the Sixth Virginia Regiment of. Conti-
nentals "My father was ington'g
confidential attorney and legal adviser
and drew his VIII lie was reputcd 70
be worth $4,000 at his death. a great sum
then. II was not true. His wife Wa,
rich, but not the General. There was
never year after his retirement into
private life that Washington did not have
10 cncroach upon the principal of his for
tune 70 make both ends meet II l.. as
you know, a matter Of history that Will.
the army was at Valley Forge General
Washington loaned to the government 800
900 IN gold. Not a penny of il was ever paid
back. II is true that james Madison, In
17g2, did propose TO the General 10 intro
ducc a bill in Congress looking 10 the re-
tuln of this money. But General Wash
inSton received me so haughtily, said Mr..
Madison, when / called upon him TO
learn his wishes in regard 10 the matter
that thereafter l forbore.' When he died.
I'm l7g9 General Washington was worth
$1,000 in mis- own right Had he weed
ten years longer he must have been bank