Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-07-19
Paper Read July 9Th. 1917. in Shep-
herdStown, BY Mrs. II. {.
0etZendanner.

herdStoWn, BY Mrs. III. =.
0etZendanner.
Memters OF the Pack Horse Ford
Chapter OF the Daughters OF the American
Revolution, and Friends-l am going TO
state only few historic facts about what
stand Shepherdstown has taken during
war times. As this is the anniversary OF
the greatest event in the history oi our
country, we, as loyal daughters. have
met here 10 express anew our veneration,
appreciation and gratitude for our good
old forefathers who left home and fire.
side, clad only in homespun and leather,
and amid perils, privations, and hard
ships innumerable marched away TO
fight tyrannical foe. When the first
call TO arms sounded its clarion tocsin
throughout the land, these fearless and
sturdy pioneers left their all, even the
plow standing in the furrow-
"Out came horses, out came guns,
Women said 90 and women kissed.
Never a man at the call was missed"
Some ofthese brave men returned, but,
alas many OF them were lost in battle or
perished in foul British prisons. Shep-
herdstown, the cid unterihed. as she
was iamiliarly called, was never known
10 be behindhand when her sons were
needed in the service OF her country.
In the French and Indian War there
were two companies sent from Shep-
herdStown. One OF these was ccm-
manded by Captain Joseph Chapline and
the other by Captain Richard Morgan.
Historic Shepherdstown," that wonder
ful work by our talented auihoress, the
late Danske Dandddge, gives the roster
OF these two companies. Later, in the
year ITS there was company raised in
Shepherdstown and commanded by Cap
tain Hugh Stevenson, and at the same time
another was raised in Winchester, Va,
with General Daniel Morgan for its Cap
tain.
These are the two companies that
made the famous march 10 Boston during
the Revolutionary War and that composed
the historic minute men who did such
gallant service during the war
"Oh what sight in the morning sun
gladdened the face of Washington.
Dust clad, weary, with Saber and ball,
came the minute men, one and all
From nigh GOO miles away, each man
life to spend in the fray,
And stood in line as the chiefrode down,
and said, whence come you TO Cam
bridge town?
Morgan reported with soldiers pride.
We come from Potomac's southern side"
And after that
"a nation sprung up, flag ilew out.
freedom WIS corn and glorious
shout
Went up from the earth that cause was
won, the work OF heroes was done,
we'll DONE"
Surely we owe these men a lasting
debt OF gratitude for what they endured
10 make our glorious country free, SOW
engn and independent, government
excelled nowhere throughout this world.
In the War OF 1912 il was man from
Shepherdstown who was the first TO
enter Fort George in the Canada line. He
was indeed man OF courage, for he tore
down the British flag and waved il,
shouting for good old Shepherdstown.
In the War with Mexico Colonel ]. r.
Hamtramck, a gallant and fearless officer
from Shepherdstown, commanded Viz
giHia regiment. One Of the survivors IS
still resident OF this county, at the ad-
vanced age OF 81 years-he is Colonel
George A. Porterfield, OF Charles Town.
Later, in the long and bloody struggle
OF the War between the States, this valiant
old town was ready and she sent her
best and bravest, who served with dis
tinction in The hardest fought battles OF
The war. All honor 10 our heroes whose
dust today lies in our Valley, they left US
an example Of patriotism worthy Of emu
lation. Let US honor that patriotiim so
that posterity in the years 10 come will
not forget the noble deeds OF our fore
fathers while we enjoy the result Of their
endeavors.
When the War with Spain was pro-
claimed, the same old martial feeling
prevailed, and company was at once
raised by Captain II. c. Getzendanner,
then OF Shepherdstown. This was COM
pany NJ, Second West Virginia Regiment
OF Volunteers.
Today, as this cruel and bloody war is
waged in Europe and drawing nearly the
whole world within IFS vortex. We feel no
uncertainty in regard 10 The stand Shep-
herdstown will assume. When The cru
cial moment comes, we know that the
old martial spirit OF Seventy-Six will
kindIe anew in the hearts Of our brave
boys and they will readily answer the
summons OF their country 10 subdue op-
preston that becomes intolersbIe.
Then when il comes
"Strike, strike for your altsrs and your
fires,
Strike for the green graves OF your
sires,
God and your native land.
ANNA GETZENDANEER.