Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-04-21

country, never TO return, but as the NOR
tai enemies of its settlers; burning houses,
killing stock, and numbering defenseleSs
women and children. II was at this time
that forts began to be erected along the
Border" and even as far east as Elk
Branch, so that the inhabitants might take
refuge in them when the savages came.
William Darke was at this time about
nineteen years OF age, and, as did all
other young men of the region, either
joined the regiment commanded by
Washington, or else fought just as brave
ly in some company Of rangers that
were banded together to protect their own
homes, and usually assembled in some
neighboring fort. WaShington'S regiment
had command of the frontier, and it is
possible that William Darke was a soldier
in it.
We now come to the Tragedy OF Du-
Quesne," as John Eston Cooke called 1t.
Early in June General Braddock marched
out of Cumberland, Md, with an army.
the like OF which the Continentals had
never seen. The red coats Of the British,
900 strong, contraSted greatly with the
homeSpun of the 900 and more Provin-
cials. The brave regulars stepped out
proudly to the tap OF the drum; the Eng
liSh music sounded; the English flags
Haunted; and the Virginians, MarylanderS,
and New Yorkers-the rangers OF the
woods, marched behind to assist Gin the
improbable eventthat their services might
be needed" We need not repeat the
well-knoWn story. The terrible fire that
the Indians poured into the serted ranks
OF the British caused such a panic that the
regulars threw away their guns, accou-
trementS, and even their clothing, and
rushed pell-mell-cannon, horse and in
fantry-away. Only the provincialS stood
their ground. Out OF SO officers, the
VirginanS lost 26 killed and 81 wounded.
William Darke was there, a young man
OF about 20 years; and Washington. but
q years of age, was there also. He had
lately resigned his commission as colonel
and was chosen by Braddock as his aid
de-camp. He seemed to have charmed
life. Four bullets passed through his coat
and two horses were Shotfrom under him,
| hIIt there he brave1v stood.
"A combination and form indeed,
Where every god did set his seal
To give the world assurance OF man
Every Virgihian on that glorious day
was ahero, and thenceforward every man
OF them was personally known to Wash
ington. twas on this glorious field that
many OF them got their training for the
great Revolution that was to come after.
The Indian depredationS that followed
in the wake of this disaster make one OF
the saddest pages in the history OF the
American colonies. The ShaWneeS and
other Indians, often led by French Off
GERS, poured over the AlleghanieS by the
route which Braddock had opened for
them, and laid waste the rich plantations
of the Valley. The chain OF forts which
had been built along the "0order" were
manned by new levieS of troops, with
George Washington as colonel and COM
mander-in-chief of the newly organized
First Virginia Regiment OF 10 companies,
with the usual privilege OF selecting his
own officers. He chose Adam Stephen as
lieutenant-coIonela and Andrew Lewis as
major. Winchester was made the rally
ing point, and from Fort Frederick troops
were sent out to the other forts along
the border. Major Lewis had nominal
command in the Upper Valley, and It.
Col. Stephen along the Potomac and its
tributaries. Washington was the soul OF
the Border War. When this war was
over, William Darke went back to his
fathers fields.
II was about this time that William
Darke was married to Sarah Deleyea,
daughter of his neigh6or, and buried here
along beside the body Of our hero, we
find not only the grave OF his wife, Sarah,
but those Of two of his sons, John and
Samuel. John was born in 1867, and
died when only 25 years OF age; Samuel
was born in 1863, and died when but Il.
A daughter, Mary, married Mr.. Manning.
and has numerous descendants living, the
only descendants Of General Darke.
There was another son, whose noble life
we will speak Of again, Joseph, who lies
buried in a grave near PittSburg, Pa, or
Cumberland, Nd. Joseph Darke, the Gen
erals youngest son, was captain in his
fathers regiment, and of Maj. g. M. Bed
inger's battalion at "St. Clair's Defeat"
The tradition OF his death is well known.
How that after he had been rescued by
his father, and brought on his way, in
fit of laughter the wound in his throat was
opened and he periShed while attempting
to swallow piece ofmeat at the table.
His father brought home his clothing, and
in silent sadness threw the garments upon
the floor. II vas sad hour for the old
General. The blood-stained garments
of his youngest and only remaining son
were all that was left to transmit the
name of 'Darke" to posterity. No won
der he hated the Indians. 1t is said that
upon one occasion clergyman who
much resembled an Indian was holding
services in the neighborhood, that Darke
arose, said Indian" in indignant tones,
and walked out OF the church.
An old historian Of Virginia remarks
that General Darke, between the time OF
Braddock's defeat and the Revolutionary
War, engaged in agricultural pursuits,
and that he was several times elected to
the Legislature Of Virginia as the repre-
sentative of Berkeley county. The same
historian in describing his character says: