Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-24
EARLY VIRGINIA HISTORY.


THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN HORSE
SHOE CONCLUDED -''sIC JUvAT TRANS
CENDERE MONTEs."
No. 13.
September 3d.-About eight we were
on horseback and about ten we came
to a thicket so tightly laced together that
we had great deal of trouble to gel
through. Our baggage was injured,
our clothes torn all to rags and the sad
dies and holsters also torn. About FIVE
of the clock we encamped almost at the
head of James river just below the
great mountains. We called this camp
Col. Robertson's Camp. We made all
this day but eight miles.
September 4th.-.We had two of our
men sick with measels and one of our
horses poisoned by rattlesnake. The
sides of the mountains were 80 full Of
vines and brambles that we were
obliged to clear most of the way before
us; crossed one of the small mountains
Oh this side OF the Appalaohians and
from the top had fine view of the
plains below. Killed number of rat
lie snakes. Pitched our tents OF the
James river where man could
iGmp across it. Called this Rattlesnake
Camp. Had made four miles.
September 5:h.-Were mounted al
five. Followed the windings of the
James in the tracks of the axeman.
Killed two rattlesnakes. About one
O'Clock We came to the source of the
river where it ran from under q great
rock no larger than a mans arm. Had
made four miles and a-half. Near to
this fountain we found another, which
ran in an opposite direction down the
other side of the mountain. We follow
ed this stream until we came to the op-
posite valley and continuing on, found
a river (Shenandoah) where we camped
at night. This day made foul
teen miles. We saw when we
were over the mountains the
tracks of elk and buffsloes and their
beds. Ate very good wild grapes. We
called this Spottswood's camp after our
governor.
September sixth.-We crossed the
river shenandoah which we called
Euphrates. 1t is very deep; the main
course of the water is north; it is four
score yards wide in the narrowest part.
We drank some healths on the other
side and returned. The governor had
craving irons, but could not grave any
thing, the rocks were 30 hard. He
buried bottle with paper enclosed,
stating that he took possession of the
place in the name of King George First
of England"
The course of the knights from Ger
manua had been westerly and mainly
through the territory now included
within the limits of the counties of
Orange and Greene. They crossed
over Mine and Mountain runs and the
R4ppahannock at Sommersville ford
near CIsrk's mountain-then skirting
its western bank for some miles they
recrossed it near the railroad from Cui
pepper to Orange Courthouse, thence
kept on within few miles of the Rapi-
dan over the bottoms of Poplar, Blue,
Marsh and Big runs, and the south
branch of the Rapidan and Conway
rivers-then, after few miles recrossed
the Conway and doubled back to
Price's mountain. Thence they kept
on to Swift Run Gap, leading through
the Blue Ridge. They celebrated the
success of their expedition by erecting
the national flag and arms and light
ing immense fires on the summit of the
mountain. Around these they made
merry and jovial over their ample store
of wines and other exhilarating po-
tations. From their old fiDt-lock
muskets they fired volleys which woke
the echoes of the dense wilderness aud
wild crags surrounding them. They
fessted on steaks of bear and venison,
drank loyal toasts to the monarch OF
old England and the rest of the royal
family; and doubtless they whiled
away the weird hours singing the old
time songs and rehesrsing stories OF
their varied life experiences in the
home land so far beyond the seas
Nearly all of them had been through
circumstances of great peril aud dan
ger. Some of them had been soldiers
lighting under Marlborough at Blen-
helm, Families, Louvaine, and other
battles. Some had been with Admiral
Rookie at the siege of Gibraltar.
The knights did not advance beyond
the valley of the Shenandoah. The OBJ
iect of their errantry had been accom-
plished, and they returned to their re-
spective settlements on the James, the
York and the Rappahsnnock; but the
rangers who had accompanied them
pushed on and explored the country
for many miles beyond, and but very
few years elapsed before daring settlers
f.om the tidewaters were following fast
in their tracks to axe possession OF the
lands to which they had opened the
way.
This expedition was not one OF long
sud wearisome toll. It was not one of
dangers and perils. 1t bad no circum-
stances of chivalry, religion, or super
stition to weave around it halo OF
splendor. Only the circumstances OF
curiosity and discovery lent it prestige.
But it was one of the important events
10 the great plan of destiny; and it has
furnished page of romance for Vir-
giria history which vii always have
ia, ctnntion for, and will command The
admiration of every studen, who de-
lights to trace tbs beginnings and the