The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-15
FIGHTING BILLY FITZHUGH.
ONE OF THE NOTABLE CAVALIERS
OF COLONIAL TIMES.
new ne Won the Second widow That Ensiavea
ms hnections-some Experiences OF Revolu-
usnary ef Weapons Tor q Drel


arihtocrats, eyes that looked you bravely in the
race with a glitter of mischief In their blue
gray ocpths; powdered hair brushed smoothly
pack from the broad forehead, with its dell
cately arched and pencilled eyebrows. A mouth
firmly closed. but looking ready for a smile or q
lauRn or a song or perhaps q good round oath.
Long. tapering fingers that clasp the jewellod
handle OF a sword, and head thrown proudly
back AZ II he faced and dehed some enemy. So
the Flemish artist. Hesselins, painted him In
tho scarlet uniform Of q British officer, and 30
he stands to-day looking out from tho back
ground OF faded canvas into the faces OF his de-
scendants-Col William Fitzhugh of Calvert
county. Md, or, In tho familiar ~parlance OF his
contemporaries, Fighting Billy" who lived
and fought in those glorious times that tried
mems souls"
Searching the musty pages Of old family rec
ords, we find dimly outlined by anecdotes and
"reminiscences a character that matches the face
and form of the portrait, and brings before us
tho courtly gentleman, the fearless soldier Of
old colonial days.
Col. Fitzhugh was born In Virginia. The namo
Of one of virginia's late Governors, Fitzhush
Lee, suggests a relationship between those two
distinguished families-a relationship brought
about by Col. Ftzhugh's first marriage to Mrs.
Martha Turberville (nee Lee, a sister Of Gen.
Robert K. Lees grandfather, and a daughter
Of tho Hon. Richard Henry Leo Of Westmoro-
land. or her the record says that she bore four
sons.
IJnl,le Oh. o,d.r u.,,,- ~, F;tvhr,b hoa -
,oar 80 "nis,eNn ~ N.,.as -
widow, Nine. Ronsby of Ronsby Hall. The story
Of his second courtship is very characteristic of
the bold Colonel, and would form a capital
plot for an old-time story. Having heard
much of the wit and beauty Of Nine. Rons-
by, he resolved to go accounting without any
Of the usual preliminaries. Accordingly he pre-
sentod himself one day at the young widows
door with The startling announcement that he
had come to woo and win her. Another aS, sutton
peremptorily demanded OF his hostess that her
two oentlsmon At,o, i. r,.it ~ n Co.., 49, ~
s"u1S.na"n" ~ ,io.s o. . ua!' u
tho morning of his departure his hostess ao-
comnanied him ~ tho riror h,nt ,.hars ~,
whaling boat, manned by slaves, was waiting to
carry him across. After making his adieux in
eourus iashion tne ooionei caught Mrs. lions
by'slittle daughter up in his arms, slipped on the
boat, and babe the boatmen push off from the
.horo ua,t tr,u,,.,.d III ....o, ~
nNn .isn'oneu, n"ii amused NINE.
honsby called to him to bring back her child.
mot till you promise to marry me- was the re-
nlv Tho mo,bsr ir,n,,r.d ~. Mia - Ls.
Ky P. i"pioieu' I.e III "ept, out
the boatmen made good speed. and the Colonel
-. hi.,.su ~ nu
oSId - i y, '.or elu Il "eepihe
promise of marriage was made, and the seouel
to this singular courtship was a long and hapnv
Col. Fitzhugh won considerable distinction in
his military career and did good service in The
West India expedition. Early in life he had an.
tered the British army. and served with Al.
miral Vernon in his attack on Cartherena. In
ion 81 e1 RsMssn,e ne W Tss fhe friend s1de and S, gSnPpa N
George Washington. When hostilities began
between the colonies and the mother country.
he was receiving a Colonel's half nav and Iivins
on his wife's estate at Ronsby Hall. near ths
mouth Of the Patuxent River. England offereS
remain neutral, but he rejected he Offer VIII
Indignation. and openly declared his allegiance
At this time old age and blindness prevented
him from bearing arms, but he seut his two sons
into the army, commanding them to be true to
sive, and his voice was heard at every public
out the country d~evoting ali his energies to the
task OF rousing the people to light for their lib
critics.
ture, and when that body wavered between sub
misis0 a ana maj oFits'a ON the h ~ SIDE nj, Of 'h freedoe that hat
right. This zeal for American independence
rendered the venerable patriot very obnoxious
q 20 I sns fa.!'s sent B. By 0a aem a.n sn h1 n dh,s snaf, Mssi
Fitzhugh was surprised. during his ABSENCE ~
Ing like her husband. Of heroic mould. she in.
stantly decided on her course in this emergency.
Collecting the slaves, she furnished them with
such arms as she could find; tGen niling her
apron with cartridges. she placed herself al the
head OF her little band and marched out to meet tee
the enemy, resolved to give them at least one
good round OF shots by way Of welcome. Find.
ing resistance where they had expected none.
the soldiers retired without doing any damaae'
At another time they received Of
the enemy'B design to attack the house by niQht
take Col. FitzhuRh prisoner, Law waste tbe.
premises and carry off ali the pIunder thew
could get. The Colonel friends dissuaded him
enemy met with no opposition they would per.
They ,oounselled him 10 leave the place. and this
remained of the mansion but a heap OF smokins
ruins. The family then removed to Upper Mari.
boro. fifty miles further up the river.
Even here he was not safe. In tho fab before
peace was declared, he was again attacked BY
the British. 1t WAS midnight when he and his
wife were aroused from sleep by q loud knock
ing at the door.
Col. Fitzhugh raised q window and asked,
who is there !"
Friends, was the reply.
Friends of whom. he again asked.
Friends to King George !' was shouted back.
"Open to us at once |"