Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-03

TIE Fotomac seems to have been known
to the Indians long before the coming of
the white man into this region. That
the aborfgines appreciated the natural
advantages for defense and offense Of
fered by this blur at the junction of the
Potomac river and Piscataway creek. and
situation were both sound and unassail-
able. it is pointed out, is attested by the
continued occupancy. of the mound for
hostile defense by the first colonial set
tiers under Gov. Calvert, by its choice
as point for a fertilization by Gems.
Washington and Knox by its improve
ment and enlargement under Presidents
Madison and Monroe. and by its reaching
at the present time the distinction Of
flying the garrison flag.
The historian has found that colonists
from England. in the Ark and the Dove.
penetrated as far up the Potomac river
as what is now Blackistone's Island be-
fore disemba rking. Leaving most of the
party there. Gov. Leonard Calvert with a
few chosen men of the party set out in
two pnnaces to further explore the river.
They made several landings one about
four leagues up at point near the pres
cnt Colonial Beach. but there the native.
became alarmed and fled to the interior
nine leagues. which brought them to wha t
is now called Marlborough Point There
the Indian chief Archihu met them in a
friendly manner
Reach Piscataway Creek.
Continuing their voyage of discovery, the
colonists came to what was then and Is
yet called Piscataway creek. and found
the surrounding heights. now in possess
sion of the National Guardsmen of the
District of Columbia. covered with In
dams to the number of about five hum
dred. in hostile array. After long and pa
tient geSticula lions and demonstrations
their mission was peacea BILE and a con-
ference with the chief then took place. 1t
was at what is now Fort Washington that
the English found Henry Fleet. who had
been captured and held as prisoner, and
through his acting as interpreter much
good feeling was shown.
Shortly after the arrival Of Gov. Calvert
and his party at Piscataway creek the
Indian chief was taken Ill. and forty con-
jurers. or medicine men. in vain tried
every remedy within their power, when
one of Gov. Calvert's party, Father
White. by permission of the chief. ad-
minstered some medicine to him and
caused him to be freely bled. The treat
ment was successful, the invalid began to
improve and was soon restored to perfect
health.
The chief. though. would not bid Cal
vert and his men either go or stay. but
told him The might use his own discre-
ton" Gov. Calvert. not overpleased with
the dubiousness of his welcome. thought
prudence was the better policy. and deem
ing it unwise to settle so far up the Poto-
mac. after having by various presents
persuaded the chief of the Piscataways to
returned for his compatriots, who were
awaiting him at Blackistone's Island. and
entering the river. now called the ST.
Mary. purchased of the Indians part
of their village. where he commenced his
settlement. to which was given the name
March ~, 1884, of St. Mary
Send Soldier to Piscataway.
The purchase of the land and the treaty
with the Indians were much facilitated by
a happy occurrence. The Susquehannock
Indians. who lived about the head of the
bay. were in the habit of making incur
sions on their neighbors. the Yoamacoes
in the vicinity of ST.. Mary city. partly
for dominion and partly for booty. The
YoamacOeS were at the time fearing
visitation of the Susquehannocks and had
already moved to a point of safety many
of their wives and sweethearts. so that
striking bargain for the purchase of the
land was rendered very easy for the col
onists.
1t was in l645 eleven years after the
establishment of st. Mary's city that
among the many acts and regulations for
the defense Of the province was one for
the establishment of a garrison at the
mouth of the Piscataway creek, and au-
Georges hundred. to assemble all the
freemen Of that hundred for the purpose
of assessing upon that hundred only the
charge of a soldier. who had been sent
by, that hundred to serve in the garrison
at Piscataway.
Further. it is set forth in history that
ION the present site of Fort Washington.
which is nearly opposite Mount Vernon,
the Indian village of Piscataway stood.
Here Gov. Leonard Calvert moored his
nil hal With
chief of the Piscataways."
Another historian says that this Indian
village was fifteen miles south from
Washington on the east side of the Po-
opposite Mount Vernon. and near the site
of the present Fort Washington"
An Indian settlement Is shown on John
Smiths map of Virginia, opposite Mount
Vernon, at the mouth of Piscataway
creek.
The foregoing constitutes what is
termed the first period" of the now
thoroughly modern fertilization where
the National Guard of the District of
Columbia is now learning the coast de-
Tense move in the intricate game of war.
The men of the LIST Separate are long
Ing for mess of the cabbage. beets
and carrots that Maj Neumeyer always
gets to them at least twice a week in
this hot weather.
Smallwood of Company d, who admits
that he IS the best cook in the outfit.
served a dish called affecttonate pie for
dessert today. He so named it because
the scarcity of apples left the top crust
dead stuck" on the bottom.
The men miss the mascot Banks"
the black dog of Quartermaster Evans.
and are arranging to send for him to
spend Sunday. The quartermaster
states that Banks declines to be a
guest of the battalion this year, owing
to his treatment by one of the men,
bers of Company A during the early
part of July.
1t appears that Banks. entirely ignoring
the muzZle edct. went out for a stroll
just after twilight of July 3. trusting
to his complexion to evade the evil eye
of Poundmaster EinStein and his men.
He was espied by John Wells Company \.
who rides the rear seat of the regular
wagon and who neither knows nor plays
favorites in his business. and in trice
was in the wagon. The quartermaster
says that Banks is so heart broken at be-
(even on duty hours) that he refuses to
attend camp. Some of the boys who
know the quartermaster think that he
has not gotten over the effect of the two
bones his wife made him put up to get
the mascot out. At any rate. the mascot
is looked for Sunday, and dinner of hot
sausage awaits him.
The street of the on-cOmmissiOned staff
has been named by Sergt and Maj. New
man Beauty Row Names signify moth
ing.
Quartermaster Sergt. Sanford has not
been sick. He has another method: When
hard work Ions up he goes fishing, and
the large five and six pound fish, as