"In the French and Indian warfare that succeeded, Washington fixed his headquarters at Winchester, which was then a frontier settlement, the North mountain, a few miles west of Winchester, being the boundary. From the fear occasioned by the attacks of the French and Indians, this place was almost the only settlement west of the Blue Ridge, which range of mountains was, as late as 1756, the northwestern frontier. At that period, public stores, to a large amount, were deposited at Winchester for the frontier settlement. After the distinguished action at Great Meadows, July 4, 1754, Washington returned with his regiment to Winchester to recruit; soon after which, he was joined by a few companies from Maryland and North Carolina; after which reinforcement they were ordered, by the lieutenant-governor, to march immediately over the Alleghany to drive the French from Fort Duquesne, or build one in its vicinity. After the disastrous defeat of Braddock, Washington, with the remains of the brave Virginia troops, retreated to Westchester. Upon the invasion of the frontiers by the French and Indians, Washington, then on his way to Williamsburg, the seat of government, was overtaken by an express, below Fredericksburg, with the intelligence that the French and Indians had broken in upon the frontier settlements, and were murdering and capturing women and children, burning houses, destroying crops, &c., and that the troops stationed among them were insufficient for their protection. He immediately hastened back to Winchester, where the utmost confusion and alarm prevailed. His attempts to raise the militia were unsuccessful. He sent urgent orders to the county lieutenants, east of the Blue Ridge, to hasten their militia to Winchester; but before these orders could be executed, the enemy, which had done so much injury, and caused so much alarm, had recrossed the Alleghany mountain. Col. Washington, after repeated ineffectual efforts to arouse the government to act on the offensive, and adopt a more efficient system of warfare, by sending a force sufficient to destroy Fort Duquesne, at length prevailed, and Gen. Forbes was ordered to undertake the campaign for its reduction. On the 24th of May, 1758, orders were issued to Washington's regiment to rendezvous at Winchester, and be in readiness to march in 15 days. June 24, the Virginia troops, in pursuance to the orders they had received, moved in detachments from Winchester to Fort Cumberland, where they assembled early in July. Upon the reduction of Fort Duquesne-when its name was changed to Pitt, in honor of the then British Minister--Col. Washington, after furnishing 200 men from his regiment to garrison the fort, marched the rest back to Winchester, whence he soon proceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in the House of Delegates, of which he had been elected a member by the county of Frederick, while at Fort Cumberland. During these contests a fort was built at Winchester, the remains of which are still visible at the north end of the principal street. In Henning's Statutes, vol. 7, page 33, we find the 16th clause of a law passed March, 1756, which refers to this fort, and the appropriation for its erection, in these words: 'And whereas, it is now judged necessary that a fort should be immediately erected in the town of Winchester, county of Frederick, for the protection of the adjacent inhabitants against the barbarities daily committed by the French and their Indian allies; be it therefore enacted, that the governor, or commander-in-chief of the colony for the time being, is hereby empowered and desired to order a fort to be built with all possible dispatch, in the aforesaid town of Winchester; and that his honor give such orders and instructions for the immediate effecting and garrisoning the same, as he shall think necessary for the purpose aforesaid.' The act also appropriates the sum of £1000 for carrying the above provision into effect. This fort was called Fort Loudon, in honor of the British general, Lord Loudon, who had been appointed to the command of the British troops in America."

Old well

LOUDON

The annexed sketch is a representation of the remains of Fort Loudon, engraved from a drawing in the possession of the " Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society." "It appears to have been a field-work, or redoubt, having four bastions, whose flanks and faces were each 25 feet, with curtains 96 feet." The dotted lines represent the present course of Loudon street. It is stated in the History of the Valley, upon authority entitled to the highest respect, ST. the gentleman furnishing the information referred to having been informed by Washington's officers, that Washington marked out the site of this fort and superintended its erection; that he bought a lot in Winchester, had a blacksmith shop erected on it, and brought from Mount Vernon his own blacksmith to

make the necessary iron-work for the fort. The very spot is pointed out where Washington's own residence was situated. It is stated that his chamber was above the gateway of the fort, in a situation commanding a view of the principal street of the town. This fort covered an area of half an acre, and there is still much of its embankments and mounds remaining. There is also a well, from which water now rises to the surface, sunk through the solid rock 103 feet. The labor of throwing up this fort, and sinking this well, was said to have been performed by Washington's regiment. The fort contained a strong garrison; and it is stated, by one of the oldest inhabitants of Winchester, to have mounted six 18 pounders, six 12 pounders, six 6 pounders, 4 swivels, and 2 howitzers; and to this day grape-shot and cannon-balls are found there. These cannon were removed from Winchester early in the war of the revolution. This fort was said to have been once reconnoitred by a French officer, but never was attacked by the enemy. There were a large number of Hessian and German prisoners confined at Winchester in the war of the revolution. In 1780, barracks were erected for them 4 miles west of the town. In 1781, their numbers had increased to 1600.

MAJOR PETER HELPHISTINE, of Winchester, was a native of Germany, and a patriot of the American revolution. He was a major in the 8th Virginia regiment, commanded by Col. Muhlenberg. This corps was composed of young men of German extraction, and frequently called the German regiment. In a campaign at the south, he contracted a disease from exposure, returned, and died in Winchester, and now lies buried in the Lutheran grave-yard.

GEN. DANIEL ROBERDEAU, an officer of the revolution, also lies buried in one of the grave-yards in Winchester. His monument states his death as having taken place Jan. 5, 1795, at the age of 68 years. He was from the Isle of France, and a Huguenot. His descendants are scattered over Virginia. He first settled in Pennsylvania, where he built a fort at Wyoming, at his own expense, which was destroyed by the Indians. He was a follower of Whitefield, and a modest and estimable man.

LORD FAIRFAX was buried under the old Episcopal church, which was on the public square. The land on which it stood was given by him to the society, for the construc. tion of the church. This structure, which was of stone, was taken down about 12 or 14 years since. The bones of Fairfax were removed, and placed under the new Episco. pal church. In this house there is a monumental slab to his memory. At the time of his disinterment, a large mass of silver was found, which was the mounting to his coffin. There is now in Winchester an old building used as a stable, which was once a tavern, in which it is said Fairfax occasionally held levees. His permanent residence was at Greenway Court, 13 miles sɛ. of Winchester. (See p. 235.)

The following incident, in the life of Chief-Justice Marshall, is stated to have taken place at McGuire's hotel in Winchester, which stood on the site of the one shown on the right of the foregoing view in Loudon-street. It was a plain, unpainted building, and was destroyed many years since. The account given below was originally published in the Winchester Republican:

It is not long since a gentleman was travelling in one of the counties of Virginia, and about the close of the day stopped at a public house to obtain refreshment, and spend the night. He had been there but a short time, before an old man alighted from his gig, with the apparent intention of becoming his fellow-guest at the same house. As the old man drove up, he observed that both the shafts of his gig were broken, and that they were held together by withes formed from the bark of a hickory sapling. Our traveller observed further, that he was plainly clad, that his knee-buckles were loosened, and that something like negligence pervaded his dress. Conceiving him to be one of the honest yeomanry of our land, the courtesies of strangers passed between them, and they entered the tavern. It was about the same time that an addition of three or four young gentlemen was made to their number-most, if not all of them, of the legal profession. As soon as they became conveniently accommodated, the conversation was turned by the latter upon an eloquent harangue which had that day been displayed at the bar. It was replied by the other, that he had witnessed, the same day, a degree of eloquence no doubt equal, but that it was from the pulpit. Something like a sarcastic rejoinder was made to the eloquence of the pulpit; and a warm and able altercation ensued, in which the merits of the Christian religion became the subject of discussion. From six o'clock until

eleven, the young champions wielded the sword of argument, adducing with ingenuity and ability, every thing that could be said pro and con. During this protracted period, the old gentleman listened with all the meekness and modesty of a child; as if he was adding new information to the stores of his own mind; or perhaps he was observing, with philosophic eye, the faculties of the youthful mind, and how new energies are evolved by repeated action; or, perhaps, with patriotic emotion, he was reflecting upon the future destinies of his country, and on the rising generation upon whom these future destinies must devolve; or, most probably, with a sentiment of moral and religious feeling, he was collecting an argument which-characteristic of himself-no art would be "able to elude, and no force resist." Our traveller remained a spectator, and took no part in what was said.

At last one of the young men, remarking that it was impossible to combat with long and established prejudices, wheeled around, and with some familiarity exclaimed, "Well, my old gentleman, what think you of these things?" If, said the traveller, a streak of vivid lightning had at that moment crossed the room, their amazement could not have been greater than it was with what followed. The most eloquent and unanswerable appeal was made for nearly an hour, by the old gentleman, that he ever heard or read. So perfect was his recollection, that every argument urged against the Christian religion was met in the order in which it was advanced. Hume's sophistry on the subject of miracles was, if possible, more perfectly answered than it had already been done by Campbell. And in the whole lecture there was so much simplicity and energy, pathos and sublimity, that not another word was uttered. An attempt to describe it, said the traveller, would be an attempt to paint the sunbeams. It was now a matter of curiosity and inquiry who the old gentleman was. The traveller concluded it was the preacher from whom the pulpit eloquence was heard-but no-it was the CHIEF JUSTICE of the UNITED STATES.

In the Presbyterian grave-yard, at Winchester, is the grave of Gen. Daniel Morgan. His monument is a horizontal slab, raised a few feet above the ground. It bears the following inscription:

The military history of the brave commander of the celebrated rifle corps of the revolution,-whom to confront was almost instant death -is generally well known. At the end of the war, Gen. Morgan retired to his estate, named Saratoga, a few miles from Winchester.

Dan Morgen

After the expedition against the insurgents in the Whiskey insurrection, he was selected from this district to Congress, where he served two sessions. In 1800 he removed to Winchester, where, after a confinement of two years from extreme debility, he expired. The house where he resided and died, was the frame building now (1844) occupied by the Rev. Mr. Boyd, in the Nw. part of the town. His widow moved to Pitts burg. His two daughters married officers of the revolution.

A writer in a recent number of the Winchester Republican has. in an article descriptive of the Winchester grave-yards, some interesting facts respecting Gen. Morgan, which we here annex:

This "thunderbolt of war," this "brave Morgan, who never knew fear," was, in camp, often wicked and very profane, but never a disbeliever in religion. He testified that himself. In his latter years General Morgan professed religion, and united himself with the Presbyterian church in this place, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. (now Dr.) Hill, who preached in this house some forty years, and may now be occasionally heard on Loudon street. His last days were passed in this town; and while sinking to the grave, he related to his minister the experience of his soul. "People thought," said he," that Daniel Morgan never prayed ;"_" People said old Morgan never was afraid;" -"People did not know." He then proceeded to relate in his blunt manner, among many other things, that the night they stormed Quebec, while waiting in the darkness and storm with his men paraded, for the word to advance, he felt unhappy; the enterprise appeared more than perilous; it seemed to him that nothing less than a miracle could bring them off safe from an encounter at such an amazing disadvantage. He stepped aside and kneeled by the side of a munition of war-and then most fervently prayed that the Lord God Almighty would be his shield and defence, for nothing less than an almighty arm could protect him. He continued on his knees till the word passed along the line. He fully believed that his safety during that night of peril was from the interposition of God. Again, he said, about the battle of the Cowpens, which covered him with so much glory as a leader and a soldier—he had felt afraid to fight Tarleton with his numerous army flushed with success-and that he retreated as long as he could-till his men complained-and he could go no further. Drawing up his army in three lines, on the hill side; contemplating the scene-in the distance the glit. ter of the advancing enemy-he treinbled for the fate of the day. Going to the woods in the rear, he kneeled in an old tree-top, and poured out a prayer to God for his army, and for himself, and for his country. With relieved spirits he returned to the lines, and in his rough manner cheered them for the fight; as he passed along, they answered him bravely. The terrible carnage that followed the deadly aim of his lines decided the victory. In a few moments Tarleton fled. "Ah," said he, "people said old Morgan never feared;"-"they thought old Morgan never prayed, they did not know;"—" old Morgan was often miserably afraid." And if he had not been, in the circumstances of amazing responsibility in which he was placed, how could he have been brave?

The last of his riflemen are gone: the brave and hardy gallants of this valley, that waded to Canada and stormed Quebec, are all gone-gone, too, are Morgan's sharpshooters of Saratoga. For a long time two, that shared his captivity in Canada, were seen in this village, wasting away to shadows of their youth, celebrating with enthusiasm the night of their battle, as the year rolled round-Peter Lauck and John Schultz. But they have answered the roll-call of death, and have joined their leader; the hardy Lauck wondering that Schultz, the feeblest of the band, whom he had so often carried through the snows of Canada, should outlive him. There is interest round the last of such a corps.

GILES.

GILES was formed in 1806, from Monroe and Tazewell, and named from Wm. B. Giles, Gov. of Va. from 1826 to 1829; it is 50 miles

long, with a mean width of 14 miles. The surface is very mountainous; several lofty ridges of the Alleghany chain pass through the county, and much of the scenery is wild. In the mountain valleys, and the low grounds of the streams, the land is very fertile. The New River, one of the main branches of the Kanawha, passes through and fertilizes a large tract in the county. Pop., whites 4,684, slaves 574, free colored 49; total, 5,307.

Parisburg, or Giles C. H., lies 238 miles southwesterly from Richmond, three-fourths of a mile from the bank of New River, just above where it passes through Peter's mountain. The situation of the town is picturesque, being at the extremity of a mountain called "Angel's Rest." It was laid off in 1806, and contains at present about 30 dwellings, mostly built of stone. Nine miles from Parisburg, on New River, are situated the Hygeian Springs, the waters of which are highly spoken of.

On the opposite bank of New River, both above and below the springs, the rocks present the most majestic appearance: there being several natural pillars that rise perpendicularly to the height of from thirty to two hundred feet, and natural arches; one pillar is denominated "Pompey's Pillar," near which is "Cæsar's Arch;" the pillar and arch nearly join.

The celebrated Salt Pond is five miles from these springs-sometimes known as the White Sulphur Springs of Giles-and ten miles E. of Parisburg. It is a natural and beautiful lake of pure fresh water, on the summit of the Salt Pond mountain, one of the highest spurs of the Alleghany. This pond is about a mile long and one-third of a mile wide. At its termination it is dammed by a huge pile of rocks, over which it runs : but which once passed through the fissures only. In the spring and summer of 1804, immense quantities of leaves and other rubbish washed in and filled up the fissures, since which it has risen full 25 fect. Previous to that time it was fed by a fine large spring at its head; that then disappeared, and several small springs now flow into it at its upper end. When first known, it was the resort of vast numbers of elk, buffalo, deer, and other wild animals, for drink; hence its name of "salt pond." It has no taste of salt, and is inhabited by fine trout.

The above description of the Salt Pond is from the mss. for the 2d edition of Kercheval's History of the Valley of Virginia. From the same source we derive the annexed particulars of an Indian incursion into this region, and of the captivity of Mrs. Hall:

In the year 1774 the Indians commenced their outrages in the vicinity of Sinking Creek, on the New River, in Giles county. In July of this year John Lybrook, (now living, 1836,) with several other children, while at play near the stream were discovered by four Indians. One ahead of his party pursued young Lybrook, who escaped by jumping a gully twelve feet wide. The rest of the children sprang into a canoe and were followed by the Indians, who killed and scalped five of them. A sister of Lybrook, a girl of thirteen, jumped out of the canoe and ran, pursued by one of the Indians. Her life was saved by a remarkably fierce dog, who, attracted by her screams, jumped upon the savage and threw him down, hung and jerked violently upon him while the girl got out of danger. The Indian struck at him with his war club, and finally knocked him down; the dog then ran to the canoe and guarded the dead children until the people took them away for burial. The animal refused to follow them-immediately ran off, and soon raised a most piteous howl. This attracted some of the party to the spot, who found a little brother of Mr. Lybrook, aged about 6 years, with his scull severely fractured and his brains oozing out, and scalped. He lived about 24 hours and then expired.

Mrs. Margaret Hall, now living, when about 10 years old was taken prisoner by the Indians on New River and conveyed to their towns, with whom she remained 18 years,