West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-07-03

Continued fyom last s0eek.)
large sum of money, to be collected.
A subscription was to be opened in
every ''hundred" in all the counties.
For Shipton Hundred, we find three
names, and one is that of our aged
hero, Col. Cresap.
The money collected was to be
paid over March a3rd IT'S, just in
time too, for April 10TH "the shot
was fred at Lexington that echoed
round the world" and set the COL
onies afiame with indignation and
patriotism.
The Maryland "Sons of Liberty"
including Col. Cresap, were all
activity. They held meetings. and
enlisted for service on the field and
at home. The heroic Colonel, SO
long called the English Colonel, "
always formost for liberty, justice,
and loyalty, was now too aged to go
himself, but urged his sons and
grandsons 10 take up arms and
march to the front.
The Second Continental Congress
sent word to Maryland, ''you will
get experienced officers. and the
very best men that can be procured,
as well, from affection to the service,
as for the honor of province. +"
In consequence Of this command
Maryland issued her first commission
to Capt. Michel Cresap, the third
son of the brave Col. Cresap. Says
Scharf: "Cresap's company of
riflemen was the first from the
South to reach Cambridge and join
General Washington. After travel
ing $50 miles over the rough and
difficult roads of that period, they
arrived at their destination the 9th
of August, making the march in "a
days, without losing a man. His
rifiemen were enrolled at Roxbury
in Washington's command, August
I3th." A letter from a gentleman
of Fredericktown to Baltimore, July
10, 1875 says; capt. Cresap with
his brave company have marched-I
need not say anything of Cap,
Cresap's undaunted courage. No,
an American but knows him to be
an intrepid warrior, and of course
he knows his men and has called
them from the many" So popular
was Capt. Michael Cressp that he
enlisted enough for two companies;
he made his selection and kept 100
the rest were added to other com.
panies in the Regiment
Colonel Cresap promised Capt.
Michael TO look after his wife and
little ones, and was exceedingly
active in every way in helping our
country's cause. He stirred up
three of his grandsons to also 20 "a
the front in their UncIe's company.
We might quote from Brantz Myer
OF Baltimore, before the Historical
Society of Maryland.
'T have had the happiness of see.
ing Capt. Michael Cresap marching
atthe head of formidable company
of upward $50 men, from the noun.
tains, painted like Indians, and
armed with tomahawks and rifles,
and dressed in their hunting shirts
and noccasins and though some OF
them have travelled nearly 800 miles,
from the banks Of the Ohio River,
they seemed TO walk as light, and
with as much spirit, as'the FIRST hour
Of their march" lie then describes
their wounderful dexterity in rife
practice, standing up, lying down,
bending in a circle, in any position,
and adds: ~ had the opportunity
of attending the captain during his
stay in town, and observing the
behavior Of his men, and his manner
of treating them. II seems, all who
60 10 war under him, not only pay
the most willing obedience 70 him,
as commander, but look to him in