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HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Oerman }£lement 
 
 in IPirginia, 
 
 Heppinann Sehurieht. 
 
 Contributed by the author as a corresponding mem- 
 ber of, and published by the 
 
 Society for the Ibistov^ of the (5er=» 
 mans in ^ar^lanb. 
 
 BALTIMORE. 
 1900. 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 The German Element IN YimiA, 
 
 BY 
 
 Herrmann Schuricht. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 Theo, Kroh & SONS, PRrNTERS. Baltimore, Md 
 18 9 8. 
 
A.\^s.'\^\ 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 This -work is dedicated to all German-Americans, who, 
 with a loyal attachment to the land of their choice, combine 
 a pious remembrance to the native land of their forefathers: 
 those brave pioneers, who helped to develop the great resources 
 of the New World and to make these United States of North 
 America an abode of liberty and happiness. The history of 
 Virginia — the mother of States — records many names of 
 Germans who have acted their parts well in the work of civi- 
 lization and deserve honorable recognition. 
 
 In particular this book is devoted to 
 
 The Socieiy for the Hisiory of ihe Germans in Maryland, 
 
 aiming to ascertain the merits of the German settlers, and to 
 guard the same from oblivion. 
 
 EespectfuUy, 
 
 The Authoe. 
 
TABLB OF' CONTKNTS. 
 
 Vol. I. 
 
 rage 
 
 INTEODUCTION. 
 
 The Participation of Germans in the Discovery of America... 7 
 
 PEKIOD I. 
 THE COLONIAL TIME TO THE END OF THE 18th CENTURY. 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 The Settlement of Tidewater Virginia 17 
 
 CHAPTEE II. 
 The Organization of the Colonies of Maryland and Penn- 
 sylvania, and the German Sects ,! 47 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 Topographical Survey of Virginia 55 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Causes of the German Immigration into Virginia during the 
 
 18th Century GO 
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 German Settlements in Middle Virginia and Piedmont 66 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 Settlement of the North-western Mountain Region of Vir- 
 ginia by German-Pennsylvanians and Germans 84 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 The French and Indian War — and Indian Devastations 104 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 The War of Independence and the German- Virginians ,112 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 German Allied Troops of England as Prisoners of War in . 
 Virginia , 144 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 The Indian-hunters and the German-Virginian Emigraiiion 
 
 to the West 154 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The Participation of Germans in the Discovery 
 OF America. 
 
 HE Peogress of civilization has been advanced by no 
 other historical event more powerfully than by the re- 
 f discovery of the New World, and no other race has 
 alike promoted European culture in America, than the 
 Germanic. Among the Europeans of Germanic origin, who 
 have participated in the gigantic work of civilization in 
 America, the Germans have quietly and little noticed done 
 their share. 
 
 Virginia— with the sole exception of the settlements of the 
 Norse or Northmen in " Vinland,"— was the first scene of 
 Germanic life in North America. The name " Vinland " the 
 New England States derived from the discovery of the native 
 grapevine by the German Dietrich Tyrker, from the Ehine, 
 who as teacher and guardian, sailed in the year 1001 with 
 the sons of Eric the Ked from Greenland to the coast of the 
 North American continent. The world is indebted for the 
 knowledge of the Norse discovery to the German Rev. Adam 
 von Bremen, born at Meissen in Saxony, and died in the year 
 1076. In his " History of the Church," he reports statements 
 received from Swein, King of Denmark and others; and Ice- 
 landic records and traditions confirm his narration and speak 
 of Markland, Helluland and Vinland, which comprised the 
 territory from Labrador to Massachusetts and part of Ehode 
 Island. In the year 983 Red Eric (Erik Rauda) and lierjulf, 
 compelled to fly from Iceland, sailed with a number of colonists 
 to the distant coast of Greenland. Sailing around Cape Fare- 
 well, through their efforts the southern extremity of the 
 western coast of Greenland was speedily settled, as is proved 
 by many runic inscriptions. In 986 Herjulf's son Bjarn or 
 Bjarni discovered by 'accident the great American continent 
 
in the neighborhood of Boston and the news of his discovery 
 reached Norway, where Eric's son Leif stayed at the court of 
 King Olaf Tryggvason to acquire a scientii3c education. Hear- 
 ing of the beautiful land situated in the southwest of the 
 ocean, Leif resolved to sail in quest of it and returned to 
 Greenland in company with his German teacher, Dietrich 
 Tyrker, from the Rhine. He purchased Bjarn's ship, manned 
 it with 35 sailors and reached first a snowy and rocky coast, 
 which he named Helluland (rocky land.) Coasting the main- 
 land for many miles he and his companions sighted a rich 
 woodland which they termed Markland, and finally reached 
 an island and the mouth of a large river which originated 
 from a lake. There they wintered, and Dietrich Tyrker, the 
 guardian of Leif, explored the country and discovered the 
 native Grape-Vine. Accordingly, they called this part of the 
 land Vinland. — Two years later Leif and his brother Thorstein or 
 Thorvald undertook another expedition to Vinland. Leif 
 founded a village, " Leifsbudir, " and in the spring of 1003 
 a part of his followers sailed farther south and discovered a 
 very rich country. Attacked by the native savages or 8krael- 
 lingers, the expedition returned to Greenland in 1005 ; but in 
 the year 1006 Torfin built in Vinland a town which he called 
 " Torfinsbudir," and Freydis a daughter of Eed Eric, Halg, 
 Finnbog and others importing colonists from Norway, the 
 settlement prospered. In 1121 Bishop Erich inspected the 
 colony— and for three centuries a commercial connection was 
 kept up between Vinland, Greenland and Norway, until decay 
 began. The hostility of the natives and "the black death," car- 
 ried off most of the settlers, and finally with the unfortunate 
 colonists all knowledge of Vinland died out. (Compare : "Der 
 anregende Einfluss der Deutschen auf die Entdeckung der neuen 
 Welt," von H. A. Eattermann, Seite 9 und 10,— Cincinnati, 1S92 ; 
 and Worthington's: "History of the United States.")— However, 
 after the rediscovery of the Western Continent by Christopher 
 Columbus in 1492, a permanent English settlement was effected 
 as stated, in 1607 on Virginian soil; and although in some 
 instances the old mother colony has been surpassed by later 
 seats of European culture in America, its history presents a 
 most interesting picture of the progress of civilization in the 
 new world and the part the Germans have taken in it. 
 
Germany had reached the climax of its commercial power 
 at the end of the middle ages. The Hanseatic Union reigned 
 in the Northern seas, and the Kings of Scandinavia and 
 Britain submitted to her superiority. But during the last 
 decades of the fifteenth century symptoms of a rapid decline 
 became apparent. England and the Netherlands made .stren- 
 uous efforts to compete in the commerce of the world : Par- 
 ticularism began to loosen the ties upon which the strength 
 and power of the Hanse rested, and finally grand events as 
 the rediscovery of America by Christopher Columbus, and the 
 maritime route opened to East India by Vasco de Gama, not 
 only furnished Spain and Portugal with immense amounts of 
 gold and silver, but changed the ancient routes of commerce 
 and opened new markets. The Mediterranean Sea lost much 
 of its importance, and Italy, called in Germany: " Das Haus 
 im innern Hofe der "Welt," — ceased to be such. All the 
 western European nations acquired transatlantic possessions, 
 established colonies and enjoyed the' benefit of the new Era, 
 but the German Hanse and the Italian republics, — the masters 
 of the seas, — did not participate, endeavoring in vain to force 
 the world's traffic back in its old channels. The Hanseates 
 were driven from the emporium; the wealth of the German 
 nation suffered severely, and religious wars, massacres and 
 persecutions inflicted upon their commerce and industry deep 
 wounds. Mining in Germany proved less profitable after the 
 capture of gold and silver by the Spaniards, followed by the 
 discovery of many rich mines of precious metals in South 
 America and Mexico, and finally the cruel " Thirty years' 
 war, 1618-1648 " wholly destroyed the national welfare. Entire 
 villages disappeared, cities were reduced to ruin, pestilence and 
 famine swept away those who had escaped the sword, and 
 culture and morality fled this terror without precedent. It is 
 not surprising, that in the midst of their national calamity 
 the German princes did not possess the means or even the 
 inclination to organize the great mass of fugitives, that tried 
 to regain happiness and peace on the other side of the ocean. 
 
 However, the great period of discoveries and the con- 
 sequent migration of nations, did not commence unprepared or 
 tvWiout German assistance. These important events were pre- 
 luded in a fair way by pioneers and guides, and many of 
 
10 
 
 them were of German origin. Even Columbus had his German 
 advisers who assisted him in the rediscovery of the lost or 
 forgotten part of the Globe. Of the numerous German thinkers 
 and explorers, who are known to have helped in the great 
 event, only one principal figure shall be mentioned. 
 
 Martin Behaim, born 1459 at Nuremberg, is frequently 
 asserted to be ilie first recliscoverer of America, and he is 
 undoubtedly entitled to great merit with regard to the dis- 
 covery of the Western Hemisphere He undertook extended 
 voyages, visited Venice and Antwerp, and was introduced in 
 the year 1480 to King Alphons V, of Portugal. Fifty years 
 before the most distant station in the West, the Azores or 
 Western Islands, Fayal and Pico, had been settled by " Ger- 
 man-Flandrian traders," a colony had been organized and 
 rapidly enlarged. About 1490 it amounted to several thousand 
 inhabitants. Martin Behaim visited these islands, became 
 acquainted with the Governor, the noble knight Jobst von 
 Hurter, Seigneur of Morkirchen, and married his daughter 
 Johanna. He was a great cosmographer, mathematician and 
 inventor of nautical instruments. He improved the old astro- 
 labium to an instrument for measuring altitude, "the quad- 
 rant." Behaim also took part in the exploring expeditions of 
 the Portuguese Admiral Diego Oano along the western 
 coast of Africa and was knighted in recognition of his meri- 
 torious services. In the year 1492, after various voyages and 
 having penetrated far into the unknown western seas, he 
 returned to his native city in Germany, designed various maps 
 and construed there the first globe of the earth : " Globus oder 
 Erdapfel," which is preserved to this day in the German 
 Museum at Nuremberg, as one of the most interesting relics 
 and as a monument of German ingenuity. On his globe a 
 cluster of islands: " Antilia " is marked, which represent 
 America as it was known to him, and it is asserted that 
 Portugal afterwards founded her claim on Brazil before the 
 Papal tribunal of arbitration upon the statement, that Martin 
 Behaim in the year 1483, when in the service of the Portuguese 
 Crown, discovered the western continent. The chronicle of 
 Nuremberg: "Nuremberger Weltchronik, of the year 1494," 
 also says: "These two men, Behaim and Diego Cano, with 
 the assistance of our Lord, reached the other part of the globe, 
 
11 
 
 having crossed the western ocean and the equinox, where 
 facing the east the shadow fell southward and to their right. 
 Therefore, they opened by their merit a new part of the earth 
 which had been unknown." Giovanni Baptista Riccioli, an 
 Italian historian, reports in his Geographiae et Hydrographiae 
 Eeformata, "Columbus received valuable information regarding 
 his plans in the house of Martin Behaim." Furthermore, the 
 Spanish historians, Herrera and Mufioz, and the Portuguese Barros 
 state : " That Martin Behaim viewed Pernambuco and dis- 
 covered Brazil previous to Columbus and Vespucci," and 
 "Columbus would not have ventured on his voyage if Behaim 
 had not given him the directions." To some degree these 
 assertions are confirmed by Alexander von Humboldt, who 
 never made a statement without good proof. He says: 
 "Columbus probably knew Behaim at Lisabon, where both 
 resided from 1480 to 1484." It is known also, that De 
 Perestrello,- the father-in-law of the great Genuese, called on 
 the German explorer at Nuremberg in order to get his opinion 
 and advice regarding the probability of discovering a 
 western route to India. The knowledge that Behaim possessed 
 of a western continent, is also affirmed by the historical 
 report, "That Magelbaens used a map drawn by the German 
 geographer, when he sailed around Cape Horn." 
 
 These statements of the great deeds of a German explorer 
 do not lessen the enormous merits of Christopher Columbus, 
 for it remains his glory, to have opened the fabulous lands of 
 the Far West to civilization. However ungrateful single men 
 may be, the totality of mankind acknowledge and honor its 
 benefactors, their grand services are preserved and bequeathed 
 from generation to generation. Columbus experienced the 
 ingratitude of his contemporaries, but in the heart of poster- 
 ity his name is ' printed in golden letters, arid like liim all 
 those are ejititled to grateful recognition, who guided Mm on 
 the path of glory. 
 
 Many more names and circumstances might be related to 
 prove the intellectual part the Germans have taken in the 
 rediscovery of the New World. German literary men like . 
 Nicholaus Kopernikus, (Kopernik) born at Frauenburg in 
 Prussia, Georg Purbach or Peurbach, an Austrian, Johannes 
 
Eegiomontanus, properly Johannes Mueller or Molitor, born 
 at Koenigsberg in Franconia, and others, were celebrities of 
 the highest rank in astronomy, mathematics and geography. 
 They were predecessors of Behaim and Columbus, and have 
 materially enlightened the knowledge of the world. " They 
 not only are," says Lichtenberg, "tlie restorers of astronomic 
 knowledge in Germany, but actually the founders of astron- 
 omic science in Europe," and the French scholar Gassendi 
 proclaims, that, "without Purbach or Eegiomontanus probably 
 no Columbus and Kopernikus would have arisen." 
 
 Germans afterwards took the lead in publishing the dis- 
 coveries of Columbus and Vespucci. In the year 1506 under 
 the nom de plume, "Martinus Hylacomilus," Martin Wald- 
 seemueller or Waltzsraueller, born at Freiburg in Baden, was 
 the first to express in his Cosmographiae Introductio etc., the 
 opinion, that Columbus had discovered a new continent; in 
 1515 Johannes Schoener at Nuremberg, published his map 
 under the title, " De America, quarta orbis parte"; in 1508 
 Jobst Kuckhammers or Euchamers, "Neue unbekanthe landte 
 und eine newe weldte in kurtz vergangener zeythe erfunden," 
 appeared at Nuremberg and this was the first book to give 
 extensive reports about the then known discoveries. Jobst 
 Ruchammer in his book published 1507 in Lubeck, also gave 
 to the New World the name of " America," and the first map 
 of the world which mentioned this name appeared in the 
 " Cosmographie " of Petrus Apianus, that is, Peter Bieuewitz, 
 born 1495 at Leissnig, in Saxony. 
 
 Later on Spain, England, France, Holland and Sweden 
 employed German intelligence, capital and labor to secure 
 colonies in America and make them prosperous. Charles V, 
 King of Spain and Emperor of Germany, borrowed eleven 
 million florins of the German banker Welser, at Augsburg; 
 King Francis I, of France, received from the same firm two 
 million florins, and the Kings of England, Henry VIII and 
 Edward VII in 1546 and 1547 contracted large loans with 
 the Augsburg Banking House. Welser himself bought Vene- 
 zuela, which his family owned until 1558 and he commissioned' 
 Alflnger or Dalfinger, Federmann and Georg von Speyer, to 
 
13 
 
 explore the country along the Magdalen and Orinoco rivers. 
 The governments of the forenamed kingdoms commissioned 
 numerous agents to engage German colonists and artisans for 
 their American provinces. 
 
 The Dutch government appointed the German Prince 
 von Nassau-Siegen, governor of Brazil from 1624 to 1648, and 
 Holland as well as Sweden entrusted the Germans, Peter 
 Minnewit, of Wesel on the Ehine, 1626, and Johann Printz 
 von Buchan of Holstein, 1643, with the occupation and 
 administration of their colonies on the Hudson and Delaware 
 rivers. Even among the first settlers in Virginia were several 
 Germans and they helped materially to explore and cultivate 
 the land and to establish moral and lawful life. 
 
 The political and social conditions of England before and 
 during the middle ages were in a deplorable state, its com- 
 merce and industry were dependent on foreign countries, 
 principally the Hanseate Union and Italy. But during the 
 reign of Edward III, in the first half of the 14th century, a 
 greater activity is observable and in the 15th century domestic 
 commercial associations struggled to take the imports and 
 exports into their own hands. The first steps to organize a 
 royal naval force were taken at the time of Henry VII in 
 1485 to 1509. Only five years after the first voyage of Colum- 
 bus, the King enabl'ed John Cabot and his sou Sebastian to 
 cross the ocean in order to make new discoveries in the 
 interest of England and to find a northern route to India. 
 These two courageous seamen descried the North American 
 continent, the coasts, of Labrador or Newfoundland, 14 months 
 earlier than the famous Genuese, and they sailed in 1498 
 from Labrador to Virginia and to the Albemarle sound in 
 North Carolina. But they failed to find a northern route to 
 Asia and to bring back to England expected treasures of gold and 
 silver. Nearly half a century elapsed before Martin Frobisher 
 succeeded to repeat Cabot's plans. By the influence of Ambrose 
 Dudley, Earl of Warwick, he obtained two small ships of Queen 
 Elizabeth, sailed through unknown waters until he entered 
 BafBn Bay in 1576. Here he heaped up a pile of stones and 
 took possession of the country for the British Crown. Among 
 other things which he collected he brought back a stone con- 
 
14 
 
 taining traces of gold. This fact soon became generally known 
 and created a wild gold fever in England. The thirst for gold 
 was the cause of two other naval expeditions under the com- 
 mand of Probisher, but after sustaining innumerable perils 
 incident to arctic region?, the ships returned to England without 
 the coveted result and the spirit of enterprise would have gone 
 asleep, had not Francis Drake of Devonshire, during the war 
 between England and Spain, 1577 to 1579, sailing through the 
 straits of Magellan and coasting along the Pacific shore ran- 
 sacked the Spanish colonies. Chili and Peru, and captured a 
 Spanish vessel loaded with treasures. 
 
 Sir Walter Kaleigh, a great favorite with Queen Elizabeth, 
 obtained for his brother-in-law. Sir Humphrey Gilbert, the con- 
 cession to form permanent settlements in the sub-tropical region 
 of North America. Sir Humphrey sailed in the year 1583 to 
 Newfoundland, which he reached on August 5th. He there 
 erected the English arms and assigned certain lands to the 
 fishermen of other nations agreeing to pay an annual ground 
 rent. This was the first commercial treaty of the English in 
 America. 
 
 In connection with this expedition the first information of 
 German participation is preserved. The historian George 
 Bancroft reports, that an expert miner who accompanied Sir 
 Humphrey, was an lionc&t and pious Saxon and very industrious. 
 It was the general opinion, that the appearance of the moun- 
 tains indicated mineral wealth and the Saxon asserted upon his 
 life, that there was an abundance of silver ore. He gathered 
 specimens and the precious ore was loaded on board of one of 
 the ships, but it was wrecked and the Saxon with his ere and 
 all her crew perished. 
 
 Sir Walter Ealeigh himself was no more successful than his 
 brother-in-law. He received of Queen Elizabeth a patent for an 
 extended territory, lying between Florida and Canada, which in 
 honor of his maiden Queen he called Virginia. Two ships, com- 
 manded by experienced officers, sailed in April 1584 from London 
 conveying one hundred and eighty colonists to the New World. 
 Raleigh's first attempt to plant a colony, was on Roanoke 
 Island in Palmico Sound, but the settlers proved incompetent, 
 they made no effort to till the soil, but wasted their time bunting 
 
15 
 
 for gold. They believed that the Roanoke river had its head 
 waters in the "golden rocks "of the fabulous Eldorado. Not 
 realizing their expectations, they were disheartened and returned 
 to England. Fifteen only consented to stay and await the arrival 
 of fresh colonists, but of these daring adventurers nothing was 
 afterwards heard. Those returning home had learned the use 
 of tobacco and imported into the motherland the custom of 
 "drinking tobacco," as it was called. 
 
 In the year 1587 Raleigh again sent out a fleet, but it was 
 equally unsuccessful. Fortunately for the Amaric.in interests 
 English trading vessels sailed occasionally across the Atlantic, 
 also visiting Virginia and returning with valuable cargo. The 
 favorable results of these commercial expeditions kept alive the 
 desire to colonize the coast of North America. 
 
 Finally James I, in 1606 divided his American country into 
 two districts, nearly equal in extent, and granted to a company of 
 wealthy London merchants a patent of the southern par^ 
 situated between the 34th and 40th degree northern latitude. 
 This " London Company " had the foundation of a colony for 
 its object and it sent out in 1607 an expedition under the com- 
 mand of Christopher Newport, an experienced navigator. On 
 the 36th day of April, 1607, they reached the Chesapeake Bay 
 and at the mouth of a beautiful river, which they called the 
 James in honor of the King, they laid the foundation of the first 
 permanent English settlement at Jamestown in Virginia. This 
 event is the starting point of the history of the mother colony of 
 the United States of North America and at the same time of the 
 part the Germans took in establishing American civilization. 
 
 Thus, after a period of one hundred and ten years after 
 the time that Cabot discovered the North American continent, 
 and after many misfortunes and disappointments, the Germanic 
 element had planted the seedcorn from which was to grow the 
 most glorious republic of the world. Whenever, at the present 
 time, the name America is mentioned, we think little of the 
 Latin race or the countrymen of Columbus, but of the Germanic 
 immigration, that is the English and the Dutch, who, with the 
 assistance of Germans, Scandinavians and others, gave to North 
 America its truly Germanic character. In other words, we 
 admire the growing empire of the world, the homestead of 
 
16 
 
 lib-erty, the United States of North America, as the standard 
 bearer of civilization in the New World. Beside Virginia 
 many other States have been organized in the Union as seats of 
 modern culture, commerce and industry, art and science have 
 developed, millions of men have found on the virgin soil of 
 America new homesteads and enjoy the benefit of liberal institu- 
 tions, which for the first time give to the old world an idea of 
 true freedom. These are the blessings for which America and in 
 fact all mankind are indebted to the Germanic pioneers in the 
 New World. 
 
PERIOD I. 
 
 The Colonial Time to the End of the 
 18th Century. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Settlement of Tidewater Virginia. 
 
 '_N the history of German immigratiou to the English 
 colonies of North America during the last century Vir- 
 ginia takes a prominent share," says the late Vice-Gover- 
 nor of Illinois, Gustav Koerner,^) and he might have 
 dated this statement back to the earliest time of colonization. 
 
 The early immigration of Germans to Virginia differs 
 essentially, it must be admitted, from that under the lea- 
 dership of Wm. Penn and Franz Pastorius to Pennsylvania, 
 for unlike these it was not organized or compact. With the 
 forenamed there came at once a large number of Germans to the 
 New World, numerous additions followed and they kept together 
 and founded German settlements which have preserved their 
 national character to this day. But into Virginia the Germans 
 immigrated singly, without a leader of their own nationality and 
 without connection among themselves. Not until the beginning 
 of the eighteenth century a German mass-immigration com- 
 menced from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the 
 Fatherland. The first comers scattered during the first decades 
 of the colony over all its various sections, and yet the influence of 
 this immigration proved of the greatest value to the development 
 of Virginia or "Attanough Komouch," the Indian name of the 
 country. 
 
 1.) „Da3 deutsohe Element in den Ver. Staaten von Xord-Amerika," 70n G. Koerner^ 
 Seite 403. Cincinnati, Ohio, 1880. 
 
18 
 
 The civilization of all countries began with the tilling of 
 the soil or agriculture, and this was the case too in the old 
 mother colony. It is generally admitted, that no part of the 
 United States possesses greater natural advantages for the pro- 
 duction of cereals, vegetables and orchard fruit than the " Old 
 Dominion ! " Situated in the most favorable latitude of the 
 temperate zone, with variety of soil and enormous mineral 
 resources, richly watered and with the best harbors on the 
 Atlantic coast, it was well qualified to become the starting point 
 of English colonization. But already in selecting the locality 
 of the first settlement, the English colonists were injudicious by 
 choosing a low and unhealthy section. 
 
 Early in 1607 the London Company sent out Captain 
 Christopher Newport, with three small ships, the Susan Con- 
 stance, the Discoverer and the God-speed, coming with one 
 hundred and five men to establish a colony. Before the 
 departure from England a form of government was prepared and 
 all power was vested in a body of seven councillors, whose names 
 were: Edward Maria Wingfield, president, and Capt. John, 
 Smith, Christ. Newport, John Eatcliffe, John Martin, Bartholo- 
 mew Gosnold and George Kendall. The original intention was 
 to settle on Roanoke Island, but a storm drove the little fleet 
 into the Chesapeake Bay and it sailed up the " Powhatan Eiver" 
 to which the adventurers gave the name of " James." Upon its 
 banks, about fifty miles from its mouth, they established the 
 settlement "Jamestown." Unfortunately most of the settlers 
 were English noblemen and adventurers, not fond of work and 
 even despising it, and therefore, they were but little qualified to 
 do the hard labors of pioneers. " Vagabond gentlemen " as they 
 are called in some American histories for schools, ^ * ^) they had 
 no families and came in search of wealth, expecting when rich 
 to return to England and to commence anew a life of dissipation. 
 They imported into America nothing but their prejudice and 
 faults, and even President Wingfield soon showed himself a 
 heartless scoundrel. Not much good could be expected of such 
 elements for the new colony. 
 
 2 ) "American History for Schools," by G. P. Quaclienbos, p. 43, New York, 1877. 
 
 3 ) "History of the United States of America," by Ch A. Goodrich and W. Se'avy, p. 31. 
 
19 
 
 Mr. Cooke^) who lived in Virginia on tlie old homestead of 
 his ancestors and who took an earnest interest in the history of 
 his native State, describes the precaution with which the ships of 
 the daring seaman approached the coast and the landing of 
 Newport's expedition as follows : 
 
 Before them was the great expanse of Chesapeake Bay, the 
 "Mother of waters" as the Indian name signified, and in the 
 distance the broad mouth of a great river, the Powhatan. As 
 the ships approached the western shore of the bay the storm had 
 spent its force, and they called the place Point Comfort. A 
 little further, at the present Hampton, they landed and were 
 hospitably received by a tribe of Indians. The ships then 
 sailed on up the river, which was new-named James Eiver, and 
 parties landed here and there, looking for a good site for the 
 colony. A very bad one was finally selected, a low peninsula 
 half buried in the tide at highwater. Here the adventurers 
 landed on May 13th, 1607, and gave the place the name of 
 Jamestown, in honor of the King. Nothing remains of this 
 famous settlement but the ruins of a church tower covered with 
 ivy, and some old tombstones. The tower is crumbling year 
 by year, and the roots of trees have cracked the slabs, making 
 great rifts across the names of the old Armigers and Honourables. 
 The place is desolate, with its washing waves and flitting sea- 
 fowl, but possesses a singular attraction. It is one of the few 
 localities which recall the first years of American history, but 
 it will not recall them much longer. Every distinctive feature 
 of the spot is slowly disappearing. The river encroaches year by 
 year, and the ground occupied by the original huts is already 
 submerged." 
 
 Mr. Cooke gives in his pretty description a fair picture of 
 the unfitness of the first immigrants, and also unintentionally 
 shows a characteristic difference between the English and the 
 Germans, that exists to this day. His complaint concerning the 
 unmitigated decay of the mementoes of such an important event, 
 as the first settlement in Virginia was, is fully justified and 
 deserves honorable mentioning, but this demonstrates also how 
 
 4 ) "Virginia," A History of the Peoi)le, by Joiio Edten Cooke, p. 19. Boston, Mass., 
 1883. 
 
20 
 
 irreverent and little ideal the Anglo-A.mericans are in such 
 matters in contrast with the Germans, who perhaps less 
 smart and enterprising in the practices of life are of deeper 
 feeling and reverence. Not u-ntil 1891 were the first steps taken 
 to preserve the few remaining ruins of old Jamestown to 
 posterity. Congress appropriated ten thousand dollars to pre- 
 vent the further destruction of the island, and an embankment 
 with ripraps has been built along the northern end, but the work 
 is badly done, and already the bank is beginning to be under- 
 mined. Like " red tape " this characteristic difference betv?een 
 the two principal elements of the population is to be observed in 
 the history of the Union and particularly of Virginia. 
 
 It is also not to be left unmentioned, that the oldest printed 
 publication about Virginia is a German one. A chronological 
 list of works up to Capt. Smith's death, 1631, published in " The 
 English Scholar's Library," Birmingham, 1884, page cxxxii, 
 names in the very first place: "1590-1650 Levinius Hulsius, A 
 Collection of Voyages. In German-Frankfort." Furthermore, on 
 page cxxxiv is stated, "In 1617, Hulsius, the German collector, 
 translated Smith's description for his voyages and reengraved 
 the map (drawn by Captain Smith); but the names in the 
 lower corners were omitted, and Smith's title, the verses con- 
 cerning him and some of the explanations were given in 
 German. In regard to Capt. Smith's map, printed by Georg 
 Low in London, is said in the same publication, " The original 
 condition of the map bears in the lower left-hand corner, 
 Simon Pasacus, sculpit," which appears to be a latinized German 
 name. 
 
 Upon the banks of James river the colonists met with 
 peaceable and hospitable Indians. Powhatan, the chief of the 
 native confederacy, resided at Werowocomoco on the shores of 
 York Eiver. In the beginning friendly relations existed between 
 the colonists and the savages, and Captains Newport and Smith 
 in exploring the country up the James River and eastward to 
 York River, frequently visited the kind-hearted chief in his 
 wigwam. Capt. Smith ■'^) reports also, " the savages often visited 
 us kindly." 
 
 5.) "The Thi-ee Travels," Adventures and Observations of Capt. John Smith, 
 p. 161. London edition, 1629, and republished at Richmond, Va., 1819. 
 
21 
 
 In June 1607 Captain Newport sailed for England, leaving 
 the smallest of his ships behind him and soon the colonists 
 began to experience a variety of calamities. They were, as has 
 already been stated, poorly fitted to struggle with life in the 
 wilderness, neglecting to cultivate the soil and wasting their 
 time in unsuccessful searches for gold. Among them, as stated 
 in Capt. Smith's reports to the London Company, were only four 
 carpenters and twelve laborers,") and most of them were 
 " Dutchmen." 
 
 A list of the "first planters" gives the following probably 
 anglicized names of the four carpenters : William Laxon, 
 Edward Pising, Thomas Emry and Robert Small, and in 1609, 
 Adam and Francis, two stout Dutchmen, are mentioned. No 
 distinction was made in those days between the appellations 
 " Dutch " and " Deutsch or German." Germans and Hollanders 
 came to England and America by way of the same Dutch 
 harbors. However, Capt. John Smith, speaking of the natives of 
 Holland, in his " Description of New England," always calls 
 them Hollanders and not Dutch. Prom a recommendation to 
 the Council of Virginia''): "To send /o fferma?i«/ and. Poland 
 for laborers," it can safely be concluded, that those carpen- 
 ters and laborers xoere Germans, and that they have huilt the first 
 dwelling houses in Virginia. This conjecture appears the more 
 plausible, as the other immigrants were not skilled to this work. 
 Furthermore Capt. Smith had travelled through Poland and 
 Germany and knew the Germans as an industrious and reliable 
 people. He also ordered three of his " German " carpenters as 
 he distinctly calls them and as will be further related, to build 
 a house for the Indian Chief Powhatan, and that he made great 
 efforts to persuade them to return, when they preferred to remain 
 with the natives. 
 
 In "Hening's Statutes at Large," Vol. I, p. 114-118; dated 
 July 24th, 1621, instructions drawn up by the Council, also 
 refer to the care to be taken of Frenchmen, Dutch, Italians and 
 others, and clearly indicate the presence of emigrants from 
 various nations. 
 
 6.) ; "The English Scholar's Library." PP- M and 130. Rirminsham, 1S84; and "Histor- 
 ical Collections of Virginia,'' by Henry Howe, p. 24. Charleston, S. C, 1819. 
 
 r ) "The English Scholar's Library," pp. 194, 196, 196, 197, 444 &o. Birmingham, LSSl j 
 and "The Three Travels," by Capt. John Smith. Vol. I, p. 202. Kichmond, Va., 1819. 
 
32 
 
 The documents giving the names of the first comers are 
 incomplete, but contain a number of German family names. In 
 the letter to the Council, before mentioned, Capt. John Smith 
 speaks with distinction of one Oapitaine Richard Waldo and a 
 Maister Andrew Buckler. The lists of the arrivals from 1607 to 
 1609, expressly confirm the presence of Batch and Poles^) and 
 contain the following names of German sound : Jolm Herd, 
 Hsnry Leigh, Thomas Lavander, William, George and Thorn. 
 Cassen, Win. linger, Win. May, Vere, Michaell, Peter Keffer, a 
 gunner, Wm. Doionian, Thomas Feld, apothecary, Rose, Milman, 
 Michaell Loiviclce, Hillard, Natli. Oraiies, (probably Krause,) 
 etc. In a list of the names of the adventurers of Virginia, con- 
 tained in a printed book edited by the treasurer and Council in 
 1620,^) we meet also with names of German sound as, David 
 Borne, Wm. BecTc, Benjamin Brand, Charles Beck, George BacJie, 
 J. Feme, J. Fenner, L. Campe, Alraham Colmer, John Franclc- 
 lin, Peter Franclc, J. Geering, G. Holeman, J. Heiden, G. 
 Herst, N. Hide, J. Harper, Christ. Landman, John Landman, H. 
 Leigh, H. May, J. Miller, J. Martin, J. Mundz, Rich. Morcr, 
 Rich. Paulso7i, N'. Salter, A. Speclchard, Henry Spranger, Dr. 
 Wm. Turner, Rich. Turner, J. Treuer, J. Tauerner, R. and H. 
 Venne, J. Weld, John Waller and many doubtful names. 
 
 Provisions were scarce and of poor quality, sickness spread 
 among the settlers, and before the beginning of winter 1607 one 
 half had perished. Worse than all these misfortunes, the neigh- 
 boring Indians, alarmed by the intrusion and unkind treatment 
 of the whites, became jealous and hostile and refused to furnish 
 supplies of corn, etc. 
 
 Fortunately in this desperate position Capt. Smith proved to 
 be the right kind of man to meet the emergency and so deserves 
 the predicate given to him, " the father of Virginia." He suc- 
 ceeded to quiet the savages, to persuade them to provide his 
 starving followers with provisions and thereby saved the rest of 
 the colonists from certain starvation. 
 
 However, upon his return to Jamestown, he discovered that 
 President Wingfield was about to leave the colony with some of 
 
 8.) '-The English Scholar's Library," pp, 108, 120 and 446, Birmingham 1884- and 
 "The Three Travels." Adventures and Observations of Capt. John Smith Vol I nn 163 
 172, irs, 181, 203 and 206, from London edition of 1629, republished at Richmond, Va , 18i9. ' 
 
 9) The Generall Historie of Virginia" etc , by Capt. John Smith. Vol II nn '43 - r,fi 
 Richmond, Va., 1819. ' "*" 
 
23 
 
 his partisans and the most valuable stores on Capt. Newport's 
 ship bound for the West Indies. He forced the treacherous 
 President to stay, and Wingfield being disposed of, Oapt. Smith 
 was appointed to his office and restored order. He trained his 
 English conqpanions to swinging the axe in the woods and to till 
 the soil, declaring that, " he who would not work, should not 
 eat." 
 
 Soon new troubles arose with the Indians and Oapt. Smith 
 planned with Capitaine Waldo, (this name indicates that the 
 Captain was a German or German descendant,) "upon whom he 
 knew he could rely in time of need,"^") to subdue them. Not 
 being very conscientious in regard to the means for accomplish- 
 ing his design, he resolved to lurk the unsuspecting Powhatan 
 into his power. In one of his reports he mentions, that he pro- 
 posed to the Indian chief to erect for him a dwelling house after 
 the European pattern and that he ordered three of his German 
 carpenters and two Englishmen, " having so small allowance and 
 few were able to do anything to purpose,"' ') to do the job. He 
 instructed these artisans to act also as spies and assist him to ac- 
 complish his object to get the Indian chief in his power. But 
 the Germans learned to esteem the Indians and particularly the 
 well meaning Powhatan, and finally they gave warning to the 
 chief and resolved to stay and live with the sons of the wilder- 
 ness. It seems that these men had endured many privations 
 amidst the English, for Capt. Smith says, " it would have 
 done well, but to send them and without victualls to work, 
 was not so well advised nor considered of, as it should 
 have been.''^^) "When Oapt. Smith heard of this socalled 
 treachery of the German workmen, he angrily remarked as 
 " Fama" reports, " damned Dutch," and accordingly he ought to 
 be looked upon as the author of the illbred predicate which is to 
 this day in use by ill meaning people. Wherever different na- 
 tionalities are mixed together, there will be some rivalry, and 
 American life illustrates this fact from Capt. Smith's time to the 
 present. It seems too, from the captain's statements, that the 
 
 10) "The Three Travels." Adventures ai.a Obseryations of C.npt John Smith, J ol J. 
 n 204 from the London edition, 1629, and republished at Richmond, Va,, 1819; and Iht 
 English Scholar's Library," pp. 130 and 447. Birmingham, 1884. 
 
 11 ) Do. Vol. I, p. 206. 
 
 12) Do. Vol. I, p. 193; and "The English Scholar's Library," p. 122. , Birmingham, 
 18S4. ' 
 
24 
 
 "Dutchmen" had "English" confederates^^) and it is well 
 known, that dissatisfaction and discord split the colonists in 
 adverse parties. 
 
 The intrigue of Capt. Smith reawakened the suspicion of the 
 natives, and the bad feeling was increased to bitter hatred by the 
 following occurrence. The Indians^*) had raised an abundant 
 harvest, but to secure a portion of it was no easy task for the 
 colonists. Smith, however, determined to undertake it and in 
 company with five companions he descended the James as far as 
 Hampton Koads, where he landed, and Avent boldly among the 
 savages, offering to exchange hatchets and coin for corn, but 
 they only laughed at the proposal and mocked- the strangers by 
 offering a piece of bread for Smith's sword and musket. Smith, 
 always determined to succeed in every undertaking, abandoned 
 the idea of barter and resolved to fight. He ordered his men to 
 fire upon the unarmed natives, who ran howling into the woods, 
 leaving their wigwams, filled with corn, an easy prey of the 
 English, but not a grain was touched until the Indians returned. 
 In a short time sixty or seventy painted warriors, at the head of 
 whom marched a priest bearing an idol, appeared and made an 
 attack. The English gave fire a second time,*made a rush, drove 
 the savages back and captured their idol. The Indians, when 
 they saw their deity in possession of the English, sent the priest 
 to humbly beg for its return. Smith stood with his musket 
 across the prostrate image and dictated the only terms upon 
 which he would surrender it ; that six unarmed Indians should 
 come forward and fill his boat with corn. The teriiis were ac- 
 cepted, the idol given up, and Smith returned to Jamestown with 
 a boat load of supplies, but leaving behind him enraged enemies. 
 
 Capt. Smith soon afterwards made several trips of explora- 
 tion, thinking it possible to discover a passage to the Pacific. On 
 one of these expeditions, while sailing up the Chickahominy river, 
 he was attacked by a party of Indians and taken prisoner. His 
 captors carried him before their chief Powhatan and after a long 
 consultation he was condemned to die. The executioners rushed 
 forward and dragged their victim to a large stone on which it 
 
 13) "The Three Travels." ><5 ventures and Observations of Oapt. John Smith Vol I 
 p. 218, from the LonJon edition, 1629, republished at Richmond, Va., 1819. " ' 
 
 14) "H' 
 
 story of West Virginia," by Virgil A Lewis, p. 29 Philadelphia,! 
 
25 
 
 had- been decided his head should be crushed. Ilis head already 
 rested on the stone, still shown at the old Mayo, farm near Rich- 
 mond, and the two warriors had raised the club to strike the 
 fatal blow, when Pocahontas, the favorite daughter of the chief, 
 threw herself upon the captive and implored her father to spare 
 the life of the prisoner. Powhatan yielded to the maiden's prayer. 
 Smith was released and in a few days concluded a bargain 
 with the old chief, by which he was to receive a large tract of 
 country in exchange for two cannon and a grindstone, which were 
 to be sent from Jamestown. Accompanied by a guard of twelve 
 men he arrived there after an absence of seven weeks, and under 
 the pretext of instructing the Indian guardsmen in the use of the 
 cannons, discharged them into the trees, at which the savages 
 were so frightened, that they would have nothing to do with 
 them. The grindstone proved so heavy, that they could not 
 carry it, and finally they returned with only a number of 
 trinkets. 
 
 Pocahontas, a girl of thirteen years of age, loved the captain 
 dearly. She afterwards embraced the Christian faith and was 
 baptized Rebecca. After the return of Smith to England in 1609, 
 a young English settler, John Rolfe, assured her that Smith died 
 and persuaded her to marry him. Three years later the couple 
 visited England and she was received with great ceremony at the 
 royal court. There she met with Captain Smith and it is said, 
 that she died heart broken finding herself the victim of deceit. 
 She left one son, who was educated in England and who then re- 
 turned to Virginia, where several of the most prominent families 
 claim to be his descendants. 
 
 The poetical Pocahontas tale has been related here in full, 
 to prove the correctness of the assertion made previously in re- 
 gard to the lack of devotion to the memoirs of history on part of 
 Anglo-Americans. No prominent American poet has taken hold 
 of this admirable story, but the German-American teacher, 
 Johann Straubenmueller, published in German in 1858 at Balti- 
 more, Md., a poem entitled : " Pocahontas or the foundation of 
 Virginia." It is an astonishing fact, that more German-Ameri- 
 can, and even German poets, as for instance, Friedrich von 
 Schiller^ ^) and Nicolaus Lenau,^") have selected American 
 
 15 ) „Nadowessier's TodteDlied," by Friedrich Ton Scliiller. 
 
 16.) ,Der Indianerzug," „Die drei Indianer," etc., by Nicolaus Lenau, 
 
26 
 
 myths and Indian life for their poetry and saved those precious 
 pearls from falling into oblivion, than native American poets. 
 The original painting of Pocahontas, a picture -which has long 
 been sought for and which is now ascertained to be in Norfolk, 
 is probably too the work of a German artist, Nicolaus Locker.^'') 
 
 After friendly relations were again reestablished between 
 Smith and Powhatan, the captain tried to induce the German 
 carpenters sent to the Indian chief to return to Jamestown. 
 He granted them full pardon and detailed a Swiss, by name 
 William Volday, to persuade them, but his messenger also 
 preferred to stay with the Indians and only one German, 
 named Adam, availed himself of the captain's offer. ^■^) Capt. 
 Smith then charged the Dutchmen, — or the cursed country- 
 men of the Swiss Volda or Volday, as he called them, — to 
 have conspired with the Spaniards to destroy the colony. In 
 an interesting historical publication, "Die unbekannte neue 
 Welt oder Beschreibung des Welttheils Amerika, by Dr. 0. D., 
 Amsterdam, 1673," of which a copy is in possession of Rev. 
 Eduard Huber, Baltimore, Md., the unwise and oppressive 
 treatment the Germans suffered by the English and their con- 
 sequent enmity, is confirmed. On page 161 of this Dutch 
 book is stated, "They (the Englishmen) had also many trou- 
 bles with the High-Germans (Hochdeutschen,) which having 
 been badly treated, joined the Virginians (the Indians) to de- 
 stroy the English settlement." Thus it appears, that the 
 grievances experienced, induced the German colonists to actions 
 of a hostile character and that in those early days of the 
 colony a want of harmony created a deplorable national ca- 
 lamity, which has continued in some degree to this day. 
 
 Being unable to induce the German mechanics to return 
 to Jamestown, Capt. Smith persuaded Thomas Douse and 
 Thomas Mallard "to bring the Dutchmen and the inconstant 
 savages in such a manner amongst such ambuscades, as he had 
 prepared, that not many of them should return from the 
 peninsula." 1") But Douse failed to accomplish his design. 
 
 17) "The EDglisli Scholar's Library," page 130. Birmingham, 18S4 
 
 18) "The Three Travels." Adventures and Observations by Capt John Smith Vol I 
 pp. 2.01, 232. Kichmond, Va., 1819. 
 
 19.) "The English Scholar's Library," page 477. Birmingham, 1884. 
 
2? 
 
 In the spring and again in the fall of 1608 Capt. New- 
 port arrived with provisions and new immigrants. Among the 
 newcomers were a number of Poles and Germans, brought over 
 with the purpose to manufacture pitch, tar, glass, sope-ashes, 
 etc., but most of the new settlers were of the same 
 sort as their predecessors, who in spite of the remonstrances 
 of Smith, wasted their time in search of gold. Capt. Smith 
 complained of the habits and character of the men sent out 
 and entreated the council, "when they send out again, rather 
 to send but thirty carpenters, husbandmen, gardeners, fisher- 
 men, blacksmiths, masons and diggers of tree roots, well pro- 
 vided, than a thousand of such as they had." The bad state 
 of affairs continued and after two years of existence, there were 
 but forty acres of cultivated land in the colony. 
 
 In the year 1609 the London Company obtained a new 
 charter, granting enlarged territory and putting the manage- 
 ment of affairs of the colony in the hands of a governor as- 
 sisted by a council. Lord Delaware was appointed governor, 
 after Capt. Smith, by the accidental explosion of a bag of gun- 
 powder, had been wounded and obliged to return to England. 
 Besides Jamestown, that was strongly palisaded, containing 
 some fifty or sixty houses, he left five or six other forts and 
 plantations. It was an unlucky day for the colony when 
 Capt. Smith departed, — his actions had not always been free 
 of harshness and cruelty, — but the circumstances that sur- 
 rounded him may serve for his excuse, — and when he had 
 left, disorder, sickness and famine ensued. The winter of 1609 
 to 1610 was properly termed "the starving time." Of the 490 
 persons whom Smith left, only sixty survived, and it may 
 safely be accepted, that most of the survivors belonged to the 
 industrious, sober working class from the European continent, 
 while the English fortune seekers, carrying on a dissipate life, 
 perished. Capt. Smith stated,-") "the adventurers never knew 
 what a day's work was, except the Dutchmen and Polos, and 
 some dozen others. For all the rest were poor gentlemen, 
 tradesmen, serving men, libertines and such like, ten times 
 more fit to spoil a commonwealth, than either begin one, or 
 but help to maintain one." 
 
 20) "The Three Travels." Adventures and Observations, Vol, I, p. 241, Richmond, 
 1819, 
 
28 
 
 The Indians, no longer afraid, began to harass the unfor- 
 tunates, who concluded to desert the settlement and to sail to 
 Newfoundland. Nearing the mouth of the James river, they 
 descried a fleet entering Hampdon roads. It was Lord Dela- 
 ware with new colonists and provisions, and the disheartened 
 fugitives were persuaded to return to the abandoned James- 
 town. The new arrivals were of a better class and by the ju- 
 dicious management of the governor the future of the colony 
 wore a brighter aspect. 
 
 Among the new settlers were many Dutch and Germans, 
 they plowed the soil, corn was raised in abundance and no 
 further famine again endangered the lives of the colonists. 
 Tobacco and cotton were extensively cultivated for export, and 
 tobacco was used as money, being worth about 75 cents a pound. 
 Capt. Waldo, before mentioned and highly esteemed by Capt. 
 Smith, went to England and persuaded the merchants to com- 
 mence mining in Virginia. But the mines he had found did 
 not prove rich and he was treated as an impostor and died 
 most miserably.^') The remains of an iron furnace^-) are 
 found in Chesterfield County, five or six miles below Eich- 
 mond, described by Berkeley in his History of Virginia as be- 
 ing worked in 1620. Very likely these iron works were estab- 
 lished by Capt. Waldo. In the Price-Lists of 1621 iron is 
 marked at twelve pounds sterling per ton, but in 1622 the 
 Chesterfield furnace was broken up by the massacre of the 
 Indians under the chief Opechancanough. 
 
 Ill health soon obliged governor Delaware to give up the 
 administration of the colony and he was succeeded by Sir 
 Thomas Dale. The last act of governor Dale marks an era 
 in the history of Virginia. Ever since the foundation of the 
 colony all property was held in common, the settlers worked 
 together and the products of the harvest were deposited in a 
 common storehouse and distributed by the council. Governor 
 Dale now introduced the policy of assigning to each settler a 
 few acres of land to be his own, and the advantages of this 
 system soon became apparent in the general improvement. 
 
 18l/^' "The Three Travels" Adventures and Obiervations. Vol I, p 24L Richmond, 
 22.) "The HandBook of Virginia," p 04 Fifth Edition Richmond, Va , 1886. 
 
39 
 
 Iq the year 1611 the colony counted 200 inhabitants and 
 the settlements extended on both sides of the James. In sev- 
 eral of the reports to the London Company the presence of 
 Germans is confirmed and they show, that the administration 
 appreciated diligent labor and endeavored to encourage immi- 
 gration from France, Germany, Switzerland, and Holland. The 
 intolerance of the clergy and of the worldly rulers in Europe 
 furthered the realization of this plan. 
 
 Before 1619 the colonists had no part in the making of 
 the laws by which they were governed, but in that year, un- 
 der the administration of Sir George Yeardley, a representative 
 government was established, and in order to further ensure 
 the permanency of the colony through the establishment of 
 family life, one hundred and fifty agreeable young women, poor 
 but respectable, were brought over. They were sold to the 
 planters in marriage bound at the cost of their transportation 
 expenses, at the price of one hundred pounds of tobacco, and 
 the demand exceeding the supply, other transports were fur- 
 nished and the price advanced to 150 pounds. This almost 
 comic transaction proved of the highest merit, as domestic and 
 moral life was its result and even the restless adventurers re- 
 linquished the fondled hope of returning to the mother land. 
 
 It is very probable that many of the German settlers mar- 
 ried English women and thereby became anglicized. 
 
 Acquisitions of a different and decidedly unfavorable char- 
 acter were also made to the population of the colony. One 
 hundred criminals were, by the order of King James, sent 
 over to be sold for a term of years as servants to the planters, 
 and this beginning created a desire on part of some of the 
 colonists to employ labor and the opportunity to gratify it 
 came only too soon. 
 
 In 1630 a Dutch ship from Africa touched at Jamestown 
 and landed twenty negroes, who were sold for lifetime as slaves, 
 and thus the abominable institution of slavery was introduced, 
 spreading gradually over the entire territory of the English 
 colonies — and it became the curse of the inhabitants. In the 
 beginning slavery was only silently tolerated, but in the course 
 of time slave holding, slave breeding and slave trade were pro- 
 tected by law, However, the great majority of the colonists 
 
30 
 
 were opposed to the institution and especially to the importa- 
 tion of negroes, and only through the influence of the large 
 land-owners, mostly English lords, was slavery forced on Vir- 
 ginia. Twenty-three statutes were passed by the House of 
 Burgesses to prevent the iinpo7-tation of slaves, but all were vetoed 
 by the English government. The general education was pur- 
 posely neglected and even from the pulpit slavery was declared 
 to be a divine institution.^^) The Church was urged to keep 
 the mass of the people in a state of ignorance, for fear, that 
 with the progress of intellect the right of humanity might be 
 recognized. Sir William Berkeley, who was appointed gover- 
 nor in 1641, said in the year 1671 in a report to the English 
 government, "I thank God there are no free-schools or print- 
 ing, for learning has brought disobedience and heresy and sects 
 into the world, and printing has divulged them and libels 
 against the best government. God keep us from both !" — And 
 in fact, not until 173C was the first newspaper published in 
 Virginia.^*) In 1730 a prohibitory law was issued, forbidding 
 the German printer John Buckner, who had set up the first 
 printing press in the mother colony, to publish in print the 
 laws of the government." A school law was not passed by the 
 Assembly until 1796, and it was never carried out. In 1818 
 and 1846 additional laws were passed, but unfortunately,^^) as 
 in the case of the law of 1796, it was left optional with the 
 counties to adopt or reject it, and the result was a failure to 
 secure any State system. The census of 1860 showed only 85, 
 443 pupils in 3778 schools, so-called, though many were but 
 private classes in which some public fund pupils were in- 
 structed. Not until the year 1870 was the present excellent 
 public school law inaugurated in Virginia and at once the en- 
 rolment showed for that year 157,841 pupils in all schools, — 
 an immense advance on any previous year. 
 
 Slave holding also had most injurious effects 'on the de- 
 velopment of industry and commerce. As long as the mass of 
 a people is without an own income, — as long as all the pro- 
 
 23) "Gescliichteder deatsclien Sclmlbcstrebungen in Amcrika," by Herrmann Sell q- 
 ricllt, p. 4. Leipzig, 1884. 
 
 24 ) Compare, "History of Printing," by Thomas. 
 
 25.) Report ot the Commissioner of Education for 1876, p 401. Washington, govern- 
 ment printing oiflce, 1878. 
 
31 
 
 ducts of the soil are the property of a few, —there is no mar- 
 ket except for farm produce and no exchange for surplus. 
 This is shown by statistics. Of imports, the share of the South 
 as compared with the free states before the war of secession, was 
 like 40 to 321, and this proves, that a very small portion of the 
 southern commerce was in southern hands. There certainly 
 would have been tenfold more commerce and manufacture in 
 Virginia and the other southern states, if there had been intelli- 
 gent, industrious and patriotic free laborers, receiving pay for 
 their work and spending their money for the necessaries and 
 luxuries of life. But for slavery, Virginia would to-day be, as it 
 was in 1790, the most populous state of the Union, as well as 
 the most wealthy and influential. Slavery still had another dis- 
 astrous effect, — it has the tendency to degrade free labor and to 
 render the free laborer worthless. The habit of giving prefer- 
 ence to slave-labor has operated to the prejudice of free labor. 
 It has caused the population of little means to grow up in idle- 
 ness, to think labor degrading, to be incapable of earnest regular 
 work, and it kept away immigration of white workingmen, be- 
 cause they disliked to be looked down upon and treated as ne- 
 groes. 
 
 The German settlers, whose number was much larger than 
 is generally conceded, were with very few exceptions opposed to 
 slavery, — resulting to their great disadvantage. The slave- 
 holders consequently distrusted the Germans and a new feeling 
 of animosity towards them sprang up. Their political influence 
 was curtailed, and the majority of them submitted in order to 
 secure toleration and peace. In this way a valuable civil ele- 
 ment was almost excluded from building up the future state, — 
 but only in political respects and not in its social and economical 
 life. In farming and in commerce the Germans became impor- 
 tant factors, as will be shown hereafter. But outside of slavery 
 there was another obstacle in the path of quick development 
 of the colony, that impeded foreign and particularly German 
 immigration. 
 
 "The feudal system," says Mr. Ben. Perley Poor," ^0 "was 
 transplanted to Virginia from England and the royal grants of 
 
 26.) "History of Agriculture of the Upited Slates," by Ben. Perley Poor, U. S. Agricul- 
 fural Report ofisee, p. 50^. 
 
32 
 
 land gave the proprietors, — mostly favorites of the King, — 
 baronial power. One of these grants or "patents," as they were 
 called, gave the patentee the right to divide the said tract or ter- 
 ritory of land into counties, hundreds, parishes, tithings, town- 
 ships, hamlets and boroughs, and to erect and build cities, towns, 
 etc., and to endow the same at their free will and pleasure, and 
 did appoint them fall and perpetual patrons of all churches, 
 with power also to divide a part or parcel of said tract or terri- 
 tory, or portion of land, into manors and to call the same after 
 their own or any of their names, or by other name or names 
 whatsoever ; and within the same to hold court in the nature of 
 a court baron, and to hold pleas of all actions, trespasses, cove- 
 nants, accounts, contracts, detinues, debts, and demands whatso- 
 ever when the debt or thing demanded exceed not the value of 
 forty shilling, sterling money of England, and to receive and 
 take all amercements, fruits, commodities, advantages, perqui- 
 sites and emoluments whatsoever, to such respective court barons 
 belonging or in any wise appertaining and further, to hold with- 
 in the same manors a court lect and view of frank pledge of all 
 the tenants, residents and inhabitants of the hundred within 
 such respective manors, etc." 
 
 The power being thus vested in the hands of a few lords, 
 desirable immigrants did not come in large numbers as had been 
 expected. Convicts and a great many indentured white servants, 
 Irish and Scotch prisoners of war, were sent over from England 
 in and after the year 1631, — but after a generation or two all 
 these elements became blended into a homogeneous mass of 
 "cavaliers," — aristocratic because they had an inferior race be- 
 neath them. 
 
 Still, in spite of all the mismanagement and unlucky cir- 
 cumstances, the colony extended its lines and soon after immi- 
 gration began to penetrate into the interior. 
 
 Until the death of Powhatan in 1618 the settlers lived fairly 
 in peace with the natives, but after his brother Opechancanough 
 (speak Ope-kan-kano) became the head of the confederate tribes, 
 the relations changed. Eyeing with suspicion the increasing 
 numbers of the palefaces, he laid a murderous plan in 1622 for 
 their total extermination. 
 
33 
 
 Mr. Virgil A. Lewis"'') describes the cruel massacre, which 
 also caused the death of many a German settler, as follows : 
 "In order to avoid suspicion, he, Opechancanough, renewed the 
 treaty of^eace with governor Wyatt, and only two days before 
 the blow was to be struck he declared that the sky should fall 
 before he would violate the terms of the treaty. The friendly 
 relations were continued up to the very day, even to the fatal 
 hour. They borrowed boats from the English, brought in veni- 
 son and other provisions for sale and sat down to breakfast with 
 their unsuspecting victims. The hour arrived. It was twelve 
 o'clock noon on the 32nd day of March, 1632, when every hamlet 
 in Virginia was attacked by a band of yelling savages, who 
 spared neither age, sex nor condition. The bloody work went 
 on until 347 men, women and children had fallen victims at the 
 barbarous hands of that perfidious and inhuman people." The 
 "Colonial Eecords of Virginia," published by order of the Sen- 
 ate, Eichmond, Va., 1874, contain a list of all those that were 
 massacred by the savages, and this document gives the following 
 names of Germans, besides a very large number of doubtful 
 names, but of probably German origin : Rolert Horner, Samuel 
 Stringer, Georg Soldan, Th. Freeman, Eclw. Heyden, Edw. Lis- 
 ter, John Benner, Thomas Sheffeld and Robert Walden. 
 
 Had not a converted Indian, who lived with a man named 
 Pace, revealed the plot and so put the people of Jamestown and 
 neighboring settlements on their guard, and therefore in a state 
 of defence, every settlement would have been laid in ruins and 
 the inhabitants put to the tomahawk. So the plan failed. There 
 were yet 1600 fighting men in the colony and the Indians were 
 made to pay dear for their perfidy. The English pushed into 
 the wilderness, burning wigwams, killing every Indian that fell 
 into their hands, and destroying the crops, until the foe was 
 driven far into the interior. Confidence was once more restored, 
 and a feeling of security brought a return of prosperity ; immi- 
 gration revived and at the end of the year the population num- 
 bered 3500." 
 
 Especially one class of the English immigrants caused the 
 dissatisfaction and provocation of the natives, namely the pio- 
 
 27.) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A, Lewis, pp 46, l?- Phila , Pa., J889. 
 
34 
 
 neers, who strongly contrasted with the cavalier planters and the 
 regular settlers."**) Generally speaking, they were the younger 
 sons, unlucky gamesters, turbulent spirits, rejected lovers and 
 disbanded soldiers, who turned their backs on civilization to live 
 an untrammeled life in some fertile mountain gap or rich river 
 bottom. Game was plentiful and they were hunters and trap- 
 pers rather than farmers, sending their peltries to market and 
 only cultivating enough land to supply their immediate wants. 
 This unrestrained life became a passion and frequently led to 
 conflicts with the Indians, who claimed the forests as their hunt- 
 ing ground, — and the peaceful and active farmers on the fron- 
 tier, mostly Germans, suffered much on this account. 
 
 The London Company had not gained any profit by the 
 colonization of Virginia so far. She had sent over more than 
 9000 persons at an expense of about 100,000 pounds sterling, — 
 many of the immigrants perished, others had joined the Indians 
 or left the country, — and after eighteen years of existence the 
 colony counted only 2500 inhabitants, and the annual export 
 scarcely amounted to 20,000 pounds. 
 
 King James too was little pleased with these meagre results, 
 and when the Indian troubles commenced and the very existence 
 of the colony was endangered, he dissolved the company and in 
 1624 Virginia was declared a royal province. The Colonial As- 
 sembly was however allowed to exercise its former power, and by 
 and by the importance of Virginia was felt. A thousand immi- 
 grants arrived in the single year 1627 and took to farming where- 
 ever fertile land invited them. 
 
 The "Colonial Eecords of Virginia" contain lists of the 
 living and dead in Virginia on Feb. 16th, 1623, that give the 
 following German names: William Welder, Margaret Berma^i, 
 Henry Coltman, Mrs. GoUman, Fetters, Richard Sjmrling {Sper- 
 ling), John Landman, Daiiiel Vergo, Wm. Booche, Walter Priest, 
 Henry Turner, Edw. BricTce, Elizaieth Salter, Cli. Waller, Georg 
 Graues, Tli. Spilman, Tli. Rees, John Rose, Wm. StocJcer, Wm. 
 Kemp, George Fryer, Feter Staler, John Filmer, John Rachell 
 and Margarett Follentin, Adam Rumell, Nicholas Wesell, John 
 Salter, Gornelius and Elizabeth May and child, Wm. Cappe, Feter 
 
 28 ) "History of the Agriculture of the United States," by Ben. Perley Poor, Agricul- 
 tural Report of the U. S ., p. 506, Washington, 1867. 
 
35 
 
 Longman, Robert Winter, Eichard Spriese, Sam. Foreman, Daniel 
 Francke, Rich. Ranhc, Vallentyno Gentler, Tli. Horner, Cathrin 
 Cajjpe and a very large number of doubtful names. 
 
 Tobacco had become the staple product of Virginia and ef- 
 forts were made to also encourage other branches of rural indus- 
 try. Cotton was first planted in 16:^1 and its cultivation was 
 now promoted. King James I, prompted doubtless by his anti- 
 pathy to "the Virginia weed," as he termed the tobacco plant, and 
 having understood that the soil naturally yielded store of excel- 
 lent mulberries, gave directions to urge the cultivation of silk 
 and to erect silk-mills. Men of experience were brought over 
 from France, Switzerland and Germany, and premiums were of- 
 fered to encourage the raising of the silk-worm, and later also 
 that of indigo, hops and other agricultural staples ; but fresh 
 disturbances interfered. 
 
 The war with the Indians just ended, the political and reli- 
 gious troubles in England, the immorality of the royal court, 
 the corruption of the office holders, the animosity of the tories 
 and wighs, the contest between the church and its opponents, 
 and finally the establishment of a republican government by 
 Cromwell, exercised their convulsive influences even upon dis- 
 tant Virginia. 
 
 After the restoration of Charles II to the throne of his 
 beheaded father, he failed to fulfill the expectations of his 
 people, who were in hope that the king, who had gone through 
 a school of misfortune, would give his country peace and pros- 
 perity. But Charles II soon lost the confidence and respect of 
 his subjects. He was incapable of resolute action and self-sacri- 
 fice, without trust in humanity or virtue. "He was a drunkard, 
 a libertine, and a hypocrite, who had neither shame nor sensi- 
 bility and who in point of honor was unworthy to enter the 
 presence of the meanest of his subjects.""-') 
 
 To have the throne occupied for a quarter of century by 
 such a man as this one, was the surest way of weakening that 
 ignorant and indiscriminate loyalty to which various people have 
 often sacrificed their dearest rights, and to shake the faith in the 
 
 29 ) "History of Civilization in EnglancI ," V Henry Thomas Buclile. Vol. I, p. 280 . 
 Jfew York, 1870. 
 
36 
 
 continuance of public welfare. Charles II deceived the Protes- 
 tants by favoring the Catholics, and he rushed England into un- 
 lucky wars. He wounded the national pride of his people by the 
 sale of Duenkirchen to Louis XIV of France, and by the defeat 
 in the w&,r with Holland. England, which had advanced during 
 the republican administration to the first naval power of Europe, 
 had to endure the mortification, that a Dutch fleet under de Euy- 
 ter sailed up the Thames and alarmed the city of London by the 
 thunder of its cannon. In the treaty of Dorn Charles II agreed 
 to adopt the Catholic faith and to support the claim of the King 
 of Prance on the Spanish throne with his fleet and army, while 
 on the other hand Louis XIV obliged himself to pay subsidies 
 and to land an army in England in case of revolution. Henry 
 Thomas Buckle says,^°) "Politically and morally there were to 
 be found in the government all the elements of confusion, of 
 weakness and of crime. The king himself was a mean and spirit- 
 less voluptuary, without the morals of a Christian and almost 
 without the feeling of man. His ministers had not one of the 
 attributes of statesmen and nearly all of them were pensioned by 
 the crown of France." 
 
 The English possessed a great deal of national self-esteem 
 and all the disgrace that the king brought over Great Britain 
 wounded them deeply. The same effect was visible in the Eng- 
 lish colonies and finally resulted in outbursts of indignation. 
 This was particularly the case in Virginia, where a great number 
 of disgusted English and Scotch refugees had settled, while the 
 immigrants from the European continent possessed no special at- 
 tachment to the English throne and advocated American inde- 
 pendence. The rights of the mass of the colonists were every- 
 where restricted. Sir William Berkeley, who had held the office 
 of governor by the will of the people, and who had administered 
 the colonial affairs in a liberal manner, was confirmed by 
 Charles II in 1660, but thereupon commenced a rule of despo- 
 tism and oppression, — the affairs of the Church were placed in 
 the hands of vestries, — and the Assembly composed of aristo- 
 crats made themselves permanent. Prospects grew dark ! 
 
 30) "History of Civilization in England," by Penry Tliomas Buclile. Vol I n 27, 
 New York, 1870. ' ' "' 
 
37 
 
 During the time of the Commonwealth in the year 1651, 
 Parliament had extended its authority to America, and in an act 
 required all the exports from the colonies to England to be car- 
 ried in English or colonial vessels. Virginia expected after the 
 Eestoration, in acknowledgment of her loyalty, some speci9,l 
 marks of the king's favor, but by compulsory laws, as the above 
 mentioned, she was required to look to England as her sole mar- 
 ket for her exports and to receive from England alone her im- 
 ports. In 1672 duties were even imposed upon articles carried 
 from one colony to another, and these aggressions drove the 
 colonists finally to insurrection. 
 
 But the great natural wealth of the land assisted, in spite 
 of restrictions and obstructions, the progress of Virginia. Among 
 the various strange and surprising things which the settlers 
 found on Virginian soil, were a great variety of wild grape vines, 
 and the London Company determined, as early as 1630, to make 
 some experiments with the culture of the European canes through 
 French and German experts. The favorite drinks of the Eng- 
 lish were, at that time: portwine, sherry and madeira, and it is 
 easy to understand, that they desired to produce wines of this 
 character in Virginia. Premiums were offered to encourage the- 
 cultivation of vines, but the delicate European sorts did not re- 
 sist the injuries of climate and insects, and the results were un- 
 satisfactory. 
 
 At about the same time a German-Bohemian named Augus- 
 tine Herrmann, from Prague in Bohemia, came to Virginia.'') 
 His name is mentioned also with distinction in the annals of 
 other North-American colonies, as. New Amsterdam, now New 
 York, — New Jersey and Maryland, and in fact the Dutch colonies 
 are principally entitled to claim him as theirs, but his services in 
 regard to Virginia are of such great merit, that his name ought 
 for all time to be given a place of honor in her history. 
 
 There is very little known about the early life of Herrmann, 
 — even the year of his birth is only judged to be 1605. It seems 
 that he came to Virginia in 1629, for in a petition addressed to 
 the Dutch governor Stuyvesant, dated 1654, he says: "Without 
 
 31) "Deutaoh-Amer.lkauisches Magazin," n. A Rattermana. Numbers 2 and 4. Cin- 
 cinnati, 0., 1886. 
 
38 
 
 specially praising myself, I am the founder of the Virginia to- 
 bacco trade, and it is well known that in a short time great ad- 
 vantages for the public welfare have been called forth thereby." 
 This assertion of Herrmann has never been controverted, and as 
 a memorial of the deputies of the Dutch West India Company, 
 dated November 16th, 1629, speaks of "a large quantity of to- 
 bacco, which now has become an important article of trade, ^^) 
 it may safely be accepted that the above statement in respect to 
 the time of his arrival in Virginia is correct. 
 
 Later Herrmann removed to New Amsterdam and began 
 business of his own and as agent for Peter Gabry & Co., Amster- 
 dam. He was also a wholesale dealer in wine, bought and sold 
 furs, Virginia cotton and tobacco, which he exported to Holland. 
 It is proved by documents that lie received the last named arti- 
 cles, by the intervention of Georg Hack in Northampton, Va., 
 whose wife was a sister of Mrs. Herrmann, ne Jeanetie Verlet, 
 from Utrecht, and who frequently visited her relatives in New 
 Amsterdam. In exchange for Virginia products Herrmann sup- 
 plied his brother-in-law with all kinds of imported goods. 
 
 Georg Hack apparently was a man of energy and influence, 
 who took an active part in politics. He was One of the sub- 
 scribers to the so-called "engagement of Northampton," ■■'^) dated 
 March 25th, 1651, by which the county declared itself in favor of 
 Parliament, respectively of Cromwell and the republic. This ac- 
 tion of Hack deserves special mention, as most Virginians were 
 at that crisis loyal royalists and bitterly opposed the "Navigation 
 Act" enforced by the British Parliament. This law, as has been 
 stated, prohibited export and import except to and from Eng- 
 land and was necessarily a severe blow to the foreign trade es- 
 tablished by Hack's brother-in-law. Georg Hack appears there- 
 fore as a man of character, who would rather sacrifice the inter- 
 ests of his relative and his own, than depart from his principles. 
 
 Herrmann on the other hand defended the interests of the 
 Dutch with energy and soon gained respect and influence. 
 Several times during the period of the Commonwealth, he was 
 
 32 ) L. van AiUema, "Historic van Saken van Staet en Ooilogh, in ende omtvent de 
 Vereen Nedeiland, etc," 4° edition Vol. II, p. 912. An English translation is to be found 
 in ; "Documents relating to the colonial history of New York," Vol. I, pp. 40-42. 
 
 33.) "Virginia Historical Register." Vol. I, p. 163. 
 
39 
 
 sent as ambassador by governor Stuyvesant to Virginia and 
 Maryland, and his reports are still preserved in the state archive 
 of New York at Albany. = ■') 
 
 Besides his creditable doings as merchant and statesman, he 
 gained fame in another way. He advocated, as early as 1659, in 
 a letter to governor Stuyvesant : an accurate geographical sur- 
 vey of the English and Dutch colonies,^ °) and he was possessed 
 of the talent and knowledge to undertake the difficult work him- 
 self. He was well posted in literature, spoke the most impor- 
 tant languages : German, English, Dutch, French, Spanish and 
 Latin, and he was an efficient draughtsman, mathematician and 
 surveyor. Edwin E. Purple calls him'' ") "a man of good educa- 
 tion, a surveyor by profession, talented in sketching and a 
 draughtsman, — a smart and enterprising business man, — a 
 rare and noble man, — and an admirer of this country." 
 
 Probably the map of the New Netherland, printed by Nico- 
 laus Jan Visscher and contained in von der Donk's book, "Be- 
 schreyvings van Nieuw Nederland," published at Amsterdam in 
 1655, was drawn by Herrmann, as it is certain, that the view of 
 New Amsterdam, which is also contained in the book, originates 
 from him. Beyond all doubt he has drawn in 1670 the "map of 
 the English and Dutch colonies," which was published by the 
 government in 1673 and embraces the section between the line of 
 North Carolina and the Hudson river. Although incorrect in 
 several respects, it gives a very comprehensive picture of the land, 
 mouths of rivers and inlets of the sea. Virginia is particularly 
 well drawn, and Herrmann must have explored the tidewater- 
 region very carefully. The map shows the likeness of its de- 
 signer with the inscription, "Augustine Herrmann, Bohemian," 
 and a vignette with the inscription, "Virginia and Maryland as 
 it was planted and inhabited this present year 1670. Surveyed 
 and exactly drawn by our own labor and endeavor of Augustine 
 Herrmann, Bohemiensis," and at the side of which are repre- 
 sented a young Indian with bow and arrow, and an Indian girl. 
 
 It is of great interest that Herrmann's map also gives some 
 German names of places in Virginia, as : Scharburg and Backer's 
 
 34 ) "Dutch Manuscript." Vol. XVIII, p. 96. 
 
 35) "Deutsch-Amerikanisches Magazin." Copy 4, pp. 635 to 636. 
 
 36 ) "The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record." Vol. IX, pp. 67 to IS 
 
40 
 
 Creek. This is almost proof, that in the very infancy of the 
 colony German settlements existed. Augustine Herrmann died 
 in 168G. 
 
 It appears also that Germans occupied high political offices, 
 before and during the governorship of Sir Wm. Berkeley. One 
 Richard Kempe was secretary of the land office of Henrico in 
 1624, member of the council of Virginia in 1642, president of 
 this body in 1644, and during the time Sir Berkeley visited Eng- 
 land, acting governor. The name Kempe is undoubtedly Gei'- 
 man, but some historians write him "Kemp," and claim erron- 
 eously that this form of the name is English. Yet Kemp, as 
 well as Kempe, are to this day German family names and the 
 land-registers of Henrico of 1624'''') contain many signatures in 
 Rich. Kempe's own handwriting — and with but one exception he 
 signed "Kempe." Furthermore all biographies of the English 
 colonial governors^ '^) give the name of their native land, county 
 and birthplace, with the sole exception of E. Kempe's biography, 
 and this omission also speaks for his German origin. Surely 
 there is no full evidence that E. Kempe was a German, but the 
 probabilities are in favor of it. 
 
 During the same period some Germans rendered very valu- 
 able services by exploring the unknown country in the interior. 
 
 Johannes Lederer was the first explorer of the Alleghany 
 mountains, and he is one of the brightest figures in the early 
 history of the German element in Virginia. The German-Ameri- 
 can historian H. A. Eattermann, of Cincinnati, 0., deserves 
 credit for the preservation of the great deeds of Lederer, ■'"') and 
 an extract from his researches may find room at this place. 
 
 In the year 1668 Johannes Lederer came to Jamestown and 
 offered his services to governor Berkeley. "A son of the Alps," 
 as he said, "he had come to explore America." He was a scien- 
 tific man and familiar with several languages, especially the 
 classical, and he expressed the desire to explore the mountain 
 region. Governor Berkeley readily equipped an expedition to 
 
 37.) "Land Patents No I," preserved in the land office, Capitol Building, Richmond, 
 Va. 
 
 38) "Virginia and the Virginians," by Dr. Brook, Secretary of the Historical Society 
 of Virginia. 
 
 39.) "Der erste Brforscher des Alleghany Gebirges: Johannes Lederer," by H. A. Rat- 
 termann, "Deutscher Pionier." Jahrgang 8. Cincinnati, 0., 1876. 
 
41 
 
 accompany him. Lederer undertook three trips, but failed to 
 discover an easy passage through the mountains, which the gov- 
 ernor wisiied for. During his last expedition his companions 
 became disheartened and deserted him, while he ventured to con- 
 tinue his researches with only an Indian guide, who served him 
 as interpreter. At his return he was ill-treated, — his com- 
 panions, ashamed of their cowardice, circulated false reports 
 about him, — and finding even his life endangered, he fled to 
 Maryland. Sir William Talbot, governor of the colony, received 
 him kindly, and upon his suggestion he wrote an account of his 
 trips in Latin, which was printed in English in London in 1673 
 with a map of the country drawn by the author. This interest- 
 ing little book was entitled : "The Discoveries of John Lederer, 
 in Their Several Marches From Virginia to the West of Carolina 
 and Other Parts of the Continent, begun in March, 1669, and 
 Ended in September, 1670, Etc., with Map, London, 1672." 
 and contains 27 pages, 4°. A copy of it is preserved in the li- 
 brary of the U. S. Congress at Washington City. It is the first 
 scientific report about the geology, botany, animals and native 
 tribes of the extensive district as far as Florida, seen by the cour- 
 ageous German, and it deserves special acknowledgment in a 
 German-American history, giving evidence, that the first explo- 
 ration of the AUeghanies was the work of a German. 
 
 Very little is known of Lederer himself and no reports are 
 left of his later career and end. The family name of Lederer is 
 well known in Austria and Germany. At Wittenberg in Prus- 
 sia, Grossenhain in Saxony, Marburg in Hessia, Vienna and Inns- 
 bruck in Austria, etc., several members of this illustrious family 
 occupied high positions. Some Lederers held diplomatic offices 
 in the United States of America. One, Baron Alois Lederer, 
 was Consul General of Austria and Toscana at New York, and 
 his son Carl was ambassador at Washington City in 1868. 
 
 Lederer's map, which appeared with his book, gives only an 
 inaccurate picture of the country, but it must be taken in con- 
 sideration that, his instruments had been carried off by his faith- 
 less companions. It shows the land from Virginia to Florida. 
 
 In those early times maps only gave general outlines, and 
 all parts not explored had to be guesswork. This may be illus- 
 trated by the following. 
 
43 
 
 "A Map of Virginia discovered to ye Hills," 1651, gives to 
 the American continent from tlie southern cape of Delavi^are to 
 "the sea of China and the East Indies," a width of less. than 300 
 miles. — On Hennepin's map of 1683, Lake Erie extends to the 
 southern line of Virginia, making the entire state of Ohio part 
 of the lake. — A map of Wm. Delisle, published by Joh. Justin 
 Gebauer and affixed to Bruzen la Martinier's "Introduction k 
 I'histoire de I'Asie, de I'Afrique et de I'Amerique, etc.," Paris, 
 1735, presents nothing of the Ohio river and places the source 
 of the Wabash near the Erie in Pennsylvania. — More accurate 
 is- a map: "Nonvelle France," by Charlevoix, 1743. — The 
 "Carte de la Virginie et du Maryland, dressSe sur la grande 
 carte anglaise de Messrs. Josue Fry*") and Pierre Jefferson par 
 Eobert de Vaugondy, GSographe ordinaire du Eoi," 1755, gives 
 a fair picture of the lands along the coast of the Atlantic, but 
 the section on the other side of the Blue Eidge and the Alle- 
 ghanies is very inaccurately drawn, — and the same may be said 
 in respect to the old map designed by Augustine Herrmann. 
 
 Another German explorer of Virginia is mentioned by Klau- 
 precht, the chronicler of the Ohio valley, — by John Esten Cook, — 
 and by Stierlein in his history of Kentucky and the city of Louis- 
 ville : the German Capt. Heinricli Batte, who in 1667 crossed 
 the Alleghanies and reached the Ohio river. 
 
 All these historical facts show that the colonial govern- 
 ments have used German scientific men to open the wilderness 
 to civilization, and the history of North Carolina, the neighbor- 
 ing state of the Old Dominion, furnishes further evidence. 
 
 In 1663 a German Swiss, Peter Fabian, from Bern, accom- 
 panied an expedition sent out by the English North Carolina 
 Company. The report of this exploring expedition appeared in 
 London in 1665 and bears the signatures of its leaders : Anthony 
 Long, Wm. Milton and Peter Fabian. The last named was cer- 
 tainly the author of the report and the scientific man of the ex- 
 pedition, as is shown by the estimates of distances in German 
 
 40 ) Mr. Josue Fry has drawn several maps of North America, and his name — Fry, or 
 Frei, or Frey, — indicates Ihat he was a German or of German descent. 
 
 S.Kercheval, the historian of the Shenandoah Valley, says (History of the Valley of 
 Va , Winchester, 1833, p. 81) : "There were a mixture of Irish and Germans on Cedar Creek 
 and its vicinity : the Frys, Newells, BUckburns, Wilsons, etc., were among the number " 
 
43 
 
 and not in English mileage. The report, for instance, states : 
 "On Friday, the 16th, we heaved anchor by north-west wind and 
 sailed up Eiver Cape-Fair 4 or 5 German miles, where we came 
 to anchor at 5 to 7 fathoms." 
 
 Before the end of the seventeenth century the administra- 
 tion of the Swiss. Canton Bern planned to establish colonies in 
 North America with the surplus of her population. Franz 
 Lud2vig MicheV^^), — English historians misname him Mitchell, 
 — was sent to Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina, and 
 John Lawson, the first historian of North Carolina, relates in 
 his book : "A new voyage to Carolina, etc.," printed at London, 
 1709, and published in German by M. Vischer, Hamburg, in 
 1713, — that he met on his voyage to the Carolinas the German 
 explorer, who was well acquainted with the land and its peo- 
 ple.' 2) Michel again came to North Carolina in 1709, accom- 
 panied by Baron Christopher von Grafenried, of Bern, at the 
 head of 1500 emigrants from Switzerland and the Palatinate, 
 (die Pfalz in Germany), — all of whom were Germans. Many 
 of these people afterwards settled in Virginia, as will be related 
 further on. 
 
 Towards the close of the seventeenth and in the beginning 
 of the eighteenth century, under the leadership of Claude Phi- 
 lippe de Kichebourg, another numerous immigration of French 
 Huguenots and German Calvinists or Eeformists from Elsace 
 and Loraine took place. These newcomers were industrious and 
 pious people and they scattered successively over the tide-water 
 district, middle Virginia and the Shenandoah valley, but most of 
 them settled in the counties of Norfolk, Surry, Powhatan and 
 Prince William. In the Shenandoah valley they met with a 
 numerous German element and these French Huguenots were 
 perfectly Germanized. 
 
 In 1671, by issue of the first law of naturalization, immi- 
 gration was materially supported. This law prescribed that any 
 
 41 ) "Die Deutschen in Nord-Carolina." Historische Skizze von General J. A. Wage- 
 ner^ Charleston, S. C, publicirt in: "Der deutsche Pionier," Jalirgang III, Seite 328 etc. 
 Cincinnati, Ohio, 1871. 
 
 42) "Beitrag zur Geschichte der Deutschen in Nord- und SUd-Carolina," vonH. A. 
 Rattermann, publicirt in; "Der deutsche Pionier," Jahrgang X, Seite 189. Cincinnati, 
 Ohio, 1878. 
 
44 
 
 foreigner could be naturalized upon application to the Assembly 
 and by taking the oath of allegiance to the King of England, 
 and that thereafter he should be entitled to hold public office, 
 carry on business, own real estate, etc. The first Germans who 
 applied for naturalization papers were Joseph Mulder, Heinrich 
 Weedich, Thomas Hastmenson, John Peterson and Hermann 
 Keldermcmn in 1673. 
 
 The number of German settlers during the first century 
 of the existence of the colony was, as has been stated, much 
 larger than is commonly admitted, and some Anglo-American 
 historians unfairly ignore or belittle the share the Germans 
 have taken in the development of Virginia, desiring to repre- 
 sent it as an "entirely English colony." But the old mother 
 colony was from the very beginning in its character cosmo- 
 politan, only founded by English enterprise. The following 
 investigations will prove how incorrect and devoid statements 
 of such "manufacturers of history" are. 
 
 The Land Patents (Eegisters) at the land office of Vir- 
 ginia, Capitol building, Richmond, Va., name as early as 
 1624 to 1635, or during the third decade of the colony, 
 besides many doubtful names, the following German ones : 
 Johann Busch, Thomas Spilmau (Spielmann), .John Chooh- 
 man (Schumann), Ph. Olauss, Zacharias Grippe, Christopher 
 Windmill (Windmueller), Henry Coleman (Kohlmann or Kuhl- 
 mann), John Loube (Laube), John and Mary Brower (Brauer), 
 Georg Koth, Thomas Holeman (Hollmann or Hoelemann\ 
 Robert Ackerman, etc. 
 
 The oldest volume of the county-records, kept at Henrico 
 Courthouse at Richmond, Va., referring to inheritances, crimi- 
 nal investigations, etc., mentions as prosecutors, defendants 
 and witnesses among many names that may just as well be 
 English as German, the following Germans: 
 
 1677— William Hand, Th. Gregory, John Bowman (Bau- 
 mann.) 
 
 1678— Margarete Horner. 
 
 1679— John Gunter (Guenther), Katherine Knibbe, Georg 
 Kranz and Thos. Risboc, — the last two in German let- 
 ters. 
 
45 
 
 1680— Thorn. Brockhouse (Brockhaus), Georg Archer, John 
 Harras and W. T. Eller, — the last three in partial Ger- 
 man writing. 
 
 1681— J. Tanner, Edm. Bollcher, Rob. Boiling, Th. Grouse 
 (Krause), and in German writing : John Feil. 
 
 1682-86— Doll, Rich. Starke, Mary Skirme, Henry Shur- 
 mann (that is : Schuermann, — in later entries the same 
 man signs : Sherman), — Thos. Enck, Joshua Stap (prob- 
 ably Stapf ), and in German letters: Will. Blachman. 
 
 Taking in consideration the small number of white sett- 
 lers, these German names in the registers and records of a 
 single county, which was at the time still predominantly in- 
 habited by Indians, are proof that the German immigration 
 was numerally worthy of notice. 
 
 The limits of the counties of Norfolk and Princess Ann 
 originally from 1637 to 1691 formed "Lower Norfolk County." 
 Edward W. James mentions in his "Antiquary" among the 
 earliest landowners the following names of German sound : 
 Samuel Boush, John Weblin, Thos. Wishart, Capt. James 
 Kempe, Wm. "Wishart, Thos. and \Vm. Brock, Robert Waller, 
 Jeremiah, and Matthew Forman, L. Miller, Abrah. Mesler, Ro- 
 bert Fry (schoolmaster of Norfolk Borough), Wm. Plume 
 (member of the Common Council, Norfolk Borough), John 
 Boush (Mayor of Norfolk Borough 1791), Daniel Bedinger 
 (member of a Court of Aldermen), and others. 
 
 The population was, as has been mentioned, heavily op- 
 pressed during the government of Sir Berkeley, and dissatis- 
 faction was spreading. The English high-church by its in- 
 tolerance greatly furthered the rebellious spirit. The peace- 
 able Quakers were especially made to suffer. However, the 
 immediate cause of the outbreak of the revolution was the 
 renewed depredations of the Indians in revenge for the treach- 
 erous murder of some of their chiefs. 
 
 Alarmed and disgusted by the inefficient measures for 
 defence taken by governor Berkeley, the indignant settlers rose 
 in opposition in 1676. They asked permission to arm and 
 defend themselves and to appoint Nathaniel Bacon, a patriotic 
 young lawyer, their leader. This the governor, fearing to put 
 arms in the hands of the discontented men, and jealous of 
 
46 
 
 Bacon's popularity, refused ; while the savages continued to 
 commit many outrages on the planters. Bacon now put him- 
 self at the head of his followers, defeated the Indians and then 
 turned round against the governor, who had declared him a 
 traitor. He drove Sir Berkeley and his adherents from James- 
 town and the town was partly destroyed. Bacon died suddenly, 
 and there was not a second man brave and worthy enough to 
 take his place. Berkeley recovered his power and wreaked 
 vengeance on the patriots by confiscations and executions un- 
 til the thoughtless and profligate King Charles II declared: 
 "The old fool has taken away more lives in that naked coun- 
 try, than I for the murder of my father !" — However, Bacon's 
 rebellion, as this revolution is called, foreshadowed the great 
 war of Independence and the end of English tyranny. ' It is 
 a remarkable coincidence, that Drummond, one of the sup- 
 porters of Bacon, was beheaded on the same spot where a 
 hundred years later Lord Cornwallis surrendered to the su- 
 perior tactics and strategy of George Washington and his 
 German general von Steuben, assisted by the French allied army. 
 In 1677 governor Berkeley was discharged from office and 
 for the space of 31 years the king granted the colony to Lords 
 Culpepper and Arlington. The first named was appointed 
 governor for life. He came over in 1680, but trying only to 
 get as much money as possible out of his province, another 
 rebellion was threatening, when the king, for fear of its re- 
 sults, revoked the grant and recalled Culpepper. His succes- 
 sor. Lord Howard, was little better, he also deemed Virginia 
 his "milk cow," and it is really surprising that in spite of all 
 the ill-treatment and mismanagement the colony prospered. 
 In the year 1671 there were -10,000 white inhabitants in Vir- 
 ginia, and at the end of the seventeenth century the popula- 
 tion nearly reached 100,000. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Organization of the Colonies of Maryland 
 AND Pennsylvania and the German Sects. 
 
 OWARDS the close of the seventeenth century events 
 took place in the country north and east of Virginia, 
 ■f that had decided influence on the growth of German 
 life in the old mother-state. 
 
 In England Roman-Catholics were exposed to persecution 
 and most barbarous punishments were inflicted upon them. 
 With the thirty-nine articles of the Anglican High Church a 
 political organism was created, that lacked true religious sen- 
 timent, real Christian love and ideal theory of life. The ha- 
 tred towards the dissenters, Catholics and Protestant sects, led 
 Lord Baltimore, one of the most influential Catholics in old 
 England, to look for some place of refuge in the New World, 
 where those of his creed might follow their worship unmo- 
 lested. He first tried Newfoundland, but found the climate 
 too severe, and then he tried Virginia, but found its English 
 people more intolerant than in England. Finally he obtained, 
 in 1632, from King Charles I a large tract of land, east of 
 the Potomac and extending along the coast of the Chesapeake 
 bay, to which he gave the name of Maryland, in honor of the 
 queen Henrietta Maria. Although Lord Baltimore was an ar- 
 dent Catholic, he made his land an asylum for all those pur- 
 sued and unfortunate. The historian Bankroft says : that 
 from France there came Huguenots, from Germany, Holland, 
 Sweden, Finnland and probably too from Piedmont, the chil- 
 dren of misfortune. — Emigrants accordingly soon flocked to 
 the province from Europe and the English colonies. But be- 
 fore long difficulties arose. Virginia claimed that Lord Bal- 
 timore's grant belonged to her, and Clayborne, a member of 
 the Jamestown Council, who had already established two trad- 
 ing posts in Maryland, opposed the authority of Lord Balti- 
 more. A bloody contest followed, and religious trouble and 
 
48 
 
 war between the Protestants and Catliolics, caused by the in- 
 tolerant and ambitious Puritans and Episcopalians, soon clouded 
 the fair dawn of the rising colony. In England the reign of 
 the Stuarts had been superseded by the new rulers William 
 and Maria, and Lord Baltimore, hesitating to recognize the 
 new government, was in 1691 entirely deprived of his priv- 
 ileges and Maryland became a royal province. Not until 1715 
 did the fourth Lord Baltimore recover the government — and 
 religious freedom was again restored. During this long period 
 of disturbance the number of the discontented enlarged con- 
 siderably and many, especially a great number of German 
 colonists, left Maryland and wandered to the fertile valleys 
 in the mountain region of Virginia. 
 
 Pennsylvania was also colonized towards the close of the 
 seventeenth century, but religious quarrels and English pre- 
 sumption fostered like results. To enjoy freedom of religion 
 many Germans had emigrated to Pennsylvania. They had en- 
 dured the dangers and hardships of a long sea-voyage, and 
 they were not disposed to allow themselves to be again de- 
 prived of the liberty gained by such sacrifice. 
 
 "Eeligious motives," writes Professor 0. Seidensticker,''''') 
 "caused the prosecuted Puritans and Quakers to go in search 
 of an asylum to the New World. For these reasons the Ger- 
 mans left the Fatherland. Only three creeds, the Catholic, 
 Lutheran and Calvin, were granted the right of tolerance 
 within the German empire by the treaty of Westphalia. Who- 
 ever was moved by scruples of conscience to give to his Chris- 
 tian belief some different shape or to interpret the Bible in 
 another way, persecution was his lot. Such secular Christians, 
 prosecuted and abused without mercy, were plentiful in Ger- 
 many towards the close of the seventeenth century. The in- 
 offensive Mennonites found only in a few states a precarious 
 admittance, — the pious ScTiwenkf elder had to endure the most 
 terrible treatment, and even the Pietists, the followers of Ja- 
 cob Spencer, who only endeavoured a more earnest and con- 
 scientious devotion to religion within the bounds of the 
 Lutheran creed, were abused and denounced as dangerous inno- 
 
 43.) "Die erste deutsche Einwanderung io Amerika und die Grilndung von German- 
 town im Jahre 1683," by Oswald Seidensticller, p. 28, PliilaJelpliia, Pa , 1S83. 
 
49 
 
 vators. The Mystics of various nuances, who had adhei-ents 
 among the literary men as well as among the people, the au- 
 thorities would have liked best to shut up in lunatic asylums 
 or prisons." 
 
 Besides the sects named in the above citation, German 
 Qualcers, Anabaptists, Dunhards or Tunlcrs and Moravians or 
 Herrnliiiter, participated in the colonization of Pennsylvania ; 
 — in Maryland, in Cecil County, at the Bohemian river, more 
 than one hundred Labidists settled, and later on the moun- 
 tain region of Virginia was mainly opened to civilization by 
 German Lutherans, Calvinists, Mennonites, Dunkards, Quak- 
 ers and Moravians.'''^ '""^ *^) 
 
 Wm. Penn, the son of an English admiral, whom the 
 English government owed a large sum of money, received in- 
 stead of payment a large grant of forest land west of the 
 Delaware. Charles II recommended to name this territory 
 "Sylvania," that is, forest land, but finally he prefixed to it 
 the name of Penn and baptized it "Pennsylvania." Wm. Penn 
 had embraced the doctrines of the Quakers or Friends, who ■ 
 were bitterly prosecuted in England, and he resolved to make 
 his American domain an abode for his Quaker brethren and 
 a free colony for all mankind. Very correctly he is considered 
 the talented and noblest leader of his sect, — his highest am- 
 bition was to advance the happiness of his fellow men. Even 
 if, as has been asserted, he had aimed to convert his extended 
 landed property into money, it must be acknowledged that he 
 carried out his plan in a disinterested way, advancing an ideal 
 design. 
 
 In Germany some Quaker communities existed at Crefeld 
 and Kriesheim near Worms, and akin to them were the Men- 
 nonites and Anabaptists. Friendship and equality of all men 
 were the leading doctrine of the Quakers, who originated in 
 England in 1647 through the teachings of John Fox. They 
 believe, that he who implores the Holy Ghost by fervent 
 prayer, will share in divine revelation. Their worship is sim- 
 ple, without the ringing of bells they assemble in a plain 
 
 44) "Die ersten deutschen Secten in Amevika," von L. P. Hennighausen Bclleliis- 
 tiaches Journal, No. 1972, Seite 10 und 11. New York, 1890. 
 
 45 ) "F. D Pastorius' Pennsylvanien ," von Friedrich Kapp, Crefcid, 1S84, 
 
60 
 
 meeting-house ■without altar and pulpit, without the sound of 
 an organ or vocal music. In solemn silence and with covered 
 heads they await for a member of the congregation to be 
 moved by the Holy Q'host and to preach to them. They re- 
 fuse to take oath and consider war wrong even when waged 
 in self-defence, they condemn all worldly amusements and lux- 
 uries, use the article thou and thee no matter whom they ad- 
 dress, keep their hats on even in presence of the king, and 
 dress very plain. 
 
 Louis P. Hennighausen, of Baltimore, Md., writes about 
 the German Quakers: "William Penn visited and preached to 
 them in 1672 and 1677. They had been oppressed and perse- 
 cuted in their old Fatherland. Imprisonment, scourging, heavy 
 fines and confiscations was their lot. In some states of north- 
 ern Germany the magistrates paid a reward of five florins for 
 the information of the whereabouts of a Quaker. The Friends 
 at Orefeld, in June 1683, bought of Wm. Penn 18,000 acres 
 and those of Frankfurt 25,000 acres. In 1683, on the 6th of 
 October, the first thirteen families from Crefeld were landed 
 at Philadelphia. Two days later they selected the land for 
 their settlement, on the 24th it was surveyed, on the 25th the 
 homesteads were divided and the building up of Germantown 
 was begun at once. Many more Germans, especially from 
 Kriesheim, followed and in a few years Germantown had be- 
 come a flourishing city. In an English book, printed at Phi- 
 ladelphia in 1692, George Frames sings: 
 
 The Germantown of which I spoke before, 
 Which is at iJast in length one mile or more. 
 Where live high German people and low Dutch, 
 Whose trade in weaving linnen cloth is much. 
 There grows the flax. — 
 
 The German Quakers had been converted to the new 
 creed by English missionaries and in their new adopted home 
 they found good friends. William Penn, the proprietor of the 
 province, frequently visited them, — preached to them in the 
 German language and always remained their true friend. In 
 1686 they erected the first meeting-house in Germantown and 
 Franz Daniel Pastorius wag their leader and preacher. Pas- 
 torius, who also was the first mayor and delegate of the town, 
 
51 
 
 was a man of lofty character and classical education. He had 
 in Germany been invested with the title of 'Doctor of Juris- 
 prudence,' and he spoke English, French, Spanish and Latin. 
 These Germans were not uneducated people, as they have 
 falsely been represented to be. Among them were Heinrich 
 Herrmann Ruester, who preached in German and English, — 
 Philipp Theodor Lehmann, secretary of Wm. Penn, — van 
 Bebber, Hendriks, Oassel, Brothers of den Graff and other men 
 of education and wealth. The most glorious and famous ac- 
 tion of these German men was : tlieir solemn jjrotest against 
 slavery, published in English on April 18th, 1688." 
 
 A great many colonists also came from England to Penn- 
 sylvania. They belonged to different sects, who had lived in 
 hatred and discord in their native land, and they imported 
 unpleasant feelings of jealousy, intolerance and pretention in- 
 to the abode of peace founded by the noble Penn. They were 
 only on one point of one mind, and that was their envy and 
 antipathy towards the prosperous Germans, who were rapidly 
 increasing in number. The English settlers called them "for- 
 eigners," and a very deplorable spirit of native presumption 
 grew up. This spitef ulness ' of the two nationalities was 
 heightened when the Germans issued their protest against the 
 institution of slavery. 
 
 The Mennonites and Anabaptists originally were closely 
 connected. Both disputed the legality and efficacy of the 
 christening of children, which they condemned as being in 
 contradiction of the Holy scripture. The Anabaptists were 
 rather troublesome people and religious fanatics, they desired 
 the restoration of the empire of Christ on earth, community 
 of property, belief in sacred revelation, etc., and they soon 
 came in conflict with the civil authority and law. Conse- 
 quently they were bitterly persecuted. But they deserve high 
 credit for having unfolded the banner of constant progress or 
 perpetual reformation — and to have enforced, like the Quak- 
 ers, rigid morality and recognized equality of mankind. Ni- 
 colas Storch was the founder of this sect, born at Zwickau in 
 Saxony, he was in 1521 assisted by Marcus Stubner and Tho- 
 mas Muenzer.— The followers of Menno Simmons in the Nether- 
 lands called themselves Mennonites. Simmons was a Catholic 
 
52 
 
 priest at Witmarsum, when in 1535 several Anabaptists and 
 among them his own brother, were executed. This event 
 made a deep impression on his mind, he left the Roman 
 Catholic Church and joined the Anabaptists, taking charge of 
 one of their congregations at Groeningen. Simmons reorgan- 
 ized the Dutch Anabaptists, disapproving all religious and po- 
 litical agitation. He was opposed to christening children, but 
 declared the baptism of adults to be indispensible — and he 
 desired to restore the original character of the Christian Church. 
 Taking oath, warfare, public offices, law-suits and divorces 
 were rejected by him. Although his followers were very peace- 
 able people, they were confounded with the fanatic Anabap- 
 tists, who engaged in a bloody conspiracy at Muenster, and 
 persecution followed. In 1662 twenty-five fugitive Mennonites 
 were already landed at the mouth of the Delaware, but noth- 
 ing is known of their fate. However, many more followed, 
 and from 1709 to 1730 the Mennonite immigration was very 
 great. They mostly settl&d in Lancaster county. Pa., and from 
 there they spread, about the middle of the 18th century, to 
 Virginia and finally over the great West. 
 
 Another kind of Anabaptists are the Dunkards (Tunker 
 or Dunker). Alexander Mark was the founder of this sect. 
 The Dunkards were not tolerated in their native state: "the 
 Palatinate," but they prospered in jimerica. The nickname 
 of Tunker was given them because they perform the act of 
 baptism by immersion, but they call themselves Brethren and 
 in America "the German Baptist Brethren." Immersion with 
 them is a symbolic purification and revival. They resign all 
 worldly amusements, and only admire a truly Christian char- 
 acter and life, they are highly esteemed for their morality and 
 reliability. A promise given they hold sacred. The first 
 twenty families of this sect arrived from Crefeld in Pennsyl- 
 vania anno 1719. Their number soon increased and commu- 
 nities of Dunkards were organized") 1723 at Germantown, 
 1724 at Coventry, Chester Co., 1732 at Oley, Berks Co., 1733 
 at Great Swamp, Buck Co., 1735 at Cocalico, Lancaster Co., 
 1736 at Weisseichenland, Lancaster Co., 1738 at Klein-Cone- 
 wago, York Co., 1741 at Conewago, York Co., 1748 at Tulpe- 
 
 46 ) " Ephrata," by Dr. Oswald Stidenstickcr, page 27. Cincinnati, , 18S3. 
 
53 
 
 hocken, Berk Co., 1756 at Gross Swatara, Lancaster Co.j 1757 
 at Swatara, Berk Co. But soon they divided into various 
 groups like the Ephrata-sect or Beisselians in 1724. Com- 
 monly they are classed as "Old Conservatives," who consider 
 ignorance as less dangerous to the welfare of the soul than 
 the possession of a treasure of worldly knowledge, — and the 
 "Progressive," who are in favor of public education.*'') 
 
 The gentle Moravians immigrated into Pennsylvania and 
 Georgia in the fourth decade of the 18th century and proved to 
 be a valuable acquisition. They soon came to Virginia from 
 Tennessee and Ohio. In 1741 Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zin- 
 zendorf, the founder of this sect, arrived in America, where he 
 intended to propagate his creed. The theological principle'**) of 
 the Moravians has its nucleus in the expiatory death of Christ. 
 Prom this they derive an ascetic theory of life — but also a grave 
 religious seriousness and reverence. Dogmatical cunning and 
 distinctions of creed they treat with indifference, the serenity of 
 mind they value most. This devotion is to them no tiresome toil, 
 but a pleasure; the death wounds of Christ do not frighten but 
 enchant them. If the Moravian faith is of confined view in sev- 
 eral respects, it has nevertheless infused the deadening dogmatics 
 of Protestantism with new life; proclaiming: that those will not 
 be excluded from salvation who have no knowledge of the gospel. 
 Count Zinzendorf first endeavored to unite the various sects in 
 Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania into one community, but 
 unsuccessfully, and then he directed his attention to the conver- 
 sion of the Indians. The Moravians devoted special care to edu- 
 cation. Their schools at Bethlehem, Litiz and Nazareth were 
 counted among the very best in Pennsylvania. Some of their 
 regulations'*'') are very peculiar and were the cause that they 
 were regarded as peculiar people. The strict separation of the 
 sexes during juvenile years, the match-making by the old folks 
 with disregard of mutual affection of the betrothed, the use of 
 lottery tickets as decisions of God, the tasteless costumes of the 
 women, were among these strange regulations. 
 
 47.) "Geschichte der deutschen Sclmlbestrebunifen in Amerika," by Herrmann £clm- 
 richt, page 5. Leipzig, 1884. 
 
 48 ) " Die Geschichte der Paidagogili," by Dr. Karl Sclimidt, Vol. II, page 386. Coe- 
 then, 1861. 
 
 49 ) " In der neuen Heimath," by Anton Eiclilioff, page 139. New York, 1884. 
 
54 
 
 These few remarks about the most imjtortant German sects, 
 will suffice to characterize the early German immigration to 
 Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. The nature of the Luth- 
 eran and Calvin church are supposed to be familiar to the reader, 
 but the great part they have played in the civilization of the col- 
 onies, will receive in this history full mention in its place. 
 
 The religious motives of the early German immigration to 
 Pennsylvania and the adjoining colonies are very well defined by 
 the following public statement of Christian Saur, printer and 
 publisher at Germantown, published in 1754. 
 
 " Pennsylvania is a land, the equal of which you cannot hear 
 nor read of in all the world ; many thousand people have come 
 here and are still coming here for the sole reason to enjoy its 
 kind government and freedom of conscimice. This noble liberty 
 is like a decoy bird or bait which draws men first to Pennsyl- 
 vania, and if good lands get scarce, they move into the adjoining 
 English colonies, and these English colonies are settled by many 
 immigrants from Germany to the advantage of the Crown on ac- 
 count of Pennsylvania." 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Topographical Survey of Virginia. 
 
 HE State of Virginia, after the excision of West Virginia, 
 is divided, with reference to the surface and natural 
 character of the land and extending from East to West, 
 into the following grand divisions : 
 
 Tidewater Virginia ------ 11,350 sq. miles. 
 
 Middle Virginia 12,470 
 
 Piedmont District ------ 6,680 
 
 The Valley 7,550 
 
 The Section of the Blue Ridge - - 1,230 
 
 The Appalachian District - - - - 5,720 
 
 Total, 45,000 sq. miles. 
 The Tidewater Division extends from the Atlantic ocean to 
 the lower falls of the Appomattox, James and Eappahannock 
 rivers, and is divided by the large tidal rivers and the waters of 
 Chesapeake bay into nine principal and a large number of sec- 
 ondary peninsulas. An imaginary line drawn diagonally across 
 the State and touching the cities of Petersburg, Eichmond, Fred- 
 ericksburg and Alexandria, will represent this section. In this 
 belt the winter is mild, snow seldom covers the ground for any 
 length of time, and in summer a large portion of it is refreshed 
 by the .sea breeze. Near the line of North Carolina is the 
 swamp and fever-district of Virginia and the fear of "Malaria" 
 keeps away settlers from this unhealthy section. The navi- 
 gable water-ways give the inhabitants special advantages and 
 make the "low country," as it was called, a very desirable 
 part of the State. Hampton roads and Norfolk bay present 
 the finest and deepest harbors on the Atlantic coast. Here 
 the early settlers established themselves, and here are found 
 those elegant mansions and baronial estates for which Virginia 
 was once celebrated. The coast district absorbed most of the 
 
56 
 
 English- immigration and the people of some counties, especially 
 those adjoining Maryland, show to this day, the strongly marked 
 individuality of the English, retaining in a marked degree the 
 manners and expressions of the mother country a century or more 
 ago.^") Not very flatteringly says a correspondent of the Hand- 
 book of Virginia: "There is nothing lacking here but people, 
 new people, new ideas. We are as intelligent and industrious as 
 most people, but we need new life to pull us out of the grooves 
 and ruts and turn us into different and more progressive chan- 
 nels." The tidewater country being favored with a semi-tropical 
 climate has a great variety of agricultural and garden products, 
 it is the land of peanuts, sweet potatoes, melons, delicious fruit 
 and all sorts of vegetables. The reputation of Virginia tobacco 
 was built upon the product of this region, in colonial times it was 
 the staple product, but now it is only raised to a limited extent in 
 some of the tidewater counties. The tobacco grown at "Varina" 
 on the James river had a special high reputation, and the name 
 of the place is said to have been given to it because of the quality 
 of the tobacco grown there, resembling that of Varinas in Cuba. 
 " The waters of the Chesapeake are of themselves" ^) a bountiful 
 source of supply and a mine of wealth to the people immediately 
 on its shores. There is no other sheet of water in the country 
 that supplies such an abundance of excellent fish and oysters. 
 Travellers from Europe, especially the Germans, who visit Vir- 
 ginia, generally remark upon two things in particular, one is the 
 habitual waste of bread, and the other that they see so few beg- 
 gars or paupers." 
 
 Middle Virginia, is a wide undulating plain, crossed by many 
 rivers, bordered by alluvial bottom-lands. It extends to the 
 range of hills parallel to the Blue Kidge and about 20 miles dis- 
 tant from it. This is the great tobacco region of Virginia, and 
 the cereals and fruits of the temperate climate are cultivated 
 here. The extensive and negligent cultivation of tobacco and 
 corn has exhausted much good land, but careful management 
 soon restores to it its original productiveness. This district also 
 suffered greatly during the late war, for it was the main battle 
 
 60.) "Handbook of Virginia," 5111 edition, by tlie Commissioner of ^gncuiture, page 
 26. Riolimond, Va., 1886. 
 
 61.) "PhysicalSurvey of Virginia," by Wm. F. Maury, pp. 6— 8. Richmond, Va , 1878. 
 
57 
 
 ground. However, this healthy and most improvable region 
 gradually regains its former condition. The forest growth 
 changes as we ascend from the tidewater division to Piedmont, 
 the cypress disappears and the cedar, pine and holly, the gum, 
 oak, chestnut, hickory, tulip tree, walnut, locust, maple, syca- 
 more and other timber become more and more frequent. The 
 mineral resources are very extensive, besides coal this country 
 yields: gold, silver, copper, sulphur, and iron ores in great 
 abundance, and for architectural purposes fine gray granite, 
 brown stone, slate for roofing, limestone and marble are worked. 
 The population corresponded during the 17th and 18th centuries 
 with that of the tidewater region, but it had a visible tincture of 
 German. Since the end of the war enterprising settlers from 
 Europe and from the North and West, have come here, and with- 
 in the last ten years a marked improvement is manifested in the 
 general appearance of the country. 
 
 The Piedmont Division, as its name implies, lies at the 
 foot of the Blue Eidge mountains, and extends from the Poto- 
 mac to the Dan river. It is a delightful country — for climate, 
 beauty of landscape, variety of scenery, natural fertility of soil, 
 water courses contributing to practical purposes as well as to 
 beauty of scenery, this section is surpassed by few, if any other 
 sections in the United States, and it may justly be called : "the 
 orchard and vineyard of Virginia." The highest mountains are , 
 the picturesque peaks of Otter — 3874 and 4000 feet high, and 
 if the atmosphere is clear the mountains are enveiled in a violet 
 tint or vapor, like the Alps on the line of northern Italy and 
 Switzerland. The climate is, as has been stated before, mild 
 and invigorating. Piedmont is in fact the best sanitarium in 
 the United States, east of the Mississippi. The population is of 
 a cosmopolitan character — and to her industrious German ele- 
 ment this section is indebted for much of its prosperity. 
 
 The Valley is a portion of the great central Appalachian 
 valley, that extends for several hundred miles from Canada to 
 Alabama, a broad belt of rolling country, enclosed between lofty 
 mountain ranges, diversified by hills and valleys with many 
 winding streams of water. The Blue Kidge is on the east, and 
 
58 
 
 the Kitatinny or Endless Mountains on the west.''^) The Valley 
 is the American land of red soil — and it enjoys and deserves 
 the reputation of great fertility. The various grasses for hay 
 and pasture, the natural blue grass lands, make the valley the 
 home of the stock raiser and dairy man. Washington, the no- 
 ble and great son of Virginia, remarked about this rich section : 
 "In soil, climate and productions, in my opinion, it will be con- 
 sidered, if not considered so already, as the garden of America." 
 For a century and a haJf human labor has especially improved 
 it and made it the most flourishing part of Virginia. Randolph 
 Harrison, Commissioner of Agriculture, said''^): "A large j)or- 
 tion of the valley was settled by Pennsylvania Germans in the 
 early history of the State. These people brought with them 
 their frugal habits, their conservative systems and modes of 
 farming, which served to keep it what nature made it to be — 
 one of the most desirable tracts of country in the United States." 
 Besides her farming advantages the valley possesses many min- 
 eral springs of excellent waters of their nature and many min- 
 erals are found there. This district is naturally divided in the 
 following sub-divisions : the Shenandoah valley, the Jamesriver 
 valley, the Eoanoke valley, the New River and Kanawha valley, 
 and the Holston or Tennessee valley. 
 
 The Bhie Ridge Division or New River Plateau is enclosed 
 between the two widely diverging ranges of the Blue Ridge and 
 comprises the counties of Floyd, Carroll and Grayson. Its mean 
 elevation over the sea is about 2600 feet, and the soil is covered 
 by timber and grass. These counties send to market herds of 
 fine healthy cattle, flocks of sheep, much high prized tobacco, 
 wheat, dried fruit, etc., and some of the finest apples produced 
 in Virginia. The mineral resources are very great, but unde- 
 veloped, and offer profitable investment to enterprising capi- 
 talists. 
 
 Tlie Ajypalacliian Country is a rough mountain district 
 thinly populated. It is composed of a number of parallel moun- 
 tain chains, with trough-like valleys between them, the moun- 
 
 52 ) " Virginia, a Geographical and Political Summary,'" by the Board of Immigration, 
 pages. Richmond, Va , 1S7C. 
 
 53) "Handbook of Virginia," Fifth edition, by the Commissioner of Agriculture, 
 p 110. Richmond, Va , 1880. 
 
59 
 
 tains often extending for fifty miles or more as an unbroken, 
 single, straight, lofty ridge, with an equally uniform valley 
 alongside : sometimes the mountains recede and the valleys wi- 
 den.^*) This district belongs to the Mississippi valley, for the 
 waters are all drained off into that river, either by the tribu- 
 taries of the Ohio or the Tennessee rivers. It is rich in timber, 
 coal and iron and also has some mineral springs of sanitary 
 value. 
 
 The Neiu State of West Virginia, to which a later chapter 
 of this history is devoted, resembles in its western part the last 
 described district, — it is underlaid with coal, rich in timber, 
 though upon the mountains it is still chiefly an untrodden wil- 
 derness, — and the eastern counties are in respect to surface, 
 resources and population similar to the Shenandoah valley. 
 
 These short geographical remarks will serve to gain a view 
 of the different divisions of Virginia and to facilitate a correct 
 understanding of the following historical account. 
 
 64 ) "Virginia, a geographical and political summary," by the Bjaril of Immigration, 
 p 8, etc. 1876 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Causes of the German Immigration into Virginia 
 . During the Eighteenth Century. 
 
 TN the early part of the eighteenth century a large number of 
 f" Germans immigrated as well into Virginia as into Pennsyl- 
 I vania and were the instrument by which the immense nat- 
 ural resources of the colony were developed and a regular and 
 sound state of affairs was created. In the numerous petty States 
 of the German empire, at the end of the seventeenth and in the 
 beginning of the eighteenth century, most deplorable conditions 
 prevailed and the suffering of the people was nigh unbearable. 
 The cruelty of the despotic rulers had already driven thousands 
 of peaceable citizens from their homes and across the ocean, — 
 to Virginia also Germans had come and the number of the fugi- 
 tives from the German Fatherland increased yearly. Particu- 
 larly southern Germany — and there especially the once flour- 
 ishing Palatinate, sighed under the hardships and devastations 
 of repeated wars, the tyranny of extravagant princes, and the 
 hateful struggle for supremacy of the various Christian confes- 
 sions. In the seventeenth century the despotism of the Elector 
 of the Palatinate had forced his people to change its creed three 
 times, first to the Lutheran, then to the Calvinist, again to the 
 Lutheran and finally a second time to the Calvinist faith. This 
 occurrence is certainly abhorrible as the most unwarranted op- 
 pression of the liberty of thought and conscience. Louis XIV 
 of France, invaded the German country and destroyed its last 
 resources. The French marshal de Turenne devastated this 
 beautiful section of Germany from 1673 to 1676 — and in 1689 
 Durat ordered the population of nearly half a million people to 
 leave their homes within three days. In the midst of winter. 
 
61 
 
 withotit shelter or food, many died. The cities of Phillipsburg, 
 Frankenthal, Mannheim, etc., were reduced to ashes, fields and 
 vineyards were devastated and the magnificent castle of Heidel- 
 berg was demolished. After all these trials the enemy at home 
 took the place of the French tormentor. Elector Johann Wil- 
 helm, 1690-1716, an able pupil of the Jesuits and an unbounded 
 prodigal, aimed to take advantage of the animosity between the 
 Lutherans and Reformists for forcible conversion to Catholicism, 
 and his successor, Karl Philipp, persecuted all Protestants in 
 fanatic fury and forced emigration on many. 
 
 Similar conditions prevailed in the entire German empire 
 and particularly in the countries of the lower Ehine, Hanno- 
 ver and Thurinia. To make the national misfortune complete, 
 French taste, luxury and corruption spread among the higher 
 classes of society, and morality and propriety of conduct dis- 
 appeared. Thus Germapy grew faithless to its true character 
 and bowed to foreign influence. Helpless and poor, in con- 
 stant fear of death, the mass of the people took refuge with 
 its inmost feeling and thought, saving to. themselves self-re- 
 spect and the belief in human equality. Under ruins and 
 mould, behind prison-walls, germinated the seed-corn of true 
 humanity and sound philosophy. Amidst its disgrace the 
 heart of the German nation commenced to embrace the real 
 theory of life and liberty, and the plain and pious peasant 
 and citizen learned to value the art of reasoning in place of 
 quiet submission to despotism. More sects were organized and 
 each of them, even when adopting odd methods, gave evidence 
 of mental impulse and independent reasoning. Their followers 
 adhered to it manly and neither persecution nor exile forced 
 them to desert their belief. 
 
 The German emigrants to America, having gone through 
 such a school of bitter trials, imported firmness of character 
 and had the willingness and qualification of doing the hard 
 labor of pioneers. Faithful to their conviction they proved 
 themselves in the New World conducive to the public good, 
 obedient to law — and yet firmly devoted to the principles of 
 liberty. 
 
 . In the year 1702 Queen Anne ascended the English throne. 
 Moved by the sufferings of the German people and recognizing 
 
62 
 
 their qualifications for the colonization of her American prov- 
 inces, she patronized German immigration to Pennsylvania, 
 New York, the Carolinas, Virginia, etc. At the same time 
 several of the German Swiss cantons, like Bern, Basel, Appen- 
 cell, St. Gallen, etc., undertook to colonize the surplus of 
 their population in South and North Carolina and Virginia. 
 
 ' Among those unfortunate Palatines who had been robbed 
 by the French plunderers and then forced to emigrate, was 
 Kev. Josua von Kocherthal.''') In January 1708 he applied 
 to the English resident at Frankfurt a./M., Mr. Davenant, to 
 furnish him and several families, numbering in all 61 persons, 
 with money and passports to travel to England. Davenant 
 asked his government for instructions — and the request was 
 declined. However the Palatines managed to reach London 
 and being without means of support. Queen Anne granted to 
 each of them one shilling per day. The news of their kind 
 treatment soon spread in Germany and intensified the long- 
 ing to escape the sufferings at home. At the same time Eng- 
 lish emissaries travelled in the German States to induce wealthy 
 people to emigrate to America, and these men distributed 
 pamphlets and books containing the most enticing descrip- 
 tions of the resources, fertility and beauty of the New World. 
 On the 4th of February 1709 Montague off"ered in the English 
 parliament a bill for the naturalization of foreign Protestants, 
 which was passed without opposition. This new law purposed 
 to induce the rich French Huguenots to emigrate to the Eng- 
 lish colonies, — but the poor people of southern Germany 
 considered it as an invitation extended to them too. In the 
 spring of 1709 the exodus was very great, so much so that 
 in .lune more than 10,000 Germans had arrived in London, 
 and at the end of the year their number is said to have been 
 33,500. Most of them were homeless, poor but good and use- 
 ful working people. Frank's "Frankfurter Mess Kalender" 
 reports for instance, that from Easter to the fall of 1709 
 about 6520 German Protestants reached London, of which 1278 
 were men with families, 1338 married women, 39 widows, 384 
 young men, 106 maidens, 379 boys and 374 girls over 14 years 
 
 66 ) "Geschichte der dcutschen Einwanaerung in Amerika," by Fiiedrich Kapp p 19 
 N.Y. 1868. '' 
 
63 
 
 of age and 3673 children of different age. The professions 
 among them were represented by 1083 farmers and vintagers, 
 90 carpenters, Si bakers, 48 masons, 20 cabinet-mal<ers, 40 
 shoe-makers, 58 tailors, 15 butchers, 37 millers, 7 tanners, 4 
 stocking-weavers, 6 barbers, 3 lock-smiths, 13 blacksmiths, 40 
 linen and woolen-weavers, 48 coopers, 13 cast-wrights, 5 hun- 
 ters, 7 saddlers, 3 glaziers, 3 hat-makers, 8 tile-makers, 1 cook, 
 10 teachers, 1 student and 3 engravers, in short they were of 
 the working and middle classes. But on account of their 
 large number they soon became a burden to the English gov- 
 ernment and the native population, — however they were cared 
 for as far as possible. The queen paid daily 160 pounds ster- 
 ling for their support, in all parts of Great Britain collections 
 were started for the benefit of "the poor Germans." The lin- 
 nen weavers were taken to Scotch and Irish factories, the 
 young girls received employment in families, — many young 
 men took service in the army and navy, and all others were 
 taken to camp at Black Heath near Greenwich until they 
 could be transported to America. But many of those in camp, 
 it is said several thousands, died of fever. 
 
 More than 3000 were sent to New York, about 600 to 
 North Carolina, and several shiploads to Virginia. E. Willard 
 says'^"): "Six or seven thousand arrived daring the year 1710 
 and settled in the province of New York, Pennsylvania, Vir- 
 ginia and Carolina." 
 
 A German letter by David Topp, dated: Lemgo, January 
 5th 1711, is preserved in the State Library at Eichmond. 
 The name of the person addressed is missing, — but the con- 
 tents of the letter indicate that he was a clergyman — and it 
 gives evidence of the continued immigration of Germans. The 
 pious mode of thinking of the German people and the deplor- 
 able conditions which prevailed in Germany at that time, are 
 also illustrated by this interesting document. We copy the 
 following from it: "Wir konnen nichts weiter alsz das wir 
 wiinschen, der Herre Herr, welcher ihn so wunderbahrlich 
 bisz dahin geftihret, der wolle ihn fernerweit in seiner christ- 
 
 66 ) "History of th* United States," by E. Willard, pp. 134, 133. New York aod Clii- 
 cago. 1871. 
 
64 
 
 lichen resolution und Gelassenheit stiirken, festigen und griin- 
 den : ja Er woUe ihm Gnad^ geben, sich selbst und viele an- 
 dere Menschen stark zu machen an den inwendigen Menschen, 
 das Sie durch seine Lehre und Leben dasz eitele Wesen die- 
 ser Welt und die theuerwerthen ewigen schiitze in dem him- 
 
 lischen Sion unterscheiden und erwehlen lernen." and 
 
 furthermore to elucidate the wretched condition in the German 
 empire : "Hier in Lemgo neiget sich alles kriiff tig zum unter- 
 gange und werden wir unvermerket unserm Landesherrn gantz 
 subject, wie dan hier in Teutschland die Herrschaften alle 
 souverain, und die unterthanen alle sclavisch werden, Gott 
 andere die Gemiither und bessere die Zeiten, sonst wird alles 
 desperat werden. Das beste ist dasz fast zehen jahr her noch 
 so wohlfeile Zeit allhier gewest; wir wussten gern wasz bei 
 ihnen vor getreide wiichset und ob es wohl hoch im preisse 
 sei, worauf da so viel Familien jaehrlich dazu hommen, und 
 wie und womit sich dieselben alle ernehren, ob Sie alda Hau- 
 ser finden oder bauen, ob Sie die Heyden oder Wilden mit 
 der Zeit vertreiben oder bekehren, oder was es fiir arth men- 
 schen da gebe und wie Sie leben. Ich bitte nochmahlst um 
 weitlaufige Nachricht und schliesse damit." — 
 
 The treatment on sea was rough, many died and found 
 their graves in the ocean. Very characteristic is an old Ger- 
 man-American verse : 
 
 "Sie warden in enger Koje kalt — 
 Gelangten nie zum Port — 
 Man hat sie auf ein Brett geschnallt 
 Und warf sie ueber Bord." 
 
 Just as correctly says Koesting"'') : 
 
 "In einem Hafen Englands, angesichts 
 Bebuschter Kreidefelsen, lag, umschwaermt 
 Von Moeven und Schaluppen, angewaermt 
 Vom Sonnenglanz des jungen Morgenlichts, 
 Ein segelfertig Schiff, fuer wen'ge Stunden 
 Noch mit dem Ufer durch ein Brett verbunden. 
 Auswand'rer draengten sich auf dem Verdeck, 
 Verschuechtert Volk, von fluchenden Matrosen 
 Nicht besser als sein ungeschlacht Gepaeck 
 
 n ) "Der Weg nach Eden," by Karl Koesting, p, 59. Leipzig, 1884. 
 
65 
 
 Behandelt. Schweigend liessen sie sich stossea ; — 
 Bloss Deutsclie ivare^i's, die sich nicht erbosten, — 
 Sie kamen frisch aus einer Hoelle her, 
 Drum scheuten sie kein Fegefener mehr. 
 Auch war man laengstens in fuenf Wochen ja 
 Im Land der Sehnsucht : in Amerika !" ' 
 
 By sickness and bad food a great many of tliese poor brave 
 people were taken away and never gained the shores of the land 
 of their craving. In the year 1743 a vessel arrived in Hamp- 
 ton Roads, Va., with German immigrants, — 200 in number 
 they had left England, but 160 died on sea — and only 40 
 landed on Virginia soil.^^) 
 
 It would be unjust to hold the English government re- 
 sponsible for the ill treatment the emigrants had to endure at 
 sea, for it was prompted by the very best intentions towards 
 the German colonists. The government granted to each Ger- 
 man 40 acres of land, the necessary agricultural implements 
 and provisions for one year, ^ but many limitations to these 
 liberal conditions subjected them to the mercy of the gov- 
 ernors and selfish officials — and thus frustrated the good 
 intentions of the royal government. The well-known ardent 
 tenacity of the German colonists outlived these distressing 
 difficulties, and by endurance and hard labor they proved a 
 blessing to the colony. 
 
 68 ) "In dcr neucn Htimath," by Max Eickhoff, p 202, New York, 1884 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 German Settlements in Middle Virginia 
 AND Piedmont. 
 
 I N the year 1714 Governor Alexander SpotswooJ fouuded a 
 
 ? German settlement in that part of the colony which was in 
 1720 named after him: the county of Spotsylvania. The 
 occasion for this measure was the partial failure of Franz Ludwig 
 Michel and Baron Christopher von Grafifenried, both from Berne 
 in Switzerland, to establish a colony in North Carolina. This 
 conclusion is evident by reading the "Spotswood Letters" pub- 
 lished in Vol. I of "Collections of the Historical Society of Vir- 
 ginia." On page 116 is stated: that in 1709 the lord proprietors 
 had sold to Christopher Baron von Graffenried 10,000 acres of 
 land on the Keuse and Cape Fear rivers at the rate of £10 for 
 each 1000 acres. A great number of Palatines and Swiss fol- 
 lowed him to ISTorth Carolina and founded New Berne. But 
 during the massacre of the Tuscarora Indians they became dis- 
 heartened, for many families were murdered and Baron Graffen- 
 ried himself was taken prisoner. This tragic event occurred in 
 1711. After the baron's release he sold his land to Th. Pollock 
 and with a number of Swiss and Palatines he removed to Vir- 
 ginia, where he settled in the forks of the Potomac. Besides, 
 other causes necessitated this re-emigration. Many colonists 
 were disappointed by not receiving the promised title for 200 
 acres of land to each family, and the unwholesome location of 
 Graffenried's possessions may have influenced many of them to 
 
 select some other country wherein to settle. "New Berne" 
 
 says Dr. Johann Daniel Schcepf in his account of his travels 
 during the last century""): "is situated on a point of land em- 
 
 69.) "Historical Collections of the Historical Society of Virginia," p 137. 
 60.) "Dr. Schoepf's Amerika," or compare: "Der SuedeD," <I -a. Woclienschrift, I 
 Jahrgang, p 3, Richmond, Va , 189 1. 
 
67 
 
 braced by the rivers New and Trent. The beds of these rivers 
 are very deep, but the shores are low and subject to frequent in- 
 undations. For these reasons the country does not enjoy a salu- 
 brious climate and pure air, and in fall many people die by sick- 
 ness. The mortality of the children especially is very great, in 
 fact twice as great as in the Northern States." 
 
 A number of colonists parted altogether with Baron Graf- 
 fenried. They wandered up the New river to the fertile valleys 
 at the southern slopes of the Alleghany mountains in Virginia, 
 where the present counties of Wythe, Pulaski, Montgomery and 
 Craig are located, and they built another New Berne in Pulaski. 
 
 Others, who had followed Baron von Graflfenried to the 
 forks of the Potomac, encountered renewed, unlocked for diifi- 
 culties. Their leader went there upon written instructions of 
 the queen to the governor of Virginia: to assign to him that 
 section without pay, — but older claims on the land interfered. 
 In a letter dated July 26th 1714, Governor Spotswood says him- 
 self: that a number of German Protestants came to Germanna 
 on his inducement. They immigrated to Virginia with Baron 
 Graffenried, who was in possession of a letter from the queen, by 
 which he, Spotswood, received instructions to assign to these 
 people tracts of land. Most of these Germans were miners, 
 writes the governor, and he exempted them for several years 
 from payment of taxes, to encourage others of their countrymen 
 to settle in Virginia. Graffenried,"^) utterly disgusted by the 
 failure of his plans, gave up all further efforts at colonization, — 
 but Governor Spotswood and some other ''gentlemen," as is 
 stated in the Spotswood-letter of July 21st 1714, cared for the 
 deserted colonists. Governor Spotswood induced a number of 
 them to enter his service and he erected, with their assistance, 
 on the shores of the Kapidan, between the Eussel- and Wil- 
 derness-runs : "ironworks" and the town Germanna ; the balance 
 of the immigrants settled in the present counties of Stafford, 
 King George and Westmoorland. In Stafford county a German 
 settlement was built up at Germanna Ford. Even at the present 
 
 61.) Several descendants of Graffenried are living in North Carolina and Virginia. One 
 Dr. Joseph de Graffenried represented Luxemburg in the Assembly from 1805 to 1816 and W. 
 B. de Graffenried was a member of the Petersburg Virginian Volunteers organized October 
 21st 1812j he served with honor during the war until May 5th 1813. 
 
68 
 
 time occasionally traces of those German settlers are found. Mr. 
 J. Kohler of Kichmond is in possession of a Luther-medal bear- 
 ing the date of 1720. It was ploughed up in Stafford county and 
 was encrusted with earth. It is about the size of a silver-dollar, 
 and is in a fine state of preservation. Upon the obverse are in 
 bass-relief bust portraitures of Luther and Melanchton, with the 
 legend, D. Blartin Luther, Philip Melanchton. On the reverse is 
 depicted the Diet of Worms, in Session, and the legend : 
 
 Ein gut bekentnis vor vielen zeugen 
 1st Tim., 6, 12. 
 
 Augsburg Con. Memoria Eenov. 
 1730. 
 
 The date marks the two hundredth anniversary of the 
 adoption of the Augsburg confession, which was compiled by 
 Melanchton and endorsed by Luther. 
 
 By direction of Governor Spotswood dwelling houses,' a. 
 church, a court-house and a residence for himself were built at 
 Germanna and surrounded by palisades for protection against 
 the Indians. The English historian Hugh Jones'"'^) also reports, 
 that the governor employed servants and negroes to clear the 
 land all round, in order to give settlers a good opinion of this 
 little populated country and to encourage their countrymen to 
 join them. There is no doubt but that this historical remark 
 refers to the Germans — and appreciative of their industry Sir 
 Spotswood also encouraged direct immigration from Germany. 
 The relations between the governor and the German colonists 
 were of the very best kind. They called Virginia in his honor : 
 "Spotsylvania" — and he was at home with them. He was so much 
 charmed by this laborious and peaceable people, that he married a 
 young German lady by name "Theke" and born in Hannover. 
 Col. Byrd, the founder of Richmond, describes in his "Progress 
 of the mines" the family life of the governor and his attachment 
 to his wife and many children, in picturesque language. 
 
 The reports concerning the first direct immigration from 
 Germany to the settlements on the Eapidan are somewhat con- 
 tradicting. Dr. Slaughter puts it to 32 families, while other 
 
 62) "The Present State of Virginia," by Hugli Jones. London, 1724. 
 
69 
 
 historians speak of two separate parties"^) of which the first 
 numbered 12 families and is said to have arrived in 1714, and 
 the second counted 20 families and reached Ggrmanna in 1717. 
 However, both statements agree in the main point : the total 
 number of 32 families. Dr. Slaughter also says : the first settlers 
 had a quarrel with the ship-captain over their passage money 
 and cites other authority to show that some time after the set- 
 tlement of Germanna the condition of the colonists was deplor- 
 able in the last degree. Governor Spotswood, under date of 1714, 
 writes to Ye Lords Commissioners of Trade: "The act for ex- 
 empting certain German Protestants from ye payment of Levys 
 is made in fav'r of several Familys of that Nation, who upon 
 the encouragement of the Baron de Graaflfenried came over hither 
 in the hopes of finding out mines (they were engaged princi- 
 pally in mining in their native land), but the Baron's mis- 
 fortunes obliged him to leave the country before their arrival. 
 They have been settled on ye Frontiers of Eappahannock and 
 subsisted chiefly at my charge and on the contributions of some 
 gentlemen that have a prospect of being reimbursed by their 
 labors." -^ Later "complaints" were made against Spotswood 
 which involved various charges and which in a letter to the 
 "Lord Commissioners of Trade and Plantations" he answers 
 at length- In refuting the charge that he had built two forts, 
 one at the head of the James river and one at the head of the 
 Eappahannock, at the expense of the country only to support two 
 private interests, he says: that as to the Germanna settlement, 
 there were about forty Germans, men, women and children, 
 who quitted their native country upon the invitation of Baron 
 Graaffenried, and that both in compassion to these strangers 
 and in regard to the safety of the country he placed them to- 
 gether on a piece of land where he built them habitations, and 
 subsisted them until by their own labor they were able to pro- 
 vide for themselves. 
 
 Touching a charge that he " denied " to let his Majesty's 
 subjects tak6 up land,— at the same time gave leave or order to 
 another person to take up 12,000 acres to be patented in the 
 
 (33) Compare Senator Lovenstein's Oration at the "German Day" celebration in Rich- 
 mond, October 6th, 1890, published in the "Richmond Dispatch" and "Richmond Times," 
 October 7th, 1890. 
 
70 
 
 name of John Robinson to his (Spotswood's) own private use 
 and leased the same to " ye Germans,"^he says : that the pat- 
 ents being signed by the governor it would be improper to grant 
 one to himself. He also claims, that the Germans were not 
 insensible to the kindness he had shown them, and that in- 
 stead of being his tenants they might have been his servants 
 in view of the passage money — 150 £3. they owed him. The 
 date of these answers is 1716. 
 
 The consensus of authority is that Spotswood bent his 
 every energy to the development of the resources of the colony, 
 but as has been seen: he did not escape harsh criticism. Refer- 
 ence has been made to his land "deal" with Robinson, but 
 that was not his only " deal " in which the German interest 
 figured. In 1722 he granted to Richard Hickman 28,000 acres 
 of land, the consideration for which, as the books of the Reg- 
 ister of the Land Office show, was monetary alone. In 1733 
 the same land was "confirmed" to Spotswood upon the aver- 
 ment of Hickman : that it had been held in trust for Spotswood. 
 
 "In the following period, from 1720 to 1732," so report the 
 " Halleschen Nachrichten," " the number of high German 
 Protestants from the Palatinate, Wuertenberg, Darmstadt and 
 other places, increased. Many came, too, from the State of 
 New York to Virginia, who had been transported there from 
 England during the reign of Queen Anne. They spread and 
 settled in all parts of the province. Some of those who ar- 
 rived about the middle of this period, were accompanied by 
 preachers like Reverends Hinkel, Palkner, Stoever, etc." 
 
 Although plain people, these early German pioneers were 
 not wanting a certain degree of education. The fact alone, 
 that in their company German preachers and schoolmasters 
 came to the virgin woods of Virginia, confirms this assertion, 
 and old documents: the Land Registers and County Records, 
 show that nearly all of them could read and write. Several 
 of their descendants have filled the highest state ofiflces. Among 
 the pioneers who arrived in 1714 was Johann Kemper from 
 Oldenburg, who settled afterwards in the German colony in 
 Madison county, and in 1717 married Alice Utterback. Their 
 son, John Peter Kemper, in 1738 married a daughter of the 
 
71 
 
 German parson Dr. Haeger"*) and one of their descendants is 
 James Lawson Kemper at Orange Court House, who had com- 
 mand of one brigade of Picket's celebrated division in the battle 
 of Gettysburg, and was dangerously wounded at the heroic at- 
 tack of the so-called "Round Top"; but he recovered from 
 his wounds and from 1873 to 1878 he was governor of the 
 State. The biography of General and Governor Kemper follows 
 in a later chapter. — The German inhabitants of Germanna 
 were generally esteemed and some of them were appointed to 
 important offices. In 1748 a commission was entrusted with a 
 revision of the colonial laws and the German, Benj. AValler of 
 Germanna, was a member of that body. 
 
 Gerhard Hinkel or Henkel, as his descendants call him, 
 was an old man of seventy-five years when he came to Vir- 
 ginia as the first German preacher."") It seems that he was 
 a Saxon by birth, for he had held the position of court chap- . 
 lain to Duke Moritz Wilhelm of Saxony-Zeitz until this prince 
 confirmed to the Catholic creed and exiled him. Hinkel then 
 occupied a preachership at Zweibruecken in the Palatinate — 
 and at the time when the Elector Karl Philipp attempted to 
 exile the confessors to the Lutheran and Calvin confessions, he 
 became the leader of the fugitive Palatines and accepted the 
 ministry of their church in Germanna, Virginia. The Ger- 
 man-American historian, H. A. Eattermann of Cincinnati, 0., 
 examined Hinkel's daybook, which is in possession of Dr. Geo. 
 C. Henkel at Farmersville, 0., and reports: "The church was 
 named the 'hopeful church' (HofFnungsvolle Kirche), for its 
 members were inspired with hope that they might be allowed 
 with the assistance of the Lord to worship the Savior Jesus 
 Christ undisturbed, according to the teachings of the late Dr.' 
 Luther and the statutes of the confession of Augsburg." — In 
 an historical sketch of the Shenandoah valley"'') Andreas Si- 
 mon relates : that Eev. Hinkel was a descendant of Count Hin- 
 kel von Poeltzig, to whom America is indebted : to have induced 
 Eev. Heinrich Melchior Muehlenberg, the patriarch of the 
 
 64.) Compare "Virginia and Virginians," by Dr. R. A. Brook. Richmond, Va , 18S8. 
 
 65 ) "Deutscher Pionier," Vol. 12, No. 2, page 66. Cincinnati, 0., 1880. 
 
 66.)' "Der Westen," Sunday issue of HI. StaatsZeitung, May 29, 1892. Chicago, 111. 
 
72 
 
 Lutheran Church in America, to make it, after 1742, the field 
 of his meritorious activity. 
 
 These statements are also confirmed by some of the Spots- 
 wood Letters, not yet mentioned."'^) In a report, dated May 
 1712, the governor says, that Baron von GrafTenried, with sev- 
 eral Swiss families, came to the forks of the Potomac to settle 
 there and that he was greatly disappointed, having expected 
 to receive the lands as a gift from the Queen. In another 
 letter, dated February 7, 1716, Spotswood mentions that about 
 forty Germans,, men, women and children, had left North Caro- 
 lina with Baron GrafFenried, because he could not fulfill his 
 promises to them and on account of a horrible plot of the 
 Tuscarora Indians for extermination of the entire white popu- 
 lation. The governor added, that he had houses built for them 
 some miles distant from Germanna and that he was furnishing 
 them with provisions until they could provide for themselves. 
 He also says: that he does not expect to be unjust, requiring 
 them to repay his advances. — The above mentioned " Mines 
 and Ironworks " were erected in the " Wilderness," the bloody 
 battlefield of the late war of secession, situated between Ger- 
 manna and Fredericksburg— and the "Handbook of Virginia""**) 
 says about them: "The oldest furnace in America of which 
 we have any certain knowledge, was ' Spotswood ' in the county 
 Spotsylvania, described by Col. Byrd in the Westover Manu- 
 script a century and a half ago." At the present time iron 
 ore is still produced there by the Wilderness Mining Co., five 
 miles south from Parker's station. 
 
 The existence of Germanna seems to have been not of long 
 duration. The German inhabitants who were appointed overseers 
 on Spotswood's plantations or employed in his mines and at the 
 iron furnace, finally had to claim large sums for unpaid wages, 
 and in place of payment he transferred to them large tracts 
 of land on Eobertson river, a tributary of the Rapidan, in the 
 present county of Madison. Others acquired farms in a simi- 
 lar manner in Spotsylvania, Culpepper and Stafi'ord counties. 
 Dr. Slaughter, the historian above mentioned, furnishes history, 
 
 67.) Collections of the Historical Society of Virginia, Vol. I. 
 
 68) "Handbook of Virginia," by the Commissioner o'f Agriculture. 5th edition, p 82. 
 Richmond, Va , 1886. 
 
73 
 
 tradition, and names, which go to show that a colony from the 
 Germanna immigrants settled Oermantotun, in. Fauquier county. 
 In the middle of the eighteenth century, writes Col. Byrd,""') 
 "Germanna consisted of the residence of Governor Spotswood and 
 a dozen and a half of half decayed houses, formerly occupied 
 by German families." 
 
 On the modern maps of Virginia, Germanna cannot be found, 
 but on "a map of the internal improvement of Virginia," by 
 0. Crozet, published by Ritchie & Dannavent, Richmond, Va., 
 1855, the "Germanna Mills" are mentioned, located in the north- 
 eastern corner of Orange county, and exactly in the place where 
 the town of Germanna was once erected. On the maps : "Carte 
 de la Virginie," par Robert de Vaugondy, 1758, "A map of the 
 British and French Dominions," by J. Mitchell, "A map of 
 the most inhabited part of Virginia," by J. Frey and P. Jef- 
 ferson, and "A map of the country between Albemarle Sound 
 and Lake Erie," the town Germanna is named and besides the 
 following localities with German names in Spotsylvania and 
 adjoining counties: Hedgeman, Hedgeman's River, Germantown, 
 Fredericksburg and Buckner.'"') 
 
 Governor Spotswood was the first to cross the "Blue Ridge" 
 on horseback.''^) Desirous to learn more of the wilderness 
 west of the mountains, he equipped a party of 30 horsemen, 
 employed some Indian guides, and heading in person, left 
 Williamsburg in August 1716. They were well supplied with 
 provisions and invigorating drink. At Germanna they rested 
 for a few days and thence they travelled by way of Mountain 
 Run to the Rappahannock, which they crossed at Somerville's 
 Ford. Advancing on the left shore of the river, near Peyton's 
 Ford, they recrossed and proceeded to near the present site of 
 Stannardsville in Green county, whence they passed through 
 
 69.) Compare; "The ^Vestover Manuscript," printed by Edmond and Julian RuEQn, 
 Petersburg, Va , 1841 . 
 
 70.) Buckner is a German family name, and in Virginia it reaches back to the eailiest 
 Jays of the colony. Many members of this family were men of prominence. One, Major 
 Richard Buckner, was collector In Williamsburg in 1710 ; M. Buckner was Colonel of the 6th 
 Virginia regiment during the War of Independence i but special credit is owing to the Ger. 
 man printer, John Buckner, who in 1730 set up the first printivg press in Virginia. 
 
 71) Compare: "History of the Valley," by Sam'l Kerchevall. Woodstock, Va , 1860; 
 and "Der Einfluss der Deutschen auf die kulturgeschichtliche Entwickelung des amerika- 
 nischen Volkes," by H. A. Battermann, "Deutacher Pionier," 1876, No. 3, page 106. 
 
74 
 
 the Blue Ridge by way of Swift Etin Gap into the beautiful 
 valley. Crossing the Shenandoah river a few miles north of 
 where Port Eepublic is located, near what is known as River 
 Bank in Rcckingham, the intrepid governor pushed onward to 
 the west across the Shenandoah valley and through the moun- 
 tain defiles, until on the 5th of September 1716, on one of the 
 loftiest peaks of the Appalachian range, probably within the 
 limits of what is now Pendleton county in West Virginia, they 
 halted. Governor Spotswood ordered the bugle to be sounded, 
 speeches were made, provisions and delicious beverages partaken 
 of, and the health of King George I was toasted. The highest 
 peak of the mountains was baptized "Mount George," and an- 
 other "Mount Spotswood or Alexander," in honor of the gover- 
 nor, but nobody can tell to-day what mountain tops were thus 
 honored. Failing to discover any indication that the Mississippi 
 originated in this part of the country, as had been thought 
 likely, the party returned to Williamsburg and in glowing terms 
 described the country they had visited. For the purpose of in- 
 ducing emigration to the great western valley and the mountain 
 sides with mystical hygeian fountains from which flowed the 
 life-giving water, — the governor established the "Trans-moun- 
 tain Order, or Knights of the Golden Horse Shoe," presenting 
 to each of those who had accompanied him a miniature golden 
 horse-shoe with the inscription : "Sic jurat transcendere montes" 
 (thus he swears to cross the mountains). These decorations 
 were given to all who would agree to comply with the inscrip- 
 tion. 
 
 The German colony on Robinson river, west of the present 
 town of Madison, prospered under the kind government of Sir 
 Alexander Spotswood. The colonists were laborious and pious 
 people. In 1735 they founded a congregation with Rev. Johann 
 Kaspar Stoever as parson, who also took charge of the church at 
 Germanna, upon Rev. Henkel's acceptance of a call to the con- 
 gregation near the Yadkin river in North Carolina. The Ger- 
 mans in Madison county at first erected a large log-house in a 
 glen amid the virgin wood, where never before a pale-face had 
 risked to wander. The church registers which until 1810 were 
 written in German, show that two sentinels, armed with mus- 
 kets, were posted at the entrance of the meeting-house, to guard 
 
75 
 
 the farthfets, ttieir wives and children while at worship from 
 surprise by the Indians. These guards — and likewise the 
 parson — received their pay in tobacco, which was the tender 
 of those times. 
 
 In the year 1739 Eev. Stoever travelled to Germany in 
 order to raise money for building a church, a parsonage with 
 school rooms and to establish a library. The instruction in 
 school afterwards was given by the venerable parson himself 
 and it comprised : religion, reading, writing, and arithmetic. 
 This achievement of Rev. Stoever cannot be praised to highly, 
 for his school was the first authentical school for white children 
 in the Old Dominion. 
 
 The "few old field-schools, — log huts in the fields or woods," 
 — of which John Esten Cook makes mention in his book : 
 "Virginia," — and which he says to have existed as early as 
 1634, — are too obscure to be taken in consideration and 
 scarcely possessed a claim on the high title of: "Schools." 
 This opinion is confirmed in an article referring to Virginia: 
 "Early Education in the South," published in the "U. S. Edu- 
 cational Report," 1895 to 1896, Vol. I, page 2G9 : "In this 
 period of nearly one hundred and seventy years (1608 — 1776) 
 we find nothing to remind us even of the beginnings of the 
 American common schools, save, perhaps, the action of neigh- 
 bors in the support of a 'field school,' or neighborhood ar- 
 rangement, temporary in its character, but the outgrowth of 
 a popular desire for the schooling of the children." 
 
 Some historians, and even the German-American: Fried- 
 rich Kapp — in his "History of the Germans in the State of 
 New York, — have represented the Gerban immigrants of that 
 period as of low intellectual and moral standing. Kapp, for 
 instance, says: "Even in religious respects there was a great 
 difference between our countrymen and the English settlers. 
 The English brought to America as an indispensable part of 
 their inventory the schoolhouse and the church, while the 
 Germans struggled for their maintenance before they thought 
 of educating their children, if in fact they possessed any in- 
 terest for such duty." — The most vicious "Knownothing" 
 could not have defamed the early German immigrants any 
 more and offended the truth in a more startling manner, than 
 
76 
 
 Priedrich Kapp. The majority of the Germans left their dear 
 Fatherland and came to America for religious causes, — while 
 in Virginia, as has been stated, the English Governor Berke- 
 ley recommended to the clergy: "to preach less and to pray 
 more" — and expressed the hope : "that within a hundred 
 years to come no iniblic school would exist in the colony." 
 The impetuous Bacon fully characterized the English edu- 
 cational standing in Virginia, addressing to Gov. Berkeley the 
 damaging query: "What arts, sciences, schools of learning or 
 manufactures hath been promoted by any now in authority ?" 
 The Germans brought with them their preachers and school- 
 masters — and they built churches and schools at once ! The 
 facts, that they were plain, modest, but not wealthy farmers 
 and artisans, that they did not possess the conventional forms 
 and social polish of the English aristocracy, and that their 
 inefficiency in the English language obliged them to stand 
 back in public life, can certainly not degrade them in intel- 
 lectual or moral respects. It must not be overlooked that the 
 colonial government employed German intelligence to explore 
 the country. In contradiction to F. Kapp says KerchevaF^), 
 the historian of the Shenandoah Valley : "It is remarkable 
 that throughout the whole extent of the United States the 
 Germans, in proportion to their wealth, have the best churches, 
 organs and grave-yards." 
 
 Some dark shadows fall upon the glorious early history 
 of the German colony in Madison county. Rev. Stoever had 
 been very successful in 'the money collecting in the old Father- 
 land, and after the erection of the "Hopeful Evangelic Luth- 
 eran Church," etc., a considerable surplus was left, which was 
 invested in the purchase of 700 acres of land and a number 
 of slaves. This is one of the rare cases, wherein Germans de- 
 parted from their dislike of the institution of slavery. — Soon 
 after confessional differences displaced harmony. Count Zin- 
 sendorf, the head of the Herrenhuters (Moravians), came to 
 Virginia and he tried to convert the Lutherans and lleformists. 
 Some members of the Hebron-congregation commenced to waver 
 and Eev. Stoever was obliged to defend his young parish with 
 
 72) "History of the Valley of Virginia," by Sumucl Kerclieval, p 200 WoodstooV 
 Va, 1850. 
 
77 
 
 energy. Some wandering preachers like Kurz, Goering and 
 others caused similar disturbances, and from 1740 to 1796 the 
 "infamous" Karl Rudolph, as Rev. li. M. Muehlenberg''') 
 called him, persuaded members of the churches at Madison 
 and Germanna to join the Baptists. A community of Dun- 
 kards (Tunker) was organized by the side of the Lutheran, but 
 in 1780 they emigrated to Pennsylvania under the leadership of 
 their preacher, Johannes Tanner. It is doubtful if Tanner 
 was the correct name of the man. Some believe''') that his 
 real name was Danner or Gerber. 
 
 These disturbances induced Rev. Stoever to look for sup- 
 port and by his influence the German Lutheran communities, 
 which had been organized successively at Fredericksburg, New 
 Market, Strasburgh, Winchester, Woodstock, etc., joined the 
 "Lutheran Synod of Pennsylvania." 
 
 The Hebron church in Madison still exists aud possesses 
 antique, sacred vessels, which it received from friends in Ger- 
 many, — but the greatest ornament and the pride of the church 
 is the German organ, imported a hundred years ago and trans- 
 ported from Philadelphia to Madison on ox-drays. 
 
 Rev. Wm. Zimmermann anglicized this old German church 
 and translated and changed also his own German name to 
 "Carpenter." However a loving and proud remembrance of their 
 German origin still exists among the members of the Hebron 
 community, but the use of the German language has died out. 
 He, who at the present time attends the service in the old 
 Lutheran church, will meet there the descendants of the brave 
 pioneers who immigrated into this Virginia wilderness nearly 
 200 years ago. Most of these German-Virginians are wealthy 
 and highly respected people. Several of them have held the 
 highest offices in the county and have represented it in the 
 Legislature. 
 
 About the middle of the eighteenth century many Ger- 
 mans settled in Orange, Culpepper, Rappahannoc, Fauquier, 
 Loudon, Prince W^illiam, Page, Green, Albemarle, and Louisa 
 counties. Among the many German emigrants, who came to 
 
 73) Compare: "Hallesche Nachrichten," p. 264. 
 74 ) Cpjufiare ; "De^tsplier Pionier," No, 12, p. 6 
 
78 
 
 America in the early period of the eighteenth century, were 
 Andrew Waggener with his five brothers. ''») Edward with 
 another brother settled in the present county of Culpepper in 
 1750. They joined Col. Washington as volunteers in his ex- 
 pedition against Fort Du Quesne in 1754 and marched with 
 the First Virginia Kegiment to the fatal scene of Braddock's 
 defeat, where Edward fell among the dead. Andrew again 
 took part in defence of the frontier against the Indians, was 
 commissioned Captain and placed in command of Fort Pleas- 
 ant. In 1765 he purchased land at Bunker's Hill, then in 
 Frederick, now in Berkeley county, where he dwelled until 
 the outbreak of the Revolution, when he once more entered 
 the army and served to the end of the war. He bore a ma- 
 jor's commission and was in the battles of Valley Forge, 
 Princeton, Trenton, and Yorktown. Major Waggener was a 
 personal friend of General Washington and a frequent guest 
 of the first President. 
 
 It is an erroneous though commonly current belief that the 
 above named counties are of exclusive English constitution. The 
 names of German settlers and of their homes have been frequently 
 changed, their origin has been forgotten and the Germans now 
 living in the State know very little about it and often admire as 
 the result of English "smartness" what has often been the fruit 
 of German labor. This may be illustrated by the following. 
 
 In 1886 the author bought his farm in the north-west 
 corner of Louisa county, adjoining Albemarle and Orange 
 counties — and in former years and particularly during the late 
 war, he had noticed many traces of German life in this sec- 
 tion of Virginia. The name of the real estate agent who sold 
 him the farm was Yaeger (Jaeger), one of his nearest neigh- 
 bours, named Crittenberger, was a descendant of a Hessian 
 taken prisoner in the War of Independence, his butcher calls 
 himself Schlosser, his provision dealer Scholz, his dry goods mer- 
 chants Baer and Marcus, etc., and it was therefore but natural 
 to conjecture, that Germans had already participated in the 
 first settlement of these counties. To ascertain the facts he 
 went to the county seat Louisa and asked the county clerk, 
 
 75.) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A, Lewis, pp. 499 and 500. Philadelpliia, 
 Pa. 1889. 
 
79 
 
 Mr. Porter : "Do you know if any Cermans have been among 
 the earliest settlers ?"' — The clerk, with a smile and some 
 emphasis, replied: "No Sir, — Louisa county is an entirely 
 English county." — Upon the writer's request Mr. Porter 
 showed him the Land Registers and he himself opened the 
 oldest volume, beginning with the year 1742. After looking 
 with surprise at the peculiar law style of the writing, the 
 
 official remarked: "D if that don't look Dutch!"— The 
 
 first county clerk, an Englishman, was no penman, as his un- 
 cultivated signature denotes — and very likely he employed a 
 German assistant to do the writing. Among the first entries 
 in the Register are the following German names, besides many 
 of uncertain origin : L Boesick, Eobert Hesler, F. Hehler, 
 Benj. Arndt, Armistead, (Armstaedt), Flemming, Kohler, No- 
 ack, Brockman, Buckner, Starke, Spiller, etc., and in several 
 cases "Fredericksville Parish" was mentioned as their place of 
 residence. "Where is Fredericksville Parish located?" in- 
 quired the writer of the clerk — and- after a little hesitation 
 he was told: "That was a German settlement in your part of 
 the county." 
 
 This occurrence and the fact that some German villages 
 were founded in Louisa during the present century, about 
 which some later chapter will report, illustrates how little is 
 known about the true history of Virginia. No one will dis- 
 pute that the Old Dominion is of English foundation, but it 
 must be credited that German toil has materially assisted to 
 make it vital and prosperous. The Germans themselves are to 
 blame, if they are not duly credited for the part their ances- 
 tors took in the furtherance of this English colony. Many 
 'disowned their German nationality and claimed English or 
 Scotch parentage, expecting to improve their social recogni- 
 tion thereby. This deplorable trait of character of many Ger- 
 man immigrants has since disappeared, owing to the ascend- 
 ance to a powerful united German empire, gaining the respect 
 of all other nations, — but before 1870 it clouded the history 
 of German emigration in Virginia and elsewhere. — The names 
 of some of the oldest families in Fluvanna, Goochland, Pow- 
 hatan, and Hannover, — although the English and French 
 
so 
 
 elements dominate in these counties, — indicate that Germans 
 belonged to the first settlers. 
 
 In the year 1733 Col. Wm. Byrd from Westover founded 
 the cities of Kichmond and Petersburg. In his diary'") he 
 reports, in his quaint manner : "When we returned home we 
 laid the foundation of two large cities, one at Shacco's to be 
 called Eichmond and the other at the falls of the Appomatox 
 river to be named Petersburg. These Major Mayo offered to 
 lay out into lots without fee or reward. The truth of it is, 
 these two places being the uppermost landing of James and 
 Appomattox rivers, are naturally intented for marts where the 
 traffic of the outer inhabitants must centre. Thus we did not 
 only built castles, but also cities in the air."— Peter Jones''') 
 was one of the associate founders — and to him, as the proprie- 
 tor of the land, Petersburg is indebted for its name. In the 
 year 1743 the Assembly of Virginia passed "an act establish- 
 ing 'the town of Richmond' and in 1769 the town of 'Man- 
 chester.'" It is not known who built the first house in the 
 State Capital, but different statements agree that the first sale 
 of land by Col. Byrd was to a German and that the oldest 
 building in the city: "the old stone house on Main street," 
 still standing, was built by a German about 1737. Capt. Wm. 
 Byrd, the son of Col. Byrd, sold the respective lot to Samuel 
 Scherer, who afterwards deeded it to Jacob Ege, — and the 
 property remained in the possession of this German family 
 until a few years ago. — Another report is presented in "The 
 Eichmond Dispatch" of January 12th, 1896, as follows: "The 
 'Stone House' is, without doubt, the oldest building in Eich- 
 mond, and its erection probably antedates the laying out of 
 the town. 
 
 "In 1737 the half-acre lot No. 32, fronting on Main be- 
 tween what are now Nineteenth and Twentieth streets, was 
 conveyed by deed from William Byrd and wife to Samuel 
 Ege, and from the amount of the consideration mentioned in 
 the deed, it is presumed there were improvements then on the 
 
 76.) "The Westover Manuscript," Petersburg, Va , printed by Edmont & Julian 
 Ruffln, 1841. 
 
 77.) "Bichmond in By-gone-days," p. 14, — reminiscences of an old citizen - Kich- 
 mond, Va., 1856. ' 
 
81 
 
 lot. It is very probable that the Stone House had been stand- 
 ing on this lot long before the date of this deed. It 
 
 is reasonable to conjecture that Fort Charles was located on 
 the present site of the old Stone House, and that the stones 
 of the fort were used by Colonel Byrd in the construction of 
 the house used as his quarters. If this be so, the old Stone 
 House may be said to have existed in some shape for about 
 250 years." 
 
 "In 1687 Colonel Byrd patented 956 acres of land on the 
 north side of James river, between Shockoe creek and Gillie's 
 creek, the same land which was afterwards laid out as the 
 town of Richmond. The quarters of Colonel Byrd were doubt- 
 less upon this land, and were probably near the fort." 
 
 This statement differs in several points with that first men- 
 tioned, — but both agree: that the property came in the possession 
 of the German family: Ege, at the time of the foundation of 
 Richmond. — In 1782 Richmond numbered 1,031 inhabitants, 
 of whom 56-3 were whites, — but it cannot be ascertained how 
 many were Germans. — The oldest land records of the city of 
 Pcterslurg in Dinwiddle county date back to 1784, and among 
 the first entries from 1784 to 1786 sales to the following Ger- 
 mans are recorded: W. Steger, A. Grammer (county clerk,) Fritz 
 Ott, Bdw. StoUer, Lewis Starke, Th. Walke, Ch. Seder, Henry 
 Sadler, Joseph Weisiger, Dr. Balmann, John Fischer, Wm. Stab- 
 ler, Robt. Massenburg, Rich. Gregory, V. Maick, W. Maynard, 
 W. Steinbeck, Daniel Fisher, Frederick Adler, Th. Matthes, etc. 
 
 It is claimed also that the first owner of the land, upon 
 which the city of Lynchburg- in Campbell county was built, 
 was a German Quaker and that from him John Lynch, an 
 Irishman, in whose honor the city received its name, bought 
 the property. 
 
 In order to complete the historical reports the following 
 is here placed, although it does not refer to Middle Virginia, 
 but to the Tide-water district. 
 
 The cities of Norfolh and Portsmouth, situated on the 
 western and eastern shores of Elizabeth river, were founded in 
 the beginning of the eighteenth century. There is no doubt 
 but that the German element was represented at both places 
 at this early period. French Huguenots and German Reformists 
 
82 
 
 arrived and settled in Norfollc county during and after the reign 
 of Queen Anne, — and several transports of Germans from the Pa- 
 latinate were landed at Hampton roads. Some of these immi- 
 grants stayed in the coast district— and others, as Hugh Jones 
 confirms, penetrated into the interior to the neighborhood of the 
 Blue Eidge. In 1705 Norfolk was recognized as a town and 
 Portsmouth in 1752. German merchants prospered in both 
 places, which count to the best harbors on the Atlantic coast, — 
 and they kept pace with the development of commerce to the 
 present day. 
 
 The founders of Smithfield, in the county "Isle of Wight," 
 were Germans. In 1772 they built a Lutheran church, which 
 was continued until 1836, — and it has lately been restored and 
 consecrated. 
 
 Prom 1735 to 1740 another German Swiss immigration from 
 North and South Carolina, Georgia and Switzerland, settled 
 along the southern line of Virginia, on Dan and Roanoke rivers, 
 in the counties of Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg. A 
 small book'"*), probably printed at Basel in Switzerland in 1737, 
 shows that some speculative, unscrupulous Swiss had induced 
 hundreds of their countrymen, especially from the cantons Bern, 
 Appenzell and Neuenburg, to emigrate and settle in unwhole- 
 some, sterile sections of Georgia and the Carolinas. The book 
 describes the mean deception and sufferings of the unfortunates 
 and it invites them to come to Virginia. It appears that the 
 "Helvetische Societaet" had purchased 30,060 acres of land, lo- 
 cated in a curve of the Roanoke river under 36° 30' north lati- 
 tude and 78° 15' west longitude, and it gives a highly colored 
 description of the "Eden," thereby arousing suspicion : that this 
 enterprise was also of a speculative kind. The aforementioned 
 district enjoys the fertility, climate and other conditions neces- 
 sary to the highest development and invited immigration. In- 
 formation concerning the number of Swiss settlers near the Roa- 
 noke is no longer accessible, but a statement made in the book is 
 of interest: "that there gained considerable wealth in a short 
 
 78 ) "Neu gefundenes Bden, oder ausfuehilicber Bericht von Sued und Nord Caro- 
 lina, Pennsylvania, Maryland und Virginia." — In Truck vertertigt durch Befeloh der 
 Helvetisctien Societaet 1737. — Republislied in "Der Westen," Chicago, Ills November 
 6th, 1892, to January 29th, 1893. ' 
 
time a few Swiss and some Frenchmen — by cnltivating hemp 
 and flax." — Col. Byrd, in his "Journey to the land of Eden," 
 on Eoanoke river'''-'), coiitirms what has been said of the charac- 
 ter of the land. — It is also confirmed by the publication of the 
 Helvetian Society : "that many French Reformists, respectively 
 people from Alsace and Loraine (now : die Eeichslande), owned 
 large plantations along James river, particularly above the James- 
 river-falls (Powhatan and Goochland counties), who had left 
 France fugitive on account of their religious faith." 
 
 79 ) "Richmond in By-gone days," p 52, RichmoocI, Va , 185G 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Settlement of the North Western Mountain 
 Region of Virginia by Germans and 
 
 German-Pennsylvanians. 
 
 /2)rB0UT two decades after the foundation of the German 
 VI settlements on the Eappahannock and Eapidan rivers, 
 a large emigration of Germans to the north western 
 mountainous region of Virginia began, and it soon spread from 
 the Maryland line to the Ohio river into the present States 
 of Kentucky, and Tennessee and North Carolina. However, the 
 main limit was the beautiful and fertile Shenandoah Valley 
 in Virginia. 
 
 Tradition has it-") that a man by name John Van Matre, 
 a Dutchman from the Hudson, was the first white man who 
 traversed the South Branch Valley, the Wappatomica of the 
 Indians. He was an Indian trader and made his headquarters 
 with the Delawares, whence he journeyed far to the south to 
 trade with the Cherokees and Catawbas. On his return to 
 New York he advised his sons, if ever they should remove to 
 Virginia, to secure lands on the South Branch, being the best 
 he had seen in all his travels. Acting upon this advice Isaac 
 Van Matre, one of his sons, visited the frontier of Virginia 
 about the year 1727, and he was so much pleased with the 
 lands described by his father, that in 1730 he and his brother 
 John accepted from Governor Gooch a patent for 40,000 acres, 
 which they located and surveyed the same year.''') But the 
 Van^Matre's did not undertake to cultivate their large territory, 
 
 80 ) "History of the Valley of Virginia," by S. Kercheval, page 46. Woodstocli, Va. 
 
 81 ) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A Lewis, page 59. Philadelphia, Pa , 1889. 
 
85 
 
 The greater part of the valley between the Blue Eidge and 
 the little North Mountain has an extension of 45 miles from 
 the Potomac, it was a blooming prairie, with the exception of 
 some narrow fringes of timber bordering the creeks and rivers 
 abounding in fish. Game was abundant: buffaloes, elks, deer, 
 the bear, panther, wolves, foxes, beaver and wild fowl. It was, 
 in fact, a tract of land inviting settlers, and the most exag- 
 gerated reports concerning it were circulated in Pennsylvania. 
 Still the German farmers in Pennsylvania would not have given 
 up their homes in exchange for it, had not different circum- 
 stances made them untenable; especially the frequent raids of 
 the Indians in revenge of encroachments on part of the Eng- 
 lish. They devastated the German settlements and forced the 
 farmers to re-emigrate. In Eupp's collection of more than 
 30,000 names of immigrants in Pennsylvania, it is reported, 
 that on May 10th, 1728, the settlers in Colebrook Valley in 
 Pennsylvania petitioned Governor Gordon to protect them against 
 the inroads of the Indians, who had already attacked the set- 
 tlements near Falkner's Swamp and Goschenhoppen. But no 
 help was granted, and the disappointment of the German farm- 
 ers was intensified by religious intolerance and various oppres- 
 sions on part of the English. The laws of Pennsylvania prom- 
 ised religious freedom, and adherents of almost every sect and 
 confession were settled there : Quakers, Mennonites, Dunkards, 
 Moravians, Lutherans, Calvinites, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, 
 Inspireds, etc. The result of such a number of heterogeneous, 
 elements was jealousy and mutual hatred. The German settlers 
 suffered the most, and the desire arose in their hearts : to live in 
 a country where they might worship the Lord unmolested in con- 
 formity with their conviction. They hoped to find such a place 
 in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. 
 
 Justus Held or Joist Hite, as his name is spelled in English 
 documents, was one of the subscribers to the above mentioned 
 petition to the Governor of Pennsylvania, and becoming liighly 
 disgusted by the indifference of the government, he gave rise to 
 the first immigration of Pennsylvania-Germans to Virginia. He 
 purchased a portion of the lands of the Van Matres in 1732, and 
 he with his family, his sons-in-law: George Bowman, Jacob 
 Ohrisman and Paul Proman with their families, and W. Duff, 
 
86 
 
 J;'eter Stephan or Stephens with others, — in all sixteen families, — 
 left York, Pa., crossed the Potomac, the " Cohongoruta" of the 
 Indians, two miles above the present site of Harper's Ferry, and 
 thence proceeding up the valley they halted near where Win- 
 chester now stands. To Joist Hite therefore belongs the honor 
 of having planted first the standard of civilization in the moun- 
 tain region of Virginia. The Governor of Virginia confirmed his 
 purchase of land, which afterwards was well known as " Joist 
 Hite Grant," on account of a lawsuit which Lord Fairfax entered 
 against Joist Hite and which continued in the courts for a period 
 of fifty years. 
 
 Hite settled on Opequon, about five miles south of Win- 
 chester. Peter Stephens and some others founded Stephans- 
 burg or Stephensburg ; George Bowman i. e. Baumann, made 
 his home on Cedar Creek ; Jacob Ohrisman i. e. Christmann, 
 located near what has ever since been known as Ohrisman's 
 Spring, about two miles south of Stephensburg, and Paul Fro- 
 man *'. e. Frohmann, built his dwelling in Froman's Eun, 
 which derives its name from him. Within the next two years 
 the following German pioneers arrived : Eobert Harper, from 
 whom Harper's Ferry derived its name ; Thomas Schaefer viz. 
 Shepherd, the founder of Shepherdstown ; Thomas Swearinger, 
 James Foreman, Edw. Lucas, Jacob Hite and others. The his- 
 torian Kercheval reports, that the first settlers of Winchester, 
 in Frederick county, were Germans, but that in the year 1738 
 only two cabins had been erected. This statement appears to 
 be contradicted by Klauprecht, the historian of the Ohio val- 
 ley: he states that only two years later, in 1740, two German 
 inhabitants of Winchester, named Thomas Mehrlin and John 
 Sailing, started on a bold trading-trip into the Indian country, 
 and from this may be judged that Winchester was at that 
 time a small village. Col. John Hite»^) in 1753, a son of 
 Justus Heid and distinguished by his bravery during the In- 
 dian war, built near Winchester a house of limestone, which 
 was at that time considered to be the most elegant residence 
 west of the Blue Ridge, and still stands, preserved in good 
 condition. 
 
 82) "Lord Fairfax von Vlrginien," historisclie Skifze von Andreas Simon 
 Westen," Chicago, 1892. 
 
8"? 
 
 The Hite family soon gained high respect and compromised 
 close relationship with the most respected Anglo-Americans. 
 The widow of Jacob Hite, for example, was a sister of Col. J. 
 Madison of Orange county, and the aunt of James Madison, Pres- 
 ident of the United States. 
 
 Quite a large number of Quakers or Friends settled on 
 Opequon and held regular meetings here as early as 1738. 
 Kercheval reports: "An enterprising Quaker by name of Ross, 
 obtained a warrant for surveying 40,000 acres of land along 
 Opequon, north of Winchester and up to Apple-pie-ridge," 
 and their numbers constantly increased. 
 
 German settlements were also established in the upper 
 valley. In 1733 Jacob StaufTer or Stover, an enterprising Ger- 
 man, as Kercheval calls him, received a land grant of 5000 
 acres on the south branch of the Gerando or Shenandoah river. 
 Tradition says that in order not to forfeit his claim, Stauffer 
 represented every animal that he possessed as a settler and as 
 the head of a family, giving a name to each of them. On his 
 land he laid out Staufferstadt, afterwards renamed through the 
 influence of two inhabitants born in Alsace, Anton and Philip 
 Mueller : Strasburgh. — Shenandoah and Rockingham coun- 
 ties were prematurely settled by Germans from Pennsylvania, 
 who were joined by trans-atlantic immigrants'^) of the same 
 nationality. They adhered to their vernacular dialect and sim- 
 plicity of manners, still retained in some families. In the coun- 
 ties of Warren, Page, and Augusta the German element was 
 also largely represented from the beginning. Prof. M. ¥. Maury 
 of the Virginia Military Institute says'**): "This county, 
 Augusta, as well as Rockingham, Shenandoah and Frederick, 
 was settled up in a great measure by Germans, and the popu- 
 lation has retained its German character." — One of the first 
 settlers of Page county was a German named Ruflfner, whose 
 descendants will be mentioned repeatedly in this history. Dr. 
 W. H. Ruflfner, who was the first State School Superintendent 
 
 83) "Virginia: Her Past, Present and Future," by Samuel M. Janney. Eep. of 
 the Commissioner of Agriculture for 1864, page 27. Wasliington, 1865. 
 
 84) "Physical Survey of Virginia," by Prof. M F. Maury, page 121. Richmond, Va., 
 1878. 
 
of Virginia and his son A. H. Ruffner at Lexington, Va., in- 
 formed the author : " That the first Ruffner came to Virginia 
 a hundred and fifty years ago and owned a large tract of land 
 on the Hawksbill creek, near Luray. According to the family 
 history he was the son of a German baron who lived in Han- 
 over." The name of this pioneer is commemorated in "Ruff- 
 ner's Cave," in close neighborhood to the famous Luray Cave. — 
 Wm. Millars founded a settlement on South Fork, above Front 
 Royal, in Warren county. Many other German pioneers found 
 homes in the Valley, as the Schmuckers from Michelstadt in 
 the Odenwald, Jaeckly, Jung, Bender, F. Huber, Becker (changed 
 to Baker), Westerhoefer, Kunz, Sauer (changed to Sower), von 
 Weber, Casselmann, Hott, Fink, Funkhauser, Moler, Weier 
 (Bernhard Weier or Wyer, a hunter, discovered in 1804 the 
 beautiful Wyer's Gave), and the Koiners from Winterlingen in 
 Wuertemberg. "Koiner's Church" is the oldest Lutheran 
 meeting house in the valley and was built by Kaspar Koiner 
 (originally Keinadt or Kunath), Martin Busch and Jacob Bar- 
 ger (Berger). Michael Koinath and his wife, Margarethe, nit 
 Diller, are the ancestors of the well-known Koiner family in 
 America and both are buried in the little grave-yard at Koin- 
 er's church. Some of their descendants settled in Augusta 
 county and several of them attained high honors in civil 
 service and in times of war. The name Keinadt or Kunath 
 has been anglicized in many different ways, — there are in Vir- 
 ginia : Koiner, Koyner, Goyner, Coiner, Kiner, Cuyner and 
 Cyner. This disfiguration of German names makes it very 
 difficult to prove the German origin of many families. In 
 Frederick county, for instance, the Kloess family was settled, 
 that changed the name to Glaize, and Peter Kuntz of Win- 
 chester called himself Coontz. 
 
 Several German immigrants crossed the Alleghanies and 
 built their cabins on the New, Greenbrier and Kanawha rivers. 
 The insecurity of titles in the lower valley was the motive prompt- 
 ing them to select so distant homesteads. A large portion of 
 north-eastern Virginia was claimed by Lord Fairfax, as has been 
 stated. In 1681 a grant had been made to Lord Hopton and 
 others by King Charles II of what is known as the " Northern 
 Neck." The patentees sold it to Lord Culpepper, to whom it was 
 
8^ 
 
 confirmed by letters patent of King James II in 168S. Tliis 
 enormous land grant, which was afterwards known as the "Fair- 
 fax Patent," included all the territory "bounded by and within 
 the heads of the rivers Tappahannock, i. e. Rappahannock, and 
 Quifiough, i. e. Potomac river, the course of said rivers as they 
 are commonly called and known by the inhabitants, and de- 
 scription of their parts and Chesapeake Bay," — and it de- 
 scended from Lord Culpepper to his only daughter, Catherine, 
 who married one Lord Fairfax, from whom it entailed upon 
 their eldest son, Thomas. Lord Thomas Fairfax came to Vir- 
 ginia in 1745, and in 1748 he employed George Washington, 
 then seventeen years of age, to survey and lay out into lots the 
 part of the estate situated in the Valley and Alleghany moun- 
 tains, that the proprietor might collect rents and give legal 
 titles. About thirteen miles southeast of Frederickstown, as 
 Winchester was called at that time, the Lord built his resi- 
 dence: "G-reenway Court," where he lived until his death in 
 1782. Leaving no issue to inherit his vast estate, he bequeathed 
 it to Rev. Denny Martin, his nephew in England, who left it by 
 will to General Philip Martin. Finally the title of the Fairfax 
 lands was purchased by Chief Justice Marshall, Raleigh 
 Colston and General Henry Lee. Thus the settlement of the 
 Valley was influenced by excitement caused through the 
 lawsuit of Lord Fairfax against Joist Hite in 1736, as has 
 been stated, and the suit continued in the Courts until 1786, 
 when every one of the original parties to it were resting in their 
 graves.^ ^~^''). 
 
 Andreas Simon says in his historical sketch : "Lord Fairfax 
 of Virginia" : "How kindly in other respects Lord Fairfax was 
 inclined towards his German neighbors is clearly shown by the 
 fact, that he presented on May 15th, 1753, the ' German Re- 
 formed Congregation,' which had been organized about twelve 
 years previously in the environs of Winchester, with a lot for 
 building a church, and that he made a like donation to the 
 
 85) "Historical Collections of Virginia," by Henry Howe, page 235 Charleston, S. C , 
 1849. 
 
 86) "History of llie Valley of Virginia," by Sam Keiche\ al, rp 138-140 Woodstock, 
 Va , 1850. 
 
 87.) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A. Lewis, pp. 60-62. Philadelphia, Pa , 
 
90 
 
 German Lutherans of the town. The crumbled walls of a 
 small church near Kernstown are still shown to visitors as the 
 ruins of the first named building. The deed of gift drawn up 
 in this case gives the names of Philip Busch, Heinrich Brinker, 
 Daniel Busch, Jacob Sauer and Friedrich Conrad. The parson 
 who first j)reached in the little church, built of logs, was Rev. 
 Bernhard Wille. The Lutheran Congregation built on the do- 
 nated land a new church building, the cornerstone of which 
 was laid on June 16th, 1764. In Norris' "History of the lower 
 Valley" the following names are given as the founders and mem- 
 bers of the church : Thomas Schmidt, Nicholas Schrack, Chris- 
 tian Heiskell, David Dieterich, Christoph Wetzel, Peter Holfer- 
 stein, Georg Michael Laubinger, Heinrich Becker, Jacob Sibert, 
 Jacob Braun, Stephan Frainecker, Christoph Altrich, Tobias 
 Otto, Eberhard Doring, Andreas Friedle, Emanuel Burger, 
 Christoph Heintz, Donald Heigel, Jacob Trautwein, John Sig- 
 mund Haenli, Johannes Laemmle, Johannes Leutz, Christian 
 Neuberger, Georg Schumacher, Michael Eoger, Michael War- 
 ing, Christoph Lamber, Samuel Wendel, Michael Gluck, Julius 
 Spickert, Balthasar Poe, Jacob Koppenhaber and Heinrich Wel- 
 ler. Johannes Caspar Kirchner at that time had charge of the 
 ministry of the community, Ludwig Adam was the sacristan 
 and Anton Ludi the schoolmaster. Eev. Christian Streit was 
 appointed parson in the year 1785 and continued in this capacity 
 until his death in 1812. As long as he preached in German 
 a German parochial school existed. Lord Fairfax supported 
 all the various churches in the Valley and was a regular visitor 
 of the Episcopal church at Winchester and of Cunningham's 
 Chapel. Piev. Sebastian, a Pennsylvanian German, was rector of 
 the church from 1766 to 1777, when he followed the example of 
 his colleague, the Eev. Muehlenberg of Muellerstadt, or Wood- 
 stock, and exchanged the robe for the uniform to fight for 
 American liberty. 
 
 The German Lutheran church at Woodstock was a rough 
 log building, but during the time of office of the Eev. Muehlen- 
 berg a large and pretty church was erected. Abraham Brum- 
 bacher made a present of the lot and by deed of gift transferred 
 it to Abraham Keller, Lorenz Schnapp, Georg Feller, Jacob 
 Holzmann, Friedrich Staufer, Philip Hoffmann, Heinrich Froe- 
 
91 
 
 bel (Prayel), Henry Nelson, Buir Harrison, T. Beale and Joseph 
 Pugli. Other German Lutherans came to the Valley during 
 the life of Lord Fairfax, like Peter Mauck, Johann Friedrich, 
 V. Helm, Johann Georg Dellenauer, Philip Glass, Jacob Beck, 
 August and Valentin Windel, Christoph Windel, Johann Her- 
 mann, Heinrich Mueller, Philip and Michael Bauscher, Hugo 
 Paul, Johann Sturmann, Simon Linder, Jacob Christmann, etc. 
 
 It has been stated that most of the German immigrants to 
 Virginia were prompted by religious reasons, — but it is A'ery 
 difficult to give at the present time a complete description of 
 their church organizatioiis and their numbers. The political 
 issues, the Anglo-American naturalization and lack of a high 
 national self-esteem are the causes that the descendants of the 
 German settlers have retained little knowledge or recollection of 
 the merits of their forefathers. The German Lutherans, Men- 
 nonites, Calvinists, Dunkards, etc., forced their way up the 
 Valley and furnished a high percentage of the population of 
 Rockbridge, Botetourt, Roanoke, ,Craig, Montgomery, Pulaski 
 and Wythe counties. In the four last mentioned counties they 
 met with the Swiss who emigrated from North Carolina. Capt. 
 R. B. Moorman, of Roanoke, wrote the author : "Rockbridge, 
 Botetourt, Roanoke, Craig, Montgomery and Pulaski present a 
 grateful field to the German-American historian." — German 
 churches existed at the close of the eighteenth century at : 
 Wheeling, Shepherdstown, Winchester, Kernstown, New Mar- 
 ket, Strasburgh, Woodstock and in Augusta, Botetourt, Roanoke, 
 Pulaski and Wythe counties. Salem, in Roanoke, was for a 
 long time the exclusive domain of the Lutherans. Quite a num- 
 ber of German churches, chapels and meeting houses, — espe- 
 cially of Dunkards, — probably existed in the remote valleys of 
 the mountains. 
 
 The most reliable information we possess about the Luth- 
 eran congregations in the Valley. Kercheval, the historian of 
 the Valley, says : "The number of the Lutheran congregations 
 is said to be at least one hundred ; that of the Reformed, it is 
 presumed, is about the same." — The first Lutheran parson at 
 New Mecklenburg, or Shepherdstown, was Rev. Bauer, in the 
 year 1776, and his successors were : Reverends Wiltbahn, Nico- 
 demus, Georg Jung, and Weymann. The community after- 
 
93 
 
 wards Was joined with that of Rev. Christ. Streit, of Winches- 
 ter, whp was the first native Lutheran minister in America.®^) 
 The Lutheran congregation at Woodstock remained, after the 
 Eev. Muehlenberg joined the army, without a permanent pastor, 
 but was visited at times by pastors from other towns, as, for 
 instance, in the spring of 1775 by Heinrich Moeller, in the fall 
 of 1776 by C. F. Wiltbahn, in 1786 by Jacob Goering, from 
 York, Pa., and by his brother-in-law, the Eev. I. D. Kurtz, in 
 1^92 by Christian Streit, of Winchester, and 1793 by J. D. Jung, 
 of Martinsburg. Other reverends may have preached to them 
 during the following years, until in 1806 Samuel Simon 
 Schmucker was elected jjastor and remained in his oflBce for 
 forty years. He delivered his sermons solely in the Pennsyl- 
 vanian German dialect, but with his successor, L F. Campbell, 
 the English language was introduced. The following are the 
 names of the pastors to the present day : J. P. Cline (Klein), 
 S. Keller, J. A. Snyder, H. Miller, and A. A. J. Bushong.— The 
 New Market parish was administered by descendants of the 
 first German preacher in Virginia : Gerhard Henkel, of Ger- 
 manna. The names of the pastors are : Paul Henkel, Ambro- 
 sius Henkel, David Henkel, and Socrates ' Henkel. In a later 
 chapter of this history some publications of Ambrosius, Paul 
 and Socrates Henkel will receive special mention. In the year 
 1793 Dr. Georg Daniel Flohr came to Virginia, and resigning 
 his medical studies, he devoted himself, under the tutorship of 
 Eev. Carpenter at Madison, to theology. Dr. Flohr^^) after- 
 wards acted as pastor among the German settlements on New 
 Eiver and particulary at the Swiss colony at New Bern, Pulaski 
 county. In the adjoining county of Wythe a German Lutheran 
 church was sustained at Wytheville, which was established^") 
 in 1793 on land donated by Stophel Zimmermann and John 
 Davis, and was jointly owned by the Lutheran and the Eeformed 
 congregations. 
 
 The "Wytheville Dispatch" of April 9th, 1897, contains an 
 
 88.) ' 'Chui-ch Growth in America," by Rev. J E. Bushnell, Koanolie, Va , from the 
 Lutheran Quarteily, April, 1888. 
 
 89 ) "The American Lutheran Pulpit," pp. 121 to 122. 
 
 90 ) "Historical Collections of Virginia," by Henry Howe, p 514 Charleston, S , 
 1849, 
 
93 
 
 historical article written by Rev. Alex. Phillippi, D.D., and pub- 
 lished by request of the Lutheran Pastor's Association of Wythe 
 County. Eev. Phillippi reports: "After 1733, the Germans, 
 mostly from Pennsylvania, came in considerable numbers to the 
 lower Valley of Virginia and slowly extended themselves into 
 the south-western part of the State, so that at the time of the 
 outbreaking of the Revolutionary War, several considerable set- 
 tlements had been formed in what is now Wythe and adjoining 
 counties. These settlements, after the close of the war, re- 
 ceived numerous additions from Pennsylvania, Maryland and 
 the lower valley of Virginia. The early Germans who came to 
 Wythe County, with few exceptions, had some means, and were 
 a hardy, industrious, moral, intelligent. Christian people. The 
 Bibles, some very costly and beautiful copies, which they 
 brought with them, are still found in possession of their jJos- 
 terity, with many other useful and religious books, had a 
 place in almost every family. Schoolhouses, Avhich for the 
 time were also used as places of public worship, were among 
 the first and most expensive buildings erected. With few ex- 
 ceptions these people were Protestants, nearly equally divided 
 between the Lutheran and the German Reformed Churches. 
 For reasons not fully understood at this day, these colonists 
 failed to secure and bring with them into their new homes 
 , pious and capable pastors and teachers, — and for twenty-five 
 or more years religion and education were not only greatly neg- 
 lected in these feeble and scattered communities by incaj)able 
 and immoral, godless leaders." — Rev. Phillippi also mentions 
 that German Lutheran churches were established : one mile 
 north of Wytheville the St. John's Lutheran church and twelve 
 miles west St. Paul's church, — and that in 179G Rev. Leonard 
 Willy became pastor between Cedar Grove, of Smyth County, 
 Kimberling, St. Paul's and St. John's congregations of Wythe 
 County. — In 1799 Rev. George Flohr, before mentioned, ac- • 
 cepted a call to the Lutheran churches in south-west Virginia 
 and localed several miles north of Wytheville. His ministry 
 ended with his death in 1826 and his remains lie buried in St. 
 John's cemetery. 
 
 According to Prof. 0. Seidensticker''^) some faithless mem- 
 
 91 ) "Ephrata,"— eipe jnjerikanisghe Klostergescliiphte Ton Dr. Oswald Seiienstipker. 
 Ci»p(Dp»ti, 1883. 
 
94 
 
 bers of the German convent "Ej^lirata" in Pennsylvania, organ- 
 ized by the sect of the Siebentaeger or Beisselianer, a l^ind of 
 Dunkards, left in the year 1745 and founded a settlement on 
 New Kiver which they named "Mahanaim.'' Eepeated attacks 
 of the Indians obliged the settlers to flee, — some were carried 
 away prisoners by the savages — and all traces of Mahanaim 
 are lost. A number of fugitive lay-brothers selected the beau- 
 tiful Shenandoah valley for their home, but it apjaears they 
 were not pleased with it. In a letter published in the eighteenth 
 century by Leibert and Billmeyer at Gei'mantown, Pa., Peter 
 Blaeser complains to his friend, the printer Mich. Billmeyer, 
 that he and others, on account of their virtuous habits of life 
 are called by the nickname "Strabler," and a German verse 
 sounds thus : 
 
 "Der Koth in Virginia den Satan gehecket, 
 Damit er die Stillen im Land hat beflecket, 
 Hat dort her ein Stueck in Cacusa geschmissen 
 Allwo er noch greulich thut stinken und fliessen." 
 
 Their monastic life and peculiar habits probably excited 
 the displeasure and criticism of their neighbors, causing their 
 own dissatisfaction. 
 
 Several Germans, it has been stated, penetrated into the 
 wild regions of the Alleghauies. As early as the middle of the , 
 eighteenth century about twelve miles west of Franklin, in Pen- 
 dleton county, the frontier fort "Seybert" was erected, which 
 was attacked by a party of Shawnees under their vile chief 
 "Kill-buck" in May ITSS'-*"), when garrisoned by only thirty or 
 forty men. The following account of the affair is given by De 
 Hass : "Finding neither threatening words nor bullets of any 
 avail, the cunning savages, after two days' trial, resorted to 
 strategy and unhappily with most fatal success. They made 
 various propositions to the besieged to give up, and their lives 
 should be spared. — The promise of safety lured the unfortu- 
 nate victims from their duty, they yielded quiet possession of 
 the fort, but of their number all were massacred but eleven, 
 who were carried to the Indian town as prisoners." — Kerche- 
 val states that Capt. Seybert was murdered by Kill-buck imme- 
 
 92.) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A. Lewis, pp 566 to 667. Phila 1889. 
 
95 
 
 diately after the surrender and that his son was among those 
 carried away prisoners. — Among those who first attempted a 
 settlement within the present limits of Tucker county in 1776 
 was one Simms, who was also killed by the Indians. — Many 
 German families counted to the pioneers of Pocahontas county, 
 like the Harpers, Griues, Sharp, etc., and Peter Lightner, who 
 built the first mill on Knapp's Creek. — It is of special interest 
 that the first owner of the lands of White Sulphur Springs in 
 Greenbrier county probably was a German. During the year 
 1774 the Shawnees, the predominant tribe of western Virginia, 
 were gradually subdued by the ever encroaching colonists from 
 eastern Virginia, and having suffered a signal defeat at Point 
 Pleasant, they begau to abandou the country, bi;t not entirely, 
 for by frequent marauding parties with tomahawk and scalping 
 knife they fully attested their attachment to their ancient 
 hunting-grounds. It has been before mentioned that the fam- 
 ily Zimmermanu at Madison changed its name to " Carpenter," 
 and that several of its members migrated again farther west 
 and to Kentucky. The road they travelled was the same which 
 was afterwards chosen for the construction of the "Stage-road" 
 to the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, and it traversed the territory 
 of the famous Sulphur Springs. One, Nathan Carpenter,''^) 
 came there in 1774 and selected the charming valley of White 
 Sulphur Springs for his home. It was patented to him under 
 what is called a "Corn Eight;" but a band of marauding In- 
 dians forced him and other settlers to retreat to a stockade fort, 
 where the town of Covington now stands, and during a fight 
 with the savages he was killed. His wife Kate and their chil- 
 dren took refuge for some time in a neighboring mountain, 
 overlooking the springs from the south, which ever since has 
 been called Kate's Mountain. 
 
 At the same period a German Hebrew immigration party 
 settled in the western parts of Virginia^''). The numerous 
 Sephardic and Portuguese Jewish element in the Old Dominion 
 was now gradually surpassed by the German, and a new era in 
 
 93) "White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County," p 9. A. Hoen & Co, Balti- 
 more, Md. 
 
 94) "Materialien zur Geschichte der Juden in America," von S. Wiener, Belletristi- 
 sches Journal, p. ll. New Yorii, January 8th, 1891. 
 
96 
 
 the development of Jewish life commenced. A great number 
 of Jews at that time came from Lancaster, Pa., and built wp 
 their homes on the fertile lands near the Ohio river. — Other 
 German colonists also came to this section of Virginia. The 
 Deckers were the first white settlers near Morgan town, in Mo- 
 nongahela county, W. Va., of those days. Alexander Withers 
 re^Dorts in his "Chronicles of Border Warfare," that in the au- 
 tumn of 1758 Thomas Decker and some others built . their 
 cabins on the Monongahela Avhere Decker's Creek joins this 
 river, — but that he was murdered by the Indians in 1759. 
 Soon afterwards other German immigrants came and Michael 
 Kerns was one of the founders of Morgantown. John Decker 
 was the last white man killed by an Indian in Brooke county ; 
 W. Boner, E. Eittenhouse, M. Decker, Capt. van Buskirk, etc., 
 counted to the early colonists. John Wetzel, the Siverts, Early- 
 wines, Tush, Capt. Baker, Col. Beeler, etc., domiciled in Mar- 
 shall county in 1769, and are all well known on account of their 
 bravery and sufferings during the Indian war. 
 
 The German immigrants also crossed the Bine Kidge and 
 settled in Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, Eauquier, 
 Rappahannock and Culpepper counties, where they met with 
 their countrymen come there from the South. Confirming this 
 emigration from the Valley to Middle Virginia, Col. Thomas 
 Whitehead, Commissioner of Agriculture in Virginia, says"^): 
 "Let Virginia distribute her population. Let those who have 
 none, or very small tracts, in the Valley and Piedmont, go to 
 the Southside and Middle Virginia, and they will succeed, as 
 did the Tunkers, who went from the Valley — selling at high 
 prices — to Prince William, where they bought low, and are 
 improving and making former waste fields to blossom. Facts 
 to sustain this position are in possession of this department." 
 
 The habits and the mode of life of the German pioneers in 
 the Virginia mountains were simple and modest. Their style 
 of living and their industry were the causes of their prosperity 
 and enlarged wealth. Another circumstance added to their 
 success. "We see in the population only a small infusion of the 
 
 95 ) "Report of the State Board of igriculture of Va." p 142. Bicbpiopd, Va , : 
 
97 
 
 old Virginia element," — states an official document"") — "be- 
 ing composed chiefly of Germans and Scotch-Irish, — naturally 
 this is the most fertile region of the State, and as if was only 
 partially subjected to the ilighting influence of slavery, it has ever 
 been the most 2}rosperous." — It is proven by facts, that the Ger- 
 man farmers iu the Valley and the Alleghanies, with few ex- 
 ceptions, ownecl no slaves. The majority of them, especially fhe 
 Mennonites, Tunkers and Quakers, considered slavery inhuman 
 and displeasing the Lord, and mainly the English were slave- 
 holders. The above mentioned document bears therefore hon- 
 orable testimony to the German farmers of the Valley and 
 mountains of Virginia. On account of the notorious antipathy 
 of the Germans towards slavery, the number of negroes has al- 
 ways been smaller there than in other parts of the State. Ac- 
 cording to statistical reports, in 1877, the negro population in 
 the Alleghany district amounted to only seven per cent., in the 
 Valley to sixteen per cent., but in the Piedmont and Coast dis- 
 trict from forty-seven to fifty-one per cent, of the total popula- 
 tion. 
 
 Another reason why the German farmers prospered more 
 than their English neighbors, was that they did not care to pos- 
 sess excessively large estates, but farms comparatively small, — 
 just large enough that an active farmer could with the assist- 
 ance of his family work them well. On their acres, thus care- 
 fully tilled and manured, they raised better and larger crops, 
 than the Anglo-American planters on their plantations of 
 thousands of acres with the help of negro labor. The culture 
 of these vast estates often wa,s carried to the point of exhaustion. 
 The Handbook of Virginia"'') very correctly says of the Ger- 
 man farmers of the last 'century: "These people brought with 
 them their frugal habits, their conservative systems and modes 
 of farm management, which served to keep it what nature made 
 it to be, one of the most desirable tracts of country in the 
 United States." This statement is confirmed, too, in the reports 
 of Dr. Johann David Schoepf in his description of Virginia a 
 hundred years ago. He says : "They distinguish themselves by 
 
 96.) "Status of Virginia Agricullure in ISrO,"— U. S. Report of Agriculture for 1870, 
 pp 271 to 272. Washington, 1871 
 
 97.) "Handbook of Virginia," Fifth Edition, p. 110. Bichmond, Va , 1S86. 
 
98 
 
 their diligence and steadiness. Their fellow-citizens concede 
 that they possess these merits, — but only few are inclined to 
 follow their example." 
 
 Concerning the customs and mode of life of the German 
 colonists, Kercheval gives the following interesting details.****) 
 
 " The first houses erected were log cabins, with covers of 
 split clapboards, and weight-poles to keep them in place. There 
 were, however, a few framed and stone buildings erected pre- 
 vious to the war of the revolution. As the country improved in 
 population and wealth, there was a corresponding improvement 
 in the erection of buildings. When this improvement com- 
 menced, the most general mode of building was with hewn logs, 
 a shingle roof and plank floor, the j^lank cut out with the whijj- 
 saw. Before the erection of saw-mills, all the plank used was 
 worked out in this way. The timber intended to be sawed was 
 first squared with the broad-ax, and then raised on a scaffold six 
 or seven feet high. Two able-bodied men then took hold of the 
 saw, one standing on top of the log and the other under it. The 
 labor was excessively fatiguing and about 100 feet of plank or 
 scantling was considered a good day's work for two hands. — 
 The dress of the early settlers was of the j)lainest materials, 
 generally of their own manufacture. Previous to the war of the 
 revolution, the married men generally shaved their heads, and 
 either Avore wigs or white linen caps. When the war com- 
 menced, this fashion was laid aside, for wigs could not easily be 
 obtained, nor white linen for caps. The men's coats were gener- 
 ally made with broad backs and straight short skirts, with jDock- 
 ets on the outside having large flaps. The waistcoats had skirts 
 nearly half-way down to the knees and very broad pocket flaps. 
 The breeches were so short as barely to reach the knee, with a 
 band surrounding the knee, fastened with either brass or silver 
 buckles. The stocking was drawn up under the knee-band 
 and tied with a garter (generally red or blue) below the knee, 
 so as to be seen. The shoes were of coarse leather, with straps 
 to the quarters, and fastened with either brass or silver buckles. 
 The hat was either of wool or fur, with a round crown not ex- 
 ceeding three or four inches high, with a broad brim. The 
 
 8) 
 
 "History of the Viilley," by S Kercbeval, pp 203-208 Winchester, Va , 1833 
 
99 
 
 dress for the neck was usually a narrow collar to the shirt, with 
 a white linen stock drawn together at the ends, on the back of 
 the neck, with a broad metal buckle. The more wealthy and 
 fashionable were sometimes seen Avith their stock, knee and shoe 
 buckles set either in gold or silver with brilliant stones. — The 
 female dress was generally the short gown and petticoat, made 
 of the plainest materials. The German women mostly wore 
 tight calico caps on their heads, and in the summer season they 
 were generally seen with, no other clothing than a linen shift 
 and petticoat — the feet, hands and arms bare. In hay and 
 harvest time they joined the men in the labor of the meadow 
 and grain fields. Many females were most expert mowers and 
 reapers. — The natural result of this kind of rural life was, to 
 produce a hardy and vigorous race of people. It was this race 
 of people who had to meet and breast the various Indian wars 
 and the storms of the revolution. The Dutchman's barn was 
 usually the best building on his farm. He was sure to erect a 
 fine large barn, before he built any other dwelling house than 
 his rude log cabin. There were ]ione of our primitive immi- 
 grants more uniform in the form of their buildings than the 
 Germans. Their dwelling houses were seldom raised more than 
 a single story in height, with a large cellar beneath ; the chim- 
 ney in the middle, with a very wide fire-place in one end of the 
 kitchen, in the other end a stove-room. Their furniture was of 
 the simplest and plainest kind ; and there was always a long- 
 pine table fixed in one corner of the stove-room, with perma- 
 nent benches on one side. On the upper floor garners for hold- 
 ing grain were very common. Their beds were generally filled 
 with straw or chaff, with a fine feather bed for covering in the 
 winter. Many of the Germans have what .they call a drum, 
 through which the stove-pipe passes in th'eir upper rooms. It is 
 made of sheet-iron, something in the shape of a military drum. 
 It soon fills with heat from the pipe, by which the rooms become 
 agreeably warm in the coldest weather. A piazza is a very com- 
 mon appendage to a Dutchman's dwelling house, in which his 
 saddles, bridles, and very frequently his wagon or plow harness, 
 are hung up. The Germans erect stables for their domestic ani- 
 mals of every species : even their swine are housed in the winter 
 season. Their barns and stables are well stored with provender. 
 
100 
 
 particularly fine hay : hence their quadrupeds of all kinds are 
 kept throughout the year in the finest possible order. The 
 German women, many of them are remarkably neat house- 
 keepers. There are some of them, however, extremely slovenly, 
 and their dwellings are kept in the worst possible condition. The 
 Germans are remarkable for their fine bread, milk and butter. 
 They consume in their diet less animal flesh, and of course, more 
 vegetables, milk and butter, than most other people. Their 
 " Sour Krout" in winter constitutes a considerable part of their 
 living. They generally consume less and sell more of the prod- 
 uct of their labor, than any other class of citizens. A Dutch- 
 man is proverbial for his patieiat perseverance in his domestic 
 labors. Their farms are generally small and nicely cultivated. 
 In all his agricultural pursuits his meadows demand his greatT 
 est care and attention. His little farm is laid off in fields not 
 exceeding 10 to 12 acres each. It is rarely seen that a Dutch- 
 man will cultivate more than about 10 — 12 acres of Indian Corn 
 any one year. They are of opinion that the corn crop is a great 
 exhauster of the soil and they make but little use of corn for 
 any other purpose than feeding and fattening their swine." 
 
 Kercheval also relates (pp. 79 — 80) : "With few exceptions, 
 they strictly inhibited their children from joining in the dance 
 or other juvenile amusements common to the Germans. — In 
 their marriages much ceremony was observed and great prepa- 
 rations made. Fatted calves, lambs, poultry, the finest of bread, 
 butter, milk, honey, domestic sugar, wine, if it could be had, 
 with every article necessary for a sumptuous feast in their plain 
 way, were prepared in abundance. Previous to the perform- 
 ance of the ceremony (the clergyman attending at the place 
 appointed for the marriage), four of the most respectable young 
 females and four of the most respectable young men were se- 
 lected as Avaiters upon the bride and groom. The several 
 waiters were decorated with badges, to indicate their offices. 
 The groomsmen, as they were termed, were invariably furnished 
 with fine white aprons beautifully embroidered. It was deemed 
 a high honor to wear the apron. The duty of the waiters con- 
 sisted in not only waiting on the bride and groom, but they 
 were required, after the marriage ceremony was performed, to 
 serve up the wedding dinner, and to guard and protect 'the 
 
101 
 
 bride while at dinner from having her shoe stolen from her 
 foot. To succeed in it, the greatest dexterity was nsed by the 
 younger part of the company, while equal vigilance was mani- 
 fested by the waiters to defend her against the theft; and if 
 they failed, they were in honor bound to pay a penalty for the 
 redemption of the shoe. This penalty was a bottle of wine, or 
 one dollar, — and as a punishment to the bride, she was not 
 permitted to dance until the shoe was restored. The successful 
 thief, on getting hold of the shoe, held it up in great triumph 
 to the view of the whole assemblage, which was generally pretty 
 numerous. This custom was continued among the Germans 
 from generation to generation, until since the war of revolu- 
 tion." 
 
 In consequence of the growing prosperity of the German 
 colonists, a number of towns and villages, as stated before, were 
 founded, and to this day many names of inhabited places, riv- 
 ers and mountains recall to memory the times of the German 
 pioneers. The following review of the German foundations 
 during the eighteenth century bears evidence of the share they 
 have taken in establishing the welfare of the State. 
 
 In the year 1737 some German families settled, as has been 
 reported, where soon after Frederickstoivn or Winchester, as it is 
 now called, was laid out. StepMnshurg in Frederick county, 
 now Stephensburg, was founded by Peter Stephan in 1758, who 
 with Justus Heid came to Virginia in 1733. Kernstown was 
 built on the land of Adam Kern. Stauferstadt ov Strashurgh, 
 in Shenandoah county, derived its original name from its 
 founder, Peter Staufee, or Stover, who laid it out in 1761. In 
 the same year Jacob Mueller established Mueller stow n, which 
 was afterwards called Woodstock. Its founder laid out 196 lots 
 on 1200 acres of land, and every one of these lots was purchased 
 by Germans. Sliepherdstown, formerly Mecklenhurg, in what is 
 now Jefferson county in "West Virginia, is the oldest German 
 town in this part of the Valley ; it was incorporated in 1762 
 and inhabited by German tradesmen. Harpers Ferry, also in 
 Jefferson county and famous in history as the scene of John 
 Brown's Insurrection, commemorates the name of a German, 
 Eobert Hafper, who settled near by in 173i. — Wheeling, in 
 
103 
 
 Ohio county, was first laid out in 1770 in town lots by Col. 
 Ebenczer Zane and 1795 it was made a town by act of the As- 
 sembly. West Liberty, also in Ohio county, was established by 
 legislative enactment in 1787 on the lands of Reuben Foreman. 
 
 — Froni Christian Peter, who came to Monroe county, now 
 West Virginia, in 1770, the village Petersfowu takes its name 
 and also the mountain range which now forms the dividing 
 line between the Old Dominion and West Virginia. — Martins- 
 hurg, the present county seat of Berkeley, W. Va., was made a 
 town in 1778 on the lands of General Adam Stephan, Stephen, 
 or anglicized Steven, — and Darkesville, in the same county, 
 commemorates the name of the brave General W. Darke, the 
 son of Pennsylvanian German parents. Other places which have 
 been founded chiefly by Germans are : Lexington, Rockbridge 
 county, in 1777, — Amsterdam, Botetourt county, by Pennsyl- 
 vanian German Tunkers, — Harrisonburg, Rockingham county, 
 17^0, — Lewisburg, Greenbrier county, 1783, — Clarksburg, 
 Harrison county, 1785, — Charlestoivn, Kanawha county, 1786, 
 
 — Frankfurt, in Hampshire county, 1787, by John Schloss, J. 
 Adler, H. Whitemann, Jacob Brockhardt and other Germans, — 
 Middletoivn, now Gerrardstown, in honor of David Gerrard, 
 {i. c. Gerhard) in 1787, — in 1788 Front Royal, in Frederick 
 county, by S. Vanmeter, H. Front, Th. Hant, etc., — Beverly, 
 in Randolph county, in 1790, on the lands of Jacob Westfall, — 
 in 1791 Iieislet02vn, formerly Eieselstadt, Rockingham county, 
 
 — Berryville, in Clarke county, by Benj. Berry and S. Strebling 
 in 1798. The county of Alexandria, with the city of the same 
 name, belonged to the estates of Lord Fairfax, and promised to 
 become an important harbor and trading place before the Capi- 
 tal of the Union — Washington city — was founded on the op- 
 posite shore of .the Potomac. At Alexandria the river is more 
 than one mile wide and at the landing place thirty feet deep. 
 It is not certain how many Germans participated in the found- 
 ing of the city, but Dr. Julius Dienelt, of Alexandria, informed 
 the author of this book, that he found in the County Records the 
 following German names : Peter Wagener, county clerk from 
 1776 to 1797, and within the period from 1787 to 1794: Michael 
 Steiber, Michael Gerther, Johann Hess, Georg Christian Otto, 
 Johann Schneider, Wilhelm Bocher, Tobias Zimmermann, Josias 
 
103 
 
 Spier, Adam Ebert, Adam Faizer, Joh. Christ. Keinpff, Th. He- 
 derich, Jac. Beltinger, and Joseph Thomas. 
 
 This list of places established by Germans, or chiefly with 
 their assistance, is incomplete; it gives only a number of exam- 
 ples with special reference to the Valley, and the reader is re- 
 ferred, to two other lists in Volume II, chapters thirteen and 
 sixteen. 
 
 The two German mass-immigrations fo Middle Virginia 
 and to the north-western mountain region differ essentially in 
 one feature. The settlers on the Rappahannock river and in 
 Piedmont, at the time of Governor Spotswood, stood at first in a 
 serviceable dependency, until they secured independence and 
 property, — but the German colonists of the Valley and Alle- 
 ghany mountains were wealthy people and purchased lands, 
 and those who came from Maryland, Pennsylvania and New 
 York brought practical experience in pioneer-work with them. 
 The poor German immigrants, mostly farm-hands and crafts- 
 men, who had bound themselves to serve for the amount of 
 their travelling expenses to America, were landed in large num- 
 bers at Philadelphia and New York, but showed little willing- 
 ness to hire out to southern slave-holders. Dr. Schoepf says 
 about them ; "They possess to much pride to work with and 
 among the negroes, who in Virginia and the Carolinas are al- 
 most exclusively the only laborers." 
 
 This disinclination to be placed on one level with the col- 
 ored people has kept away to the present day white laborers, — 
 especially those of German nationality, — from the sou thern States. 
 "We do not want to be treated like negroes, to work for low 
 negro-wages and to be reduced to negro rations of corn and* ba- 
 con," — these are the arguments which white laborers still use 
 to justify their prejudice against the South. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The French and Indian War and Indian 
 Devastations. 
 
 HE development of the German settlements in Virginia 
 was much impeded by the growing difficulties and quar- 
 ^ rels between the French and English in regard to the 
 boundaries of their colonies. The English, in 1750, actually 
 occupied only a narrow strip along the coast of the Atlantic, 
 about 1000 miles in length, but they claimed all land from 
 New Eoundland to Florida as having been discovered by the 
 Cabots. The French territory extended around the English 
 colonies, from Quebec to New Orleans and upward to the great 
 lakes, supported by a cordon of forts. The French based their 
 claim on the ground of the exploration of this vast territory by 
 French travellers. Both nations claimed the region west of the 
 Alleghany mountains, along the Ohio river, and this was the 
 cause of the great struggle, known in history as the French and 
 Indian War. The rights of the natives on the land of their an- 
 cestors were completely ignored by both contestants. A grant 
 mad-e by the English crown, in 1749, of 800,000 acres on the 
 Ohio to the Ohio Company, brought matters to a crisis. The 
 enraged Indians sent to the agent of the Ohio Company the per- 
 tinent query : "Whei-e is the land of the Indians ? The English 
 claim all on one side of the river, the French all on the other, 
 where does our land lie ?" — The French erected new forts in 
 the northwest of Pennsylvania and took possession of an Eng- 
 lish post in what is now western Ohio, and carried the garrison 
 off prisoners. Unfortunately the English did not understand 
 to gain the friendship of the natives, consequently most of the 
 
105 
 
 Indian tribes united with the French, • — and suddenly fell 
 upon the exposed German settlements along the Ohio, com- 
 mitting acts of horrible cruelty. 
 
 The King of England had granted the Ohio Company 
 the aforesaid privilege for the purpose of planting settlers 
 beyond the Alleghanies — and to monopolize the fur-trade, 
 and soon the Company aimed to extend its traffic eastward 
 into the country of the "Six Nations." German men were 
 entrusted with the important and dangerous mission to nego- 
 tiate with the Indians and to conclude treaties with them. 
 
 In 1748 the savages threatened to invade the settlements 
 and Konrad Weiser was sent to Logstown to appease them by 
 exhortations and presents. ■'°) — "The two Weisers, father and 
 son," says Friedrich Kapp'""), figure among the most illus- 
 trious Germans who came to America during the last cen- 
 tury." — Johann Konrad Weiser, the father, was born at 
 Grossaspach in Wuertemberg, and arrived at New York in 
 1710, with the influx of the emigrants from the Palatinate. 
 He remained up to his death in 1746 the leader and defender 
 of the German settlers in the Shoharie Valley against the 
 corrupt and extorting English officials. His son Konrad was 
 only fourteen years old when he landed at New York, and 
 after his father had settled in the Shoharie Valley, he was 
 given in charge of the Indian chief Quagnant, who was a 
 friend of Weiser, Sr. — Living among and with the natives 
 Konrad became acquainted with the Indian languages, the 
 customs and the way of reasoning of the children of the wil- 
 derness. This knowledge of the character, the idiom and the 
 mode of viewing things of the Indians, afterwards made Wei- 
 ser the sought for adviser and mediator of the two races — 
 and the natives esteemed him as a justly reliable friend. He 
 came in 1737, upon the request of Governor Gooch, for the 
 first time to Virginia, to undertake the difficult mission to 
 arrange an armistice with the chiefs of the "Six Nations," 
 and finally a defensive alliance with the Cherokese and Ca- 
 tawbas. Not less important was his mission to Logstown in 
 
 99.) "In der neuen Heimatli," Seite 231, von Anton Eikhoff. New-York, 1884 
 100 ) "Geschichte der Deutschen im Staate New-York," von Friedrich Kapp, — Seite 
 134. New-York, 1868. 
 
106 
 
 1748, to which we already referred. On his journey he had 
 to travel through a wilderness fall of perils, over rough 
 mountains to the Ohio and then to Logstown : to confer with 
 the enraged Indians, to persuade them not to unite with the 
 French, and at the same time to gather full particulars as to 
 the strength and position of the French forces and fortifica- 
 tions. He succeeded well with his hazardous mission. Fried- 
 rich Kapp^"^) states: "The personal knowledge of the situa- 
 tion of things on the Ohio and in the western portion of the 
 English settlements Weiser used six years later in Albany to 
 great advantages, where the deputies of seven colonies had a 
 conference with the chiefs of the "Six Nations," purposing to 
 form an alliance against the French. It was one of the most 
 important periods in the history of the colonies; it was the 
 time of the beginning of the French war, and the first coopera- 
 tion of the colonies, hitherto acting separately and frequently 
 in discord. The colonists desired to secure the alliance of the 
 Indians and to this end tried to convince them that the 
 French had committed numerous Encroachments in the Ohio 
 valley and the western Indian territories. Among other speak- 
 ers Vice-Governor de Lancey, of New York, addressed the sav- 
 ages and in the course of his speech remarked : "It is very 
 lucky that Mr. Weiser, who has arranged matters with your 
 nations in Virginia and Pennsylvania and who is also thoroughly 
 acquainted with the whole situation, is present. Listen to his 
 statements which will throw full light on all the diflSculties." 
 Then Weiser stepped forward and in the Mohawk language 
 gave a detailed description of the outrages and intrusions in the 
 Ohio valley committed by the French, and known to him as 
 an eye-witness. His address made a deep impression on the 
 Indian chiefs — and in a few days an alliance was arranged 
 between the English and the Six Nations. 
 
 Although Konrad Weiser never made Virginia his perma- 
 nent home, he rendered to it such eminent services, that his 
 name deserves a prominent place in the history of the Old 
 Dominion. 
 
 101) "Qeschichte der DeutschcD im Staatc New-York," yon Friediich Kapp— Scite 
 140—141. New-York, 1868. 
 
107 
 
 In 1751 Christopher Gist, Oeist or Guest"-"^), another 
 distinguished German of Frederick, Virginia, was appointed 
 agent of the Ohio Company. He was despatched to the Tuig- 
 tuis Indians, living near the present Piquia in Ohio, to se- 
 cure their partisanship for the Virginia cause. Gist's travels 
 through the land north of the Ohio river lasted from Octo- 
 ber 3l8t, 1750, to May 1751 ; he then returned to Virginia to 
 organize the settlements which the Ohio Company had pro- 
 jected on the Kanawha river. In 1753, when Major George 
 Washington was entrusted by Governor Dinwiddie with the 
 dangerous mission to the French commander on the Sfpper 
 Ohio to deliver a protest against his advance and to demand 
 his withdrawal from the Ohio valley, he chose for one of his 
 companions Christopher Gist. 
 
 The great struggle was now at hand, — Virginia prepared 
 for war, and in 1754 the hostilities commenced. The war was 
 waged for years with varying success. The exposed German 
 settlements on the frontier suffered greatly by the Indian al- 
 lies of the French, until France could no longer protract the 
 struggle and by a treaty, ratified in 1763, she gave up all her 
 American territory, including the upper Ohio region, to the 
 English. 
 
 England and the colonies owed this victory to a great 
 extent to an agreement concluded with the Iroquois Indians 
 by the German Christian Frieclrich Post, a Moravian. 
 
 "On the 25th of August" — writes Klauprecht — "the 
 same day that England's great ally in Europe, King Fred- 
 erick II of Prussia, . defeated the Eussians in the fierce battle 
 of Johnsdorf, the modest champion of England, the Moravian 
 Post, Stood on the battlefield and within the range of the 
 enemies' cannon, in full sight of Fort Du Quesne (Pittsburg) 
 and the flying lily-banners of France, he persuaded the In- 
 dian warriors, surrounding him, to break with their allies." 
 
 Daring this long war several Germans gained high mili- 
 tary distinction. Captain Adam Stephan or Stephen, who 
 
 102.) "Geschichte des grossen amei-ikanischen Westens," von H. A. Ratteimann, — 
 Seite 28. Cincinnati, 1875. 
 
, 108 
 
 practiced medicine at Neu Mecklenburg (Shepherdstown) Va., 
 from 1747 to 1754, organized a company of German volun- 
 teers in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and advanced with 
 Washington to the West. He fought with valor in the bat- 
 tles at Great Meadows, Fort Necessity and General Braddock's 
 disastrous defeat; and he was promoted to the rank of Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel and given command of Fort Cumberland. 
 
 Colonel Wilhelm Drake was another German officer of 
 fame. He had come, when a child, with his German parents 
 to Neu Mecklenburg, and only nineteen years of age he par- 
 ticipated in Gen. Braddock's campaign. Colonel George Wash- 
 ington in a report, dated Great Meadows in May 1754, also 
 stated: that under his command there served the Ensign Carl 
 Gustav von Splitdorf and Lieutenant Edmund Wagner, who 
 was killed in battle. 
 
 Peace was restored and the French army gone, but peace- 
 ful times did not follow. The enlarged power of the English, 
 who now held possession of all the territory extending to the 
 great lakes, and who now occupied the forts built by the 
 French, the French settlers who dwelled around the northern 
 lakes, and who were still opposed to the English rule, a large 
 emigration of colonists to the fertile prairies of the west, excited 
 the apprehension and fury of the Indians in the West, and 
 nearly every tribe from New England to the western extrem- 
 ity of Lake Superior united in a conspiracy against the white 
 intruders. Pontiac, the bold and sagacious chief of the Otta- 
 was, was at the head of the united savages. On June third of 
 1763 the redskins simultaneously attacked the English out- 
 posts and forts, and all but Fort Pitt, Niagara and Detroit 
 fell into their hands. The frontier settlements in Virginia 
 and Pennsylvania were devastated and more than twenty 
 thousand people were obliged to fly from their homes or to 
 suffer a barbarous death. In all directions the conflagration 
 of dwellings and crops illumined the sky. 
 
 The first of these blows,!"-'') struck within the present 
 limits of West Virginia, resulted in the total destruction of 
 
 103.) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A. Lewis, page 106 Pliiladelpliia, Pa. 
 
109 
 
 the settlements in the Greenbrier valley, and within what now 
 is Greenbrier county. All fled before the Indians and in 
 Eockbridge county, where they had hoped to be in safety, 
 many families were killed or takea by them. The Indians 
 also carried destruction and death into the Shenandoah valley, 
 especially in the present counties of Berkeley, Shenandoah 
 and Frederick, making frequent inroads into the upper valley 
 as far as a few miles off Staunton. 
 
 Many Germans were among the slaughtered, and indigna- 
 tion and despair forced the survivors to take up arms in self- 
 defence. Among the forces that defended the western forts, 
 not fallen into the hands of the enemy, there were also many 
 Germans, officers as well as privates, and they assisted to 
 check the progress of the savages to the South. Finally Sir 
 Jeffrey Amherst, the English commander-in-chief, sent Colo- 
 nel Heinrich Bouquet or Henry Boquei^"*), a native of Swit- 
 zerland, born in the German Canton Berne, to the West to raise 
 the siege of the beleaguered forts. His troops, organized in 
 haste, were mostly Germans from Pennsylvania and Virginia. 
 He was a soldier born and began his military career in Swe- 
 den and later he served in the Dutch army. In 1755 he was 
 persuaded by the English ambassador, Sir Yorke, to enter the 
 English-American service and was appointed major of a bat- 
 talion of the "Royal American Eegiment," consisting mostly 
 of Germane. He served throughout the French and Indian 
 ■jyar — and when ordered out against Pontiac's confederates, 
 he defeated them in the fiercely contested battle of Bushy 
 Run in Pennsylvania, arrived at Fort Pitt in August 1764 
 and forced the Indians on the twelfth day of November, 1764, 
 at the forks of the Muskingum in Ohio, to make peace and 
 cede two hundred and six captives, ninety of whom had been 
 carried away from Virginia. 
 
 Touching scenes are related to have occurred at the 
 delivery of the prisoners when husband and wife, parents 
 and children, were reunited. Anton Eikhoff^"") reports: "A 
 
 104) H. A. Kattermann says in "Deutscher Pionier," Vol. X, p 217: That Hein- 
 rich Bouquet's true name was "Strauss." 
 
 105 ) "In der neuen Heitnath," von Anton Eikhoff, Seite 247. New York, 1884. 
 
110 
 
 Virginia volunteer of Bouquets' army had been robbed of 
 his wife and a two year old child by the Indians about 
 six months before. How delighted was the afflicted sol- 
 dier, when he could again embrace his beloved wife and a 
 baby three months old, — but the two year old child was 
 missing. The mother could only give the information that the 
 child had been taken from her at the time they were cap- 
 tured. —A few days later however a child . was brought into 
 camp and it was thought to be the missing one. The mother 
 was called, and she did not recognize it to be her own at 
 first sight, bnt on closer examination she did and shouting 
 for joy she drew it to her heart." 
 
 With the failure of Pontiac's plot the aggressive power 
 of the Indians was broken, bnt they continued to make treach- 
 erous attacks in northern Virginia. 
 
 England had risen by the success of the French and 
 Indian War, — respectively by its " seven years' sea war " 
 (1756 to 1763) with France and Spain, — to the most im- 
 portant naval and colonial power, but she had also added 
 largely to her debt. No sooner was peace restored and the 
 colonies beginning to recover from the calamities of war and 
 Indian devastations, then the English Parliament determined 
 to make them repay by taxation what had been expended 
 in defending them. The colonies, on the other hand, had 
 always considered the aid rendered them by the motherland as 
 insufficient, they charged the English government to have abused 
 them for the benefit of her merchants and manufacturers and 
 they thought England pretty well compensated for the cost of 
 the war by the acquisition of the French territory and Florida. 
 The colonial policy of Great Britain was in fact unscrupulously 
 selfish, it treated the settlers as an inferior class of people, 
 while the English High-Church constantly aimed to reduce 
 free religious exercise. Thus the colonists became exasperated 
 and the idea to form a union for redress of all grievances 
 gained popularity. 
 
 In spite of this unsettled and alarming condition of po- 
 litical affairs, the German immigration to Virginia did not 
 cease, although it was less numerous than in the beginning of 
 
Ill 
 
 the century. The following names may prove the correctness 
 of this statement. 
 
 Adam Button, from Germany, settled in Wythe county and 
 one of his sons, George Dutton, married the daughter of an- 
 other German named Friedrich Copenhaver in Smith county, 
 Henry Fleenor, also a German, was one of the first colonists 
 in Eock Valley, — in Washington county the Pennsylvania 
 Germans: Anton Horn, Giesler, Eodeker, Gobble, King (Koe- 
 nig) and Krieger were domiciled, — and also in 1778 Jacob 
 Hartenstine (Hartenstein), whose son, John Hartenstine, was a 
 major in the Confederate army during the War of Secession. 
 George Kerr immigrated into Northumberland, — Wm. Short in 
 Surry county, George Hood (Huth) in Charles City county, 
 Ed. Voss in Culpepper, etc. — and the names of various coun- 
 ties show, that the German immigration extended in all di- 
 .rections of the colony. 
 
 It must also be noted that George Washington esteemed 
 the Germans highly as colonists. Having received from the 
 English government, in acknowledgement of his services dur- 
 ing the French and Indian war, in 1770, ten thousand acres 
 of land south of the Ohio river, and by purchase secured a 
 large tract of land on the Kanawha and Greenbrier rivers, he 
 had in view to settle his estates with- Germans. In Feb- 
 ruary 1774 he wrote from Mt. Vernon to James Tilghman, in 
 Philadelphia: "that motives of interest and of policy required 
 a speedy, successful and inexpensive colonization of these 
 lands, and that of all suggestions made to him, none promised 
 better success: than the settlement of Germans from the Pa- 
 latinate." He inquired how this plan could be carried out, 
 and if it was advisable to send an intelligent German to Ger- 
 many to invite immigrants, to control their embarkation in Hol- 
 land, etc. He also addressed ship-owners like Henry Kiddle in 
 Philadelphia and offered to pay the travelling expenses to the 
 Potomac and Ohio, to provide the settlers with victuals until 
 a first crop had been gathered and to exempt them from 
 payment of any rent for a period of four years if there was 
 no house on the property at the time of taking possession of 
 it. But these and other plans to colonize his estate were in- 
 terrupted by the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The War of Independence and the German 
 Virginians. 
 
 I other period in the history of old Virginia gives bet- 
 ter evidence of the devotion and loyalty of the German 
 Virginians to American interests than the War of 
 Independence, — and yet on account of circumstances, en- 
 tirely beyond their control, tbey have received comparatively 
 little recognition. When the cry was raised : to defend the 
 rights and liberties of the country, the German colonists did 
 not hesitate for one moment, they left their homes, their 
 wives and children and followed the banner of Virginia's 
 great son, George Washington. With his illustrious name 
 are inseparably associated those of the German heroes: Baron 
 von Steuben, Peter Muehlenberg, von der Wieden, and others, 
 and it is very probable that without their advice and heroism 
 victory would not have crowned the American arms. The 
 German soldiers of the colonial army proved brave and relia- 
 ble — but, because German allied troops fought in the Eng- 
 lish army, due credit has been denied them and even their 
 integrity has been suspected. The German subsidiary troops, 
 — the "d . . . . d Hessians," as they were called in Virginia — 
 were only the involuntary, unfortunate victims of an abomin- 
 able bargain, which the English King had arranged with 
 covetous German princes. The German colonists are in no way 
 responsible for this agreement, they were almost unanimously 
 in favor of American independence, while the Anglo-Virgin- 
 ians were divided into two parties: Whigs and Tories; the 
 former name applied to the patriots, the latter to the sup- 
 porters of the royal cause. Historians who ignore or slander 
 
113 
 
 the patriotism and strong affection of the German-Americans 
 and claim all glory for the Anglo-Americans and their French 
 allies, are partial and therefore unjust. The German-Ameri- 
 can historian H. A. Rattermann says, with reference to the 
 exaggerated glorification of the French merits^*"''): "Lafayette 
 visited America again and was pleased to be carried in tri- 
 umph through the United States, while the greater Steuben 
 had to compete with many difficulties to receive the lands 
 which Congress had promised to him, and lived without os- 
 tentation in quiet retirement in the State of New York." — 
 Steuben and Lafayette are two figures reflecting the character 
 of their respective nations, — the former unselfish, sacrificing 
 everything to a grand idea, — the other also immolating, but 
 calculating to promote his "Gloire." — The Anglo-Americans, 
 disposed to be misled by outer show, sympathized in a de- 
 monstrative manner with Lafayette, thus wounding the feel- 
 ing of their German fellow-citizens. 
 
 Twelve decades have passed since the Revolutionary War 
 began, and it is now impossible to do full justice to the mer- 
 its of the Germans of that great time. "Many facts are lost 
 and forgotten, and the anglicizing of the German element in 
 Virginia after the war, has contributed much to create this 
 deplorable incompleteness. But even this resignment of home- 
 reminiscences and of the language of their fathers shows, that 
 the German Virginians were so fully devoted to the American 
 cause: that they forgot the reverential piety they owed to 
 their old Fatherland. 
 
 The colonies were without political connection before the 
 Revolution. The people, originating from various nationalities, 
 — separated by vast distances and the want of public roads 
 for travel, — differing in habits and religion, — quarreling 
 about the borders and titles of land, — and influenced by 
 conflicting commercial and agricultural interests, — were only 
 forced to combine by the tyranny and restrictions England 
 imposed upon them. It was not a longing for republican lib- 
 erty that led to the foundation of the Union, but chiefly en- 
 dangered material interests. Particularly in the South the 
 
 106 ) "Der deutEche Pionier," Vol. VIII, Seite 18 Cincinnati, Ohio, 1876. 
 
114 
 
 form of government was looked upon with much indiflference, 
 the colonists of English descent had no wish to renounce their 
 allegiance to the British crown, and they cherished sentiments 
 of filial devotion towards the motherland. The inclination and 
 desires of the German population however were totally different. 
 The German colonists were not attached to the British rulers by 
 national ties or by gratitude for special favors, and cognizant of 
 the sufferings and abuse that had driven their forefathers from 
 Germany to America, they longed, in their quiet way, for politi- 
 cal and religious freedom. 
 
 During the period from 1763 to 1775 England had imposed 
 restraints upon the commerce and industry of the colonies, and 
 these, with growing energy, had resisted. The British Parlia- 
 ment passed laws to impede the home trade and navigation 
 of the colonies, juries were abolished, in 1764 the intention to 
 raise a revenue from America was formally declared, and import 
 duties were imposed on sugar, coffee, indigo, wine and silks. On 
 March 22nd, 1765, the Stamp Act was passed, that ordained: 
 that no written instrument should be legal unless the paper was 
 stamped on which it was drawn, and which was to be purchased 
 at an exorbitant price of the agents of the British government. 
 Finally the colonists were directed to furnish to the British sol- 
 diery quarters and rations. The colonies had no representation 
 in Parliament and claimed that taxation without representation 
 is tyranny, and they were determined to resist any violation of 
 their rights. King George III however said publicly : "That 
 the obedience of the colonies would be enforced." Clouds gath- 
 ered rapidly — and the storm threatened to break out. Resolu- 
 tions were passed by the Colonial Assemblies of Virginia, North 
 Carolina and Massachusetts to resist coercion. 
 
 Patrick Henry, a young lawyer, 27 years old, fiad gained 
 great popularity by his arguments in a lawsuit against the clergy, 
 known as "Parson's Cause," and by pleading on that occasion 
 the cause of colonial rights with eminent eloquence. He was 
 consequently elected a member of the Virginia House of Bur- 
 gesses, and when the news of the passing of the Stamp Act 
 reached the Old Dominion, he introduced in the House five 
 resolutions, declaring that the right of taxing the colonies be- 
 longed to them and that laws like the Stamp Act were destruc- 
 
115 
 
 tive of peace. His resolutions were violently opposed to, but 
 finally adopted through the powerful eloquence with which 
 Patrick Henry advocated them. In the heat of the debate he 
 boldly asserted: "Caesar had his Brutus, Charles I his Crom- 
 well, and George III — " "Treason ! treason !" interrupted an- 
 gry loyalists in different parts of the house. — "And George III" 
 — repeated the speaker, his eye lighting up with the flame of 
 patriotism — "and George III may profit by their example. If 
 that be treason, make the most of it !" 
 
 The words of the young patriot kindled the slumbering ha- 
 tred into the flame of revolution — and the German Virginians 
 figured among his most ardent admirers. 
 
 Before these events in Virginia became known in Massachu- 
 setts, the general court of that colony had adopted measures to 
 inaugurate a combined opposition to the oppressive acts of the 
 English. A Colonial Congress was proposed and on the first 
 Tuesday in October, 1765, the delegates of nine of the colonies 
 met at New York. They drew up a "Declaration of Rights," 
 claiming the privileges of legal born subjects of Great Britain, 
 especially those of self- taxation and trial by jury. The Congress 
 then prepared petitions to the King and to Parliament, assuring 
 the loyalty of the people, — but also their determination to nul- 
 lify the odious Stamp Act. 
 
 As the day approached on which the Stamp Act was to take 
 effect, the popular feeling against it increased. The stamps sent 
 from England were refused the landing or destroyed, — stamp 
 officers were insulted and forced to resign, — associations under 
 the title of "Sons of Liberty" were formed to resist the law and 
 the members resolved to forego all the luxuries of life, rather 
 than to purchase them from England, — the merchants agreed 
 to import no English goods until Parliament should recall the 
 hateful bill, and the first day of November, 1765, appointed for 
 the law to go into operation, was observed as a day of mourning. 
 The bells were tolled, the vessels displayed their flags on half- 
 mast, people dressed in mourning, all business was suspended, 
 and even from the pulpits the popular excitement received ex- 
 pression. 
 
116 
 
 The authorities in England were at a loss how to proceed, 
 they were scared by this energetic protest of the Americans, and 
 the Stamp Act was repealed the following year. The English 
 however still maintained : to have the full right to bind and tax 
 the colonies. 
 
 Although the repeal of the Stamp Act was received with 
 great joy in America, yet the clause asserting the supremacy of 
 Parliament, excited the distrust of the colonists and they con- 
 tinued a jealous watch over the actions of the British govern- 
 ment. Soon new taxes were levied on tea, glass, paper and 
 painters' colors, and the officers of the navy were appointed cus- 
 tom house officers with duties to enforce the laws. The Assem- 
 bly of Massachusetts, having addressed circulars to the other 
 Colonial Assemblies, to invite them to cooperate and redress all 
 common grievances, was dissolved. 
 
 Anticipating bitter opposition, troops were sent from Eng- 
 land to enforce the laws. New York refused to furnish quarters 
 and supplies to British troops, and the legislative power of the 
 Assembly of this colony was suspended. The presence of f^e 
 troops was regarded as an insult, — and the overbearing conduct 
 of the soldiery provoked the people. In the year 1769 the As- 
 semblies of Virginia and North Carolina were also dissolved. 
 All these measures proved ineflFective and the waves of dissatis- 
 faction and hostility tossed higher and higher. Finally, on the 
 5th of March, 1770, the first bloody collision occurred at Boston, 
 Mass. — Samuel Adams demanded, in the name of the infuriated 
 citizens, of the Governor the withdrawal of the soldiers; he 
 yielded, and the troops retired to Castle William. — In North 
 Carolina the extortion, by corrupt and dishonest officials, — 
 Governor Tyson included, — had caused a number of farmers to 
 unite under the name of "Eegulators," to resist oppression. In 
 1771 the Governor marched against the "rebels" and took a 
 bloody revenge. Many fled to the West and others to Virginia, 
 there increasing the number of the discontented. 
 
 When Benjamin Franklin published the correspondence be- 
 tween Governor Hutchinson, of Massachusetts, and Col. Olivier, 
 thereby revealing the intention of Parliament to remodel the 
 constitutional laws of Massachusetts, and when England, after 
 
117 
 
 the well-known tea-revolt in Boston, December 18th, 1773, inter- 
 dicted all commercial intercourse with the port of Boston, and 
 appointed General Gage Governor of Massachusetts and com- 
 mander-in-chief of the royal troops in America, — the climax of 
 public excitement was reached. 
 
 The cause of the people of Boston was espoused by all the 
 colonies, and in Virginia the members of the dissolved Assembly 
 formed an association and voted to recommend to the colonies 
 a General Congress. The first of June, the day on which the 
 port bill (versa Boston) was to take effect, was observed in Vir- 
 ginia as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, to implore God 
 that he would avert the evils that threatened them and give 
 them one heart and one mind to firmly oppose by all just and 
 proper means every injury to American rights. 
 
 But foremost in the movement of resistance throughout Vir- 
 ginia were the German inhabitants of the Valley. Hon. J. M. 
 H. Beale stated in a letter, published in the "New York Herald" 
 and afterwards at Woodstock, Va., Nov. 30th, 1894, in the "Shen- 
 andoah Herald:" "They formed a distinct oi'ganization, as con- 
 tradistinguished from its colonial, and invested power in a ' Com- 
 mittee of Safety,' the prerogatives of which were to erect opposi- 
 tion to the royal power in case of necessity. 
 
 "The meeting which took these initial revolutionary steps was 
 held at Woodstock, on the 16th of June, 1774, one year before the 
 celebrated Mecklenburg meeting in North Carolina, which oc- 
 curred in June, 1775. The Rev. Peter Muehlenberg was chosen 
 the moderator of the meeting, and afterwards, as chairman of the 
 Committee on Resolutions, reported a number of spirited and ap- 
 propriate resolutions, the tone of which was bolder than public 
 opinion was then prepared to sanction. The following are a part 
 of the noble sentiments then put forth by those patriotic lovers 
 of liberty. 
 
 "That we will pay due submission to such acts of government 
 as his Majesty has a right by law to exercise over his subjects, 
 and to such only. 
 
 "That it is the inherent right of British subjects to be gov- 
 erned and taxed by representatives chosen by themselves only, 
 and that every act of the British Parliament respecting the inter- 
 
118 
 
 iial policy of America is a dangerous and unconstitutional inva- 
 sion of our rights and privileges. 
 
 "That the enforcing the execution of the said act of Parlia- 
 ment by a military power will have a necessary tendency to cause 
 a civil war, thereby dissolving that union which has so long hap- 
 pily subsisted between the mother country and her colonies ; and 
 that we will most heartily and unanimously concur with our 
 suffering brethren of Boston, and every other part of North 
 America, who are the immediate victims of tyranny, in promot- 
 ing all proper measures to avert such dreadful calamities, to 
 procure a redress of our grievances, and to secure our common 
 liberties.' 
 
 ''The other resolutions were common at that period, depre- 
 ciating importation or exportation with Great Britain and the 
 East India Company, who are called 'the servile tools of Arbitrary 
 power.' The proceedings close by 'pledging themselves to each 
 other, and to our country, that we will inviolably adhere to the 
 votes of this day.' The Committee of Safety and Correspondence 
 appointed for the county consisted of Rev. Peter Muehlenberg, 
 chairman ; Francis Slaughter, Abraham Bird, Tavener Beale, 
 (father of the undersigned,) John Tipton, and Abraham Bowman, 
 esqs., members. 
 
 "The proceedings of this meeting are published in full in the 
 Virginia Gazette for August 4, 1774, a file of which paper is pre- 
 served in the Congressional Library at Washington City." 
 
 On the 4th of September, 1774, the First Continental Con- 
 gress met in Philadelphia. All the colonies, except Georgia, 
 were represented, and by an unanimous vote Peyton Randolph, 
 of Virginia, was elected president. It was resolved to resist the 
 oppression of England, to approve the conduct of Massachusetts, 
 to entreat General Gage to desist from military operations, and 
 finally to continue the Congressional Union until the repeal of 
 oppressive duties by Parliament. Congress called upon the peo- 
 ple to practice in the use of arms and to prepare to act in case of 
 emergency, and yet only a few members of Congress had any idea 
 of independence. 
 
 All attempts at reconciliation however proved futile. King 
 George III, by nature arbitrary and stubborn, was bent on re- 
 
119 
 
 ducing his colonial subjects to submission by the sword. The 
 determination of the King to oppress the Americans was so no- 
 torious, that when the war actually broke out, it was called in 
 England "the King's War." Walpole's "George III," Vol. IV, 
 p. 114, contains the following pungent remarks : "The war was 
 considered as the war of the King personally. Those who sup- 
 ported it, were called the King's friends, while those who wished 
 the country to pause and reconsider the propriety of persevering 
 in the contest, were branded as disloyal." George III was a pe- 
 culiar man and wrote this: "I wish nothing but good : therefore, 
 every man who does not agree with me, is a liar and a scoun- 
 drel." The British Parliament was determined to make no con- 
 cessions, and early in 1775 rejected a conciliatory bill introduced 
 by Lord Chatham ; thus the colonies were driven to the dread 
 alternative of war, and Patrick Henry gave the signal, when in 
 March, 1775, he uttered the memorable words before the Conven- 
 tion of Virginia, assembled at Richmond in the "Old Church": 
 "As for me, give me liberty or give me death." 
 
 As early as the ninth of May, 1775, representatives of the 
 people of North Carolina' °'), mostly Germans, assembled at 
 Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, N. C, to formally renounce 
 their allegiance to the King, and to make provisions for self- 
 government. This was the first declafation of independence, il- 
 lustrating the German spirit and aim, — while the men of the 
 North were simply fighting for their rights as subjects of Great 
 Britain.'"^) The demonstrations in North Carolina were of 
 such character, that the Governor deemed it prudent to take 
 refuge on a man-of-war in July, — only two months later the 
 Governor of South Carolina followed his example, evacuating 
 the City of Charleston, — and the Governor of Virginid, as will 
 be explained later, also was compelled to fly on board of an 
 armed 'vessel. Previous to these events, April 19th, 1775, the 
 battle of Lexington, Mass., had been fought, the Second Conti- 
 nental Congress met at Philadelphia on May 10th, assuming the 
 authority of a general government of the "United Colonies of 
 
 107.) "Der deutsche Pionier," Vol. Ill, May and June Edition. Cincinnati, Ohio, 
 1871. 
 
 108.) "American History for Schools," by G. P. Quackenbos, p. 141. New York, 
 1879. 
 
120 
 
 America," and elected George Washington commander-in-chief 
 of the American forces. On the 17th of June the battle of Bun- 
 ker Hill was fought. The Americans were driven back, but they 
 still besieged Boston, and in a few weeks Washington took com- 
 mand. 
 
 It is not the object to give a complete description of the 
 War of Independence in this history, it aims to state the part 
 Virginia, and the German Virginians in particular, took in this 
 great struggle. All the foregoing and following historical de- 
 tails of a general character are simply intended to explain the 
 action of the German Virginians. 
 
 Before further describing the course of events, another pre- 
 cursor of the Revolutionary War, — a new Indian war, in the 
 year 1774, known as the "Dunmore Wa7-," — must be men- 
 tioned, during which the German settlers of the north-eastern 
 mountain region of Virginia again suffered severely. 
 
 The treaty with the savages, which had not been violated 
 since 1764, was broken by the English.^""*) Several Indians 
 were murdered simply to gratify the desire for Indian blood, and 
 they retaliated in their cruel savage custom. The first innocent 
 victims of their rage were the members of a German family by 
 name Stroud, living on Gauley river near its junction with the 
 Great Kanawha. The murder of the family of Logan, chief of 
 the Mingoes and an ally of the English during the French and 
 Indian war, particularly exasperated the Indians. Logan swore 
 to take bloody revenge and invited the cooperation of the Dela- 
 wares and Shawnees to annihilate the treacherous Whites. The 
 two Indian tribes hesitated to join him and he began the war 
 alone, attacking the settlements on the Ohio river. 
 
 The Assembly of Virginia resolved to protect the colonists. 
 Governor Lord Dunmore left the gubernatorial residence at Wil- 
 liamsburg with an army of about twelve hundred men, and Gen- 
 eral Andrew Lewis, of Augusta county, a Scotch descendant, was 
 ordered to muster troops in the counties of Berkeley, Hampshire, 
 Frederick and Shenandoah, principally populated by Germans. 
 Germans and Scotch responded with patriotism to his call, 
 
 100) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A. Lewis, page 113. Pliilaaelphia, Pa. , 
 
m 
 
 and on October 6th, 1774, he arrived with his force of eleven 
 hundred men at the mouth of the Great Kanawha. His lit- 
 tle army consisted of two regiments, commanded by Colonels 
 William Fleming, of Botetourt county, and Charles Lewis, of 
 Augusta, — two companies from Culpepper and Bedford, — 
 and a detachment from the Holstein settlement, now Wash- 
 ington county, at the head of which was Captain Shelby, a 
 German Virginian. They erected a camp to await the ar- 
 rival of Lord Dunmore's troops, but on October 9th a mes- 
 senger arrived with orders from the Governor, commanding 
 General Lewis to cross the Ohio, to dislodge the Indians in 
 his way and to march towards the Indian villages on the 
 Scioto, where the two divisions of the Virginian army should 
 meet. On the 10th of October General Lewis started on his 
 dangerous march and soon met with the Indians, who were 
 determined to prevent the union of the two detachments. 
 They were in superior force, the combined tribes of the Shawa- 
 nees, Delawares, Mingos, Cayugas and Wyandottes, under the 
 leadership of the famous chief Cornstalk."") 
 
 A general engagement occurred, extending from the banks 
 of the Ohio to the Kanawha, distant half a mile from the 
 junction of the two rivers. General Lewis, who had witnessed 
 a similar scene at Braddock's defeat, acted with iirmness and 
 decision, and his men fought with admirable bravery. Colo- 
 nel Lewis was killed, Colonel Fleming severely wounded, one 
 half of the other officers and seventy-five men were slain and 
 one hundred and forty wounded. The memory of the des- 
 perate battle of Point Pleasant still lives in a popular song 
 among the mountaineers of Virginia: 
 
 "Let us mind the tenth day of October, 
 Seventy-four, which caused woe, — 
 The Indian savages they did cover 
 The pleasant banks of the Ohio." 
 
 The next day Colonel Christian, with three hundred men 
 from Fincastle, Botetourt county, arrived at Point Pleasant 
 and at once proceeded to bury the dead. The wounded were 
 
 110) "Geschichte des grossen amerik Westen," von 11 A, Rattermann, Seite 48- 
 60 Cincinnati, 18?5. 
 
1^2 
 
 sheltered in the hastily thrown np walls of Fort Randolph, 
 which was garrisoned by one hundred men, and then the 
 brave Virginians crossed the Ohio in hot pursuit of the de- 
 feated savages. On the 24:th of October they encamped on 
 Congo Creek, near the present town'of Pickaway, having re- 
 ceived orders to advance no further, — and to the great dis- 
 appointment of the little army, desirous to avenge the death 
 of their fallen comrades, Lord Dunmore negotiated for peace 
 with the Indians. Thus closed "Dunmore's War," but its un- 
 popular end only hastened the outbreak of the great crisis in 
 Virginia. The hostile mood of the Virginians induced the 
 English government to instruct Lord Dunmore to remove all 
 military stores and arms to places of security, — and on the 
 20th day of April, 1775, he seized a quantity of powder be- 
 longing to the colony, — kept at Williamsburg, — and con- 
 veyed it on board the man-of-war "Magdalen," anchored near 
 Yorktown. When this act of the Governor became known, 
 the colonial militia and all the people were highly exasper- 
 ated. They took up arms and organized under the leadership 
 of Patrick Henry. The cowardly Dunmore declared, that he 
 would free all slaves and destroy Williamsburg by fire, if any 
 harm should be done him or any English official. This threat 
 only enraged the people still more, — about six hundred men 
 from the mountain counties, principally from German dis- 
 tricts, assembled at Fredericksburg, — and also in other sec- 
 tions of Virginia the citizens prepared to defend their rights. 
 The attitude of the Virginians was so threatening, that in 
 June, as has been stated before, Lord Dunmore fled on board 
 a British man-of-war. This was the end of royal government 
 in Virginia. The patriot Patrick Henry was made Governor: 
 
 — now by will of the people. 
 
 Lord Dunmore tried to regain his lost authority and or- 
 ganized a troop of Tories, British soldiers and fugitive slaves, 
 
 — but on December 9th, 1775, he was defeated at Great 
 Bridge near Norfolk, — he retreated to this flourishing city 
 and burnt it before the evacuation on January 6th, 1776. He 
 attempted then to fortify himself on Governor's Island in the 
 Chesapeake Bay, but General Andrew Lewis routed his force 
 and Dunmore embarked again on an English vessel and after 
 
133 
 
 that time never returned to Virginia. — Several historians ac- 
 cuse Lord Dunmore to have wilfully provoked the "Dunmore 
 War," in order to reduce the strength of the Virginians, — 
 and there may be some truth in this assertion. It is un- 
 doubtedly true that England encouraged, during the War of 
 Independence, the Indians to attack the settlements on the 
 frontier. — The jurisdiction of Virginia, extended in 1776 to 
 the Mississippi, comprising the present States of Kentucky, 
 Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. Several bold pioneers, 
 mainly Germans from Virginia and North Carolina, had emi- 
 grated to this wilderness, and the Indians, fearful of being 
 deprived of their beloved hunting-ground, and stirred up by 
 English emissaries, attacked the exjDosed settlements in Ken- 
 tucky and West Virginia. In the spring of 1776 the Chero- 
 kees also began to invade the settlements in Tennessee, the 
 Oarolinas and Georgia, —and Virginia and North and South 
 Carolina armed three expeditions to destroy the villages and 
 fields of the savages. Towards the end of the year the de- 
 feated Indians were compelled to sue for peace. In 1777 
 other Indian tribes, again incited by English agitation, re- 
 newed the murderous invasion, and chiefly the German- Vir- 
 ginian homes on the Ohio and Monongahela were ravaged. 
 England adopted the most barbarous measures of warfare 
 against the patriots. It paid a premium to the Indians for 
 every American scalp, making no distinction of sex or age. 
 This detestable action had the most frightful results, as will 
 be illustrated by the following statement. 
 
 Among the rich spoils^ ^^) that a New England expedi- 
 tion captured in February, 1782, from the Indians, there were 
 eight packages with ten hundred and sixty-two scalps that 
 these savages had taken within the last three years from 
 American colonists in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and 
 New England, and which they had intended to send to Gov- 
 ernor Haldimand of Canada with the request to forward them 
 to the King of England ; "That he might look on them, be 
 refreshed by their sight, and reward his Indijin Allies for 
 their loyalty with new domiciles." 
 
 Ill ) "Geschichte der Deutschen im Staate New-York,'' von Friedrich Kapp, — Seita 
 277—278. New-York, 1868. 
 
In Marshall county, West Virginia, about four miles from 
 Moundsville, a monument still reminds of the victims of the 
 sarage allies of Great Britain. The monument bears this in- 
 scription" ") : "This humble stone is erected to the memory 
 of Captain Foreman (a German Virginian) and twenty-one of 
 his men, who were slain by a band of ruthless savages — the 
 allies of a civilized nation of Europe — on the 25th of Sep- 
 tember, 1777. 
 
 So sleep the brave who sink to rest 
 By all their country's wishes blessed." 
 
 The fights with the Indians continued to the end of the 
 War of Independence, but side by side with pictures of fright 
 they present scenes of comforting and admirable heroism, and 
 not the least on part of German frontiermen. 
 
 In September, 1777, the savages' ^^), their number vari- 
 ously estimated at from three hundred and eighty to five 
 hundred warriors, abundantly supplied with arms and ammu- 
 nition by the British Governor Hamilton at Detroit, besieged. 
 Fort Henry, now Wheeling, W. Va. The garrison, under com- 
 mand of Colonel Shepherd (Schaefer), a Pennsylvanian Ger- 
 man, numbered only forty-two fighting men all told, counting 
 those advanced in years as well as those who were mere boys. 
 The supply of gunpowder in the fort was soon exhausted, 
 and Colonel Shepherd resolved to send for a keg of gunpow- 
 der which was known to be in the house of Ebenezer Zane, 
 about sixty yards from the gate of the fort. Three or four 
 young men volunteered to undertake the desperate enterprise, 
 but the Colonel informed them, that the weak state of the 
 garrison would not justify the absence of more than one man, 
 and that it was for themselves to decide who the one should 
 be. Much time was consumed in the eager contention of the 
 patriotic young men; it was feared that the Indians would 
 renew the attack before the powder could be secured, and at 
 this crisis a young lady, the sister of Ebenezer and Silas Zane, 
 the German founders of Wheeling, came forward and desired 
 
 1889 
 
 112) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A. Lewis, page 667. Pliila'elphia, Pa , 
 113,) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A. Lewis, page 155. Philadelpliia, Pa. 
 
125 
 
 that she might be permitted to execute the service. Elizabeth 
 Zane was the name of this German Virginian heroine. She 
 said to the men, who refused to consent to her reckless plan : 
 "As the garrison was very weak, no soldier's life should be 
 risked, and that if she were to fall her loss would not be 
 felt." — Her noble undertaking was ultimately granted and 
 the gate opened for her to pass out. When the brave girl 
 crossed the open space to reach her brother's house, the In- 
 dians looked at her in surprise and by some unexplained mo- 
 tive permitted her to pass unmolested. As soon however as 
 she reappeared with the keg of powder in her arms, — sus- 
 pecting no doubt the nature of her burden, — they discharged 
 a volley at her as she swiftly glided towards the fort, — but 
 the fearless girl reached the gate unhurt. 
 
 The historian of West Virginia^ ^*) says very truly: "The 
 pages of history may furnish a parallel to the noble exploit 
 of Elizabeth Zane, but an instance of greater self-devotion and 
 moral intrepidity is not to be found anywhere." 
 
 The wife of Ebenezer Zane and several other women in 
 the fort, employed themselves in running bullets and patches 
 for the use of the men, and their presence and good cheering 
 words contributed not a little to turn the fortunes of the day. 
 The next morning Captain Swearinger, — another German 
 Virginian, — arrived with fourteen men in a perogue from 
 Gross Creek and was fortunate enough to fight his way into 
 the fort without the loss of a single man. Shortly afterwards 
 Major Samuel McColloch, with forty mounted men from Short 
 Creek, came to the relief of the garrison, and the Indians 
 raised the siege and withdrew after setting fire to all the 
 houses and fences outside the fort and killing about three 
 hundred head of cattle. Of the forty-two men who were in 
 the fort on the morning of the 37th, not less than twenty- 
 three were killed and five wounded. Governor Patrick Henry 
 expressed his sincere acknowledgment to Colonel Shepherd 
 and his men for their heroic defence. 
 
 In September, 1782, three hundred Indians again attacked 
 Fort Henry, but accomplished nothing, and about one hun- 
 
 JU ) ''Histoi-y of West Virginia," by Virgil A. Lewis, p. 161. riiiladclphla, 1869. 
 
126 
 
 dred of them marched to Fort Mice, on Buffalo Creek, which 
 they expected to take without much opposition. This fort 
 was made up of a few cabins and log-houses and was defended 
 by only six Germans, — but this small garrison repulsed all 
 the enemy's attacks and forced them to retreat. The names 
 of these stout-hearted heroes are: Jacob Miller, George Lefler, 
 Peter Fullenweider, Daniel Eice, Jacob Lefler and George Fell- 
 baura, — the latter was killed. The last resting places of the 
 others are forgotten, but the names of the six brave men are 
 written down on the pages of history, — they are immortal. 
 
 Among the participators in General George Eogers Clark's 
 celebrated campaign to Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, the 
 following German Virginian officers gained distinction: Cap- 
 tain Leonard Helm, of Fauquier county, and Major Joseph 
 Bowman, of Frederick county, who was next in command to 
 General Clark. Other names, mentioned in Wm. Hayden 
 English's "Conquest of the Northwest of the Eiver Ohio, 
 1778—1783, and Life of General Clark," are essentially Ger- 
 man-Virginian, as : Honaker, Chrisman, etc. — General Clark 
 himself was a native of Albemarle county, Virginia. No epi- 
 sode in the history of Virginia is more glorious than this. 
 With one hundred and seventy ragged boys General Clark 
 crossed rivers in the month of February, 1779, planted the 
 Virginian Standard upon the banks of the Mississippi, — de- 
 manded and secured unconditional surrender, — and from that 
 time the country of Illinois, Missouri, etc., was opened to civili- 
 zation. — The great distances, the uncertainty, the wilderness, 
 and the Indians made General Clark's expedition one of ter- 
 rible hardship, and the adroitness with which Clark pro- 
 ceeded in reconciling both the Indians and French inhabitants 
 and surprising the English posts : Kaskaskia and Vincennes, 
 and the indomitable energy displayed by him and his soldiers 
 in overcoming the rigors of winter and the terrors of rain and 
 flood, cannot but command admiration. 
 
 Several years before the Eevolutionary War General Mor- 
 gan organized his famous corps of riflemen and took active 
 part in the combats with the Indians. A large number of 
 German Virginians from Winchester and its environs were 
 
137 
 
 among his men. Andreas Simoni^^) names the following: 
 Johann Schultz, Jacob Sperry, Peter and Simon Lauck, Fried- 
 rich Kurtz, Karl Grimm, Georg Heisler, and Adam Kurz. 
 Morgan's so-called "Dutch Mess"ii«) gained special fame by 
 its attachment to the General and brave conduct. They ac- 
 companied him in all his adventurous expeditions against the 
 Indians, in the disastrous campaign of General Braddock, in 
 Arnold's expedition to Canada, and to the end of the War of 
 Independence. The six members of the "mess" acted as aide- 
 de-camp, — but never received or accepted an officer's commis- 
 sion. After the war they were rewarded with valuable lands 
 near Winchester, which to this day are owned by their de- 
 scendants. 
 
 It has been stated that the German Virginians were dis- 
 satisfied with the English rule and very much disposed to as- 
 sist in the overthrow of British supremacy. "Der Staatsbote," 
 a German paper published at Philadelphia, had many readers 
 among the Germans of the Valley, and stirred the revolution- 
 ary spirit. Heinrich Ringer, at Winchester, and Jacob Nico- 
 las, at Picket Mountain, Augusty county, were the Virginian 
 agents of the paper. The edition of March 19th, 1776, con- 
 tains an appeal to the Germans, beginning as follows' ^') : 
 "Remember that your forefathers emigrated to America to es- 
 cape bondage and to enjoy liberty, and bore the greatest hard- 
 ship and ill treatment. — Remember that where bondage ex- 
 isted in Germany, no bondsman was allowed to marry without 
 the consent of his patron, and that parents and children were 
 not treated much better than the black slaves in West India." 
 — The article closes with the words : "Remember that the 
 British Government and Parliament aim to establish similar 
 and perhaps worse conditions in America." 
 
 The "Staatsbote" was like a fire-brand thrown among the 
 German settlers — and they enthusiastically embraced the Amer- 
 ican cause. Their self-sacrifice and fidelity is worthy of lauda- 
 
 115,) "Der Westen," Chicago, Ills., 1892. 
 
 116.) "Der SUden," deutach-amerikaQische Wochensohrift, Jahrgang I, No, 2, Seite 
 4. BichmoDd, Va., 1891. 
 
 117.) "Deutflch-amerikanisclj^s Mtigazin," voa H. A, Rattermaan, Baad I, Heft 8, 
 geite 422. Cincinnati, 1889, 
 
138 
 
 tion. L. A. Wollenweber^'-'') for example relates the following 
 instance of German devotion : "In 1751 Friedrich Ladner had 
 emigrated from Pliningen, in Wuertemberg, to America and 
 with his family settled a few miles south of Harper's Ferry. 
 When the people rushed to arms three of Jiis sons and fo2ir of his 
 yrand-childre7i joined Peter Muehlenberg's regiment to defend 
 their adopted fatherland." 
 
 In 1776 the Convention of Virginia resolved to recruit seven 
 new regiments besides the existing, and among the commanding 
 officers were the following with German names''^") : 
 
 2nd Virginia line: Colonel Christian Febiger (1778—1783), 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Simms (1778 
 —1779), and Colonel Wm. Darke (1791). 
 
 3d " " Colonel G. von der Wieden (Weedon), 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Ch. Fleming. 
 
 4th " " Major Ch. Fleming. 
 
 6th " " Colonel M. Buckner, Colonel Adam Ste- 
 
 phan, Lieutenant-Colonel Ohas. Simms 
 
 (1777—1778). 
 
 8th " " Colonel Peter Muehlenberg (1776-1777), 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel and after 1777 Colo- 
 nel Abraham Bauman (Bowman), Major 
 Keim, and in succession : Wm. Darke 
 and Andreas Waggener. 
 
 9th " " Colonel Ch. Fleming, Major Peter Hel- 
 
 fenstein. 
 
 11th " " Lieutenant - Colonel Christian Febiger 
 
 (1776—1778). 
 
 Of other German Virginian officers of the Colonial army are 
 known : Major Johannes Mueller, Mathias Held, Abel Westphal, 
 Daniel Kolb, Jacob Kucker and Isaac IsraeP-"), — all but the 
 
 118.) '•Deutscher Pionier," 2. und 3. Jahrgang. — Historisohe Novelle von L. A. 
 WoUenweber, Cincinnati, 1870—1871. 
 
 119.) "Historical Register of the DfBcers of tlio Continental Army," \>j F. B. Heit- 
 man. Wasliington, 1893. 
 
 120.) "Tlie American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen," by Simon Wolf PliiU - 
 delphia, 1896. 
 
129 
 
 first two belonged to Muehlenberg's regiment. The Pension 
 Eegisters in "Washington also prove that German Virginians 
 served in Maryland and Pennsylvania regiments. 
 
 A most striking example of patriotism was given by Jo- 
 hatiw Gabriel Fete?- Muehlenherg, the pastor of the Lutheran 
 church at Woodstock, in the Shenandoah Valley. He was 
 born at Trappe, Pa., in 1746, his father was the venerable 
 patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America, the Rev. Hein- 
 rich M. Muehlenberg, — under his guidance he received an 
 excellent education. In his youth he was a boy difficult to 
 manage. Destined for the ministry, his father sent him to 
 Germany to conclude his studies, — but Peter entered an ap- 
 prenticeship to a mercantile house in Luebeck. He stayed 
 there three years, working faithfully, — but his spirits were 
 depressed by his close and monotonous duties. He abruptly 
 left his place and, enlisted in Hanover in a regiment of dra- 
 goons. Later on maturer judgment overcame his inclination 
 towards the adventurous and he recommenced the study of 
 theology, passed his examinations and after his return to 
 America he received the vocation of pastor at Woodstock, Va. 
 The young pastor gained the intimate friendship of George 
 Washington and Patrick Henry — and took great interest in 
 the struggle for independence and the preparations for war. 
 His military antecedence was revived, and upon the recommen- 
 dations of George Washington and Patrick Henry he was 
 commissioned Colonel of the Eighth Virginia Eegiment. In 
 January, 1776, he preached liis valedictory sermon. "From 
 far and near the German farmers came with their wives and 
 children," says Rev. Dr. Zimmermann,i"^) "and crowded the 
 little church at Woodstock." — Muehlenberg implored the 
 congregation to support the struggle for liberty and then he 
 exclaimed : "Dear brethren and sisters, I feel truly grieved to 
 announce that this is my farewell sermon, but if it is God's 
 will I shall soon return to you. It is a sacred duty that calls 
 me from you and I feel I must submit to it. The endan- 
 gered fatherland, to which we owe wealth and blood, needs 
 our arms — it calls on its sons to drive off the oppressors. 
 
 121.) "Vierhundert Jahre amerikanischer Gescliiclite," von Dr. G, A. Zimmermann, 
 Seite 227—228. Milwaukee, Wise, 1893. 
 
130 
 
 You know how much we have suffered for years, — that all 
 our petitions for help have been in vain, — and that the King 
 of England shut bis ears to our complaints. The Holy Scrip- 
 ture says : There is a time for everything in this world ; a time 
 to talk, a time to be silent, a time to preach and to pray, — but 
 also a time to fight, — and this time has come ! Therefore, who- 
 ever loves freedom and his new fatherland, he may folloio me!" — 
 After these inspiring remarks Rev. Muehlenberg uttered a bene- 
 diction, and then he laid aside his priestly robe and buckled a 
 sword about his waist. — A scene of indescribable enthusiasm 
 followed — the entire assembly arose from the seats, and Dr. 
 Luther's powerful hymn : ''Eine feste Burg ist unser Gott," was 
 intonated. Drums were beaten outside the church — and after 
 the lapse of half an hour one hundred and sixty-two men and 
 youths had enlisted to follow their parson. — This act of Ger- 
 man-American patriotism has been immortalized by several Ger- 
 man-American poets, like Dr. Victor Precht in his drama: 
 "Kuerass und Kutte," and Prof. Wilhelm Mueller in his poem : 
 "Die letzte Predigt.i = =) 
 
 Muehlenberg's regiment was first ordered South and distin- 
 guished itself at Charleston, S. C, and in Georgia. Eeduced 
 greatly in number by loss on the battlefield and sickness, the 
 commanding officer. Gen. Lee, having received orders to join the 
 northern army, directed Muehlenberg, sick himself, to return to 
 Woodstock with his invalides. He was prostrated by an attack 
 of fever, but only a short rest was allowed him to recover his 
 health ; he was ordered to bring up the rest of his regiment 
 from Savannah, to reinforce it with new members and to join 
 General Washington's army in New Jersey. When Muehlen- 
 berg's regiment reached Washington's camp it was stronger than 
 ever before, having gained many recruits in Maryland and Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 On February 21st, 1777, Muehlenberg was promoted by act 
 of Congress to the rank of Brigadier-General, and besides his 
 own regiment the Third and Fifth Virginia were placed under 
 his command. Many Germans also belonged to these regiments. 
 
 122.) "Am Wege gepfliickt," Gedicht-Sammlung yon Wilh. lliUler. Glarus in der 
 
 Schweiz, 1888. 
 
131 
 
 General Muehlenberg was a born military genius and Anglo- 
 American historians have acknowledged his courage and talent. 
 General Washington esteemed him highly — and the celebrated 
 German generals: von Steuben and De Kalb, were attached to 
 him by ties of friendship. — The battle of Brandywine on the 
 11th of September, 17*77, was disastrous to the American army. 
 A rout ensued and utter defeat was prevented only by the brave 
 resistance of Muehlenberg's brigade, that checked the advance of 
 the pursuing British army and enabled the retreating American 
 and French forces to escape annihilation. — In the battle of 
 Germantown, on October 4th, 1777, he defeated the opposing 
 wing of the enemy's army, and when the centre and right wing 
 of the Americans gave way, he again covered the retreat. His 
 loss was severe, among the killed was Major Keim, — but the 
 weakened regiments replenished their number by numerous de- 
 serters of the German subsidiary troops of the British army. — 
 At Valley Forge he aided his friend. General von Steuben, to re- 
 organize the demoralized army, and under his command he 
 fought in 1780 in Virginia against the traitor Arnold, who pil- 
 laged the country along the James river. When Arnold harassed 
 Petersburg, Muehlenberg, with a few hundred Germans, de- 
 iended the bridge leading to the city, and when forced to with- 
 draw, he retreated in good order. In his report to Congress 
 Governor Jefferson spoke with the highest admiration of this 
 war-like deed. — In the final decisive combats at Yorktown 
 Muehlenberg's brigade stormed and took the redoubt on the left 
 wing of the British fortification and thus assisted to force the 
 surrender. In this glorious affair Colonel Bowman lost his life. 
 
 After the surrender of Yorktown, General Washington ap- 
 pointed Muehlenberg military commander of Virginia, and on 
 the conclusion of peace the Lutheran community at Woodstock 
 invited General Muehlenberg to resume his pastorate. Mueh- 
 lenberg declined and said : "It would not be proper to again 
 graft the pastor on the soldier," — and he returned to his native 
 State, Pennsylvania. He was elected to Congress and died on 
 October 1st, 1807. At Trappe, near his father's old church, a 
 tombstone bears the following inscription : 
 
132 -^ 
 
 "To the memory of General Peter Muehlenberg. 
 
 Born Oct. 1st, 1746, and died Oct. 1st, 1807. 
 
 He was brave in battle, wise in council, honorable in all his 
 
 actions, a faithful friend and an honest man." 
 
 The reward with which the National Government presented 
 him, was rather scanty in consideration of his noble services. 
 His father wrote on September 6th, 1785, with unmistakable bit- 
 terness : "After the end of the war the S. T. government donated 
 to him some thousand acres of land far off in the wilderness, 
 which region is still in possession of the savage Indians and must 
 either be purchased with money or taken by force of arms." 
 
 General Gerhard von der Wieden — or Weedon, as Anglo- 
 American historians call him, — is another example of patriotic 
 devotion. He was a native of Hannover and had served as an 
 oflEicer in the German army. He came to America with General 
 Heinrich Bouquet and took part in the campaigns of the French 
 and Indian war. After the treaty of peace was signed, von der 
 Wieden settled at Fredericksburg, Va., where he married, took 
 charge of the post ofl&ce and established an inn. He took great 
 interest in the political events of the time and enthusiastically 
 advocated the American cause. At the outbreak of the Kevolu- 
 tion von der Wieden was captain in the Third Virginia Eegiment 
 of Militia, and on February 13th, 1776, he was elected Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel, — on August 12th he received the appointment 
 as Colonel of the reorganized First Virginia Eegiment in the 
 Continental Army, and on February 21th, 1777, he was promoted 
 to the rank of Brigadier-General. On account of disregard in 
 promotion he afterwards resigned his charge, but upon the ur- 
 gent request of General Muehlenberg he again accepted a briga- 
 dier-generalship and finally commanded the Virginia militia at 
 Gloucester Point during the siege of Yorktown. General von 
 Steuben esteemed him as an experienced' and valiant officer, and 
 the Englishman, Dr. J. T. D. Smith, who travelled in America 
 and published an account of his travels at London in 1784, bears 
 the following testimony of his patriotic sentiments: "When I 
 reached Fredericksburg I did put up at an inn kept by one Wee- 
 don, who is now a general in the American army and was zealous 
 to fan the flame of insurrection," 
 
133 
 
 General William Darke, already mentioned, was born at 
 Lancaster, Pa., in 173G, and was but live years of age when he 
 came to Virginia with his German parents, who settled near 
 Shepherdstown. Here they were on the outermost bounds of ci- 
 vilization, and amid this solitude young Darke grew up to man- 
 hood. "Nature made him," — ■ says Virgil A. Lewis, — "a no- 
 ble man ; he was endowed with an herculean frame ; his manners 
 were rough, his mind strong but uncultivated, and his disposi- 
 tion frank and fearless." — A spirit of daring and adventure in- 
 duced him, when only aged nineteen, to join Braddock's army. 
 During the War of Independence he rose to the rank of Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel, and in 1791 he commanded the Second Virginia 
 Regiment. On the disastrous field on the banks of the St, Mary 
 he evinced the utmost bravery. General St. Clair in his oflBcial 
 report, written at Fort Washington on November 9th, 1791, says: 
 "Colonel Darke was ordered to make a charge with a part of the 
 second line, and to turn the left flank of the enemy. This was 
 executed with great spirit and at first promised great success. 
 The Indians instantly gave way and were driven back three or 
 four hundred yards, but for want of a sufficient number of riile- 
 men to pursue this advantage, they soon returned and the troops 
 were obliged to give back in their turn." Colonel Darke's Vir- 
 ginians made a second charge, not less gallantly performed, but 
 with sad results^ and among the many killed was Captain Jo- 
 seph Darke, the youngest son of the Colonel. Colonel Darke 
 then returned to his home in Berkeley county, which he repre- 
 sented in the General Assembly, and in acknowledgment of his 
 military services he received the title of General. He died on 
 the 30th day of November, 1801, and "Darkeville," in Berkeley 
 county, and "Darke county," in Ohio, commemorate his name. 
 
 General Adam Slejihan, Stephen or Steven, already spoken 
 of in Chapter VII, entered the Continental Army at the beginning 
 of the war with rank as Colonel of the Sixth Virginia Eegiment. 
 On September 4th, 1776, he received a Brigadier-General's com- 
 mission, and on February 13th, 1777, that of Major-General. 
 He gained distinction in the battle of Brandywine, but his incli- 
 nation to dissipation was his ruin. He was tried by a court- 
 martial on the charge of intoxication at the battle of German- 
 town, — and was found guilty and discharged from the army 
 
134 
 
 in 1778. Nevertheless he enjoyed the respect of his country- 
 men and in 1788 was elected to represent Berkeley county in 
 the Convention. He died near Winchester in November 1791. 
 
 Armand's Legion, that the Marquis de la Kouerie, with 
 the consent of Congress, recruited in the summer of 1777 in 
 America of men "who could not speak English," was origi- 
 nally commanded by Baron von Ottendorf, a Saxon by birth, 
 and consisted chiefly of German Virginians of Augusta, Eock- 
 ingham, Monroe, Frederick, Loudon and Berkeley counties. 
 To this corps the independent cavalry company of Captain 
 Paul Schott was afterwards added. All officers and privates 
 of this squadron were Germans. H. A. Eattermann^^^) gives 
 the following names : Johann Paul Schott, Captain, — Chris- 
 tian Manele and Georg Schaffner, Lieutenants, — Friedrich 
 Liebe, Georg Duehn, and Georg Langhammer, Sergeants, — 
 Friedrich Bergmann, David Breckle, and Johann Goedecke, 
 Corporals, — and Johann Holzbrueck, Trumpeter. The his- 
 tory of Captain Schott is one of the most pleasing pictures of 
 that stormy time and the historian Eattermann relates it as 
 . below : 
 
 "In the early part of the year 1776, a young man of 
 slender stature, fascinating manners and highly educated, ar- 
 rived at New York to see America and to inform himself 
 about the Eevolutionary War, already waged for three quar- 
 ters of a year. English and Dutch letters of introduction to 
 Governor Tryon represented him as Johann Paul Schott, First 
 Lieutenant in the army of his Majesty Frederick II of Prus- 
 sia and Adjutant of his Highness Prince Ferdinand of Bruns- 
 wick, Lieutenant-General of the Prussian army. His soldierly 
 manners and pleasing and correct conduct soon gained him 
 the favor of the aristocratic circles to which he had been es- 
 pecially recommended. He spoke English fluently with only 
 a slight German accent. He had crossed the ocean in a Dutch 
 ship from Eotterdam, which probably sailed to New York, 
 that port being in possession of the Tories, and with more 
 assurance of safety to reach than either Philadelphia or Bal- 
 timore, not to speak of Boston, which was besieged at that 
 
 323.) "Der deutEche Pionier," Vol. VIII, Seite 67. Cincinnati, Oliio, 1876. 
 
135 
 
 time by General Washington. Not desirous to stay at New 
 York and watch only the British methods of war, he soon 
 left for Philadelphia, being also provided with letters of in- 
 troduction to several prominent American leaders. He was 
 impressed by the deep concern which was exhibited by the 
 patriots for their cause. He was so much inspired, that he 
 resolved to draw his sword for American independence. See- 
 ing that the colonists were much in need of arms, particu- 
 larly cannon and ammunition, and possessed of a large sum 
 of money, he determined to risk the hazardous enterprise to 
 supply them with the requisites of war. During the sum- 
 mer of 1776 he sailed to St. Eustache, a small island of the 
 Lesser Antilles, owned by the Dutch, where goods and military 
 stores were sold and blockade-runners fitted out. Herr Schott 
 chartered a schooner, freighted it with arms and ammunition, 
 which he purchased, and then steered for the Coast of Vir- 
 ginia. At Hampton Koads he met the English fleet, which 
 he deceived by raising the English flag and dressing his sail- 
 ors like English marines. The British man-of-war allowed 
 the schooner to pass unmolested, supposing it to be a transport 
 ship of the fleet, — until it sailed beyond the line. Discovering 
 their error, they signalled it to return, which was of course not 
 obeyed, and then several volleys and finally a broadside were 
 fired on the swiftly sailing vessel, but did it no harm. When 
 Schott neared the land, the English uniforms, which he and his 
 men had had no time to change, endangered their lives again. 
 Although he had now raised the flag of the Colonies, several 
 shots were fired from the American batteries, and by one of them 
 the rigging of the schooner was torn. Hoisting a white flag, 
 the Americans recognized them at last to be friends and amid 
 cheers of welcome they landed at Norfolk. Schott sold his arms, 
 etc., and upon his application to Congress he received a cap- 
 tain's commission, with the order to report at once to General 
 Washington at New York. At the time he arrived at New York 
 depression and gloom weighed heavily upon the army. Lord 
 Howe's army had been reinforced by nine thousand Hessians and 
 Brunswick troops under General Heister, and had attacked and 
 defeated the American troops on Long Island, under Putnam. 
 Lord Howe's object now was to get possession of New York and 
 
136 
 
 the Hudson — and he ordered the British fleet to sail up the 
 North river to cut off the retreat of Washington's army to New 
 Jersey. This was the situation on the 9th of September, when 
 Capt. Schott reached camp. He found the commanding general 
 at the battery, watching the English men-of-war. A powerful 
 frigate first tried to go up the North river and General Washing- 
 ton gave the order to open fire, — but at that time the British 
 on Governor's Island began to shell the Americans, and with 
 great effect. Especially one English cannon was well served and 
 did much harm. Schott, who had no chance to approach Gen- 
 eral Washington at this critical moment, observed an American 
 cannon which was not served, and he quickly collected some sol- 
 diers, had the gun loaded, sighted it himself, and soon silenced 
 the troublesome piece of ordinance on Governor's Island. General 
 Washington had observed his brave deed and at once placed 
 Captain Schott in command of a battery. He was afterwards 
 authorized to recruit a company of German dragoons, — as al- 
 ready mentioned, — to appoint his officers and to use the Gor- 
 man language in command. His squadron gained many laurels 
 during the following years of the war. After the close of the 
 war Captain Schott was made Judge of Luzerne county. Pa., and 
 he died in 1829 at Philadelphia. 
 
 The defeats at Brandywine and Germantown and the 
 evacuation of Philadelphia proved very demoralizing to the 
 American army. At Valley Forge, on the Schuylkill river, 
 twenty-two miles from Philadelphia, General Washington and 
 his sufTering men went into winter-quarters. They were en- 
 camped in comfortless huts, half-clad, frequently in need of 
 the plainest clothing, without shoes or blankets. Sickness 
 prevailed, and many friends of the cause lost confidence in 
 General Washington. While he was fighting against famine 
 and perils. General Conway, Inspector-General of the army, 
 and a cunning intriguer, formed a plot with the officers to 
 raise General Gates to the chief command in his stead. Even 
 the life of Washington was endangered, and upon the advice 
 of his Secretary and Adjutant, Eeed, the son of German par- 
 ents in New Jersey, — who replied to an offer made him by 
 the British of wealth and titles for the future, if he would 
 aid the royal cause: "I am not worth purchasing; but, such 
 
137 
 
 as I am, the King of England is not rich enough to buy me,"— 
 he authorized Major Bartholomaeus Ton Heer and Captain Ja- 
 cob Meytinger to organize a mounted German body-guard un- 
 der the name of "Independent Troop of Horse," and he en- 
 trusted only this troop with the carrying of all orders from his 
 head-quarters. Some German Virginians were among the mem- 
 bers of this German-American body-guard, as: FriedrichFuchs, 
 of Woodstock, Corporal Ignatz Effinger, Friedrich Trecius and 
 Heinrich Frank. — At this dark hour of the Revolutionary 
 War, the greatest German-American of his time : Baron Fried- 
 rich Wilhelm von Sieuien, who in the Seven Years' War had 
 served under Frederick the Great, of Prussia, came to America 
 and tendered his sword to the National cause. He was ap- 
 pointed to General Conway's office and soon made his skillful 
 management apparent in evei-y department. General von Steu- 
 ben introduced a strict discipline after the Prussian pattern 
 and a uniform system of tactics. For some time, says AVash- 
 ington Irving, there was nothing but drilling in the camp of 
 Valley Forge, followed by evolutions of different kind. Officers 
 and men were schooled. The troops were formed in line of 
 parade, every officer in his place, and the Baron walked along 
 the front examining every musket and controling that accoutre- 
 ments and uniforms were in perfect order. In the start the 
 Baron had to conipete with a dislike of the foreigner and the 
 difficulties of the English language, but his kindness, justice 
 and earnest care for the welfare of the soldiers soon gained him 
 -general confidence and affection. General Washington ren- 
 dered him all possible assistance. Milder weather, the recogni- 
 tion of the Independence of the United Colonies by France on 
 the 6th day of February, 1778, and the news, that a French 
 fleet was on its way to help them in their struggle, — gladdened 
 the hearts of all, and confidence returned. 
 
 General von Steuben was born at Magdeburg and entered 
 the Prussian army when but fourteen years of age. He distin- 
 guished himself in the campaigns of Frederick the Great, and 
 was promoted to the rank of Adjutant-Major. After the in- 
 auguration of peace he left the Prussian service, declined a 
 proposition to join the English army and sailed to America to 
 offer his services to the patriots. After he received his commis' 
 
13S 
 
 sion as Inspector-General, and having reorganized the dis- 
 heartened ai'my, he took active part in the battle of Monmouth 
 on June 28tli, 1778. The British General, Matthews, making 
 havoc on the James and Elizabeth rivers in the Old Dominion, 
 burning trade- and war-ships, carrying off tobacco or whatever 
 other booty he could make, von Steuben was appointed Com- 
 manding General of Virginia, and here he gained the highest 
 distinction. He had just commenced to recruit and organize a 
 force, when in January, 178 J, the traitor Arnold with sixteen 
 hundred men, and a number of armed ships, invaded Virginia. 
 Steuben had only three hundred men to oppose him and he 
 could not prevent that Arnold destroyed a large amount of 
 property on both sides of the James river and occupied the city 
 of liichmond without resistance. Meanwhile General Steuben 
 had been reinforced by General Muehlenberg's Brigade and 
 hastily gathered all attainable militia — altogether about four 
 thousand men — and then he forced the British to retreat to 
 Portsmouth. It was his cherished plan to capture Arnold and 
 his entire force. General Washington approved of it and des- 
 patched General Lafayette with twelve hundred Continentals 
 to join Steuben. A French fleet was also sent to cut off Ar- 
 nold's retreat by water, but it was engaged and worsted by an 
 English squadron and returned to Ehode Island. General 
 Philipps then reinforced Arnold with twenty-five hundred men 
 and took command of the troops. He advanced towards Eich- 
 mond, pillaging the country. Lafayette now arrived in Vir- 
 ginia, but he could not prevent that Lord Cornwallis united 
 with Arnold on the 20th of May, and then harassed the country 
 by patroling out his light troops. General Wayne however 
 came to the succor of Lafayette and they forced the English 
 commander to fall back upon Yorktown, which he proceeded 
 to fortify. The French fleet, with a large force under the 
 Count de Grasse, arrived in the Chesapeake Bay, blocking the 
 mouths of the York and James rivers. General Washington 
 and Count Eochambeau, the French commander in the United 
 States, concentrated the allied forces, amounting to sixteen 
 thousand men, near Williamsburg, and on the night of the 6th 
 of October General von Steuben commenced to draw his paral- 
 lels around Yorktown. On the 11th of October he began the 
 
139 
 
 second line of approach, which he very rapidly completed be- 
 fore morning. General Washington had intrusted him with 
 these important matters, knowing that he possessed more prac- 
 tical experience in the tactics of siege, than any other officer of 
 his army. Two redoubts, Nos. 9 'and 10, iu advance of the 
 English main works, greatly annoyed the American line by 
 their fire, — and being within storming distance. General 
 "Washington resolved to have them silenced. The supposed best 
 troops in the allied army were selected for the storming — and 
 these were German and German- Virginian. The capture of 
 Redoubt No. 10 was assigned to four hundred of Muehlen- 
 berg's Light Infantry under command of "General Hamilton, — 
 and on the French side Lieutenant-Colonel Prince Wilhelm von 
 Zweibrticken, with four hundred grenadiers of the regiments 
 "Eoyal Deuxponts" and "Gatenois," received orders to take 
 No. 9. — Prof. John P. McGnire, of Eichmond, Va., on the 
 15th of January, 1897, iu a lecture delivered before the Asso- 
 ciation for the Preservation of Virginia Antiqiiities, gave the 
 following description of the attack : "It is the evening of the 
 14th. The parties move into position ; the Light Infantry, 
 'refreshed,' says a chronicler, 'with dinner and a nap.' Sud- 
 denly six shells blaze forth from the lines, sounding the signal 
 and giving direction to the chargers. Hamilton and his men 
 advance at double quick, with bayonets on unloaded muskets, 
 Ginat's battalion in front. Laurens is detached to swing around 
 the redoubt and prevent the escape of the garrison. Half way 
 to the work they take the charging step. Not waiting for the 
 sappers, Hamilton in the lead, with his friend, Nicholas Fish. 
 Through and over the obstructions rush the brave Continentals. 
 Over the ditch they go, and scale the parapet. In nine minutes 
 from the start the redoubt is taken. In the nine minutes they 
 lost thirty-four men killed and wounded." — Colonel Bauman 
 suffered heroic death — and General Muehlenberg was slightly 
 wounded. — "Keeping time with Hamilton's advance," — Prof. 
 McGuire continued, — "Deuxpont's men move silently out, but 
 at one hundred and twenty paces from the redoubt they hear 
 a Hessian sentinel shout, ' Wer da ? ' Instantly the enemy fire. 
 At twenty-five paces from the fort strong abatis stop the French 
 until the sappers clear the way. Then the chaseurs dash on 
 
140 
 
 and mount the parapet. The Brit^h charge upon them. Denx- 
 ponts orders his men to fire and counter-charge, and the works 
 are theirs. It has cost tliem half an hour and ninety-two men." 
 — Prince Wilhelm was among the wounded. 
 
 These brilliant feats of arms excited General Washington's 
 enthusiasm and he exclaimed : "The work is done, and well 
 done," and in his journal he wrote : "Few cases have exhibited 
 greater proof of intrepidity, coolness and firmness than were 
 shown upon this occasion." 
 
 Cornwallis, in an effort to escape by crossing the river, 
 failed, and he seixt a white flag to ask terms of surrender. Gen- 
 eral Stenben was at that time in command of the outline of 
 the besieging armies, and while the negotiations dragged on. 
 General Lafayette came with his division to relieve him, assert- 
 ing also that the surrender of the English was to be made to 
 him. Steuben remonstrated and maintained: that this demand 
 was conflicting with the usage of war, and that the commander 
 to whom the capitulation had been offered, was to remain in 
 command until the terms of surrender had been accepted or re- 
 fused, — and General Washlngtoii decided in his favor. Thus 
 the British lowered their flag to General von Steuben. The 
 whole remaining British force surrendered to the allies, — the 
 land army to the Americans and the marine force to the French, 
 and this glorions victory caused a cry of joy in every American 
 heart. 
 
 After the end of the war Steuben continued for three years 
 as Inspector-General of the army, but he resigned in disgust on 
 the 15th of April, 1784, when Congress did not appoint him to 
 the position of Secretary of War, for which he had applied, 
 giving as i-eason : fhat uncli an im]wrtant office could not le he- 
 stowed on a foreigner. Such is the gratitude of nations ! Con- 
 gress accepted the resignation of General von Steuben, ex- 
 pressed him the thanks of the Nation for his great services and 
 presented him Avith a sword with golden hilt and a pension of 
 $2500 a year. The States of Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jer- 
 sey and New York donated the great German- American with 
 tracts of land. 
 
 General Steuben passed the rest of his days in quietude at 
 his country-seat near Utica, N. Y. — "It is difficult," says the 
 
141 
 
 Anglo-American historian lieadly, "to value Steuben's merits to 
 their full extent, but it is certain, that his arrival in our coun- 
 try marks a period in our revolution. The discipline which he 
 introduced did wonders at Monmouth and made veterans of the 
 soldiers who stormed Stony Point, — the eyes of the Govern- 
 ment and of the officers were now opened and the army under- 
 went a total reorganization." — Prof. 0. Seidensticker writes of 
 him : "Steuben's merits as the organisator of the army were of 
 greater value for the revolutionary cause than a corps d'arm6e." 
 
 ■ On November 28th, 1794, the German hero died. In Vir- 
 ginia, where he achieved his greatest triumph as General and' 
 military engineer, his memory is held sacred by his country- 
 men. Ill some later chapter it will be reported how they have 
 honored the great German soldier. ^ 2*) General Steuben, on 
 his part, also remained a true friend of his countrymen. — He 
 was president of the German Society of New York from Sep- 
 tember 13th, 1785, until his death. ' 2^) 
 
 Not only on the bloody fields of battle have the German 
 Virginians verified their love of liberty and their devotion to 
 the American cause. Dr. Schoepf, the famed traveller, for in- 
 stance, relates ^'^''): "In Manchester I visited Mr. Jacob Rueb- 
 saamen, a German, who had formei'ly been in the mining and 
 smelting business in New Jersey, but who erected a powder- 
 mill in Virginia at the beginning of the war, — the first one 
 ever establislied in America. The mill was afterwards destroyed 
 by the British troops." — The pious German Quakers, Tunkers 
 and Mennonites, who refused to carry arms for religious rea- 
 sons, served the cause of liberty and. independence in their un- 
 ostentatious way. They raised provisions, and some historians 
 state : that they hauled wagon -loads of grain to the camps for 
 the starving soldiers. It was an act of injustice to doubt their 
 sincerity. They were frequently treated very rudely. From 
 
 124 ) Compare .■ "The Life of Frederick Willielm yon Sleuben," by Friedricli Ka|ip. 
 New York, 1869.— "Der deutsehe Pionier," Jahrgang I: "Der Arm Wasl.ington's" von 
 Kara Giorg (Dr. G. Bruehl ) Cincinnati, 1859. 
 
 125.) "Das deutsehe Element in den Vereinigten Staaten," von Gustav Koetner, 
 Seite 96. Cincinnati, 1880 — "Geschichte der Deutschen in New York," von Friedrioh 
 Kapp, Seite 338. New York, 1868 
 
 12?) "Der SUden," dcutsch amerikanische Wochenschrift, Jahrgang I, No, 18, Seite 
 4. Richmond, Va , 1891, 
 
142 
 
 Pennsylvania, where they suffered most, troops of them were 
 brought to Virginia as prisoners and held in confinement near 
 Staunton. 
 
 During the whole time of the War of Independence only 
 one case of enmity on part of the Germans in Virginia is known, 
 — the Tories were mostly of English descent. In 1781, at the 
 time when Lord Cornwallis invaded Virginia with a large army, 
 John Claypole, a Scotchman by birth, and his two sons, who 
 lived within the present limits of Hardy county, succeeded in 
 drawing over to the British side a number of people domiciled 
 on Lost river and the south branch of the Potomac, then in 
 Hampshire, now in Hardy county. They refused to pay taxes 
 and to furnish their quota of men to serve in the militia. 
 Among them was John Brake, ^"■') an old German of consider- 
 able wealth, who had a fine farm, mill and distillery about fif- 
 teen miles above Moorefield, and also many fat hogs and cattle. 
 "He loas an exception in his political course to his countrymen," 
 says Kercheval, "as they were almost to a man true Whigs and 
 friends to this country." His house was the place of rendevouz 
 for the insurgents, who organized and made John Claypole 
 their commander. The insurrection was soon suppressed and 
 General Morgan took Brake prisoner and quartered his German 
 sharpshooters at his house to live on the best that his farm, 
 mill and distillery afforded. Three days later General Morgan 
 returned to Winchester with his troops, and thus the Tory-in- 
 surrection ended. The parties themselves were aroused to 
 shame by their conduct and several volunteered and aided in 
 the capture of Corn wal lis. 
 
 Virgil A. Lewis ^^") characterizes the Germans of the Val- 
 ley as follows : "The lower portion of the Valley was occupied 
 by the sturdy yeomanry of Germany. No European nation 
 contributed a better class of emigrants than these. Arriving 
 first in Pennsylvania, they pressed onward in search of fertile 
 lands. These they found in the Shenandoah Valley, and al- 
 most the entire region of country where Harrisonburg now 
 
 127 ) "History of the Valley of Vii-finia," by S. Kerolieval. Woodstock, Va., 1850. 
 128.) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A. Lewis, pp. 70 and 71 Piiiladelphia, 
 1889. 
 
143 
 
 stands to Harper's Ferry was possessed by them before the be- 
 ginning of the French and Indian war. During tlie struggle 
 hundreds of them served with Washington and at its close the' 
 bones of many of them lay bleaching on the disastrous field of 
 Monongahela. When the Revolutionary W^ar came their sons 
 were ready, and many of them filled the Virginia line in the 
 strife for independence." — The importance of the German 
 element in Virginia at the close of the eighteenth century is 
 also demonstrated by the following historical fact : "On Decem- 
 ber 23d, 1794, the House of Delegates of Virginia resolved to 
 publish ill German the most important laws of the State — and 
 in 1795 a translation by Gustav Friedrich Goetz was printed by 
 Carl Cist in Philadelphia under the title: "Acten, welche in 
 der General Assembly der Eepublik Virginien passirt worden 
 sind." 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 German Allied Troops of England as Prisoners 
 OF War in Virginia. 
 
 /5)f T dawn of the 26th of December, 1776, General George 
 ^1 Washington surprised and captured at Trenton, N. J., a 
 Hessian detachment under Colonel Eahl, and most of 
 these soldiers were taken to Virginia as prisoners of war. On 
 their way there they were frequently threatened with violence 
 by mobs, especially at Philadelphia, and upon General Washing- 
 ton's suggestion the magistracy of this city issued a proclama- 
 tion to quiet the people. This public notice stated : 
 
 " One thousand Hessian prisoners reached our city yester- 
 day, who were captured by His Excellency General Washington, 
 in his successful expedition to New Jersej'. The General has 
 instructed this council to provide them with suitable quarters, 
 and it is his earnest wish, that they may be well treated in (irder 
 to make during their captivity such experience, that the eyes of 
 their countrymen serving in the Eoyal British army be opened. 
 These unfortunate men deserve our sympathy. They entertain 
 no enmity towards us, they did not come voluntarily, but have 
 been hired out without their consent by their despotic princes 
 to a foreign monarch, etc." 
 
 This act of kindness of General Washington had good re- 
 sults, although it was not approved by many fanatic Americans. 
 Indeed, the longer the war lasted, the more the feeling of hate 
 towards the Hessian hirelings increased, especially among the 
 lower class of the English population. 
 
 On October 17th, 1777, General Burgoyue surrendered on 
 the plains of Saratoga, and the number of German prisoners of 
 war was increased by seven thousand. General Mprgan escorted 
 
145 
 
 a large detachment of them, Hessian and Brunswick troops, 
 under General Friedrich Adolph von Riedesel, to Virginia: "A 
 march of 650 miles," says von Eelking,^^'') " through a country 
 full of hostile inhabitants, with no provision for health or com- 
 fort!" The men were taken to Winchester, Staunton and Char- 
 lottesville, and the officers to "Winchester and Charlottesville, 
 and later on to Fredericksburg and Richmond. 
 
 The German troops^^") that surrendered at Yorktown, Va., 
 with Cornwallis, included the Crown Prince's regiment, two 
 other Hessian regiments, and two from the Rhine. General 
 Muehlenberg commanded the small escort, which accompanied 
 the prisoners to their winter-quarters at Winchester, and later 
 on part of them were sent to Frederick, Md., and Lancaster, Pa. 
 
 The German Virginians were much grieved by the deplor- 
 able part their captured countrymen were destined to take in the 
 War of Independence, and the modern slave trade of German 
 soldiers was most severely condemned by all intelligent people 
 of Germany. Heroes of science^ ^ ^) like Kant, Arndt, Klopstock, 
 Herder and Lessing, detested the unscrupulous dealings of some 
 petty German princes and sympathized with America struggling 
 for liberty. 
 
 Mebuhr wrote in his, "Geschichte des Zeitalters der Revo- 
 lution : 
 
 " The more the subsidiary contracts were hated and cursed, 
 the more sympathy was felt for America. The frame of mind 
 was so much moved out of the natural line of direction, that the 
 news of the capture of German troops by Washington in 1776, 
 was received with general joy instead of regret." 
 
 And never any act was more scornfully criticized than this 
 sale of soldiers by the noble-hearted and ideal Friedrich von 
 Schiller, the favorite Poet of all Germans. , In his tragedy : 
 "Kabale undLiebe,"he stigmatized it in the following scene. ^^°) 
 
 129.) "The German Allied Troops," (Die deutschen Hilfstruppen im Nord-Amerika 
 nischen Befreiiingskriege, Ton Max von Eelking,) translated by J. G. Rosengarten, page 
 147. Albany, N. Y., 1893. 
 
 130.) "The German Soldier in the Wars of the United States," by J. G. Rosengar- 
 ten, p. 83. Philadelphia, 1890. 
 
 131) "Ueber den Soldatenhandel," von W. A. Fritzsoh, in: "Deutsch-amerik. Ma- 
 gazin," Heft IV, pp. 689-693. Cincinnati, 18S9. 
 
 132.) "Kabale und Liebe," yon Friedrich von Schiller, 2. Act, 2. Scene. 
 
146 
 
 An old chamberlain of the Dnke brings a jewelry box, and 
 Lady Milford, the mistress of the prince, refuses with contempt 
 to accept the diamonds, learning that they have been paid with 
 gold received for soldiers. 
 
 Chamberlain : " His serene highness sends his compliments 
 and these diamonds just received from Venice." 
 
 Lady (opening the casket with surjmse):. "Say, sir, how 
 much has the Duke paid for the jewels?" 
 
 Chamberlain (with a sad expression) : "They cost him noth- 
 ing." 
 
 Lady: "What? Are you crazy? Nothing? And why do 
 you look at me so exasperated ? — These immensely valuable dia- 
 monds cost him nothing ? " 
 
 Chamberlain: "Yesterday 7,000 subjects left for America, 
 they will pay for them !" 
 
 Lady (laying the jewel box hastily aside): "Man, what ails 
 you ? It seems you cry !" 
 
 Chamberlain (wiping his tears): "Two sons of mine are 
 among them !" 
 
 Lady (grasping his hands): "But, they were not forced to 
 go?" 
 
 Chamberlain (laughing grimly): "0 Lord no ! They all 
 volunteered ! There were a few saucy fellows who stepped to 
 the front and asked the colonel, at what price our prince sells a 
 team of men, — but our gracious sovereign ordered all the regi- 
 ments to the parade ground, and had those fools executed. We 
 heard the report of the rifles, we saw their brains spattered on 
 the pavement, and the whole army shouted. Hurrah ! To Amer- 
 
 ica 
 
 Lady (dropping on her sofa in terror): "0, Lord ! And I 
 heard nothing, had no knowledge of it !" 
 
 Chamberlain : "Yes, my lady, why did you go bear-hunt- 
 ing with our Duke, when the alarm was given ? You ought not 
 have missed the sight, when the shrill clang of drums an- 
 nounced that the time to part had come ; and crying orphans 
 followed their yet living fathers,— a mother in despair tried to 
 spear her baby to a bayonet,— bride and bridegroom were rudely 
 
147 
 
 separated, and white-bearded men looked on in distraction, 
 throwing their crntclies to the boys to tal<e them along also to 
 the New "World ! And again the drums were beaten, that the 
 all-iinowing God might not hear onr prayers. At the town-gate 
 they turned around once more and shouted : "The Lord protect 
 you, women and children ! God save the prince ! At tire day 
 of judgment we will meet again !" 
 
 Vis-a-vis to the moral indignation of the German people, as 
 demonstrated by its best men, neither the victims, nor the tyran- 
 nized German nation, can be biamed for a bargain, which the 
 English Government had effected with some covetous and profli- 
 gate German princes. The Americans had still less cause for 
 their spiteful conduct, and for making the Hessians a degrading 
 byword, for belonging to the allied French forces were also Ger- 
 man subsidiary troops, fighting shoulder to shoulder with the 
 Continental Army. It was altogether unreasonable to abuse the 
 disinterested German-Americans, who proved faitliful to the 
 American cause during the war even unto death ! 
 
 The German allied troops, who served in Virginia under 
 the French Genei'al: de Eochambeau, were, according to H. A. 
 Eattermann's careful researches'^'*): 
 
 1. Eegiment "Eoyal Allemand de Deux-Pouts." (Koenig- 
 liches deutsches Eegiment Zweibruecken.) Officers known : 
 
 Colonel Prince Christian, of Zweibruecken-Birkenfeld, Lieut. 
 Colonel Prince Wilhelm, of Zweibruecken-Birkenfeld, Major 
 Freiherr Eberhard von Eisebeck, and Capt. Haake. 
 
 2. One battalion of "Kur-Triersche Grenadiere," as "Detache- 
 ment du regiment La Sarre," incorporated in the regiment 
 "Saintonge," and commanded by Colonel Adam Philipp Graf 
 (count) von Custine, of Lorraine. 
 
 3. Some rifle companies from Alsace and Lorraine, attached 
 to the regiments "Bourbonnais" and "Soissonnais." 
 
 4. A large portion of the mounted Legion of the Due de 
 Lauzun. A muster roll of this Legion is preserved in the ar- 
 chives at Harrisburg, Pa. 
 
 133.) "Der deutscbe Pionier," Jahrgang XIH, Seite 317, 360 un 1 430. Cincinnati, 
 1881. 
 
148 
 
 Numerous German officers occupied prominent positions in 
 Marquis de Eocliambeau's army. Count von Wittgenstein com- 
 manded the second division. ^^*') Count Axel von Fersen, of 
 Swedish-Pommeranian nobility, chief of staff, — Baron Ludwig 
 von Closen-Haydenburg, born near Wissingen in Bavaria, Adju- 
 tant of Gen. de Eochambeau, — Count von Holzendorf, a Saxon, 
 — Baron von Exbech, — Capt. Gau, chief of artillery, — Count 
 von Stedingk, born at Greifswalde, — Paul Friedr. Jul. v. Gambs, 
 Adjutant of Baron de Viosmenil, born at Johannesberg, Bohe- 
 mia, — Capt. Nortmann of Lauzun's mounted Legion, — and Prof. 
 Lutz, of Strassburg, interpreter at headquarters.'"") 
 
 Taking an impartial view — the character of the serviceable 
 jDosition of the French-German allied troojJS fighting under Gen- 
 eral Washington, must be commented exactly the same as that 
 of the "cursed Hessians" on the opposing side. 
 
 Furthermore it is to be remembered that a large number of 
 deserters of the English-German troops, from Hessen-Cassel, 
 Brunswick, Hessen-Hanau, Waldeck, Ansbach-Bayreuth, and 
 Auhalt-Zerbst, joined the American army, and that the Ameri- 
 can Commander-in-chief as well as Congress encouraged the de- 
 sertion of Germans from the British ranks. In 1778, Congress 
 passed a resolution to organize a corps of German deserters, and 
 in Virginia the officers of the German prisoners of war Avere sep- 
 arated from their men, that the latter might be more readily per- 
 suaded to enter the American service. Eecruiting oflflcers'^") 
 came into the camps, going into the barracks, promised thirty 
 Spanish dollars hard money, of which eight dollars were paid 
 down, and, even carried with them musicians, loose women and 
 liquor to help them to induce the men to leave their colors. 
 These facts show that the soldierly qualification of the German 
 prisoners and their brave and good conduct, were fully known 
 to the American authorities. 
 
 The Anglo- Virginians, at least those of better judgment, 
 soon valued these men and also recognized their qualification ' 
 
 134.) "The German Soldier In the Wars of the United States," by J. G. Rosengar- 
 ten, p. 116. Philadelphia, 1890. 
 
 136 ) "Der deutsche Pionier," Jahrgang XlII, Seite 319 und 320. Cincinnati, 1881. 
 136. "The German Allied Troops," by Max von Eelking, and translated by J. G. 
 Bosengarten, p. 212, Albany, N. Y., 1893, 
 
149 
 
 to become desirable colonists. General Washington owned large 
 estates in western Virginia, and he wished, as stated previously, 
 to settle his lands by Germans. After the close of the 
 war a large number of German prisoners of war helped 
 him to realize this plan. They drove the murderous In- 
 dians wholly from the Virginian soil, and opened the wil- 
 derness of the Alleghanies to the Ohio, and farther. The 
 anthor met during the war of secession many farmers in Green- 
 brier, Fayette, Nicholas, and Pocahontas counties, whose fathers 
 or grandfathers had been captured at Trenton or Saratoga, and 
 one of his fellow-officers in Company D, Fourteenth Virginia 
 Cavalry, organized at Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs, was 
 a descendant of a Hessian. 
 
 The "Winchester Times" said about the German prisoners 
 confined in and near Winchester, i^'') "they were sl<illed workers 
 in leather, stone and iron-work, and the stone fences and com- 
 fortable stone-houses were built by them. They also acquainted 
 the pioneer-settlers with the progress made in agriculture, etc." 
 
 Some of the private soldiers were at once allowed to go to 
 work on the neighboring farms. Many of the owners were of 
 German descent, and German speech and friendly hospitality 
 gave their nufortunate countrymen great .comfort. Several of 
 them fell in love with the daughters of the old farmers, and 
 married. These were allowed to ransom themselves for a fixed 
 sum of eighty Spanish dollars'^") and those who could not 
 raise the amount and had no friends or relatives in the country 
 to help them, nsually found Americans to advance the money 
 and agreed to labor for it a certain length of time. These were 
 called "Eedemptioners," and their bargains had a sort of legal 
 sanction, they were made public at church and generally ac- 
 knowledged as binding. 
 
 When the war was over Congress offered the German sol- 
 diers every advantage in case they remained in America, and 
 the German princes, desirous to reduce their standing armies, 
 gladly gave their men and officers leave to stay. 
 
 137.) "The Winchester Times," copied 1890 fiom "Daily Commercial," Memphis, 
 Tenn., the report of an old Navy Officer born at Winchester, Va. 
 
 138.) "The German Alleid Troops," by Max von Eelliing, translated by J. G. Rosen- 
 garten, p. 217. Albany, N. Y., 1893. 
 
150 
 
 In many respects the long and weary imprisonment was a 
 time of snifering and hardship to the captives. At Winchester 
 the quarters gave no hope, as von Eelking reports, of a 
 comfortable winter, — wretched huts of wood and canvass, 
 roofless, without doors and windows, and located in a heavy 
 forest growth, were assigned to them. The men were 
 crowded close together twenty to thirty in a hut, and 
 even the food was scanty and poor. The men confined 
 near Staunton had similar hardships to endure, and the pres- 
 ence of a' large number of captive British soldiers added to 
 tliejr discomfort. Staunton was at that time a small town of 
 only thirty ordinary houses, and the prisoners had little inter- 
 course with the inhabitants, as the barracks were some miles 
 distant. These barracks were in an unfinished state when the 
 Hessian and Brunswick troops arrived, and afforded no protec- 
 tion from cold and heat. The German captives repaired them, 
 laid out gardens and chicken-yards, and the Virginians came 
 to look at their arrangements and to make jjurchases. Good 
 fighting-cocks were in special demand and ten to thirteen shil- 
 lings were paid for them. Thus circumstances were improved, 
 but the men complained of the big prices of all staples, that 
 they could exchange their money only with a heavy loss of 
 about 40 per cent, and that they heard and saw nothing of the 
 world. 
 
 Baroness von Uiedesel, who had accompanied her husband. 
 General Friedrich Adolph von Eiedesel, and about eighteen 
 hundred men taken at Saratoga to Charlottesville, wrote to a 
 friend in Germany : "The prisoners had at first to bear many 
 trials. They lived in little log-houses without doors and win- 
 dows, but they soon built better dwellings surrounded by gar- 
 dens, and by their labor the place gained the appearance of a 
 pretty little town." — Further reports von Eelking^^ ") : "They 
 surrounded themselves with such comfort as could be provided, 
 and occupied the time by building a church to which was an- 
 nexed a graveyard, fitted up a theatre, had constant visitors 
 from far and near, and brought new life into a desolate little 
 country village." — General von Riedesel lived at Charlottes- 
 ville like a native farmer. He built a block-house with furni- 
 
 130.) "The German Allied Troops," by Max von Eelkiag, translated by J, G. Rosen- 
 garten, pp. 149 and 152. Albany, N. Y., 1893. 
 
151 
 
 tiu-e made on the spot, Avorked in his garden, had horses and 
 cows, and his wife made a capital housekeeper. Anbnrey, one 
 of the British officers quartered here with the Saratoga troops, 
 writes^*") : "This famous place we had heard so much of, con- 
 sisted only of a courthouse, one tavern and about a dozen houses, 
 all of which were crowded with officei's. The soldiers camped 
 in a wood near the town." — The road leading out of Char- 
 lottesTille to the northwest, is to this day called "the Old Bar- 
 rack's Eoad." 
 
 It is significant that Governor Thomas Jefferson took pleas- 
 ure in associating with the German officers at Charlottesville 
 and inviting them to his country-seat, Monticello. They were 
 well educated men, and the Governor offered them the use of 
 his library. In the evening he frequently indulged in music 
 with those of musical efficiency.' "His diposition to the arts of 
 peace," says B. A. Duyckinck'*'), "in mitigation of the calami- 
 ties of war, had been shown in his treatment of the Saratoga 
 prisoners of war, who were quartered in the neighborhood, near 
 Charlottesville. He added to the comforts of the men and en- 
 tertained the officers at his table." 
 
 On the 8th of December, 1777, Congress granted the Hes- 
 sian officers at Winchester their request to go to Fredericks- 
 burg, Va. They had, gained the confidence of the Americans, 
 so that each was allowed to choose his own time to move there. 
 On the 13th they were all in Fredericksburg, and as there could 
 not be found quarters for the whole number, some went to Fal- 
 mouth, an attractive village on the other side of the EaiDjDahan- 
 nock river. They admired the stream and its shores, and their 
 relations to the most distinguished families in the neighbor- 
 hood were very pleasant. Lieutenant Wiederhold wrote in his 
 diary^*^): '"The ladies of the neighborhood showed us much 
 kindness, they are lovely, polite, modest and of natural grace. 
 Sixteen of them, and the most prominent ones, arranged a 
 'surprise party,' and 'surprised' the captain in his quarters 
 
 140.) "Albemarle," by W. H. Seamon, pp. 9 to 10. Charlotlesville, Va., 188,8. 
 141 ) "Thomas JiffersoD," Portiait Gallery of Eminent Men and Women, by E. A. 
 Duyckinck, Vol. I, p. 2E0. New Toik, N. Y. 
 
 142.) "Lord Fairfax,'' by A. Simon, published in "Der Wiislen," Chicago, His , .Tune 
 , 19th, 1692. 
 
152 
 
 after he had been notified of it. The beautiful Virginia ladies 
 had intended to stay only an hour, but they extended their visit 
 from four o'clock in the afternoon to ten o'clock at night. 
 Among the agreeable visitors were a sister and a niece of Gen- 
 eral Washington, and also one of his brothers. The German 
 officers entertained their welcome guests with musical exercises, 
 which the ladies sometimes accompanied by singing. ' Tea, 
 chocolate, coffee, claret and cake were at hand." Wiederhold 
 writes in addition: "In Europe we would not have earned much 
 praise by our musical performance, but here we were admired 
 like virtxiosos. Sobbe played the flute, Surgeon Oliva the vio- 
 lin, and I the guitar. I think the Virginia gentlemen were a 
 little jealous, that we were treated with so much amiability." 
 
 Finally the German prisoners were released, " and then," 
 says Eosengarten, "they began to laugh at their recent experi- 
 ences, to talk about the theatre, which had helped to shorten 
 the weary hours of their exile and imprisonment." The scat- 
 tered troops, including those in Virginia, were collected and 
 gradually returned to Germany. 
 
 An abundance of books on tlie American war and the 
 country were Avritten by German soldiers of all grades 
 and illustrated the resources and advantages America offers 
 to settlers. Dr. Johann David Sch'oepf, surgeon of the 
 Anspach-Baireuth troops, published, as mentioned before, a 
 very . instructive work about his travels in the South, es- 
 pecially Virginia. ^*^) These publications attracted wide- 
 spread attention throughout Germany and thus the very men, 
 who had been sent across the ocean to help conquer the 
 rebellious colonies, assisted to increase immigration and to ad- 
 vance the development of the new republic. An era of pros- 
 perity followed. Virginia, possessing the finest climate of the 
 Korth American continent, with thousands of acres of broad, 
 fertile, unoccupied lands awaiting the tiller's toil, thousands of 
 acres of timber awaiting the woodman's axe, and thousands of 
 Veins of most valuable ores and coal only awaiting enterprise 
 and capital, received its share of German industrious citizens. 
 The large number of German prisoners, who stayed there after 
 
 143.) "Relse durch einige der mittlern und sUdlichen Staaten in 1783 und ir84," — 
 Im Auszug wieder Teroffentlicht in "Der Silden," Jalirgang I. Richmond, Va., 1891. 
 
153 
 
 the close of hostilities, were soon joined by new comers from the 
 old fatherland, giving the Old Dominion many families of note 
 and of useful citizens. Hessia, the native State of the much 
 abused "mercenaries," took in Virginia the lead of a growing 
 tide of valuable German immigrants. 
 
 The large number of desirable citizens America received 
 from the subsidiary troops is shown by the following figures : 
 
 . The Brunswick contingent counted during the war 5,723 
 men and oflicers, and out of this number 1,200 men, 27 officers 
 and chaplain Melsheimer remained in America. It is stated that 
 of the troops of Hessen-Oassel, Hessen-Hanau, Waldeck, An- 
 spach, Baireuth, and Anhalt-Zerbst, about 7,000 made Virginia, 
 Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey their permanent home. 
 The oflBcial reports say that the total number of the German con- 
 tingents was 29,166 men and that 11,853 were counted as lost." 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 The Indian Hunters and the German-Virginian 
 Emigration to the West. 
 
 A. ^ 
 
 'he barbarous warfare of the Indians had highly excited the 
 
 peaceful German frontiermen and made several of them 
 '^ merciless avengers. History calls these sworn enemies 
 of the natives: "Indian Hunters." A rifle over the shoulder, a 
 tomahawk and a scalping knife in the belt, they rambled 
 through the woods, and no savage, who came near them, was 
 spared. Wild and bloody was their revenge, not consistent 
 with humanity and law, and yet the enraged and suffering 
 people sympathized with them. Tradition has surrounded them 
 with a mist of romance. The following names of German 
 Virginians, who figured in the border history as the most suc- 
 cessful Indian hunters, are : Ludwig Wetzel, Georg Euffner, 
 Col. Peter Nieswanger, Jacob Weiser, Karl Bilderbach, and 
 Johann Waerth; and in the Cumberland mountains in Ken- 
 tucky and Tennessee : Michael Steiner, the ancestor of the 
 Stoners, and Kaspar Mausher, afterwards colonel of the mili- 
 tia-force at the border. The most famous of the Indian hun- 
 ters in the West was Ludwig (Lewis) Wetzel, whose name is 
 perpetuated in Wetzel county, West Virginia. The German- 
 American poet, Friedrich Albert Schmitt, (he died at Cincin- 
 nati, 0.,) has sung his fame in several songs. He represented 
 him as taking the following oath^**): 
 
 141.) "Ludwig Wetzel, der Indianerjager," von Friedrich Albert Schmitt. — "Dcut- 
 acher Pionier," Baud I, Seite 41. Cincinnati, 1876, 
 
155 
 
 "Fuer den Erschlagenen Eache ! Wir machen wieder gnt, 
 Was uns gethan die Wilden: in ihrem eignen Blut ! 
 Sei jede Eothhaut fuerder geweiht dem sich'ren Tod, 
 So wahr in gluehen Flammen dies Haus emporgeloht ! 
 
 Am Grab des Vaters schwoeren wir Jenen Untergang! 
 Du Himmel, wollst es hoeren : es soil der Schlaclitgesang 
 Den hier die Indianer geheult, um Rache schrein, — 
 Er soil ein grimmer Mahner zur ew'gen Eache sein !" 
 
 Ludwig Wetzel was the son of Johann Wetzel from the 
 Palatinate, who was one of the first settlers on Big Wheeling 
 Creek. When Ludwig was a boy of thirteen years, in 1787, 
 the Indians burned down the log-house of his parents and 
 killed his father, and Ludwig, with a gun-wound in his breast, 
 was carried off prisoner together with his brother Jacob. The 
 two boys succeeded in escaping and trained by their father in 
 the use of arms, they devoted themselves to avenging his 
 death. Ludwig especially inspired the red men with terror. 
 "In all he took over thirty scalps of warriors," says de Haas^*^) 
 "thus killing more Indians than were slain by either one of 
 the two large armies of Braddock or St. Clair during their 
 disastrous campaigns." — After the conclusion of peace with 
 the savages he still continued his murderous work of revenge, 
 and was consequently pursued and imprisoned at Fort Wash- 
 ington, near Cincinnati, — but the people sided with him and 
 he was released. He went to Louisiana, where he was again 
 arrested, but by means of deceit and with the assistance of 
 his friends he escaped. He feigned to Have suddenly fallen 
 sick, was represented as having died, placed in a coffin and 
 carried to a vault, from where he effected his flight the next 
 night. He finally died in Texas. 
 
 A similar life full of adventures and hair-breadth escapes 
 was led by all the Indian hunters, and yet they were admired 
 by the people exposed to the murderous treachery of the na- 
 tives. They were feared by the red men, — their mere pres- 
 ence was a protection — and thus they frustrated many a 
 massacre. 
 
 146.) "History of the Early Settlement and Indian Wars of Western Virginia," by 
 Wills de Haas, p. 344. Wheeling and Philadelphia, 1861. 
 
156 
 
 The repeated incursipns of hostile Indians not only aroused 
 the bloody avengers, the Indian hunters, — they also induced 
 many German Virginians to emigrate further west. The dis- 
 trust and animosity of the slave-holders, and the spiteful per- 
 secution of all dissenters by the English High Church, made 
 life in Virginia unbearable to many. The German poet, Emil 
 Eittershaus, very truly says : 
 
 "Die Heimath ist, wo man Dich gern erscheinen 
 und ungern wandern sieht," — 
 
 and Virginia had not offered such dear homes to those pioneers. 
 
 Enticing descriptions of the fertility of the soil in Ken- 
 tucky, Ohio and Indiana helped to induce many desirable set- 
 tlers to* leave the Old Dominion. As early as the middle of 
 the eighteenth century some German Virginians, either volun- 
 tarily or against their own free will, came to Kentucky. Col- 
 lins^*") relates, that the first white women who came to Ken- 
 tucky, were Mrs. Maria Engels, from Virginia, with her chil- 
 dren and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Draper, who had been taken 
 prisoners and carried off by the Shawanees. The same his- 
 torian also reports, that Mrs. Bugel and the other German 
 woman managed to escape, after the children had been sepa- 
 rated from them, — and that they reached the Kanawha river 
 in Virginia, encountering many accidents and troubles. Mrs. 
 Engel afterwards returned to Kentucky with her husband and 
 settled in Boone county, — others followed, — but principally 
 during the War of Independence the German immigration in- 
 creased. Many of the revolutionary soldiers found homes 
 there. — In 1773 a society headed by one Eobert McAfee,— 
 among its members were several Germans,— left Botetourt county, 
 Va., and wandered to Kentucky (Kain-tuck-ee.) Only one 
 German name of those pioneers is preserved : Herrmann. Other 
 German Virginians, who settled in Kentucky at the same 
 time, were : Abraham Hite, Joseph and Jacob Sadowsky, Cap- 
 tain A. Schoeplein (anglicized : Chapline), etc. It was a life 
 of privation and danger which these emissaries of European 
 civilization had to endure. They held the frontier outposts 
 against Indian barbarity. The U. S. Educational Report for 
 
 146.) Compare: Oollins "History of Kentucky." 
 
157 
 
 1895—96 says, Vol. I, page 317, with reference to them: "The 
 settlers were not indifferent to the importance of schooling 
 their own children, and went about the work in the rough- 
 and-ready way only possible to their provincial life. Each of 
 the fortified villages, which were the only places of safety 
 from the depredations of the savages, set up its school. More 
 than one of the brave pioneer schoolmasters met his death 
 about his work ; all taught amid an environment of difficulty 
 and peril, that make the career of each a special romance. 
 They took their meagre pay in tobacco and the produce of 
 the country." 
 
 We previously mentioned the name of the speaker or 
 preacher of a Tunker congregation, Johann Tanner, who left 
 Virginia with his followers and emigrated to Pennsylvania. 
 There he met with intolerance — and in 1785 he went and 
 settled in Kentucky. The loss of his sons, Johannes and 
 Eduard, who had been carried off by the Indians, caused him 
 to move still further west and to make his home near New 
 Madrid, in Missouri, which was a Spanish colony at the time. 
 Several German families had accompanied him to Kentucky 
 and settled at Farmers' Station, now Bullitsburg, as: the 
 Dewees, the Matheus and Schmidt^*''), whose German names 
 are varied to Mathews and Smith. New additions came from 
 the Old German colony at Madison, Va. Ludwig Eausch, 
 about 1800, had ventured through the dark virgin woods as 
 far as Florence county, Ky., where he found very fertile lands. 
 He returned to Virginia and praised the "Charming West," 
 saying that he would make it his home. He departed again, 
 built a log-house, tilled the land, and in 1804 he went to 
 Madison for his betrothed wife. His success caused much ex- 
 citement in the old German colony and the next year fourteen 
 men with their families started for Boone county, Kentucky, 
 namely: Solomon Hoffman and his wife, Elizabeth, with two 
 children; Georg Eause and wife; Ephraim Tanner and wife 
 Susanna; Johannes Haus and wife Emilie; Fried. Zimmermann 
 and his wife Eosa; Johannes Eause and his wife Nancy; Ben- 
 jamin Ayler, Simon Tanner, Johannes Biemann, Michael 
 
 147.) "DeutEcher Pionier," Band XII, Seite 68. Cincinnati, Ohio, 1880. 
 
158 
 
 fiausch, Jacob Eansch, Fried. Tanner, Josua Zimmermann 
 anc4 Jeremias Carpenter, i. e. Zimmermann. In the year 1806 
 they organized an ecclesiastical community and erected a church, 
 which they called "the Hopeful," and' in 1813 they induced 
 the pastor : Wm. Carpenter, of the "Hebron Church" at Madi- 
 son (as reported in Chapter IV) to remove there. Eev. Car- 
 penter had studied theology and the classics under the tutor- 
 ship of the Lutheran pastor Christian Streit, at Winchester, 
 Va., after serving in the War of Independence in General 
 Muehlenberg's division. More Germans arrived in northern 
 Kentucky, and they founded the cities of: Frankfort, Lexing- 
 ton, Florence, Louisville, etc. The diocese of the Eev. Car- 
 penter soon extended over all these settlements and into Ohio. 
 Until 1824 he preached only in German,— the instruction in 
 the schools was given in both English and German. His suc- 
 cessor, Jacob Crigler (1834), who also came from Madison, Va., 
 preached mostly in German and when urged to use the Eng- 
 lish language exclusively, because a number of English fami- 
 lies had settled in Boone county, he resigned his ofSce and 
 accepted the pastorate of a German parish in Ohio. The Eng- 
 lish idiom soon made rapid progress among the Germans, and 
 the American born reverends were the chief promoters of the 
 change. The German descendants however preserved a faith- 
 ful remembrance for the land and nation of their ancestors. 
 Eev. Harbough wrote: "As a community we descend of the 
 venerable parish on the Eapidan. We are therefore of Ger- 
 man origin and we are proud of it. Our ancestors came from 
 the land of Luther — and that gives us great satisfaction. 
 We are not the ungrateful son who disowns and slights his 
 mother." 
 
 It has already been said that the revolutionary soldiers 
 furnished a large contingent of settlers to Kentucky and Ohio, 
 this territory belonged at that time still to Virginia. The 
 State of Virginia had presented the patriots with land and 
 consequently there was about the year 1788 a heavy German 
 influx to the "Virginia Military Lands" in Kentucky and Ohio. 
 *— "Woodford county, in Kentucky," writes Collins, "was prin- 
 cipally settled by emigrants from eastern and western Vir- 
 ginia." — Daniel Weissiger, who had lived at Norfolk and la- 
 
159 
 
 ter at Staunton, is named as the' founder of Frankfort, the 
 Capital of the present State of Kentucky.'*^) Its name was 
 given it by the German settlers, who came mostly from Frank- 
 furt on the Main in 1786—87. — Major Bernhard Niederland, 
 born of German parents in Powhatan county, Va., on Febru- 
 ary 37th, 1755, was the first land-owner at Lexington, Ky. — 
 Major Georg Michael Bedinger, of Shepherd^town, Va., came 
 to Kentucky in 1779, distingnished'himself as a valiant officer 
 in the battle on Blue Lick, August 19th, 1782, was elected 
 delegate of Bourbon county to the first Legislature of the 
 State in 1792, and a member of the United States Congress 
 from 1803 — 7. — Georg Muter, of Madison, Va.,,was a member 
 of the conventions in 1785, 1787 and 1788, elector of Wood- 
 ford county in 1792, and was appointed First Chief-Justice of 
 the new State. — Karl Springer, the father of the noble founder 
 of the magnificent Music Hall at Cincinnati : Keuben R. Sprin- 
 ger, came about the year 1788 from Botetourt county, Va., to 
 Fayette county, Kentucky, and some time later removed to 
 Frankfort. — The first physician of Frankfort was Dr. Louis 
 Marschall from Virginia, father of Humphrey Marshal], — (he 
 anglicized his German name), — noted in both the civil and 
 military history of Kentucky. — Among the pioneer settlers 
 of Bourbon and Pendleton counties numbered: Hans Waller, 
 born at Gerraanna, Va., in 1749; Peter Demoss, who had 
 served in Muehlenberg's regiment and founded Demossville; 
 and Simon Luetzel, of Prince William county, Va. — Bracken 
 county^ ''^) commemorates the name of the German surveyor, 
 Matthias Bracken, who was sent to Kentucky in 1773 by 
 Governor Dunmore and laid out the city of Frankfort. The 
 German Virginian: Bernard Weier, Wyer or Weyer, who dis- 
 covered the beautiful cave in the Shenandoah valley that bears 
 his name : " Wyer's Cave/' — settled in Highland county, 
 Ohio. 
 
 These few historical facts show, that the German-Vir- 
 ginian immigration has done much for the development of 
 Kentucky and Ohio. Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee and Missouri 
 
 U8.) "Deutscher Pionier," Band XII, Seite 301. CincinEiti, Ohio, 1880. 
 149.) "Deutscher Pionier," Band XII, Seite 293—444. Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
160 
 
 also received a large portion of this desirable, industrious ele- 
 ment^'''') and many of the most prominent families in those 
 States are descended from these German pioneers, and it can be 
 asserted, that by their assistance the great natural resources of 
 the Great West of the Union became known and partially de- 
 veloped. Richard Edwards, in his valuable History of the Great 
 West, characterizes that German immigration as follows : 
 
 "Wherever they are found, the Germans are remarkable by 
 the possession of those elements of character which always con- 
 tribute to their worldly prosperity. They are not as fast in their 
 ideas as Young America, but they have more solidity of charac- 
 ter, and are more constant and untiring in their pursuits and 
 are generally more sure of gaining the race in life and arriving 
 at the goal of fortune. They resemble the tortoise in the fable — 
 slow, constant and successful !" 
 
 According to a statistical report^") 99,367 white and col- 
 ored people emigrated from Virginia, previous to 1860, to Ken- 
 tucky and Missouri, — and 163,644 to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois 
 and Iowa. 
 
 150) Compare; Klauprecht's "Deutsche Chronik in der Gesohichte des Ohio Thales," 
 — Stirlin's "Der Staat Kentucky und die Stadt Louisville," — and Edward's "Great 
 West and History of St. Louis." 
 
 151 ) "U, S. Rf-port of the Commissioner of Agriculture," p. 41. Washington, D. C, 
 1863. 
 
 End of Volume I. 
 
in^iDEx:. 
 
 A 
 
 Page 
 
 Adam, Rev., von Bremen 7 
 
 Antilia 10 
 
 Apianus, Petrus, — or Peter Bienewitz 12 
 
 Alfinger, — or Dalfinger". 12 
 
 Assignment of land to each colonist 28 
 
 Anglican High Church 47, 110 
 
 Anabaptists 51 
 
 Appalachian Country 58 
 
 Augusta County 87 
 
 Alexandria 102, 103 
 
 Alliance between the English and the Six Nations 106 
 
 Armand's Legion 134 
 
 "Arnold, General 138 
 
 B 
 
 Bjarn or Bjarni . 7, 8 
 
 Behaim, Martin 10 
 
 Brazil 10, 11 
 
 Buckler, Maister Andrew 22 
 
 Berkeley, Sir William 30, 36, 40, 45, 46, 76 
 
 Buckner, John 30 
 
 Batte, Capt. Heinrich 42 
 
 Bacon, Nathaniel 45, 46, 76 
 
 Baltimore, Lord 47 
 
 Blue Eidge Division 58 
 
 Buckner Family 73 
 
 Byrd, Col. Wm 80,81 
 
 Berry ville in Clarke County 102 
 
 Bouquet, Heinrich 109 
 
 Brake, John • 142 
 
 C 
 
 Columbus, Christopher 8, 9, 10, 11, 15 
 
 Cano, Diego 1^ 
 
 Cabot, John and Sebastian 13, 15 
 
 Chesapeake Bay •' 19, 56 
 
 Cooke, John Esten ••••• 19 
 
 Carpenters, German — in 1607 21, 23, 26 
 
 Criminals imported 29 
 
 Cavaliers, Virginia ^2 
 
 Cromwell ■• '''' 
 
 Charles 11 35 
 
 Cultivation of Cotton, Silk, etc 35 
 
 Oulture of European Grape-vines 37 
 
II 
 
 Page 
 
 CaWinists or Reformists 43, 91 
 
 Culpepper, Lord 46, 88 
 
 Clayborne 47 
 
 Causes of German Immigration. 60 
 
 Carpenter, Nathan 95 
 
 Colonial Policy of Great Britain 110 
 
 Colonial Congres.s ► 115 
 
 Clierokees 1 23 
 
 Clarke,. General George Roger.s 126 
 
 Ccnway, In.=iieclor-General 136, 137 
 
 D 
 
 Death, the black 8 
 
 Dudley, Ambrose — Earl of Warwick 13 
 
 Drake, Francis 14 
 
 Dutchmen 21, 24, 27 
 
 Delaware, Lord 27, 28 
 
 Dale, Sir Thomas 28 
 
 Dunkards, Tunker orDunker 52, 91, 96, 141 
 
 Deckers, The '. 96 
 
 Darke, General W 102, 108, 133 
 
 Darkesville 102 
 
 Declaration of Eights 115 
 
 Dunmore War, The 120, 121 
 
 Dun more, Governor Lord 119, 120, 123 
 
 E 
 
 Eric the Red 7 
 
 Erich, Bishop ■ 8 
 
 Edward III 13 
 
 Elizabeth, Queen of England 13, 14 
 
 Eldorado , 15 
 
 Education. Public 30, 75, 76 
 
 EfTects of Slavery 30, 31 
 
 Ephrata, Seel, or Beisselians , 53 94 
 
 E]ge, Samuel 80 
 
 Eden, Land of 82 83 
 
 English Colonies IO4 108 
 
 F 
 
 Freydis ' 8 
 
 Finnbog 8 
 
 Federmann j 2 
 
 First Settlers in Virginia I3 
 
 Frobisher, Martin • j3 j^ 
 
 First Dwelling Houses^n Virginia ' 21 
 
 Feudal System ., gi^ 
 
 Fabian, Peter " 42 
 
 Fry, Jo.sue 42 
 
 French Invasion of Germany 'gQ gj^ 
 
 ^,f'r''«' Lo!;fl- • ••••■:•, ■■".'• '.'.".■.".'.' .■■se," 88,' 89 
 
 liJohr, Dr. Georg Daniel. g2 93 
 
 French and Indian War 104,' io6,' 107,' 108, 'llO 
 
 trankfurt in Hampshire County 102 
 
 French Colonies _" _ '' jq^ 
 
iti 
 
 Franklin, Benjamin Hg 
 
 First Continental Congress 118 
 
 First Declaration of Independence 119 
 
 Fleming, Colonel William 121 
 
 Fort Henry besieged by Indians 124, 125 
 
 Fort Kice besieged by Indiana .' 126 
 
 French-German Allied Troops 147 145 
 
 G 
 
 Greenland 7 g 
 
 Gilbert, Sir Humphrey 14 
 
 German Participation, The First Information of 14 
 
 Grievances of German Colonists 2t 
 
 Germans appreciated 29, 1 1 1 
 
 Germans and Slaveholders 30 
 
 Grants or Patents of Land 31, 32 
 
 German Victims of the Indian Massacre in 1622 33 
 
 Grape-Vines 37 
 
 German Names of Places 39, 102 
 
 Grafenried, Baron Christoplier von 43, 66, 67, 69, 72 
 
 German Settlers in Henrico and Norfolk County 44, 46 
 
 German Sects ". 47, 91 
 
 German Swiss Immigration 62, 66, 67, 82 
 
 German Exodus to America via England 62, 63 
 
 Germanna .67,69,71,72, 73 
 
 Germanna Ford 67 
 
 German Settlements on the Rappahannock and the Bapidan. .63, 69, 74, 
 103, 158. 
 
 Germantown, Fauquier County 73 
 
 Germans and Slavery 76, 97 
 
 German Settlements in Piedmont and Middle Virginia 76, 77 
 
 German Churches 76. 90, 91 
 
 German Farmers and Farm hands 97, 103, 142 
 
 German Customs and Mode of Life 98 — 101 
 
 German Mass-immigrations 103 
 
 Gist, Christopher ". ... 10? 
 
 German Emigration to the West 108, 154, 156, 157, 158, 160 
 
 German Immigration to Virginia 110, 111 
 
 German Soldiers of the Colonial Army 112, 148 
 
 German Subsidiary Troops 112, 144—153 
 
 German Feeling towards Great Britain 114 
 
 General Congress proposed 117 
 
 German Committee of Safely at Woodstock, Va 117, 118 
 
 German-Virginian Officers in the Colonial Army 128 
 
 General Washington's German Body-giiard 137 
 
 German Prisoners of War 148, 149—152 
 
 H 
 
 Helluland * 7, 8 
 
 Herjulf 7 
 
 Halg 8 
 
 Hanseatic Union or Hanse 9. 13 
 
 Hurler, Jobst von 10 
 
 Herrera 11 
 
 Humboldt, Alexander von 11 
 
 Henry VII.. 13 
 
IV 
 
 Page 
 
 Hampton and Hampton Roads 19, 55, 65, 82 
 
 Hulsius, Leviniiis 20 
 
 Herrmann, Augustine 37 
 
 Hack, Georg ■ 38 
 
 Herrmann's Geographical Survey 39 
 
 Huguenots 43, 62, 81 
 
 Howard, Lord 46 
 
 Herrnhuter 53 
 
 Hinkel or Henkel, Rev. Gerhard 70,71, 92 
 
 Hopeful Evangelic Lutheran Church 76 
 
 Hebron Church in Madison County 77 
 
 Hite, Joist, (Justus Held) 85, 86, 87 
 
 Harper's Ferry 86, 101 
 
 Henkel Family 92 
 
 Henry, Patrick IH, 115, 119, 121 
 
 I 
 
 Italy 9, 13 
 
 Indians 19, 21—28 
 
 Iron Furnace, Chesterfield County 28 
 
 Iron Works in the Wilderness 72 
 
 Indian Devastations on German Settlements. lOi, 105, 109, 110, 120, 121, 123 
 Indian Hunters 154—156 
 
 J 
 
 James I 15, 34 
 
 James River 15, 19 
 
 Jamestown 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 27, 33 
 
 Joist Hite Grant 86 
 
 Jewish Immigration , 95, 96 
 
 Jurisdiction of Virginia 123 
 
 Jefferson, Thomas, and German Officers 151 
 
 K 
 
 Kopernikus 11 
 
 Kempe, Richard 40 
 
 Kocherthal, Rev. Josua von 62 
 
 Kemper Family 70, 71 
 
 Kapp, Friedrich 75 
 
 Koiners, The. 88 
 
 Kate Mountains 95 
 
 Kernstown 90, 101 
 
 King George III 114, 115, 118, 119 
 
 L 
 
 Leif 8 
 
 Leifsbudir 8 
 
 London Company 15 18, 27, 34-37 
 
 Lists of Arrivals— 1607 to 1620 22 
 
 Lenau, Nicolaus 25 
 
 Locker, Nicolaus 26 
 
 Lists of the Living and Dead in 1623 34 35 
 
 Lederer, Johannes 40 
 
 Lederer's Scientific Report and Map , 41 
 
V 
 
 Page 
 
 Lutherans and Lutheran Churches 48, 49, 90, 91, 92, 93 
 
 Louisa County 78, 79 
 
 Lynchburg 81 
 
 Lafayette : 113, 138, 140 
 
 Logan, Chieif of the Mingos - 120 
 
 Lewis, General Andrew 120, 121, 122 
 
 Ladner, Friedrich ... 128 
 
 M 
 
 Markland 7, 8 
 
 Mediterranean Sea 9 
 
 Munoz 11 
 
 Magelhaens 11 
 
 Minnewit, Peter 13 
 
 Mining in Virginia , 28, 72 
 
 Massacre, Indian 32, 33 
 
 Maps of Virginia 42 
 
 Michel, Franz Liidwig 43, 6G 
 
 Maryland, Organization of 47, 48 
 
 Mennonites 48, 49, 51, 91, 97, 141 
 
 Mystics 49 
 
 Moravians 49, 53 
 
 Middle Virginia 56, 96, 103 
 
 Muehlenberg, Kev. Heinrich Melchior 71 
 
 Matre, John van 84, 85 
 
 Muehlenberg, Rev. and General Peter. . .90, 92, 117, 118, 129—132, 138, 139 
 
 Morgantown in Monongahela Count}' 96 
 
 Marshall County 96 
 
 Monroe County 102 
 
 Martinsburg in Berkeley County 102 
 
 Monument in Marshall County, W. Va 124 
 
 Morgan, General : 126, 142, 144 
 
 Morgan's Dutch Mess 127 
 
 N 
 
 Norse or Northmen 7 
 
 Newport, Christopher 15, 18, 19, 21, 27 
 
 Negro-Slavery Introduced 29, 30, 31 
 
 Navigation Act 37, 38 
 
 Naturalization Law 43, 44 
 
 Norfolk and Norfolk Bay 45, 55, 81, 82 
 
 New River Plateau 58 
 
 New Berne "° 
 
 Northern Neck 67, 88 
 
 New Mecklenburg . . 91i lOl 
 
 New Market ••• 92 
 
 Negro Labor 97, 103 
 
 O 
 
 Olaf Tryggvason ■ • • • • 8 
 
 Opechancanough ' o? 07 
 
 Opequon Settlements • 'iaI 
 
 Ohio County VnV 'inV 1 a^ 
 
 Ohio Company l^^^i 1"^' ^^' 
 
VI 
 
 p 
 
 Page 
 
 Perestrello 11 
 
 Piirbacli, Georg 11 
 
 Prince von Nassaii-Siegen 13 
 
 Printz von Buchau, Johann 13 
 
 Penn, Wm 17, 49, 50 
 
 Pastorius, Franz 17, 50 
 
 Powhatan Kiver 19 
 
 Point Comfort 19 
 
 Pasacus, Simon 20 ' 
 
 Powhatan, Chief of Native Confederacy 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 32 
 
 Pocahontas , 25 
 
 Poles 21, 22, 27 
 
 Publications in Printing 30 
 
 Provocation of the Native Indians by the English 33 
 
 Population of the Colony - 46 
 
 Pennsylvania, Organization of 47 
 
 Puritans 48 
 
 Pietists 48 
 
 Protest of Pennsylvania Germans against Slavery 51 
 
 Piedmont Division 57, 103 
 
 Pennsylvania Germans 58, 85, 87 
 
 Palatinate 60, 71 
 
 Petersburg in Dinwiddie County 80, 81 
 
 Portsmouth, Va 81, 82 
 
 Pocahontas County 95 
 
 Peter, Christian 102 
 
 Post, Christian Priedrich 107 
 
 Pontiac's Conspiracy against the Whites 108, 109, 110 
 
 Political Connection of the Colonies 113 
 
 Point Pleasant, Battle of 121 
 
 Quakers 45, 49, 50, 97, 141 
 
 Queen Anne 61, 62, 63 
 
 Eiccioli, Giovanni Baptista 11 
 
 Kegioroontanus, Johannes , 12 
 
 Euckhammers. Jobst, or Kuchamers 12 
 
 Raleigh, Sir Walter 14, 15 
 
 Roanoke Island 14 
 
 Ralfe, John 25 
 
 Representative Government 29 
 
 Richebourg, Claude Philippe de 43 
 
 Roman Catholics 47 
 
 Religious Causes of German Immigration 76 85 
 
 Richmond, Va 80 
 
 Roanoke River 32 83 
 
 Rockingham County 87 
 
 RufFner Family 87 88 
 
 Robinson River, German Colony on 74 
 
 Reformists and the Reformed Church 81 83 89 93 
 
 Royal American Regiment '...!.. 'l09 
 
 Resignment of Home-Reminiscences and Language by Germans 113 
 
VII 
 
 Page 
 
 Restraints upon the Commerce and Industry 114 
 
 Regulators 116 
 
 Reed, Secretary and Adjutant of General Washington 136 
 
 Eiedesel, General Fried. Adolph von 145, 160 
 
 S 
 
 Swein 7 
 
 Skraelingers 8 
 
 Schoener, Johannes 12 
 
 Speyer, Georg von 12 
 
 Smith, Capt. John 18, 20—27 
 
 StraUbenmueller, Johann 25 
 
 Schiller, Friedrich von 25, 145 
 
 Starving Time 27 
 
 Staple Products 35 
 
 Schwenkfelder 48 
 
 Saur, Christian . . . , 54 
 
 Spotswood, Governor Alexander 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73 
 
 Stoever, Rev. Kaspar 70, 74, 75, 73 
 
 School for White Children, First Authentical 75 
 
 Schools. Old Field 75 
 
 Stone House, Old 80, 81 
 
 Smithfield in Isle of Wight County 82 
 
 Settlement of the Valley and North- Western Mountains 84—90 
 
 Stephan, Peter 86, 101 
 
 Stephensburg 86, 101 
 
 Stauffer, Jacob 87 
 
 Strasburg (formerly Stauferstadt) 87, 101 
 
 Shenandoah County 87 
 
 Schmuckers, The 88, 92 
 
 Streit, Rev. Christian 90, 92 
 
 Sebastian. Rev : _ 90 
 
 Schools, German 75, 93 
 
 Salem in Roanoke County 91 
 
 Seybert, Frontier Fort 94 
 
 Shawnee Indians 94, 95 
 
 Shepherdstown (New Mecklenburg) 91, 101 
 
 Stephan, General Adam 102, 107, 133, 134 
 
 Six Nations, The 105, 106 
 
 Steuben, General von 113, 137, 140, 141 
 
 Stamp Act, The • 114, 115, 116 
 
 Second Continental Congress 119 
 
 Staatsbote, Der 127 
 
 Schott, Capt. Johann Paul 134—136 
 
 State Laws in German Print 143 
 
 T 
 
 Tyrker, Dietrich 7, 8 
 
 Torfin ^ 
 
 Torfinsbudir 9« 0= Vb rl 
 
 Tobacco 28, 35, 38, 58 
 
 Talbot, Sir William 41 
 
 Tidewater Division • • 55 
 
 Topp's Letter 63, 64 
 
 Treatment of German Immigrants on Sea 64, 65 
 
 Tuscarora Indians 66, 72 
 
via 
 
 Page 
 
 Trans-Mountain Order 74 
 
 Tucker County 95 
 
 Tories • 112, 142 
 
 Tanner, Johann 157 
 
 i» 
 U 
 
 United Colonies of America, The 119, 120 
 
 V 
 
 Vinland 7, 8 
 
 Vasco de Gama 9 
 
 Virginia 14, 17 
 
 Virginia a Koyal Province 34 
 
 Valley District 57, 96 
 
 Valley Forge 131, 136, 137 
 
 W 
 
 Waldseemiiller, Martin, or Waltzemiiller 12 
 
 Welser, Banker at Augsburg 12 
 
 Wingfield, Edward Maria 18, 22, 23 
 
 Werowocomoco 20 
 
 Waldo, Capt. Richard 22, 23, 28 
 
 "Wyatt, Governor 33 
 
 West Virginia 59 
 
 Waller, Benjamin 71 
 
 Wagener, Major Andrew 78 
 
 Winchester (iormerly Frederickstown) 86, 89, 92, 101 
 
 Washington, George 89, 107, 111, 120, 136, 144 
 
 Woodstock (formerly Muellerstown) 90, 92, 101, 129, 131 
 
 Wythe County ." 92, 93 
 
 Wytheville 92, 93 
 
 White Sulphur Springs 95 
 
 Wheeling in Ohio County 101 124 
 
 West Liberty in Ohio County 102 
 
 Weiser, Johann Konrad 105 
 
 Weiser, Konrad 105 106 
 
 War of Independence 112 
 
 Whigs 112 
 
 Wieden, General Gerhard von der 132 
 
 Wetzel, Ludwig 154, 155 
 
 Y 
 
 York River '. 2O 
 
 Yeardley. Sir George 29 
 
 Young Women Imported 29 
 
 Yorktown, Siege of ^ 131,138,139, 145 
 
 Z 
 
 Zinzendorf, Count Nicolaus Ludwig von 53 76 
 
 Zimmermann, Rev. Wm 77 92' 95 
 
 Zane, Col. Ebenezer 102 124 'l25 
 
 Zane, Elizabeth ' ' 125 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 THEGEMANELElNTlNYlRGlNIi 
 
 BY 
 
 Herrmann Schuricht. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 THEQ. KBOH & SONS. PRIN TERS, BALTIMORE, MD. 
 19 0, 
 
TABLB Oi^ CONTENTS. 
 Vol. II. 
 
 PERIOD II. 
 
 German Life in Virginia During tlis I9tli Century to the Beginning 
 
 ol tte Spanisli-American War. 
 
 CHAPTER XL ''''' 
 
 Retrogression of the German Type during tlie First Tliree 
 Decades 5 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Revival of German Immigration and Life to 1S60 29 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 The Civil War and ihe German-Virginians C6 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 The New State of West Virginia '. 106 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 German Immigration and Rural Life after the Civil War.... 124 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The German Citizens of Richmond, Va., after the Civil War 135 
 
 CHAPTER XVIL 
 
 The Celebration of German Public Festivals in Richmond 
 and Biographies of Prominent German-Virginian Citi- 
 zens 155 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 German Life in various other Cities and Towns of Virginia 186 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 List of Anglicized German Names in Virginia 203 
 
 Specimens of German- Virginian Poetry 208 
 
 Supplementary Remarks to Vol. I of this History 335 
 
HERRMANN SCHURICHT.i- 
 
 Herrmann Schuricht was born February 13th, 1831, 
 at Pirna, Saxon'y. He early showed a great love for 
 study and after due course of schooling he entered upon 
 university life at Leipsig, when by the death of his 
 father lie was abruptly forced to terminate his studies 
 and assume control of his father's business. In this he 
 was not successful and after many reverses he came to 
 America in 1859. At Eichmond, Virginia, he published 
 a daily newspaper, " Die Virginische Zeitung." When 
 the Civil War broke out he left the city, a member of 
 the " Eichmond Blues," was made sergeant of the Ord- 
 nance Departmeiit of the Wise Legion, later promoted 
 captain of a German volunteer company. After the 
 war he returned to his native city and filled the position 
 of principal of the "Pirna'er Handels-Schule " and a 
 young ladies' academy. He gained a large fortune by 
 a successful land speculation, which was subsequently 
 lost by the failure of a bank. Thereupon, in 1874, he 
 returned to the United States and for four years he was 
 principal of a school at Newark, N. J., and later at 
 Boston, Mass. Forced to give up teaching, on account 
 of a serious throat and eye trouble, he engaged with L. 
 Prang & Co. of Boston, educational book publishers, to 
 represent them in the West. This position he filled un- 
 til 1886 ; at that time he settled on his farm "Idle wild," 
 near Cobham, Virginia, where he resided up to his 
 death, May 27th, 1899, with only a brief interruption, 
 when he assumed editorial charge of "Der Sueden," a 
 German weekly published at Eichmond. 
 
 Mr. Schuricht was author of many educational essays 
 and books, correspondent of several papers in this coun- 
 try and abroad, a good teacher and an accomplished 
 speaker and journalist. He was for many years presi- 
 dent of the " National German-American Teachers' As- 
 sociation " and an honorary member of leading social, 
 scientific and historical societies. With him the Ger- 
 mans of the tJnited States have lost one of the most de- 
 voted and faithful advocates of their cause. An Amer- 
 ican and a Eepublican by heart and conviction he was 
 
ever active in the rights of his countrymen against a 
 class of men who see in this nation nought but a colony 
 of England. It was his aim, as a historian, to establish 
 and perpetuate the claim for recognition of the merits 
 of the vast mass of Germans, who helped to build up in 
 time of peace and to defend in time, of war this great 
 land of their choice, — and as a teacher and writer fur- 
 thermore to imbue upon their progeny and hold sacred 
 that part of German character and life that would be 
 most conducive to mould the growing nation. He was 
 foremost and ever a German-American, free from all 
 narrow-mindedness, of an amiable and ideal disposition, 
 seeldng to obviate all prejudice of factions in the one 
 great task of building and fining a nation. He often 
 met Avith disappointment, but he never wavered in his 
 efforts to work the common good. 
 
 His last work, "The History of the German Element 
 in Virginia," the second volume of v/hich is herewith 
 given to the j)ublic after the death of its author, will 
 bear out proof of his struggle to establish a true record 
 of German effort in Virginia, considered by many to 
 have been an exclusively English settlement, — andit 
 is to be hoped will instigate others to follow his exam- 
 ple in other States. ^ 
 
PERIOD II. 
 
 German Life in Virginia During the 
 
 19th Century to the Beginning of 
 
 the Spanish-American War. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Retrogression of the German Type During the 
 First Three Decades. 
 
 "With nations it is as with individuals : 
 these have weak hours and those feeble 
 periods."— /«/««. 
 
 HE German element of Virginia entered the new cen- 
 tury much weakened. The Indian massacres, the long 
 ^ vears of war, and the emigration to the West, had 
 reduced it in number, and the anglicizing process had 
 made rapid progress. During the War of Independence the 
 relations of the two nationalities, the English and the Ger- 
 man, had become more intimate, — the Germans had been 
 obliged to adopt and use the English language, and after 
 independence was gained, they felt themselves as much Ameri- 
 cans as the English descendants. Immigration from Germany 
 almost ceased when Napoleon I. involved the nations of the 
 European continent into bloody wars, while that from Great 
 Britain continued undiminished. The bitter feeling that the 
 Anglo- X'irginians entertained on account of the assistance 
 
6 
 
 the German ullied troops had rendered the British armies 
 in the War of Independence, the German citizens most er- 
 roneonsly thought to conquer by timid submission and by 
 surrendering their national peculiarities. The majority of the 
 German-Yirginians were not embellished "svith feelings of 
 national pride, or pious attachment to the Fatherland. Na- 
 tional self-esteem, which makes a language imperishable, — 
 that honors and retains the noble character and worthy habits 
 of the ancestoi's, — the national pride tliat is the most sa- 
 cred feeling of the stranger in a foreign land, — this the 
 German-Mrginians were wanting, although they had ma- 
 terially helped to raise Virginia to what it was- by their 
 worthy ancestral qualities : industry, perseverance, economy 
 and love of liberty. They had forgotten that a German who 
 looks with veneration upon his Fatherland, adheres to its 
 customs and language, esteems the inheritance of his fathers, 
 becomes a most desirable citizen, for his energy will benefit 
 his new home, his habits will i-efine tliose around him, just 
 like the scion on a wild stoelc. 
 
 Friedrich von Schiller, — bitterly commenting on the un- 
 worthy position the Germans held at the beginning of the 
 new century as compared with other nations, — gathered new 
 hope from the precious treasures of the German language, 
 that expresses everything : " The profoundest and the most 
 volatile, the genius, the soul — and which is full of sense." 
 Only self-respect gives to the man manly vigor and secures 
 to him, even far fi-om his native land, recognition and in- 
 fluence. The firm adherence to the mother-tongue expresses 
 this noble intention, but upon its surrender the mark of pe- 
 culiarity, of self-confidence and self-dependence, is lost. The 
 German poet 'I'heodor Koorner expressed this sentiment as 
 , follows : 
 
 "Denn niit den fi-enulen Worten auf der Zunge 
 
 Konimt auch der fremde Geist in unsere Brust, — 
 
 Und wie sich mancher, von dem Prunk geblendet, 
 
 l)er angebor'uen heiligen Sprache schiimt 
 
 Und lieber radebrechend seiner Zunge 
 
 Zum Spott des Fremden fremde Fesseln aufzwingt, — ■ 
 
 iSo lernt er auch die deutsche Kraft verachten !" 
 
The tie that binds the German-A^irgiuians to this coun- 
 try ifvill never be loosened by theif pions attachment to the 
 old Fatherland, — for being trne to it, their patriotic devo- 
 tion to America can all the more safely be relied on. 
 
 In Virginia the German clergy faithfully upheld the 
 German tongue until about 1835. On May 28th, 1820, the 
 German-Lutheran Tennessee Synod was organized and Rever- 
 ends Jacob Zink, of Washington county, and Paul Henkel, 
 of New-Market, Mrginia, participated. It was resolved : that 
 all iusiness and luorh should he transacted in German, for rea- 
 son that a conference in which both the German and Eng- 
 lish languages were used, the one or the other side would be 
 dissatisfied. It was also deemed of the highest importance 
 to use all possible diligence to acquaint the German children 
 with all doctrines in faith and in the German language.^"-) 
 But already on September 8th, 1826, the same Synod resolved 
 that: "Both the German and English languages maybe used 
 in the proceedings of the Synod,"' °^) and this resolution was 
 the first step, among the members of this influential body, 
 towards the abolishment of German in their respective con- 
 gregations. 
 
 The emigration of the German element to the "Far 
 West" still continued, and the old mother colony lost many 
 good and brave men. Colonel Luke Decker for instance is 
 named with distinction in the history of Indiana.'"*) At 
 the beginning of the 19th century he emigrated from wes- 
 tern A''irginia to southern Indiana, and in 1811, when the 
 Indians threatened the white population of the new territory 
 with annihilation, he was placed in command of part of the 
 militia. In the decisive battle at Tippecanoe he helped to 
 gain the victory and was badly wounded, — and the Legis- 
 lature of the Territory meeting at Vincennes passed resolu- 
 
 152) "History of the Evang -Luth. Tennessee Synod," by S. Henkel, D. D , p. 26. 
 New-Market, Va., 1890. 
 
 153.) "History of the Evang.-Luth. Tennessee Synod," by S. Henkel, D. D., p. 29. 
 New-Market, Va., 1890. 
 
 154.) "Geschichte des Deutsohthuras in Indiana," pp. 12 and 13, by Dr. W. A, 
 rritsph. Published by E, Steiger & Co., New York, 1890. 
 
tions of thanks acknowledging his bravery, lie died, loved 
 and esteemed by his fellow-citizens, on his farm near "Decker's 
 Station," which derived its name from this German-Virginian 
 patriot. 
 
 The U. S. Census of 1890 states that the population of 
 Virginia — East and West — amounted in 1800 to 880,300 
 inhabitants, of whom '11.52 per cent, were negroes. It is a 
 low estimate to fix the number of the white population at 
 about 514,000, and the German-Virginians at 85,600., To 
 verify this estimate, be it remembered that Eichmond, — al- 
 though Tidewater Virginia had at the beginning of the 19th 
 century fewer German inhabitants than the Valley or the 
 Piedmont district, — numbered in 1830 in all 16,060 inhabi- 
 tants, of whom 10,025 were whites, — inclusive of about 3000 
 of German descent, — which is almost one-third of the white 
 population of the city. 
 
 The German Jewish element, whicli now forms a very 
 considerable part of the German population of Virginia, and 
 particularly of the city of Eichmond, commenced to increase 
 about 1820. AVith reference to the German Jewish popula- 
 tion of the United States lion. Simon Wolf sa3'-s ^ ''"^ ) : "The 
 emigration of the German Jews remained altogether sporadic 
 . throughout the period of the Napoleonic wars, because of 
 the almost insuperable obstacles which hindered their de- 
 parture. The increase of the Jewish population in this coun- 
 try was thus limited mainly to the surplus of births over 
 deaths, until some time after the close of the war of 1812. 
 In the course of the reaction against the innovation of liber- 
 alism which ensued after 1820, the hardly gained political 
 rights of the German Jews were gradually curtailed or en- 
 tirely withdrawn, and at this time the Jews of the German 
 maritime cities began to emigrate to the United States in 
 increasing numbers." -- This statement fully applies to and 
 explains, the causes of the Jewish immigration into Virginia. 
 
 Ileinrich Fos?, who sailed on the 13th of ilarch, 1837, 
 
 166.) "The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen," by Simon Wolf, pp. 6T 
 and 68. Philadelphia, 189,'). 
 
9 
 
 from Bremerhafeii to Norfolk, Va., was employed for six 
 months on the James river canal, but he emigrated to the 
 West and died at Cincinnati, Ohioj in 1879, an esteemed 
 master-mason. Pie liked to speak about his travels through 
 Virginia.''*''') 
 
 On his way to Ohio he stopped at Lynchburg, Campbell 
 county; Buchanan, Botetourt county; Staunton, Augusta 
 county; Harrisonburg, Rockingham county; AA^oodstock and 
 Strassburg, Shenandoah county; AVinchester, Frederick county; 
 Shepherdstovrn, Jefferson county, and AVheeling, Ohio county, 
 and in all these towns he met with old German farmers who 
 received him kindly. ''It was as lilcc as if I was travelling 
 in Germany" Mr. Toss used to say. 
 
 This simple narrative of a reliable man characterizes the 
 condition of the German-Virginians at that time. The old 
 folks still retained their German character, but their de- 
 scendants were more and more anglicized. Jahn's sentence, 
 quoted at the head of this chapter, proved true with the 
 German settlers in A'irginia. 
 
 The dark clouds of that period are however dispersed by 
 some bright sunlight sparks, that kindle the heart of the 
 German-Virginian historian. In the year 1783 Eev. Adolph 
 Nuessmann, of Mecklenburg county in North Carolina, 
 wrote' ^''): "From Georgia to Maryland there is no German 
 printiijg oiSce, and in North Carolina even no English one." 
 It is therefore a matter of great satisfaction to every German- 
 Virginian, that at New-Market, iu the Shenandoah Valley iu 
 Virginia, or "Neu-Markt," as it was originally called, soon 
 after the foundation of the Republic, a German printing of- 
 fice Avas established by a descendant of the first German 
 clergyman in Virginia.'^'") He built the jiress with his own 
 hands and undertook the j^ublication of ''German schoolbooks 
 and religious works." This meritorious man was the Luth- 
 eran Pastor Ambrosins Ilcnkel, of New-]\farket. In 180G his 
 
 156.) "Der Deutsche Pionier," Vol. 11, p. 402. Cincinnati, Oliio, 1S80. 
 167.) "Der Deutsche Pionier," Vol. 13, p. 316. Cincinnati, Ohio, 18TO. 
 I.i8.) "Der Siiden," Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 4 and 6. Richmond, \'a., 1891. 
 
10 
 
 printing office was in the bauds of his son, Solomon Henkel, 
 and an "ABC Book," for use in the German school at ISTew- 
 Market, — and probably- the first scboolbook ever i:)rinted in 
 Virginia, — was published, with lines of poetry and illustra- 
 tions for each letter of the alphabet, cut in wood by Eev. 
 Henkel himself. A second edition of this book apj>eared in 
 1819, of which a copy is in possession of Charles E. Loehr 
 of Eichmond. The title of the book was: "The little ABC 
 Book or first lessons for beginners, with beautiful pictures 
 and their names arranged in alp>habetic order, to facilitate 
 the spelling to children. — By Ambrosius Henkel, !N"ew-Mar- 
 ket, Shenandoah county, Virginia ; printed in Solomon Hen- 
 kel's pHnting office, 1819." — The poetry to each letter is 
 written in a German dialect almost like "Pennsylvania Dutch;" 
 it is not very fastidious in expression, but adapted to the 
 perceptive faculty of children, as for instance: 
 
 B. — Der Biber had im Damm sein Haus, 
 Bald is er drinn', bald ist er draus ; 
 Da wohnt er drinn', so wie er's baut. 
 Oft man ihn fang't, nimmt ihm die Haut. 
 
 G. — Der Geier friszt mit Ernst und iluth, 
 
 Stinkt wohl das Fleisch doch schmeckts ihm gut, 
 Er hackt mit Kopf und Fuess hinein, 
 Und friszt es weg bis auf das Bein. 
 
 K.^Die beste Milch die giebt die Kuh, 
 Gieb nur den Kinderu Mosch dazu, 
 Und auch ein gross Stueck Butterbrod, 
 Sq stirbt dir keins an Hungersnoth. 
 
 R. — Der Eabe riecht das Aas von fern, 
 
 Er kommt und friszt das Luder gern, — 
 Der Dramm schmeckt manchem auch so wohl, 
 Dass er sich saufet toll und voll. 
 
 The book closes with some morning and evenino- pray- 
 ers, as: 
 
 "Nun will ich in die Schule geh'n 
 Und lernen wie ich soil, 
 Wird mir der liebe Gott beysteh'n 
 So lern ich alles wohl." 
 
11 
 
 "Nnn dieser Tag ist wieder hiii, 
 Die fins'tre Naclit bricht eiu, 
 Dass ich noch an dem Lebeu bin 
 Des soil ich dankbar sein."' 
 
 In speaking of thevjirinting-establishment at New-Market, 
 Eev. G. D. Bernheim saj's'"''): "The Lutheran Church in 
 America has had its publication boards and societies in 
 abundance, which doubtless accomplished a good work, hut 
 the oldest establishment of the hind is the one in New-Market, 
 Virgifiia, Avhich dates its existence as far back at least as 
 1810, for the minutes of the North Carolina Synod were 
 printed there at that time: It was established by the Henkel 
 family and has continued under their management to this 
 day." 
 
 One of the most j^rominent members of this illustrious 
 family was Eev. Paulus Henkel, already mentioned. From a 
 biographical sketch^ °°) we copy the following: "He was 
 truly a man for the times ; vigorous in mind and body. He 
 labored unceasinglj^, willingly and cheerfully, undergoing 
 trials, hardships, and sacrifices for c/ood, and not for gaiii. 
 
 " His parents Avere Jacob and Barbara Henkel, nee Teters. 
 He was born December 15, 1754, in Rowan county. North 
 Carolina, near the present city of Salisbury, where he resided 
 until 1760. The Indians becoming troublesome, the family 
 removed to Loudoun county, Virginia; thence to Maryland; 
 thence to Hampshire county, A'irginia, where they remained 
 not quite a year, having frequently to live in block-houses, 
 for protection against- the Indians. Then they moved to Mill 
 Creek, Hardy county, Virginia, where the father of Paul 
 Henkel died and was buried. 
 
 "At the age of about 22 Paul Henkel beginning to pre- 
 pare for the ministry, placed himself under the instruction of 
 Kev. Krug, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church, 
 
 159.) "History of the Oerman Settlements and the Luthei-an Church in the Caro- 
 Unas," by Key. 6. D. Bernheim, pp. 445 and 446. 
 
 160.) "Biographical Sketch of Rev. Paul Henkel," compiled by his great-grandson 
 Ambrose L. Henkel, New-Market, Va., 1890. 
 
n 
 
 at Fi-edericktown, Marylaiid. After becoming proficient in Ger- 
 man, Latin and Greek, and other studies, he was examined 
 and licensed to preach by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod 
 of Pennsylvania and adjacent States, — the only Lutheran 
 Synod at that time in America. lie located at New-Market, 
 Virginia, and at once became an active, earnest, zealous min- 
 ister, laboring in Shenandoah, Kockingham, Frederick, Madi- 
 son, Culpepper, Pendleton, Botetourt, Wythe, and many other 
 counties in Virginia. 
 
 " On June Cth, 1792, he was solemnly set apart for the 
 office of pastor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the ordination 
 being performed by Kev. .John Frederick Schmidt. He 
 labored at New-Market for a while, and then located at 
 Staunton, Virginia, where he remained three years, when he 
 returned to New-Market, Virginia. In 1800, he felt it to be 
 his duty to accept a call to his native home in Eowan 
 county. North Carolina, in which and adjoining counties he 
 successfully labored. 
 
 ■'In 1805, owing to the malarious condition of the countrj-, 
 he returned to New-Market, Virginia, and became an inde- 
 pendent missionary. He did not desire wealth or fame, but 
 strove to do good. He made tours on horse-back and " gig " 
 through Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, North 
 and South Carolina, preaching and organizing congregations, 
 catechising and confirming the , young, and giving words of 
 comfort and cheer to all. He underwent sore trials and se- 
 vere privations without faltering. He kept a faithful diary 
 of all his labors, which to us, ■ at the present day, seem al- 
 most incredible. He often endured hunger, thirst, fatigue, 
 and loss of rest, excessive heat and cold — every hardship and 
 discomfiture incident to sparsely settled sections and dan- 
 gerous frontier life. 
 
 •'When the war of 1812 came, he went to Point Pleasant, 
 Mason county, Virginia, where he organized several congre- 
 gations. 
 
 'iln 1809 he published a work on ' Christian Baptism and 
 the Lord's Supper,'— 'Ueber die christliche Taufe und das 
 
13 
 
 Abendmahl,' iu German and aftei'wards in the English. He 
 published a 'German Hyipn-book' in 1810, then in 1816 an- 
 other ' Hymn-book ' in English, containing 476 hymns, 
 many being of his own composition. In 1814 he published 
 a German Catechism : ' Der christliche Catechismus, verfasst 
 znm Unterricht der Jugend in der Erkeuntniss der christ- 
 lichen Religion ; sammt Morgen- und Abend-Gebaete.' A second 
 edition appeared in 1816, and soon after an 'English Cate- 
 chism.' 
 
 "He was never idle, and thongh arduously engaged in 
 traveling, preaching, catechising, and admonishing iu private 
 and public, he found time to write many books and letters. 
 One of his books in rhyme : ' Gereimter Zeitvertreib,' (Pas- 
 time,) was a strong rebuke to fanaticism, superstition, cor- 
 rrf^tion, and folly. It was full of sarcasm and created much 
 friendly and unfriendly criticism. He was a man of indomi- 
 table energy in Church work, and his liberality was almost 
 in excess of his means in such labors and works of charity. 
 It is said, that more thfin a century ago he helped to fell 
 the trees and build a 'log church' at New-Market, Virginia, 
 his equally energetic wife cooking in an open field, in wash 
 kettles, for the hardy men who came ' to the hewing and 
 log-raising;' — and that he made a trip with a one-horse 
 cart to Philadelphia, three-hundred miles distant, for glass 
 and a bell, which some friends in that city gave him for 
 the church. 
 
 "His first sermon was preached in Pendleton county, Vir- 
 ginia, in 1781, and his last one in New-Market, Virginia, 
 Oct. 9th, 1825, a month prior to his death— having been 
 actively engaged in the ministry for 44 years." 
 
 Jn the year 1807 the first German newspaper in Vir- 
 ginia : " Der Virginische VolhslericUer und Nm-MarTceter 
 Woclienschrift."— edited by Ambrosius Henkel,- and printed 
 and published by Solomon Henkel, appeared. For the head 
 of the paper Rev. Henkel ihad prepared a wood-cut repre- 
 senting a mounted postilion sounding his bugle-horn, with 
 the devise : 
 
 " Ich bring das Neu's ! 
 So gut ich's weiss ! "^ 
 
14 
 
 This iiewsijaper was however discontiimed after the 
 lapse of a few years, not finding the necessary support. . 
 
 Sclwol-matters had been in a deplorable condilion since 
 the foundation of the colony. It was not until 1779,"*') one 
 hundred and seventy-two years after the settlement of James- 
 town, that a bill providing for Public Education was intro- 
 duced in the Assembly. It was framed by Thomas Jeffer- 
 son, but it failed to pass, and not until 1797 did the main 
 features of the bill become law. It was left to the option 
 of the counties to enforce the act or not, and the number 
 of the schools established is not given in any document. A 
 second school-law was passed in 1818, but Gov. McDowell, 
 in his message to the Legislature, Jan. 1843, said of the 
 whole School-System, inaugurated under this law, " that af^er 
 having existed for thirty years it gave only sixty days of 
 tuition to one- half the 'indigent' children of the State as 
 its grand result, and that it was therefore little more than 
 a costly and delusive nullity, wJiich ought to be abolished, and 
 another and better system adopted in its place." The census 
 of 1840 states, that 58,787 white inhabitants of Virginia, 
 over twenty-one years of age, — that is one-twelfth of the 
 total white population of the State, could neither read nor 
 write. However the Germans had their parochial schools since 
 the time of Gov. Spotswood. In Kichmond a Swiss or 
 German established in the beginning of the century a large 
 school, named after him: " Haller's Academy."'"") It was 
 an extensive establishment and located in a large and homely 
 block of buildings on Carey street, near the head of the 
 basin. Haller is represented as an adventurer of little learn- 
 ing, but he had judgment enough to enable him to select 
 good teachers. 
 
 In 1825 the University of Virginia, at Charlottesville, 
 which had been planned by Thomas Jefferson, and still re- 
 tains the cosmopolitan and liberal character which he gave 
 to it, was organized. It deserves special mention, that from 
 
 161.) "Report of the Commissioner of Education for 1876," p. 399. Washington, 1878. 
 162.) '-Richmond in By-gone Days," p. 203, published by George M. West Rich- 
 mond, Va., 1S56. 
 
16 
 
 the very beginning tlie course of study embraced German 
 language and literature. The first German professor on this 
 State-institution was Qeorg Blaettermann,^'^-') a native of 
 Germany and a graduate of the University of Goettingen. 
 At the time of his appointment he was. professor of Philo- 
 logy at Oxford, England,— and he occupied his professorial 
 chair at Charlottesville until 1840. He was the first teacTier 
 in America to introduce "comparative German-English in- 
 struction." 
 
 Professor Dr. M. D. Learned, of the University of Penn- 
 sylvania, and formerly of Baltimore, Md., in his lecture 
 delivered before the National German- American Teachers' 
 Association at Cincinnati, 0., on July 8th, ]898, bestowed 
 the following brilliant testimonial on the German immi- 
 grants^"'') : "The importance of the early German influence 
 in America is still unappreciated by the Anglo-American 
 writers of American history, the best accounts of it having 
 been written either in the German language and thus made 
 practically inaccessible to the Anglo-American public — and 
 r blush to say it, to some of our most heralded Anglo- 
 American historians — or if written in English, having been 
 published more as spepial or local history, without being 
 considered in its vital relations to the life of the American 
 republic." The same impartial scholastic also stated : " The 
 first epoch of German influence in America was followed, 
 after the ]S"apoleonic wars, by a new and vastly more signifi- 
 cant period which has witnessed the revolution of American 
 thought and education by the touch of German culture. The 
 German influence this time came through three different 
 channels: (1) through the Anglo-American students who 
 from 1815 on finished their studies at German universities ; 
 (2) through the indirect influence of German philosophy, 
 science, and letters by way of England ; and (3) through 
 Germans who brought the new stimulus direct after 1825. 
 From the American students in Germany we received the 
 
 163.) "Das deutsche Element in den Ver. Staaten," p. 40S, by Gustav Kurner. Cin- 
 cinnati, 1880. 
 
 164.) "ErzieliungsBlatter," 28. Jalirgang, Heft 12, Seite 3 und 4. Milwauiec, Wise, 
 1898. 
 
16 
 
 new impulse in, American education The turn 
 
 of tlie first quarter of the present century brought a new 
 o-eneration of Germans to American shores. Germans this 
 
 o 
 
 time not only from the shop and fields, but Germans of 
 thought and heroism^ graduates from the universities, etc." 
 
 Among tlie German-Virginian clergy Rev. Louis Fred- 
 erick Eichelberger^'''''') ^vas a prominent literary man. He was 
 born iu Frederick county Md., on the 25th of August 1803. 
 At an early age he was placed in the school of Eev. Dr. 
 Schaeffer at Frederick. Subsequently he was sent to George- 
 town, D. C, where he attended the classical school of Dr. 
 Carnahan, who afterward gained distinction as President of 
 Princeton College. From Georgetown, Mr. Eichelberger went 
 to Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pa., where he graduated in 
 1826. From college he removed to the newly organized 
 Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and while a student Mr. 
 Eichelberger was invited to become the pastor of the Luth- 
 eran church at Winchester, Va. In 1849 he was elected 
 professor of Theology in the seminary at Lexington, S. C; 
 the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on 
 him by Princeton College, — and resigning his professorship 
 in 1858, he immediately returned to Winchester, Va., warmly 
 welcomed by many ardent friends. In addition to his labors 
 as teacher and preacher. Dr. Eichelberger was the editor and 
 proprietor of a weekly paper, " The Virginian," at Winchester. 
 He also edited and published from 1833-35 a monthly peri- 
 odical known as " The Evangelical Lutheran Preacher and 
 Pastoral Messenger," which presented sermons and occa- 
 sional articles on doctrinal and practical subjects by leading 
 ministers of tlie Lutheran Church. Drs. Schaeffer, Miller, 
 Hazelius, Baugher, Strobe!, Endress and the editor were 
 among the principal writers. His great work was "The His- 
 tory of the Lutheran Church," which however was never pub- 
 lished. The author of this history regrets not to have been 
 able to examine this valuable manuscript which is in posses- 
 sion of the library of the Lutheran College at Salem, Koanoke 
 county. It covers seven hundred lai-ge and closely written 
 
 165.) "Some Items of I.uUieran Church Hiitory." t)y Rav. J. B. Buslinell. Roa- 
 noke, Vii. 
 
lY 
 
 pages. While negotiating for the publication of his favorite 
 work, Mr. Eichelberger died. Although all his publications 
 are in English, they are inspired by a genuine German spirit. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Simon Sclimucher, at New-Market, Va., Avrote 
 several theological works : " Kurz gefasste Geschichte der 
 christlichen Kirche auf Grundlage der Busch'schen Werke," 
 "Portraiture of Lutheranism," and "The American Lutheran 
 Church, Historically, Doctrinally and Practically delineated." 
 The son of this learned minister, Samuel Mosheim Schmucker, 
 or "Smucker," as he styled his name, was not less productive. 
 He wrote biographical and historical works. His most im- 
 portant composition: "History of the American Civil War," 
 remained unfinished on account of his death in 1863. 
 
 Dr. Charles Porterfield Krautli,^''''^) the most distinguished 
 American advocate of the Lutheran faith, translated the 
 "Augsburger Confession," and was the author of an impor- 
 tant treatise conti-asting the Eomish and Evangelical Mass. 
 He also wrote some religious articles in German. 
 
 Heiarldv Boehm, in ISOD, a journeying preacher of the 
 Methodist Church, and previously a preacher of the "United 
 Brethren in Christ," came to the Valley and preached the 
 new dogma in German. His grandfather was a German- 
 Swiss; his father, Martin Boehm, who Avas Bishop of the 
 United Brethren, travelled with him. They presented the 
 remarkable aspect of advocates of two different creeds, and 
 yet lived in perfect harmony. The Germans of the Valley were 
 much attracted by both of them ; the United Brethren accepted 
 much of the Methodist doctrine and may therefore properly be 
 called " German Methodists." Church statistics of Virginia, ^ '* ') 
 dated 1870, enumerate 38 organizations with 7450 United 
 Brethren, and say: "The population is of German origin 
 where the German Reformed, Lutheran and United Brethren 
 are found." 
 
 It has been stated that the Germans in Virginia did not 
 
 166.) "Virginia," a History of the People, by Jolin Esten Cooli, p. 4B4. Boston, 1884. 
 167.) "Virginia, a Geographical and Political Summary," p. 197; by the Board of 
 Immigration. Richmond, Va., 1876. 
 
18 
 
 take a very active piivt iu State politics, and yet several Ger- 
 man immigrants and descendants of same occupied very prom- 
 inent positions in the Union, the State and the Army during 
 the first decades of this centnry. 
 
 One of the most distinguished German- Virginians was 
 B. William Wirth. His father immigrated from Switzerland to 
 Maryland, and his mother was a native of Wnertemberg. He 
 gained a high reputation as a lawyer and statesman, and in 1819 
 was appointed by President Monroe Attorney-General of the 
 United States. lie retained this important office for twelve 
 years, to the end of the presidential term of John Q.uincy 
 Adams. 
 
 Wirth had also a reputation . as an author. In 1803 he 
 wrote, " Letters of the British Sf)y " for the " Virginia Argus," 
 published in Eichmoud. Thefee letters created quite a sensa- 
 tion, but the author remained unknown for a long time. He 
 criticized, in a satirical manner, Virginian social life and the 
 customs and eccentricities of the people. These letters fur- 
 nished much to interest and amuse the public, and much en- 
 larged the subscription lists of the "Argus ;" but when the 
 author became knov/n, he earned the hatred of many of his 
 neighbors. — Wirth's " Sketches of the Life of Patrick Henry," 
 merit great credit as one of the most popular biographies in 
 American literature. In the beginning of the fourth decade 
 he published a series of letters of political and social character 
 in the "Alte und neue AVelt,"' printed at Philadelphia, under 
 the pseudonym of ''Kahldorf." ■ These letters were dated from 
 Florida^ where Mr. AVirth organized a German colony that af- 
 terwards declined. The following ludicrous anecdote is re- 
 lated by Kennedy in his "Life of Wirth." It happened in 
 1803, when ]\Ir. AVirth was awaiting Colonel Gamble's sanction 
 to his marriage with ]\Iiss Gamble. 
 
 " Colonel Gamble luid occasion on a summer morning to 
 visit his future son-in-law's office. It unluckily happened that 
 Wirth had the night before brought some young friends there, 
 and they had had a merry time of it, which so beguiled the 
 hours that even now, at sunrise, they had not separated. The 
 
Colonel opened the door, little expecting to find any company 
 there at that hour. His eyes fell on the strangest group ! There 
 stood Wirth ivith the poker in his right hand, the sheet-iron 
 blower on his left arm, which was thrust through the handle ; 
 on his; head was a tin wash-basin, and as to the rest of his dress, 
 — it was hot weather and the hero of this grotesque scene, had 
 dispensed with as much of his trappings as comfort might re- 
 quire, substituting for them a light wrapper, that greatly aided 
 the theatrical effect. There he stood, in this whimsical capari- 
 son, reciting with great gesticulation Falstaff's onset on the 
 thieves, his back to the door. The opening of it attracted the 
 attention of all. We may imagine the queer look of the anxious 
 probationer as Colonel Gamble, with grave and mannerly si- 
 lence, bowed and withdrew, closing the door behind him with- 
 out the exchange of a word." 
 
 Another memorable personage was Albert Gallatin, who 
 came to Vii-ginia in 1779. He was born in Geneva, (Genf) 
 Switzerland, and was a pupil of the celebrated Johannes von 
 Mueller. The Elector of Hessia, who was a schoolmate of Gal- 
 latin, offered him a position in his cabinet, which he "declined 
 to accept. He came to Kichmond, a young man, entrusted with 
 the recovery of some claims, and although he could with diffi- 
 culty express himself in English, his talents were very soon dis- 
 covered by Patrick Henry and others. He boarded in the house 
 of Mrs. Allegre, to whose daugliter he became attached, and he 
 asked the mother to sanction liis addresses. The old Virginian 
 lady was quite wroth at his presumption and, seizing a spit, 
 threatened to transfix and baste him if he dare aspire to her 
 daughter's hand. Finally she relented, the marriage took 
 place and the old lady lived to see her son-in-law highly hon- 
 ored. It is said that Mr. Gallatin consulted Mr. Marshall, af- 
 terwards Chief -Justice, about studying law, but was advised to 
 give his attention to statesmanship and finance. The result 
 proved his correct estimate of Mr. Gallatin's talents. In 1780 
 he joined the Continental Army, and after the war he accepted 
 the professorship of modern languages at Harvard University. 
 In the year 1793 he was elected a member of the F. S. Senate; 
 appointed ISOI, under JefEerson and Madison, U. S. Secretary of 
 
20 
 
 Treasury; uegotiiited 1813 at Gent with Qiiiucy Adams the 
 peace with England; was ambassador to France and England 
 from 1815 to 1823, and retired to private life in 1826. He pub- 
 lished, "Memoir on the North-Eastern Boundary," New York, 
 1843, and "Synopsis of the Indian Tribes in North America." 
 With Thomas Jefferson he vigorously opposed the "Federals," 
 who aimed to give to the Republic a constitution after the 
 British pattern and even inclined to change the confederacy of 
 States to a constitutional monarchy. In the critical period of 
 1812 he framed the laws of taxation. He died August 12th, 
 1849, at Astoria, N. Y. 
 
 The Counties Gallatin in Kentucky and Illinois commemo- 
 rate his name, and various townshijDS and cities in New York, 
 Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri are named after him. 
 
 In the presidential election of 1824 a caucus was held and 
 Mr. Gallatin nominated for Vice-President of the United States, 
 — an honor which never again has been bestowed on a foreign- 
 born citizen. But Mr. Gallatin withdrew. ^''^) 
 
 During his stay at Richmond, Va., he occupied a residence 
 on a square between Leigh and 01a}% and Seventh and Eighth 
 streets. Death ended, his distinguished career in New York 
 city. 
 
 It is fairly probable that Chief-Justice John Marshall was 
 of German descent, and that his name was originally spelled 
 with "sch" instead of simply "sh." The fact that Mr. Mar- 
 shall was born in the Gernian settlement of Germantown, in 
 Fauquier county, on the 24th of September, 1755, and that Dr. 
 Louis Marschall,^"") the first physician of Frankfort, Ky., and 
 father of Humphrey Marshall, who anglicized his German name, 
 came from Germantown, Va., too, speaks in favor of this con- 
 jecture. He was a general of the Colonial Army and the 
 friend and biographer of George Washington. He married 
 Miss Mary Willis Ambler, daughter of the Treasurer Jaquelin 
 Ambler, in the year 1783, and he died in 1835. His residence 
 
 108.) "The North American Review," Vol. 131, No. 6, p. 406. 
 169.) "Compare Vol. I of this History, p. 159, 
 
31 
 
 stiU stiinds in Eiclimond, oii the street iiiimed in his honor, 
 between Eighth and Ninth streets. Judge Marshall was a 
 man of great merit, of unpretentious manner and true re- 
 publican simplicity. 
 
 Daniel Sheffcy of Staunton, Augusta county, was the son 
 of Gei-nian parents. He represented Virginia in Congress 
 from 1809-17. Other Clerman- Virginian menabers of Congress 
 were John Kerr of Kichmond, 1813-17, and Isaac Leffler from 
 the Shenandoah A'alley from 1 827-30. i"°) The biography of 
 Daniel Sheffey is given by Andreas Simon"') as follows: 
 
 ''Daniel Sheffeij was b)orn in the year 1770, in Frederick, 
 Md. His father, a German shoemaker, introduced his son 
 into the secrets of his trade, but he did not care to give him 
 a good school-education. Daniel However was desirous of 
 learning and used his leisure time to study astronomy and 
 mathematics, for which he possessed a particular fancy. 
 "When he was of age he wandered up the Valley to Augusta 
 county, and from there to Ablesville, Wythe county, where 
 he received employment as shoemaker. His originality and 
 wittiness soon attracted general attention, and finally he 
 quitted his trade and studied law with lawyer Alexander 
 Smyth. When admitted to the bar, and having proved his 
 talent in several -complicated law suits, he removed to Staun- 
 ton, Va. There he was very successful. Mr. John Randolph, 
 the well known statesman, once opposed him before court, 
 and satirically remarked : ' A shoemaker better remain at his 
 bench,' whereupon Sheffey answered : 'Of course if you had 
 been a shoemaker you would still be one.' Although Sheffey 
 spoke the English language with a strikingly Tferman accent, 
 he was elected in 1805 to the Senate of Virginia, 1809 to 
 Congress and again in 1823 to the Legislature of Virginia. 
 He died at Staunton in 1830.". 
 
 In 1812, during the second war of the Kepublic with 
 Great Britain, 3fajor George Armistaedt defended the harbor 
 
 170.) "Virgioia and Viiginians," by Dr. E. A. Brock. Richmond, Va., 1856. 
 171.) "Lord Fairfax in Virgipien," von A, Simon in "Der Westen," June 12tli, 1692. 
 Cliicago, Ills. 
 
22 
 
 of Baltimore ag-jiiust the fleet under Admiral Cockburn. lie 
 was born April 10th, 1780, at JSTew-Market, Va., where his 
 ancestors had immigrated from Hesseu-Darmstadt. Five of 
 his brothers served in the army during the war of 1812; three 
 with the regulars and two with the militia. In 1813 George 
 Armistaedt was promoted to Major of the 3rd Ai-tillery Eeg- 
 iment. He distinguished himself at the cajoture of Fort 
 George at the mouth of the Kiagara river, and after his 
 brilliant defence of Fort Henry near Baltimore he was 
 raised to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. 
 
 Walter Keith Armistead, a brother of the aforenamed, was 
 born in 1785 and died in 1845 at Upperville, A'a. He, like 
 his brother, was a brave soldier. From 1808 — 1811 he dis- 
 tinguished himself as engineer and superintendent of the 
 fortifications of ISTorfolk, Va., and was appointed Brigadier- 
 General. 
 
 The Armistead family is held among the most prominent 
 in the old mother State. The mother of President .John 
 Tyler belonged to it. She was a daughter of Eobert Armi- 
 stead, whose grandfather had immigrated from Hessen- 
 Darmstadt. From a petition of Mrs. Letitia Tyler Semple, 
 addressed to Hon. George G. West, IT. S. Senator of Missouri, 
 and dated Lonisenheim, Wiishington, D. C.,- April 20th, 1897, 
 we learn the interesting fact: that the Armstiidt or Armi- 
 stead were relatives of four Presidents of the United States. 
 Mrs. Semple, the daughter of President Tyler and during 
 his term "first lady of the land," writes: ".James Monroe, 
 William Henry ITan-ison, -John Tyler and Benjamin Harri- 
 son are cousins, being I'elated with the Armisteada and 
 Tylers of \lrglnia." 
 
 In 1794 .Joseph Puffner, a member ■ of the before men- 
 tioned Puffner family and a Shenandoah farmer, bought the 
 Dickinson survey of Kanawha. He made no haste to visit 
 his purchase, relates Dr. W. II. Puffner,' ■^=) but the next 
 year, riding among the mountains in search of iron-ore, he 
 
 172.) "Historical Tapers," Xo. 6, 1893, pp. 17-21. Washington and I,ee University, 
 Lexington , Va. "^ 
 
saw a salt spring. When he had considered the fatness of 
 those river bottoms, along which he had ridden for thirty- 
 six miles ; when he looked at that clear, placid " river of 
 the woods," alive with red-horse, white perch, buffalo and 
 blue cats, something whispered, " It is good to be here." 
 Joseph Kuffner bought the salt spring and a large tract 
 of bottom laud including the site of the present city of 
 Charleston. He used the old fort for a residence and dying 
 in 1803 he left the Dickinson survey, as it is commonly 
 called, to his sons David and Joseph, who soon went to 
 drilling in the rock to get a larger supply of salt watej. 
 Joseph, Jr., became discouraged and sold out to his brother 
 David, whilst he went down the Ohio and began to farm 
 on land which, in time, he sold out in town lots to ac- 
 commodate the incoming population of the towii of Cin- 
 cinnati. David remained on the Kanawha and went on dis- 
 closing the vast treasures in coal and salt — or with his 
 " churning in the ground," as his incredulous neighbors 
 jeeringly called his operations. Jleanwhile, however, he kept 
 his farm a-going. He invented many devices for boring 
 wells that continue to be approved. In November 1808 he 
 struck a good supply of brine at forty-four feet from the 
 surface, and erected a large furnace, by means of which 
 he promptly reduced the price of salt from live dollars a 
 bushel to two dollars. When David died, Eev. Stuart llob- 
 inson, his pastor, wrote: "Colonel Euffner was one of our 
 first settlers; and by general acknowledgment has been our 
 most useful citizen." He represented Kanawha in the Vir- 
 ginia Legislature in 1799, 1801 and 1803, 1804 and 1811. 
 The Kanawha saltworks and the first coal mines, the chief 
 industries of this district, were established by this euergetic 
 German -Virginian. Col. Ruffner died Feb. 1st, 1843. 
 
 Gen. Lewis liuffuer, the grandson of David Kuffner, 
 occupied a high and enviable position as a business and 
 public man. He was the first child born in what is now 
 the capital of West Alrginia, (Oct. 1st, 1797.) He .received 
 an excellent college education and then returned to KanaAvha 
 and taught school one year. In 1830 he commenced the 
 jnanufacture of salt, built a furnace adapted to the use of 
 
24 
 
 coal for fuel, and in 1823 he took possession of the prop- 
 erty and salt business of his father Henry Kuffner. In 
 1825 he was ' elected to the Legislature of Virginia, and 
 was re-elected in 1826, and again in 1828, and during the 
 same year he was appointed Justice of the Peace. 
 
 Higii praise is due to other German- Virginians for 
 their meritorious labours in various directions. In ISOQ^''*) 
 a number of gentlemen, interested in Agriculture, residing 
 in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, organ- 
 ized the " Columbian Agricultural Society." As the germ 
 of a national organization, embracing different States, and 
 as the initiative of agricultural exhibitions, this society's 
 operations are entitled to an honorable record, and were 
 heartily endorsed by German farmers. At the second ex- 
 hibition of the Society, held at Georgetown, eighteen pre- 
 miums were offered for the best agricultural products and 
 domestic manufactured goods, and to the German exhib- 
 itors William Steinberger of Shenandoah county, Va., and 
 George M. Conradt of Frederickstown, Maryland, five pre- 
 miums were awarded. The cattle exhibited by Mr. Stein- 
 berger attracted general notice, especially an extraordinary 
 steer raised by liim. This animal was believed to be the 
 largest ever raised in Mrginia. The steer was killed the 
 next day at the slaughter-house of Mi. Krouse and weighed 
 near two thoujsand pounds net beef. 
 
 In the year 1800 the population of Kichmond was 
 5,300 white and colored inhabitants, and there were ten or 
 twelve physicians. Dr. Leipcr was esteemed as one of the 
 favorite doctors. In his office W. 11. Harrison, afterwards 
 President of the Ignited States, began the study of medicine. 
 Contemporaries of Dr. Leiper were doctors Warner (Werner ?) 
 and Wijman (Wieinanii ? ) -whose names indicate their Ger- 
 man origin. W. F. Asf, a Prussian by birth, established 
 the first mutual Assurance Company against fire in Vir- 
 ginia ; but in succession very extensive fires occurred in 
 ^Torfolk, Eichmond, Petersburg and Fredericksburg and the 
 
 173.) From an editorial article in tlie "^Agricultural Museum," 18C9, and tlie "U. S, 
 Agricultural Report" o* 1866. 
 
'^5 
 
 first paid quota of premium was exhausted in a few years. 
 When a second one was required, payment was refused in 
 many cases and fiually the company dissolved. Joseph 
 Darmstadt, a Hessian, who came to this country as a sutler 
 of the allied troops of Great Britain, established a business 
 for country produce in Richmond. " He was a shrewd 
 man," says the Chronicler, i''-') "and as the Valley beyond 
 the Blue Kidge was settled by Germans, his knowledge of 
 the language enabled him to attract the custom of the 
 farmers, who drove their wagons to Richmond, laden with 
 the products of the dairy, the mill, forest and the chase. 
 The social disposition of Mr. Darmstadt brought him into 
 society, even the best. His own entertainments were given 
 daily. Almost all our citizens, in those days, went early 
 to market to furnish their larders, and Mr. D. would have 
 a large coifee pot before his fire-place, of the contents of 
 which, prepared by himself, many of his friends, judges, 
 lawyers, doctors and merchants, partook, whenever they were 
 so inclined, particularly on wet and cold mornings; and 
 here the chit-chat of the day was first heard and much 
 news was circulated from this social house." 
 
 Another enterprising merchant of tliat time was Joseph 
 Marx. The tobacco and tanners' trades were mostly in 
 German hands, and so were the conqiaratively small number 
 of inns throughout the State. The Chronicler of Rich- 
 mond'^'''') describes the primitive mode of transporting tobacco 
 to market at the end of the last and the beginning of this cen- 
 tury as follows : " The cask containing it was actually rolled 
 to market on its own periphery, through mud and stream. A 
 long wooden spike, driven into the centre of each end, and pro- 
 jecting a few inches beyond it, served for an axletree ; a split 
 sajiling was fitted to it for shafts and extended in rear of the 
 cask ;. they were there connected by a hickory withe ; a few slabs 
 were nailed to these, in front of the cask, forming a sort of foot 
 board, or box, in which were stowed a middling or two of 
 bacon, a bag of meal, a frying pan, a hoe, an axe, and a blanket 
 
 174.) "Richmond in By gone Days," pp. HO and 111. Richmond, Va., 1856. 
 176.) "Richmond in By-gone Days," pp. 270—272. Richmond, Va., 1856. 
 
2C 
 
 for the bipeds ; the whole covered to some height witli fodder 
 for the quadrupeds. If the distance to market was moderate, 
 the hogshead was rolled on its hoops, which were stout and 
 numerous ; but if fifty to a hundred miles oi; more were to be 
 overcome, rough felloes were spiked on at each end, or quarter 
 of the cask, and these rude tires served to protect it from being 
 worn through. The tobacco roller, as the dj'ivei, (often the 
 owner) was called, sought no roof for shelter during his jour- 
 ney, sometimes of a week's duration and severe toil ; but at 
 nightfall he kindled a fire in the woods by the road side, baked 
 a hoe cake, fried some bacon, fed -his team, (I omitted to men- 
 tion the bag of corn,) rolled his blanket around him and slept 
 by the fire under the lee of his cask. When he reached the 
 warehouse, his tobacco was inspected, a note or receipt express- 
 ing the weight, etc., was handed to him, and he then sallied 
 forth into the streets in search of a purchaser; calling out' as 
 he entered a store, ' Mister, do you buy tobacco.' "When he had 
 found the right ' Mister,' and obtained his money and a few 
 articles to carry to his ' old woman,' he strapped the blanket on 
 one of his horses and rode home. These men generally trav- 
 elled in small parties, and if the weather and roads were good, 
 had a merry time of it ; if bad, they assisted each other when 
 obstacles occurred. The journey from beyond Eoanoke, the 
 only section of the State where German farmers cultivated 
 tobacco, consumed ten days going and returning. Tobacco 
 rollers are now an extinct species." 
 
 In the year 1788 "The Amicable Society'' was formed in 
 Eichmond, with the benevolent object of relieving strangers and 
 wayfarers in distress, for whom the law makes no provision. 
 The list of members contains many German names, as: Wm. 
 Schermer, J. Kemp, Joseph Darmstadt, J. Kerr, A. Leiper, 
 Samuel Myers, Jos. Marx, S. Jacob, 13. Brand, W. Bibber, G. H. 
 Backus, W. W. Ilenning, J. Bosher and D. W. AValthall. 
 
 At the beginning of the century a place called the "Kock 
 Landing," near the mouth of Sliockoe creek at Richmond, was 
 the resort for oyster boats and small crafts. On the occasion of 
 a severe ice-freshet a great deposit of drift-wood, soil and sand 
 
formed a small island iu James river. "A Uerman^''") named 
 WidetuiU procured a land warrant and located it on this new 
 formed land, and to secure it against becoming a floating 
 island, he drove stakes all around his slippery domain and 
 wattled them so that future freshets might add further de- 
 posits ; and thus 'Widewilt's Island' became a possession of 
 some value as a fishery and sand-mart. The island remained 
 above water longer than its owner did above ground; a 
 similar accident to that which formed the island recurred 
 and destroyed the work of its predecessor." — 1'he courageous 
 work of the German fisherman calls forth admiration and 
 has surrounded his name with romance.^'''') 
 
 In the year 1S04 a German hunter Bernard Wier dis- 
 covered in the magnesian limestone region of Augusta county, 
 on the land of his countryman Aymand,''''*) the beautiful 
 cave known as "Wier's Cave." 
 
 Immigration in the farming districts of the Btate had 
 almost ceased, as has been mentioned, within the first decades 
 of the nineteenth century. Only the country around Alex- 
 andria made an exception, as the farmers of that section found 
 a ready sale for their farm products in the adjoining city of 
 Washington. The farmers directed their attention mainly to 
 fruit culture, market gardening and dairy farming. Dr. 
 Julius Dienelt, of Alexandria, informed the author "that in 
 the period of 1830-^0 quite a number of Germans settled iu 
 the immediate vicinity of Alexandria, naming: Hartbauer, 
 Hohenstein, Grillbortzer, Dietz, Petshold and others, and their 
 descendants still own the' land of their fathers, which has 
 
 much increased in value." 
 
 » 
 
 The most convincing evidence of the importance, streugth 
 and propagation of the older German element in Virginia is 
 furnished by the large number of German names in the lists 
 of members of the "General Asseniblv of ■ Virginia." From 
 
 176) "Richmond in Bygone Days," pp. 19 and 20. Richmond, Va., 1856. 
 177.) "Widewilt's versunliene Insei," Gediclit von H. Scliunclit. "Der Silden," 
 Vol. I, No. 10. Richmond, Va., 1891. 
 
 178.) "Virginia Almanac for 1816," Johnson & Warner. Richmond, Va, 
 
the "Journals of the Hoiiso of Delegates and of the Heuute '' 
 the autlior obtained the following German names, not taking 
 into consideration many doubtful ones like : Adam, Arnold, 
 Baker, Christian, Cook, Fox, Friend, Hunter, Jlarshall, ilartin, 
 Xew, Thomas, Smith, Young, etc. 
 
 1777-1780: Starke, A. Hite, (Hampshire); W. Fleming, 
 S. Hart, (Eockingham) ; Isaac Zane, (Slienandoah) ; S. Helm, 
 George Skillering, (Botetourt); ^\'. Driukard, Th. Hite, 
 (Berkeley-). 
 
 1781-1783: Eucker, John Skinker, (King George): H. 
 Fr}', (Culjaepper); Ch. Simms, (Fairfax); Thomas Helm, Francis 
 Worman, Ebenezer Zane, (Ohio) ; J. Marks, J. Fry, (Albe- 
 marle) ; Th. Coleman, (Halifax). ' 
 
 178J-1786: W. Armistead, ("Sew Kent); J. Keed (Pendle- 
 ton) ; William Gerrard, (Stafford) ; J. Cropper, Wm. Gerrard, 
 (Fayette) ; A. Hines, A. Stephan, ( Berketey) ; G-. Stubblefield, 
 (Spotsylvania); John Marr, 11. Gregory, Gustavus Brown. 
 
 1787-1788 : J. Turner, John Stringer, J). Fisher, B. Tem- 
 ple, (King William) ; John Broadhead, Joseph Sweariiiger, J. 
 Trotter, Th. Kemp, (Princess Ann). 
 
 1790-1794: A. W^iggoner, (Berkeley); Th. Edgar, Isaac 
 Parsons, G. Stump, W. Nilms, A. D. On; Richard Hickman, 
 (Clarke) ; Jacob Froman, (Mercer). 
 
 1795-1798: George Buckner, (Caroline); Th. Starke, (Han- 
 over); Wm. Buckner, (Mathe) ; John'Koontz, (Eockingham). 
 
 1805-1816: Daniel Sheffey, (Augusta) ; Noah Zane, (Ohio) ; 
 Gorman Baker, (Cumberland) ; AVm. Starke, (Hanover) ; T. W. 
 Sweai'inger, (Jefferson); Dr. Jos. De Graffenriedt, (Lunenburg). 
 
 1823-;1S28: L. T. Date, (Orange); George May, (Bath); 
 F. G. L. Buhring, (Cabell); Jos. Ilolleman, (Isle of Wight); 
 George Eust, (Loudoun) ;. James Fisher, (Lunenburg) ; E. P. 
 Fletcher, (Eockingham); Col. .Tohn Thorn, (Fau(piier); Join 
 Perringer, (Alleghany); Samuel Herdman, (Brooke); George 
 Stillmau, (Fluvanna); Ed. Sangeter, (Fairfax); Wm. Finks, 
 (Madison); Dr. .John Stanger, (White) ; John F. Mav, (Peters- 
 burg). 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 Revival of German Immigration and Life to iS6o. 
 
 'N the fourth decade of the nineteenth century the German 
 element of Virginia, particularly of Eichmond, several 
 country towns and the present State of West Virginia, 
 received large additions of German immigrants. They 
 came by way of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and New 
 Orleans. Eepresenting nearly all of the German States, yet they 
 principally came from Hessia and Saxony — particularly from 
 the city of Marburg in Hessia. Mr. JSTolting, a merchant whose 
 descendants still live in Eichmond, imported by sailing vessel 
 direct from Bremen to Bockets, now Fulton, Va., a large num- 
 ber of German laborers and artisans, who were employed in 
 building the James river or Kanawha canal. Numerous Ger- 
 man Hebrews settled in the various county seats of Virginia, 
 where they established stores. Mr. Julius Straus, the present 
 president of the Beth Ahaba congregation, reported on Nov. 
 6, 1898, in a brief sketch of the Jews of Eichmond : ' ■^°) 
 
 "In the years 1837, 1838 and 1830 there arrived in this 
 city from Bavaria several families which had been accustomed 
 to the German mode of worship. In these years the Congre- 
 gation Beth Shalome was the only Synagogue in Eichmond, 
 and the history of this congregation is, to some extent, the 
 history of the Hebrews in Eichmond. A minute-book, which 
 perished in the flames of evacuation day, together with other 
 valuable papers belonging to the synagogue, dated back to the 
 year 1791, which is generally accepted as the date of organiza- 
 
 179.) "The Richmond Dispatch," November 6th, 1898, p. 3, 
 
30 
 
 tioii of tliici congregation following the Portuguese form, 
 whicli was strange to the German immigrants. About the year 
 1840 some twenty German families were organized into a 
 society for religious purposes, and held services at the residence 
 of Mr. ]\Iyer Angle. Then more German settlers arrived in the 
 city, and a synagogue was built on Marshall, near Sixth street, 
 and in 18 J 8 the present synagogue, Beth Ahaba,^on Eleventh 
 street, near Marshall, was dedicated." 
 
 jNlr. .Jacob Ezekiel, who has written a very interesting 
 pamphlet, entitled "The Jews of Richmond," says: "The 
 first place of worship of the Beth Shalome congregation was 
 a room in a three-story brick building on the west side of 
 Nineteenth, between Franklin and Grace streets, in which 
 one of the members resided. The next place of worship) was 
 a small brick building, erected on the west side of Nineteenth 
 street, in the rear of what was known as the Union Hotel, on 
 the southwest corner of Main and Nineteenth streets. 
 
 "After some years a lot of ground was purcliased from 
 Dr. Adams, on the east side of Mayo, above Franklin street, 
 on which a commodious synagogue was erected, in which the 
 congregation worshipped for upwards of three quarters of a 
 century. On account of the decrease of membership by death 
 and removal from the city this synagogue was recently sold to 
 another congregation, the K. K. Sir Moses Montefiore, and the 
 remnant of the congregation of Beth Shalome have worshipped 
 since then in Lee Camp Hall, on Broad street, near Seventh, 
 and in 1898 this oldest Jewish congregation united with the 
 congregation of Beth Ahaba. 
 
 "The reading desk of this once flourishing Beth Shalome 
 congregatioh has been filled from time to time by prominent 
 Hazanim, who afterward occupied honorable positions in the 
 most prominent congregations in the United States, among 
 whom were the following Revs, with German names: Isaac 
 H. Judah, Abraham H. Cohen, Isaac Leeser, Solomon Jacobs, 
 .Julius Eckman, Henry S. Jacobs, George Jacobs." 
 
 The history of BetE Ahaba will follow further on. 
 
Senator Wm. Lovenstein of lliclimond, in liis Euglisli 
 
 'b^ 
 
 oration at the "German Day," 1890^""), mentioued the 
 names of several Germans, who came to Eichmond in 1835 and 
 1836, who are to be considered as pioneers of the later large 
 immigration : B. Briel, C. Liewer, J. Knauf, J. Brauer, V. 
 Hechler, Gottfr. Noelting, J. Rebman, Havermare, Mrs. P. Fahr, 
 Georg- Leutz, Mrs. G. Lentz, Mrs. H. A. Philips, Mrs. Kohl- 
 hansen, P. Kepler, P. Schafer, C. Weber, H. Kracke, Joseph 
 JMyers, Mrs. Joseph Myers, G. Wilhelm, A. Bodecker, Scherer, 
 George Schoenberger, J. Doerfiinger, Pitz, W. Ewerts, W. Mil- 
 ler, F. Wittemaier, Beck, 0. A. Strecker, Stein, Krnesmau, 
 John Maybus, William Meuzing, Myer Angle,. Moses Waterman 
 and Isaac Solomon. 
 
 Richmond, the capital of the State, now became the 
 nucleus of German life in Virginia. Here the celebrations of 
 German national events took place. The first public festival 
 or " Yolksfest," was celebrated in 1840, in honor of Guitenherg 
 ^^^). It is to be deplored that no description of this festive 
 event is left. On the 14th and 15th of September, 1857, a 
 grand celebration in honor of General von Steuben: Das 
 Steubenfest, was arranged. The entire affair was a triumph 
 and every feature of it a success. The leaders in this festival, 
 0. A. Strecker, Oswald Heinrjch, Jul. Fischer, Weilbacher, Louis 
 Rueger, Honneger, Marxhausen, Diacont, Meier, Morgenstern, 
 Lehmann, Sturm, Schad, Harrold, and B. liassel, hoped^''^), 
 that it^ would demonstrate to their countrymen tlie strength 
 of the German element and impart to them more national self- 
 confidence, while on the other hand the Anglo-American fellow- 
 citizens would better learn to understand and to respect Ger- 
 man customs; and these expectations were realized. The Ger- 
 man Rifle Company, Saengerbund, Krankenverein, Schiller- 
 Loge, Theaterverein, Turnverein and citizens belonging to none 
 of these organizations assembled about noon on the 14th Sep- 
 
 180.) "The Richmond Dispatch," p. 2, Oclober 7ih, 1890. 
 
 181.) "Das deutsche Element in den Ver. Staaten," Seite 404, von GiastaT KUrner. 
 Cincinnati, 1880. * 
 
 182.) "Virginisohe Zeitang," Sonntagsblatt des Anzelgers. Hichmond, Va,, Septem- 
 ber 14th, 1890. 
 
32 
 
 temljer, 1852, in tlie Capitol Square, on the north side of the 
 Capitol, formed in procession and rnarched to Bellville Place. 
 There the formal ceremonies : prayer, speeches, -music and 
 singing, the unveiling of Gen. Steuben's bust, moulded by Mr. 
 Hubert, were followed by social gaiety and games for children 
 arranged l)y the ladies. The best order prevailed. 
 
 Uswakl Julius Heinrich delivered the German oration, 
 which was highly enjoyed and applauded. We quote in his 
 own words and language from his brilliant speech the fol- 
 lowing remarks: 
 
 "Hat nicht der Fleiss der Deutschen, wenn nicht in ho- 
 lierem Maasse, doch sicher zu gleichen Theilen, die Gauen 
 des neuen Vaterlandes in bliihende Auen verwandelt ? 1st 
 nicht das Verdienst der Deutschen um Kunst, Literatur uud 
 allgemeine Kenntnisse von alien Denen anerkaunt, welchen 
 Ijeschriinkter Nationalstolz eiu fi-eies ITrtheil nicht verkiim- 
 mert? Kiimpften nicht zu alien Zeiten und in alien Lan- 
 dern die Deutschen fiir die Sache der Freiheit und Unab-' 
 hilugigkeit, fur Wahrheit und Licht? Und zeigen auch einige 
 schwarze Blatter der Geschichte, dass vereiuzelte Schaaren 
 sich verleiten liessen, aus gemeiner Gewinnsucht sich zu Geg- 
 nern derselben zu machen, gingen sie nicht friiher oder spii- 
 ter, von ihrem Unrecht (Iberzeugt, in den rechten Pfad zu- 
 riick ? Und mannen sich nicht noch jetzt die Deutschen um 
 die ilatternde Fahne derjenigen Partei, welche die Grundsiitze 
 der Viiter der Kepublik zu den ihrigen macht und, die Frei- 
 heit und Gleichheit Aller gegen frechc Uebergriffe und Mo- 
 nopole zu schiitzen sucht ?" u. s. w. 
 
 Heinrich was born on the 2d April, ]8;i8, at Dresden, 
 Saxony, studied ai'chitecture and mining at the academies of 
 Dresden and Freiberg, Saxony^ "^). Having participated iu 
 the revolution at Dresden in May, 1849, he was prosecuted and 
 obliged to leave the land. In 1850 he came to -America and 
 worked as mason, carjjcuter, painter, teacher and engineer 
 in Tennessee, South and Nortli Carolina. In 1855 he moved 
 
 183.) Correspondence of the late Mr. Benno Heinrich (the brother of 0. Heinrich.) 
 Richmond, Va, 
 
33 
 
 to Eichmond, Va., and established himself as architect and 
 teacher of mathematics and drawing. During the civil war 
 Heinrich held a position in the Confederate mining office. 
 Afterwards he was superintendent of the Lead AVorks at Aus- 
 tinville, Va., and still later of the Midlothian Coal Mines in 
 Chesterfield county, Va. In 1878 he finally succeeded in ob- 
 taining an office fully complying to his Avishes and eminent 
 talents. Messrs. Cox Brothers' Co., proprietors of the coal 
 mines at Drifton, Pa., invited him to organize a mining acade- 
 my, and he remained the principal of it until February 4th, 
 1886, the day of his death. His corpse was cremated at New 
 York and his ashes interred at Hollywood cemetery, Eichmond, 
 Va. 
 
 A similar success like the " Steuben Fest " was the '• Sch'il- 
 Icrfeier," on November 10th, 1859. The entire German popu- 
 lation of the city participated in honoring the favorite poet of 
 all Germans : Friedrich von Schiller, at the 100th anniversary 
 of his birthday. In order to make this celebration an impres- 
 sive demonstration against the detestable "Knownothing move- 
 ment " prevailing at the time, Schiller's centennial festival 
 was celebrated in a glorious style. 
 
 The liberal era in Germany and Austi'ia, from 1848 to 1850, 
 had ended in revolutions and the victory of .reaction. Many 
 political fugitives emigrated to the United States, and the Ee- 
 public received during that period a most desirable influx of 
 emigrants from Germany. The refugees Avere men of high 
 education and noble character; they had sacrificed their homes 
 and positions in life for the nnity and liberty of their beloved 
 Fatherland; and such elements were well rpialitied to give a 
 new impulse to German life in America, and to successfully 
 advocate not to give up the mother language and the accom- 
 plishments and good habits of the native land. Virginia 
 received her share of this valuable immigration, although the 
 greater number stayed in the cities of the East or went to the 
 " Far West." 
 
 There were, unfortunately, atnong these refugees a num- 
 ber of enthusiasts, who cherished the idea to germanize Amer- 
 ica, or to establish at least a German State in the Fnion. The 
 
34 
 
 number of these fanatics was very small, but their foolish 
 agitation was the cause of great evil to the entire German 
 element. Almost all German-Mrgiuiaus were ojpiDosed to the 
 movement, but the leaders of it selected the city of Wheeling, 
 situated in the extreme north of Virginia before the division 
 of the State, as the seat of a " Congress of German Revolu- 
 tionists" to meet in September, 1852, and the Anglo-Americans 
 attached to this convention more importance than it merited. 
 Only sixteen delegates of nominally 1112 Revolutionary Associa- 
 tions (Revolutionsvereiue) attended the so-called Congress ; 
 and most of them came from Eastern States. The participants 
 were^*^*): Dr. Conradin Homburg, of Indianapolis, Ind., for- 
 merly practicing medicine at Fredericksburg, \-a., jDresident; E. ' 
 Schlaeger, of Boston, Mass., secretary ; Leonard Roos, of Newark, 
 N. J., R. Fischer, of Wheeling, Va., 0. Strobel, Wheeling, Va., 
 L. ileyer, Boston Masr., I. N. AVinkle, Wheeling, \a., AV. Roth- 
 acker, of London, A. Gcrwig, Cincinnati, 0., J. Mueller, Cleve- 
 land, 0., E. Goepp, Philadelphia, Pa., W. Rosenthal, Philadelphia, 
 Pa., Lorenz Kirchner, Troy, IST. Y., G. Baczko, Albany, N. Y., 
 J. Roth, Pittsburg, Pa., and C. Hoffmann, Pittsburg, Pa. These 
 eccentric persons traced out a program for the foundation of 
 an '•Universal Republic" (Arelt-Republik). They proposed to 
 organize an Alliance of the Nations of the New and the Old 
 World, (einen Voelkerbuud der neuen und alten Welt), and to 
 accomplish " the annexation of Europe to America." The Ger- 
 man-American newspapers treated the resolutions of the Wheel- 
 ing Congress with ridicule and contempt, but the Auglo- 
 Aniericau press pretended to see in the proceedings of the 
 convention an insolent interference Avith the political affairs 
 of this country. Thus the " Wheeling Congress " offered to 
 the so called " natives" the welcome opportunity to false repre- 
 sentations of the patriotic sentiment of the "' foreigners," and 
 particularly of the Germans. Another organization, 'Ulie 
 Free German Society, (Freic Gemeinde), at Richmond," excited 
 about 1850 suspicion and severe critique. The principles of 
 radicals frightened the slaveholders and church-goers, although 
 they include economic social and political questions which 
 in our days have in part been realized or grown to importance. 
 
 181.) "Der aeutsche Pionier," 8. Jahigang, Seite 86, Cincinnati, Oliio. 
 
35 
 
 Louis r. Heimighausen, in his interesting " I'ersoual liemi- 
 nisceuces of the Political Life of the German-Americans in Bal- 
 timore during the decade of 1850-1860," reports "^^): The 
 Free German Society in Eichmond, Va., demanded: ], Uni- 
 versal suifrage ; 2, The election of all officers by the people ; 
 3, The abolition of the Presidency; 4, The abolition of the 
 Senates, so that all Legislatures shall consist of one branch 
 only; 5, The right of the people to recall their representatives 
 at their pleasure ; 6, The right of the people to change the 
 Constitution Avheu they like ; 7, All law-suits to be conducted 
 without expense ; 8, A department of the Government to be 
 set up for the purpose of protecting immigration ; 9, A reduced 
 term for immigrants to acquire citizenship. — Reform in tlie 
 Foreign Relations of the Government : 1, Abolition of all neu- 
 trality ; 2, Litervention in favor of every people struggling for 
 liberty. — Reform in ivliat relates to religion: 1, A more per- 
 fect development of the principle of personal freedom and 
 liberty of conscience ; consequently, (a) abolition of laws for 
 the observance of the Sabbath ; (b) abolition of prayers in 
 Congress; (c) abolition of oath upon the Bible; (d) repeal of 
 laws enacting a religious test before taking an office. 2, Tax- 
 ation of church property; 3, A prohibition of incorporations 
 of all church iDroperty in the name of ecclesiastics. — Reform 
 in Social Conditions: 1, Abolition of all land monopoly; 2, 
 Ad valorum taxation of property ; 3, Amelioration of the con- 
 dition of the working class, (a) by lessening the time of work 
 to eight hours for grown persons and to five hours for children ; 
 (b) by incorporation of Alechanics' Associations and Protective 
 Societies; (c) by granting a preference to mechanics before all 
 other creditors; (d) by establisliing, at public expense, an 
 asylum for superannuated mechanics without means. 4, Edu- 
 cation of poor children by the State ; 5, Taking possession of 
 railroads by the State ; 0, The promotion of education, (a) by 
 the introduction of free schools, with the power of enforcing 
 parents to send their children to school, and prohibition of 
 all clerical influence; (b) liy instruction in the German lan- 
 guage; (c) by establishing a German University. 7, The 
 
 1?5 ) Eleventh and Twelfih Annual Reports ot the Society for the History of the' 
 Germans in Maryland," 1897-1898, pp. 6 and 6 ; and "Political Text Book iind Clopa- 
 dia," by W. W. Oesky, pp. 220, etc. Philadelphia, 1860. 
 
36 
 
 supporting of the slave emancipation exertions of Cassias il. 
 Clay by Congressional laws ; 8, Abolition of the Christian 
 system of punishment and introduction of the humane ameli- 
 oration system ; 9, Abolition of capital punishment. 
 
 The " Freie Gemeinde '' was however only an ephemeral 
 organization; its membership was only twenty-two, and it was 
 looked upon by the majority of the Germans of Eichmond with 
 almost hostile sentiments. The participation in such a society 
 Avas full of dangers in a slave State, and in spite of its insig- 
 nificance it gave the nativists sustenance for their animosity. 
 
 The recollection of this association has almost died out 
 and it Avas only possible after manifold query to obtain some 
 reliable information about it from the contemporaries of its 
 time ^^'') still living in Richmond. 
 
 It was about 1850 when a certain Mr. Steinmetz came to 
 Eichmond and made energetic efforts to organize a "Freie 
 Gemeinde." He was assisted by brewer Eichter, of the Chim- 
 borazo Brewery, Mr. Kempe, Mr. A. Rick, two Mess. Teupel 
 Mr. Steinlein, &c. Several meetings were held at Monticello 
 Hotel, where Steinmetz addressed the members on the princi- 
 ples of Free-thinkers. A great deal of animosity was aroused, 
 particularly among their coubtrymen, by the hoisting of a 
 "red flag" over the meeting house, and this demonstration 
 brought down on them the appellation of " Die Eothen," i. e., 
 " the ]\eds." In the early part of 1851 Steinmetz was advised 
 to shake the dust of the city off his feet if he did not desire 
 to be subjected to complications peculiarly disagreeably to 
 himself, and he heeded the advice. With his disappearance 
 the whole movement was wrecked. 
 
 Since the introduction of slavery the pro-slaverymen in 
 Mrgiuia had looked upon the Germans with hidden suspicion 
 and antipathy, and iiow their animosity was shared by a very 
 great portion of the entire English element, which made itself 
 observable by paltry but inimical actions. 
 
 136.) Reminiscences fuvnislied by Messrs. Louis Ruejer, B. Hassel, C. R. M. 
 and C. Wendlioger. 
 
37 
 
 The success of the Germans in agricnltural, industrial 
 and commercial pursuits, and their love of the old Fatherland 
 demonstrated by their great public festivals at Eichmond, 
 increased the ill-Avill of the Anglo-Virginians. The political, 
 religious and social institutions of the United States, as : gen- 
 eral and free elections, freedom of speech, printing, worship of 
 God, public instruction, equal rights before court and in politi- 
 cal and social competition, all these very fundamental jwincijjles 
 of republican Ufe were at that period in Virginia not carried 
 out to the letter. The so-called natives knew very well that 
 their German fellow-citizens, although silently and patiently 
 suffering, fully recognized the state of oppression and that they 
 longed to exercise their constitutional rights without restraint 
 or fear of evil consequences to themselves. Some intimidated 
 writers have glorified the good relations claimed by them to 
 have existed between the Anglo- and German-Virginians at that 
 period, but the historian has to tell the truth and not to gild dark 
 clouds, and he must acknowledge that the Germans were politi- 
 cally and socially slighted. From 1854 — 56 the spiteful "know- 
 nothing movement" prevailed, and the so-called "natives" 
 threw olf the mask and openly showed their animosity for the 
 "foreigners." At fii-st the Germans continued to silently bear 
 all abuse and threat — some of them even forgot their self- 
 respect and joined their enemies — and it was therefore the 
 good luck of the oppressed that from among the Anglo-Alr- 
 ginians an eloquent and ardent defender pleaded their cause. 
 Henry A. Wise, afterwards Governor of the State and General 
 in the Confederate army, in an open letter and many speeches 
 during the memorable Electoral campaign of 1854, defended 
 the rights of the abused foreigners and foiled the knownoth- 
 ing movement. At that time Governor Wise erected to him- 
 self a monument in the hearts of all German- Virginians that 
 can never wither, and he in truth made the relations Miueen 
 the English and the Germans in Virginia more harmonious and 
 leneficial, although the rivalry between the two nationalities 
 continued for some time, as may be illustrated by the fol- 
 lowing incident: 
 
 On July 26th, 1856, the following appeal was published in 
 the Eichmonder Anzeiger: 
 
38 
 
 AWAKE GERMANS! 
 
 The City Coiincil, elected to protect the welfare and rights 
 of the citiiiens, having resolved, on the 21st inst., to pay to each 
 uniformed military company an annual allowance of 50 dol- 
 l;i,i-s_l3ut upon motion of Mr. Gretter : with the exception of 
 the German Kifle Company— all German citizens of Richmond 
 and all who have taken their intention papers, are hereby in- 
 vited to attend, on Monday next, July 28th, at eight o'clock, 
 P. M., 
 
 A GENERAL MASH-MEETING 
 
 at the St. Johannes Churcli, on Fifth street, 
 
 to discuss the following questions: 
 
 1. Is the City Council justified to ignore the rights of 
 citizens and to expend the public funds with partiality? 
 
 2. Is the City Council entitled to tax the German citi- 
 zens at equal rates as other citizens, without granting them 
 equal privileges ? 
 
 3. Is the City Council authorized to grant Gei'man citi- 
 zens and taxpayers fewer benet:ts of public funds than citizens 
 of other nationality ? 
 
 4. And is fhe action of the City Council of the 21st inst. 
 not to be termed an act of impudence and insult to the Ger- 
 man Rifle Company, and also an offence against the Constitu- 
 tion of the country, and an outrage to the whole German popu- 
 lation of the State of Virginia ? 
 
 Every German who values the rights of citizens and Ger- 
 man honor is expected to attend the meeting! 
 
 Several Citizens." 
 
 The author of this appeal was Mr. C. R. M. Pohle, and 
 about 200 Germans attended the meeting in the German 
 church. Mr. B. Ilassel called the assembly to order and was 
 appointed chairman, while Mr. J. Eeinhardt was chosen sec- 
 retary. Messrs. Pohle, Gronwald, Rev. Hoyer, Rick and others 
 criticized the action of the City Council in the strongest terms, 
 aud hlamed it to la partial and to 'provoTce discord and hatred 
 among the citizens. Finally resolutions were adopted and after- 
 wards published in the leading English city papers: the 
 " Enquirer," " Examiner "' and " Dispatch," which neither 
 lacked plainness nor energy ; but the expected result did not 
 
39 
 
 follow. The Citj Council justified its action by a most de- 
 plorable incident that happened at a target shooting on a 
 picnic place called the "Hermitage." Although the shooting 
 was arranged by the German Eifles, this military company 
 had nothing to do with the occurrence. A young German 
 butcher, who was no member of the company, had indulged 
 in too much spirits and become quarrelsome. He insulted 
 and attacked a corporal of the Kifle Company, who finally 
 shot and wounded his offender fatally, so that he died in the 
 hospital during the night. The corporal disappeared and was 
 never heard of again; all German citizens of Eichmond 
 lamented the sad event, but no one considered the Company 
 in any way responsible. The City Council took a contrary 
 view. However, the German Eifle Company kept up its organi- 
 zation without the aid of public money, and at a later time, 
 when the Civil War broke out and the Governor called on 
 the citizens to defend the State, the members of the ill-treated 
 company shouldered their rifles and took the field under the 
 command of Capt. Florence Miller. 
 
 G. R. M. Polile, who was the chief arravger of the above 
 described mass-meeting, is a man of German sentiment and of 
 ideal disposition. He was born on April 17th, 1821, at 
 Delitsch, Prussia. He came to America in 1844, and lived 
 in New York until 1849. At New York he accepted an en- 
 gagement as actor in Palm's Opera House, a German theatre 
 under the management of Mr. Schwan, and he gained the 
 esteem of the public^^''). In 1849 until 1852 he was a musi- 
 cian of the U. S. Navy Band, and afterwards he removed to 
 Eichmond, Va., where he received the appointment of Pro- 
 Sector of the anatomical department of the Eichmond Medical 
 College. AVith a particular liking he filled the position of 
 Drum-Major of the First Virginia Militia Eegiment, and ac- 
 companied it in the war^^**). Pohle also tried himself as 
 author. He wrote two dramas: "Der Blitz" and "Maria, 
 Oder Leidenschaf t und Liebe," and also many German poems, 
 published in 1855 by B. Hassell, Eichmond, Va. These pub- 
 is/.) ''New- York Staatszeitung," August 13th, 1848. 
 
 188.) "War History of the old First Virginia Infantry Regiment," by Charles T, 
 Loehr, Bidimond, Va,, 1884, 
 
40 
 
 lications were mucli criticized as being deficient in form and 
 sometimes objectionable in expression, but they are not without 
 poetical merit and full of devotional German patriotism. Mr. 
 Pohle was for years solicitor of the "Virginia Staats Gazette;" 
 he died an inmate of the Soldiers' Home at Eichmond. 
 
 German newspapers, published in Eichmond, have been 
 already repeatedly mentioned, and now their history shall be 
 supplemented. 
 
 In the year 1853 B. Hassel, a native of Cassel, Hessia, a 
 compositor by occupation, founded the " Eichmond Anzeiger." 
 Many years Mr. Hassel had to compete with serious difficulties 
 to keep up his paper ; at times he combined the functions of 
 editor, compositor, printer and distributor, and to the present 
 time his wife and children have faithfully assisted him in his 
 toilsome work. The perseverance of Mr. Hassel deserves great 
 credit, and the "Anzeiger" has to-day the honor to be the 
 second oldest of all the existing Eichmond newspapers. 
 
 . About the year 1858 Eev. Hoyer, pastor of the German 
 Evangelical St. Johannes church, published the " Beobachter," 
 a German weekly. The paper was well edited, but insuffi- 
 ciently supported, and existed but a short time. 
 
 In the beginning of 1859 Hermann Schuricht, the author 
 of this history, came to Eichmond and started with Henry 
 Schott, born in Marburg, in Hessia, the daily " Virginische 
 Zeitung" and a comic Sunday paper, "Die Wespe." These 
 publications were favorably received by the public, but unfor- 
 tunately the Civil War broke out soon after and injured the 
 enterprise. In January, 1860, the proprietors accepted the 
 proposition of the owners of the "Eichmond Enquirer" to 
 consolidate the "Virginische Zeitung" with their widely cir- 
 culated paper. Henry Schott remained in charge of the Ger- 
 man printing department and H. Schuricht continued as 
 German editor. The "Enquirer" appeared hereafter until 
 the war opened in April, 1860, its outer pages printed in 
 German and the inner in English, edited by 0. Jennings 
 Wise, son of Governor Wise, and Col. N. Tyler. Editor Schu- 
 
41 
 
 richt had stipulated, however, that he should not be obliged 
 to write in favor of slaverj', and that all contributiona of the 
 English editors to the German jiart of the pajDer were to be 
 signed by them. After the close of the war Mr. Ilassel under- 
 took to publish the "Virginische Zeitung" as Sunday edition 
 of the " Anzeiger," and it is so continued to the present day. 
 
 Several German-Virginians were contributors to these Ger- 
 man Eichmond newspapers, like : G. A. Peple, whose biograph- 
 ical sketch follows in chapter 13, and who for some time, 
 towards the close of the war, edited the " Richmond Anzeiger." 
 Hugo Plant furnished the "Virginische Zeitung" with pretty 
 poems. He was a native of Hessia and kept a trimmiug store 
 on Main street. At the beginning of the Civil War he joined 
 the Wise Legion, was afterward a manufacturer in New York 
 city, and died in 1895. Wilhelm H. Lotz, born at Marburg, 
 in Hessia, contributed .several articles on technical questions- 
 to the "Virginische Zeitung." He died in 1894 at Chicago. 
 
 The "Virginische Staatszeitung " was published at Wheel- 
 ing, before the separation of West Virginia. 
 
 A modest German citizen of Eichmond also deserves men- 
 tion, having joined in the intellectual endeavors of that period 
 and who may, by comparison, properly be called : " the Hans 
 Sachs of Virginia." — Gottfried Lange, born March 20th, 1809, 
 at Erfurt, Prussia, was like the " Meistersinger of Nuremberg," 
 a shoemaker and a poet. He came to Eichmond in 1837 and 
 worked for some time as a common laborer on the James river 
 •canal. After saving some money, he established himself as 
 shoemaker, also pruned vines and finally opened a wine and beer 
 saloon. Lange took great interest in public affairs, and in 
 1841 he prompted the organization of the "Deutsche Kran- 
 kengesellschaft zu Eichmond," which, in his presence, cele- 
 brated its fiftieth anniversary on Oct. 19th, 1891. A song 
 that Lange had composed at the time of the founding of the 
 society, wa,s printed and distributed at the festival. He also 
 participated in the organization of the St. Johannes church 
 and was esteemed by all who knew him. He died in 1893. 
 
42 
 
 Among the ijliysicians of Richmond Dr. M. Rust took a 
 prominent place, and several of his medical publications were 
 highly commended. 
 
 Karl Minnigerodc, doctor of theology and rector of the 
 Bt. Paul Episcopal church, was another Germai much esteemed 
 in Anglo- and German-American circles^**"). lie was born 
 August 6th, 1814, at Arensberg, in AVestphalia, and studied 
 jurisprudence at the university of Giesen. He then became an 
 active member of the German "Burschenschaft" and took part 
 in politics and the distribution of revolutionary publications. 
 After several years of imprisonment he determined to emigrate, 
 and on Dec. 1st, 1839, he came to America. He first went to 
 Philadelphia as teacher of ancient languages and soon at- 
 tracted the attention of Anglo-American scientific men. At 
 that time he took part with enthusiasm in the cultural 
 endeavors of his countrymen and at the " Guttenberg Cele- 
 bration" at Philadelphia he was the German orator. In 1842 
 he followed a call to the professorship of classical literature 
 on "William and Mary College," at Williamsburg, Va., and 
 from that time forward the former German revolutionist 
 adopted the cause of the Virginian slave-holders. In 1844 
 he joined the Episcopal church, which from the beginning 
 of the colony had aimed to rule and to suppress all other 
 creeds, and in 1848 he exchanged the professorship with the 
 pulpit. His estrangement from his countrymen became more 
 and more apparent, although occasionally, when requested, 
 he performed nuptial and other ceremonies in German. His 
 countrymen regretted that a man of such antecedent, emi- 
 nent talent and knowledge disregarded them, when by his^ 
 influence he might have assisted the German element to 
 develop its importance and merit. During the War of Seces- 
 sion Rev. Miiinigerode was the friend and confessor of Jefferson 
 Davis, President of the Confederate States, and after the cap- 
 ture and imprisonment of Mr. Davis at Fortress Monroe, Rev. 
 Minnigerodc obtained permission to visit the fallen statesman 
 and to afford him his ecclesiastical consolation. Rev. Minni- 
 
 189.) Compare "Das deutsclie Element In don Ver. Staateii," von G. Koerner. Cin- 
 cinnati, Ohio, 1880. 
 
43 
 
 gerode has been severely blamed by uortliern writers on account 
 of this action, but it honors him not to have deserted his friend 
 iu the hour of need. In tlie presence of an officer and the 
 guard he repeatedly administered the sacrament to the ex- 
 president in his prison. Some religious publications in Eng- 
 lish originated from Dr. Minnigerode's pen. Dr. Minnigerode 
 died in 1894. 
 
 In 1844 another German scholar Maximilian Scheie de Vere 
 was appointed Professor of modern languages and literature 
 at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va. After the 
 death of Professor George Blaettermann, before mentioned, Dr. 
 Med. Karl Kreiitzer, a native of Saxony, had occupied the 
 professorship, and he v.'as succeeded by Dr. Max. Scheie de 
 Vere. The "Richmond Times" of June 14th, 1894, says in 
 an editorial: "His career has been one of singular honor to 
 himself and the institution with which his name is linked, 
 and his services of learning, especially in the science of com- 
 parative philology, have been of very high order." lie 
 was born in 1820 in Pommerania. Maximilian Scheie de 
 Vere received an excellent college education ; subsequently 
 he visited the universities of Bonn and Berlin, and thanks to 
 his commanding talents and favorable social position, he was 
 very early a "Eegierungs-Eeferendar " in the Prussian civil 
 service and an attache to the embassy at St. Petersburg. The 
 sudden death of his father deprived the family of his large 
 official income, and as the above two offices were "unpaid," 
 he was compelled to abandon the career so hopefully begun. 
 In 1842, at the age of twenty-two, he emigrated to the United 
 States, and at once engaged in literary pursuits. He edited 
 for some time "Die alte und neue Welt," published in Phila- 
 delphia. In 1843 he took an active part in the foundation 
 of the "Deutsche Einwanderungs-Gesellschaft zu Philadel- 
 phia," and following an invitation of Dr. R. Wesselhoeft, he 
 removed to Boston, where he established himself a teacher of 
 modern languages and literature. His labors were noticed 
 with approval and he soon secured the friendship of several 
 learned men of influence. In the summer of 1844 Scheie de 
 Vere travelled through the States of the Union to extend his 
 knowledge of the country and its people, and upon his return 
 
44 
 
 to Boston was handed a call to he professor of modern lan- 
 guages at the University of A'irginia, which he accepted. 
 During the AVar of Secession Prof. Scheie de Vere served for 
 some time as an officer in the Confederate Army, and was 
 afterwards appointed Commissioner to the various German States 
 by the Confederate Government. Peace re-established, Profes- 
 sor Scheie de Verc re-occupied his place at the University, and 
 in 1894 he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his affiliation 
 to the University of Virginia. At this occasion the German- 
 American Society of Virginia, at Richmond, conferred on him, 
 as a mark of esteem, the honorary membership of the society. 
 The professor was known as a productive author. The 
 " Deutsche Pionier '" and " Paittermann's Deutsch-Amerik. Ma- 
 gazin" of 1886 contain many valuable contributions written 
 by him, and in 1891 Prof. Scheie de Vere was one of the con- 
 tributors of "Der Sueden," published in Richmond. Of his 
 numerous English writings must be mentioned : Comparative 
 Philology, Studies in English, Americanism, Leaves from the 
 Book of Nature, The ]Myths of the Rhine, illustrated by Dor£> 
 (edition de luxe, Scribner's Sons), Leaves from the Book of 
 Nature, republished by Blackwood, London, The Romance of 
 American Histor}^, Modern Magic, Problematic Characters, 
 From Night to Light, The Hohensteins, (the last three pub- 
 lications are translations from Spielhagen), Wonders of the Deep, 
 The Great Empress, Glimpses of Europe in 1848, etc. He also 
 published several articles in the "Southern Literary Messen- 
 ger," " Scribner's Magazine " and " Harper's Monthly." 
 
 Professor Scheie de A^ere was the recipient of acknowledg- 
 ments by German and American scientific corporations. The 
 University of Greifswald bestowed on him the degree of 
 doctor of philosophy, and that of Berlin that of doctor 
 of jurisprudence. He was also tendered several honorable 
 positions by highly renowned academies, but he declined 
 all for reason of his attachment to Mrginia. He died in 1897 
 at Washington. 
 
 During the middle of this century the German language 
 was more and more supplanted by the English, particularly 
 iu all the country towns and villages. This is especially true 
 
45 
 
 ♦ 
 
 of the German parishes. Besides at Richmond, only in the 
 Lutheran churches at Charlottesville, Va., Wheeling and Mar- 
 tinsburg, "VV. Va., and in a few communities of Dunkards in 
 Botetourt and Rappahannock counties, preaching in German 
 was continued. 
 
 Rev. Socrates Henlcel, since 1850 in charge of the Evan- 
 gelical Lutheran church at ISTew -Market, Va., in his " Histoiy 
 of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Tennessee,"^"") names 
 the following Virginian Lutheran churches of German origin, 
 omitting however some Ave have mentioned in Volume I, 
 chapters 5 and 6, that did not belong to the Tennessee Synod : 
 
 Shenandoah cottm^y.— Emmanuel, New-Market; Mt. Zion, 
 Solomon's ; St. Mary's, (Pine) Powder Springs ; St. Paul's, St. 
 Jacob's; Zion, St. Matthew's, St. Stephen's, St. David's, Mt. Cal- 
 vary, Morning Star, Orkney Springs. 
 
 Rochingham county. — Bithany, (St. Jacob's), McGaheys- 
 ville ; Trinity, St. Peter's, Rader ; St. John's, Bethel ; Phanuels, 
 Philipps. 
 
 Augusta county. — Bethlehem, St. Paul's ; Keinadt's or Koi- 
 ner's, 12 miles from Staunton; St. John's, Waynesboro. 
 
 Madison county. — Mt. Nebo. 
 
 Prince William county. — Bethel. 
 
 Page county. — St. Paul's, St. William's, (Fairview) ; Grace, 
 Mt. Calvary, Morning Star, St. Mark's, Cedar Point, Hawksbill, 
 Luray, Alma, Stony Man. 
 
 Wythe county. — Valley church. 
 
 Washington county. — Church in the Fork. 
 
 Roanoke county. — Salem. 
 
 He states that Lutheran churches also exist or existed 
 in. the counties of Mason, Smyth, Frederick, Botetourt,. Cul- 
 
 190.) "History of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Sj'nod," by Socrates Hen- 
 kel, D.D., page 270 and elsewhere. New-Market, Va., 1890. 
 
46 
 
 pepper, Montgomery, and in West Virginia in Shepherdstown, 
 Jefferson county, Zion ; Mill Creek church, in Hardy county, 
 and Probst church, in Pendleton county. 
 
 From Eev. A. Phillippi'a interesting paper to the Lutheran 
 Pastors' Association of Wythe county, published in " Wythe- 
 ville Dispatch" of April 9th, 1897, we gather the following 
 historical facts: "After the death of Eev. George Flohr, 
 before mentioned, the Eev. Jacob Sherer took charge of St. 
 John's church, near Wytheville, Va., until 1836. His succes- 
 sor was Eev. John T. Tabler. The four years during which 
 Eev. Tabler was pastor was a very critical time in the life and 
 history of the congregation. It was the time of the intro- 
 duction and use of the English language in place of the 
 German. In 1841 to 1854 Eevs. J. J. Greever and J. A. 
 Brown jointly took charge of the congregation, and from 
 1854 to 1862 Eev. J. A. Brown continued on in the pastorate. 
 He was followed by Eevs. Wm. D. Eoedel and E. H. McDonald, 
 and in 1866 by Eev. Alex. Phillippi. The old constitution, 
 adopted in 1804, but lost sight of in the transition of the con- 
 gregation in the use of the English in place of the German 
 language in its public services, was hunted up, translated into 
 English, revised in a few points and re-adopted amidst general 
 and great rejoicing. Thus the congregation has preserved its 
 German character to this day. Eev. Phillippi was succeeded 
 by Eev. S. S. Eahn and Eev. Paul Sieg. The beautiful, stately 
 Trinity church in Wytheville, and also St. Mark's and St. 
 Luke's, are now holding honorable places among the working 
 and growing churches of the Lutheran Synod of Southwest 
 Virginia." 
 
 The oldest German Christian community in Eichmond, 
 which has never ceased to use the German language, is the Luth- 
 eran 8t. Johannis church. On Christmas day, 1844, the first di- 
 vine service was celebrated by Eev. Hoyer in the old church, 
 corner Jackson and Fifth streets. The old church was a plain 
 brick building, and the basement was used as school-room. 
 Unfortunately the pastor was not the right guardian of so 
 sacred an office. He was a highly educated man and an excellent 
 orator, but too fond of strong drink, and consequently he 
 gave serious cause for disappointment. 
 
47 
 
 In 1852 another Lutheran Evangelical community, the 
 " Betlehemgemeinde," was organized in the Capital. Keverends 
 Schmogrow and Gross were the first pastors, and a good school 
 was connected with the church, situated corner of Clay and 
 Sixth streets. 
 
 Until 1849 only one Catholic church existed in Eichmond, 
 but at that time many German Catholics settled in the city 
 and they rented a dwelling house on Marshall street, where 
 they were organized in con^munity by Eev. Father Braun. 
 The following year Eev. Braun was superseded by Father 
 Palhauber, and soon after the German parishioners bought 
 the property ou corner of Marshall and Fourth streets, where 
 they built the St. Mary's {St. Marien) German Catholic church. 
 The successor of Father Palhauber was Father Polk, under 
 whose administration the community enlarged and prospered. 
 He was followed by Eev. Mayer, a man of science and a 
 member of the St. Benedict's Order. A flourishing parochial 
 school and a classical high-school for boys and girls were 
 organized by the last-named reverend and conducted by breth- 
 ren and sisters of St. Benedict's Order. 
 
 Ahead of all in forming a German community in Eich- 
 mond, as already mentioned, were the German Hebrews. As 
 early as 1840 they founded the synagogue Beth Ahaba and 
 elected M. G. Michelbacher rabbi. Moses Millhiser deserves 
 the greatest credit for his devotion as president of this com- 
 munity, — exclusively oomposed of Germans and German- 
 Virginians. 
 
 The Statutes of Virginia say'^^): "The Lutherans are 
 numerous in portions of the Valley where the original popu- 
 lation was of German origin. The German Reformed Church 
 is found in the same localities, as is also the United Breth- 
 ren, which, from resembla,ncea, may be called the German 
 Methodist Church.^' 
 
 The same official document gives the census returns in 
 
 191.) "Virginia," by the Board of Immigration and by Authority of Law, page 198. 
 Richmond, Va., 1876. 
 
48 
 
 Virginia of the following religions denominations in 1860: 
 Lutherans, 69 churches, 2-^,675 members; German Reformed 
 Church, 12 churches, 4,000 members ; and in the year 1870 
 the United Brethren 38 churches and 7,450 members. These 
 figures embraced some English congregations, but the great 
 majority was originally undoubtedly German. The German 
 element is also largely represented in the Methodist-Episcopal, 
 the Baptist, Protestant-Episcopal, Koman-Catholic and Mora- 
 vian orders. The Lutherans have two institutions of learning 
 of advanced and higher grades: the Eoanoke College, located 
 at Salem, Eoanoke county, and the Staunton Female Semi- 
 nary at Staunton, Augusta county. The foundation of Ger- 
 man parochial schools of elementary and higher grades, as 
 for instance at Harper's Ferry, ]^ew-Market and Eichmond, 
 deserves acknowledgment, as the public education in the 
 State was very deficient. The census of 1840 revealed the 
 startling fact that there were in the commonwealth 58,747 
 white persons above the age of twenty years who could not 
 read or write, being one-twelfth of the entire white popula- 
 tion; and in 1850 the illiterate white adults numbered 77,005, 
 besides 490,865 slaves living in ignorance. Governor Mc- 
 Dowell (1843), always a friend of eduation, sought to advance 
 its more general diffusion under the patronage of the State; 
 "that every child in Virginia should be able to read for 
 himself the confession of his faith an-d the constitution of 
 his country." But he failed to carry out his wishes. 
 
 In 1840 the number of children in the State in attend- 
 ance on the State schools was only 27,598, one-fifth of all the 
 white children between eight and fifteen j'ears of age.^°^) 
 The other four-fifths were being educated by the more popu- 
 lar neighborhood, field, private and denominational methods, 
 or — not schooled at all. 
 
 In the years 1859 to 1860 a German Israelite, whom the 
 author knew personally, but whose name he cannot remem- 
 
 192.) Educational Eeport, 18J5— 96, page 274. 
 
49 
 
 ber, established a "Commercial College" (Handelsschule) in 
 Richmond. 
 
 The Medical Profession was at that time well represented 
 by Germans, and particularly in the capital city by Doctors 
 M. A. Rust, Wilhelm Grebe, Garwenzel, Th. Boldemann and 
 Deutsch, and by the druggists 0. A. Strecker, Julius Fischer, 
 H. Bodecker, L. AVagner, J. Kindervater and Zaeckrissen, who, 
 although a Swede by birth, associated with the Germans. 
 
 The development of the "Pine Arts" in Virginia had 
 not yet passed the childhood state, but the little there was, 
 was principally cultivated by the Germans. Music and the 
 instruction in music rested in German hands. In Richmond 
 Frederick and Karl Seibert from Ziegenhain in Hessia and 
 
 WoUer from Johann-Georgenstadt in Saxony were known 
 
 as organists and piano-teachers. The first claim of artist 
 among the musicians of Richmond is due to Charles W. 
 Thilow of Leipzig, Saxony ; he is a master of the cello. 
 Other musicians of good repute were John Kussnich, Otto 
 Mueller, John Baier and others. The landscape painter Baier, 
 probably a Saxon, was the first to paint the most beautiful 
 scenery and places in Virginia. These were lithographed and 
 published as the "Album of Virginia" in Berlin and Dres- 
 den. Baier died an inmate of the lunatic asylum " Sonnen- 
 stein," Pirna, Kingdom of Saxony.^ — The largest lithographic 
 establishment in the State was conducted by Hoyer & Lud- 
 wig.^"^) 
 
 The Germans were no less distinguished in ai'chitecture, 
 engineering and mining. Oswald Heinrich was already spo- 
 ken of as mining engineer. By him was drawn the first 
 Geological Map of Virginia. Captain von Buchhoh, a native 
 of Wuertemberg, designed the first accurate topographical map 
 of the State by order of Governor Henry A. A¥ise. Among 
 the architects of Virginia Captain Albert Leiirock ranks very 
 high. He was born January 11th, 1827, at St. Johann, 
 
 193.) During the period of the "Southern Confederacy" Hoyer & Lud\7ig printed 
 the Confederate notes, bonds, etc. 
 
50 
 
 Ehein-Provinz, and studied at the Polytechnic School at 
 Karlsruhe. In 1850 he came to Richmond. The most impor- 
 tant of his works are the Miller Labor School of Albemarle 
 and the Custom House and Mozart Academy at Eichmond. 
 At the beginning of the Civil AVar he organized a German 
 infantry company. He died at Richmond on his 59th birth- 
 day in 1886.^"*) Karl Seibert, previously mentioned as pia- 
 nist, Tvas also a talented architect. 
 
 Horticulture was at that time hardly known in Virginia 
 and the city of Richmond possessed only one small Public 
 Park : the " Capitol Square ; " but this park was in charge of 
 the German horticulturist E. G. Eggeling, afterwards assis- 
 tant park-commissioner in St. Louis, Mo., and during the 
 Confederate period steAvard at the Jefferson Davis mansion. 
 
 In the development of industry and commerce the Ger- 
 mans have also taken a prominent part. In the manufacture, 
 sale and export of Virginia's great staple: tobacco, the Ger- 
 mans have been leaders almost from the time of the settle- 
 ment of the Colony. Several wholesale houses of Bremen sent 
 their representatives to Richmond and the export of tobacco 
 increased considerably the first half of the present century. 
 Sailing vessels from Bremen and Hamburg anchored at Rock- 
 ets and thousands of hogsheads were shipped to Europe. 
 Sometimes six or eight German vessels were seen at a time 
 in Eichmond harbor. The Austro-Hungarian government en- 
 trusted German tobacco houses in Richmond (E. "W". de Voss 
 & Co. and F. AV. Hanewinkel & Co.) with the purchase of its 
 supplies, and the French, Italian and Portuguese governments 
 also transacted most of their tobacco purchases through Ger- 
 man-Virginian firms. At Lynchburg the German houses: 
 Holt, Schaefer & Co., Guhling & Co., John Katz, etc., and at 
 Petersburg: H. Noltenius and Ferd. Schwenk & Co. controlled 
 the trade. E. P. AA^hitlock in Richmond, of German descent, 
 became well known as manufacturer of " Old Virginia Che- 
 roots," etc.i^'5) 
 
 194.) Correspondence of Oscar Cranz, Jr., son-in law of Capt. Leibrock. Richmond, Va. 
 
 196.) Correspondence of Christ, Droste, with L, Borchers & Co., Austrian Consulate, 
 Richmond, Va. 
 
51 
 
 The wholesale and retail trade in dress-goods was and is 
 almost entirely in the hands of Gerinan, Israelites. Many 
 watchmakers, jewelers, milliners, dealers in musical instru- 
 ments, artists'. materials, frames and pictures, stationers and 
 book-binders, tailors, shoemakers, hat and cap makers, fur- 
 riers, dealers in coal and wood, building materials, paints, 
 china and glassware, furniture manufacturers, tin and sheet- 
 iron workers, grocers, bakers, butchers, wine and liquor deal- 
 ers, coopers, etc., were Germans, and in any mechanical trade 
 or workshop intelligent German artisans were to be found. 
 Two breweries existed in Richmond before 1860: Eduarcl 
 EuTcer's and the Chimberazo Hill Brewery of Morris c£- Rich- 
 ter, brewing lager-beer, and also, one brewery making weiss- 
 beer. A peculiar and unsuccessful undertaking was the con- 
 struction of a floating mill, at the foot of James river falls, 
 by Siege Brothers in the beginning of the sixth decade. 
 Much money was sacrificed in the enterprise. The mill was 
 twice destroyed before completed, first by high water and 
 the second time by an incendiary. 
 
 In Volume I, Chapter I, it has been stated that the pro- 
 duction of wine in Virginia was believed to be practicable 
 and that the planting of vineyards had been already encour- 
 aged by the London Company at the earliest time of the 
 Colony. The expectations were not realized, but the London 
 Society persevered in its endeavors and in 1758 proposed the 
 following premium for the wine itself i^**): "As producing 
 wines in our American colonies will be of great advantage 
 to those colonies, and also to this kingdom, it is proposed to 
 give to that planter in any of our said colonies who shall first 
 produce within seven years of the date hereof from his own 
 plantation five tons of white or red wine, made of grapes 
 the produce of these colonies only, and such as in the opinion 
 of competent Judges, appointed by the society in London, 
 shall be deemed deserving the reward — not less than one 
 ton thereof to be imported at London — one hundred pounds." 
 In 1762 the society announced; "A premium of two hun- 
 
 196.) "History of the Agriculture of the United States," by Ben Perley Poore, 
 Agricultural Report for 1866, pp. 609—610. Washington, D. C. 
 
53 
 
 cli-ed pounds will be given for the greatest number, not less 
 than five hundred, of the plants of the vines which produce 
 these sorts of wines now consumed in Great Britain;" and 
 this offer was raised in 1765 to two hundred and fifty pounds. 
 Again the results did not correspond to the expectations. 
 The memoirs of the society, published in 1769, say: "The 
 first account of the success of the premiums for wines was 
 in 1763, when Mr. Castor sent a dozen bottles of two kinds 
 of wines from grapes which grew in yineyards of his own 
 planting in Virginia. The one of these kinds was the pro- 
 duct of vines brought from Europe, the other of the Ameri- 
 can wild vines. They were both approved as good wines 
 and the society gave its gold medal to Mr. 'Carter." Prob- 
 ably Mr. Carter lived in Albemarle county and planted his 
 vineyard on " Carter's Mountain " with the assistance of the 
 grape-growers from the Palatinate, who were settled in the 
 adjacent Madison county. These vineyards however never 
 prospered and towards the close of the century^®') Thomas 
 Jefferson imported French vines — and Italian and Swiss vin- 
 tagers — and planted quite extensively about Carter's Mountain, 
 near his beloved Monticello. This too was a failure, for the 
 European vines did not stand the climate. It was not until 
 in the fifties of this century that the native Virginian vines 
 — Catawba and Norton — were discovered and disseminated 
 largely by Germans in Ohio and Missouri, that grape-culture 
 at last succeeded in Virginia. In the environs of Eichmond 
 several Germans planted the Norton vine ' and manufactured 
 red wine of excellent quality, but sufficient only to supply 
 the home demand. Thus this new industry was finally started 
 and has prospered ever since. 
 
 One of the brightest features of German life in Eich- 
 mond that is less conspicuous, but exerted an exceedingly 
 beneficial influence, was the social intercourse of the German 
 inhabitants and the sensible and convivial spirit with which 
 they enjo3'ed themselves. It has been already described how 
 they celebrated historical events. There is a peculiar charm 
 about their popular festivals, but above all the introduction 
 
 197.) "Albemai-le," by Prof. W. H. Seamon, p. 62. Chaiiottesville, Va., 
 
 1888. 
 
53 
 
 of the German Christmas-tree into America is worthy of com- 
 ment. The happy disposition of the Germans, that touches 
 the heart, has worn off the sharp edges of American every- 
 day life, and their sincere and beneficent influence has finally 
 secured harmonious relations between the Anglo-Saxon and 
 the German settlers of Virginia, that were endangered by 
 the spiteful know-nothing movement. The Germans of Mr- 
 ginia were peaceable, industrious citizens; they enjoyed con- 
 siderable wealth and they contributed their share to the ad- 
 ministration of the commonwealth. Their isolation in politi- 
 cal affairs had at least one good effect: a most intimate con- 
 sistence among themselves. There was, before 1860, no other 
 city in the Union where the Germans lived in better har- 
 mony. 
 
 A publication : '• Virginien," by C. A. Geyer, ]\Ieiss*en and 
 Leipzig, 1849, states: "Richmond has 24,000 inhabitants, 
 whereof 5,100 are Germans," and in 1860 the city had 37,900 
 inhabitants, whereof 33,625 were whites, and 7,000 of these 
 Germans. The balance of the population was made up by 
 2,576 free negroes and 11,699 slaves. The German element 
 of the city therefore rejDresented nineteen per cent, of the 
 whole and nearly thirty per cent, of the white population. 
 
 The German social associations were mentioned before, 
 but it is desirable to add a few words about the predomi- 
 nant ones: the vocal musical association Virginia, the Theat- 
 rical Society and the Social Turnvereiii . 
 
 The " Oesangverein" was organized July 1st, 1852, by 0. 
 Cranz, Sr., H. 0. G. Timmermann, E. Behrend, B. Krausse, 
 A. Schad, M. Mielke, C. Eittershaus, G. Koenig, F. Lehmkuhl, 
 J. Keppler, D. Weimer, H. von Groening, F. Dollinger and C. 
 Emminger, its first president. The following were the presi- 
 dents of the society: A. Gipperich, 0. Cranz, Dr. W. Grebe, 
 H. Boehmer and J. C. Fischer. The " Virginia " soon took 
 part in the singing festivals at Philadelphia, Baltimore and 
 New York. It flourished especially from 1857 to 1800 under 
 the leadership of Fred. Seibert. The meetings and festivals 
 took place in the hall of the New Market Hotel and in that 
 
54 
 
 very close locality harmless joy, pleasure and enthnsiasm fre- 
 quently reigned. Vocal and instrumental productions and the- 
 atrical performances were generally followed by dancing. Even 
 com'edies of local character, especially written up by members 
 of the society, (G. Peple and H. Schuricht), were performed on 
 the stage. 
 
 The "Theaterverehi" assembled in iSchad's Hall, Broad 
 street, between 6th and Vth, and the performances were much 
 admired and well attended. The leading personages and actors 
 of the association were Mr. and Mrs. Hassel, C. Boettcher, Hein- 
 rich, Lehne, I. Hirsch, ^frs. Reith and Mrs. Doell. 
 
 The "Social Turnverein " had the largest membership ; its 
 meetings, concerts, balls, etc., were held in Steinlein's Monti- 
 cello Hall, opposite Schad's Hall. The most ardent gymnasts 
 and social managers were Ed. Kempe, H. Schott, 0. Camman, 
 H. Koppel, etc. 
 
 Thus Kichmond had three German amateur theatres. The 
 great majority of the members of the above spoken of societies 
 were born Germans and at festive occasions German was almost 
 exclusively spoken. 
 
 In the fall of 1860 the author of this book agitated the or- 
 ganization of a Teslmical Society (Gewerbeverein), and pub- 
 lished in his paper, the " Virgiuische Zeitung," an invitation to 
 meet at Schad's Hall. The meeting was well attended ; H. L. 
 Wiegand, a Saxon, presided, and the proposed society was 
 formed. Only a few weeks later the first gun was fired at Fort 
 Sumter, — the Civil War commenced, and the movement was 
 swallowed up by the wild Avaves of general excitement. 
 
 Some other German associations like the " Oerman Society 
 for the Relief of the Sick " (Krankenunterstiitzungsverein), pres- 
 ent president Valentine A. Halbleib, and the "Schiller Lodge" 
 (Odd Fellows), aimed at charitable and social objects. 
 
 The news of the prosperity and the pleasant social life 
 that the Germans in Virginia led, spread to their countrymen 
 settled in the northern States and also to the old Fatherland, 
 
00 
 
 and induced emigration to the old mother State of the Union. 
 A large number of German Penusylvanian farr^aeis emigrated 
 with their families about 1830 from western Pennsylvania to West 
 Virginia, and they all prospered, raising principally cattle for 
 the eastern markets.- It, is also reported that in the year 
 1845^^^) about one hundred and twenty families fi'om northern 
 States settled in -Fairfax county and purchased 24,000 acres of 
 land at a cost of about $180,000. Among these settlers were 
 several Germans and by their industry and skill they made 
 money on the crops they raised. Within a few years the value 
 of their land increased from twenty-five to one hundred per 
 cent. There were about fifteen million acres of available land 
 in the State — West Virginia not included — uncultivated or 
 thrown out of any regular rotation of crops, and all could be 
 bought very cheap. In Germany attention was called to the 
 low-priced Virginia farms. The well-known "Angsburger All- 
 gemeine Zeitung" for instance said in 1848: "Virginia, which 
 is about twice as large as the kingdom of Bavaria, is only in- 
 habited by 1,300,000 people, of whom 400,000 are slaves. For 
 several reasons she now desires to attract white settlers, — she 
 recognizes the rapid growth of the western States, — that the 
 comparatively rough Wisconsin is developing in a fabnlous 
 manner and that Ohio is outrivalling her mother State. Vir- 
 ginia however possesses a better climate than either of these 
 States and other most favorable conditions, as several millions 
 saleable acres of good soil, the best harbors on the Atlantic 
 coast, numerous navigable rivers and excellent railroads. On 
 James river good land is sold for four dollars an acre, and 
 some settlers have gained within a few months double the 
 amonnt of the purchase price by clearing the woods and sell- 
 ing the timber." The German Zeitung furthermore reports: 
 " That some years ago it had been projected in AVuertemberg to 
 settle Suavians in the mountain region of Virginia near the 
 'springs,' " and it expressed regret that this plan was not car- 
 ried out. 
 
 Endeavors were made about 1850 to colonize artisans, min- 
 ers and farmers from Saxony in western Virginia. A pamphlet 
 
 !..) "U.. S. Agripultiiral Bepoi-t for the year 1364," p. 20. Washington, D. C. 
 
56 
 
 entitled: ''Virginien, pliysiko-geogra|)hische niid statistische 
 Beschreibung," — by C. A. Geyser, president of the emigration 
 society at jMeissen, Saxon}', — witli a colored map, was pub- 
 lished at Meissen and Leipzig to induce Saxons to settle in 
 West Virginia. The descriptions of the land, people, institu- 
 tions and advantages of Virginia are piretty reliable. The 
 names of the German-Virginians who advocated this enterprise, 
 are of interest: A. W. Nolting, Eiciimond; Dr. A. 0. Strecker, 
 Kichmoud ; H. Shelfey, Augusta county; Friedrich A. Mayo, 
 Eichmond ; Fleischmann, Monroe county ; Debar, Parkei'sbur^, 
 W. Va. ; W. F. Deakins, Preston county ; II. Brown, Kanawha 
 county; John B. Shrerer, Buchanan, Lewis county; John 
 Sharff, Leetowu, Berkeley county, and L. Kuffner, Kanawha 
 county; — and also the statement that a German colony pros- 
 pered in Dodridge county. A similar publication: "Forty 
 years in Virginia, or emigrate to West Virginia,"' by Friedrich 
 A. Mayo of Eichmond, a native of Oederan, Saxony, was printed 
 1850 in Meissen, Saxony. Mr. Mayo, whose office was situated 
 at the northern corner of the Exchange Hotel, Eichmond, Va., 
 relates in his little l)ook his observations in Virginia during a 
 stay of forty years without exaggeration, and he reports : that 
 an Immigration Society was organized in Eichmond to coop- 
 erate with tlie Emigration Society in Meissen, Saxony. He also 
 states that the engineer Ernst Kurth, born at Koelln near Meis- 
 sen, and residing in Eichmond, had been authorized to give his 
 countrymen all information they might ask about Virginia; 
 that he had been employed upon the recommendation of Dr. 
 Cabell by the Society for the Construction of Eailways in Vir- 
 ginia and that the plan of the Danville railroad bridge across 
 the James river near Eichmond and other architectural works 
 were drawn by Mr. Kurth. No visible traces however are left 
 of any noteworthy results of this Saxon-Virginian colonization 
 enterprise. 
 
 Loudoun county received several newcomers from Germany 
 and they all did well. Commodore Maury states as an exam- 
 plei""): Godfrey Schellhorn of Saxe-Coburg came to this 
 county (Loudoun) in 1851 with his wife and a flour-barrel for 
 
 199.) "Physical Survey of Virginia," by II, F. Maury, p. 93. N . V. Randolph, 
 Rlohmond, Va., 1878. 
 
57 
 
 a trunk ; he had nothing. He and she were striving, indns- 
 trious people and lived scantily. He now, in 1878, owns a 
 house worth f 1,300 and a farm of ninety-four acres that cost 
 $2,812 ; on this he owes $1,000. He is a pretty good stone ma- 
 son. Grape-vines planted by him are also bearing. 
 
 German farmers settled in Middle Virginia and the Tide- 
 water belt during the period of 1840 to 1860. There were many 
 gardeners among them and being saving, skilful and indus- 
 trious they rarely failed to enrich themselves. The F^ited 
 States Agricultural Commission^"") gives for example among 
 the names of successful farmers in Southhampton county the 
 following German: Alfred Eicks, J. D. Massenburg and Dr. C. 
 Bowers. Col. S. B. French of Whitby, Chesterfield county, says 
 in a report: " Gardening vegetables pays handsomely. Perhaps 
 there is but one wealthier man in this county than a German, 
 who, when I first came into the county twenty-eight years ago 
 (about 1850), was a gardener on the Fall Plantation (man on 
 wages). He made his fortune gardening."' 
 
 Several other experiments were made about 1850 to estab- 
 lish German settlements in Virginia, but unfortunately most of 
 the enterprisers were selfish, unscrupulous or incapable men. 
 One von Schulenburg attempted to settle a large number of 
 Tyrolians in Lunenburg county, and a Saxon named Meisner 
 aimed to induce Saxons to purchase laud near Levvisburg in 
 Greenbrier county ; but both projects failed. Another grand 
 plan to establish a German colony near Parkersburg, now in 
 West Virginia, had the same unhappy fate; but prosperous 
 German settlements were founded at "New Hesseu" and "Hel- 
 vetia," in what is now West Virginia, and German Hungarians 
 and Poles bought land in Henrico county, Va., and built up the 
 village "Hungary." In 1860 two German Israelites-"') came 
 to Eichmond and secured laud in Norfolk county, south of 
 Portsmouth, on the Elizabeth river, for the foundation of a 
 new town to be named "Virginia City." They advertised in 
 the German and English newspapers and distributed a litho- 
 
 200.) U. S. Agricultuval Report of 1881. 
 
 201.) "Virginische Zeitung," Richmond, Va., December ISfO. 
 
5§ 
 
 graphed pUiii of the projected town; but the speculation failed 
 on account of the outbreak of the Civil War. 
 
 The total number of Germans and their descendants in 
 A'irginia at the end of the sixth decade is not absolutely ascer- 
 tained. I. G. Roseugarten says-"'^) in "Freiheit und Sklaverei 
 unter dem Sternenbauner, oder Land und Leute in Amerika," 
 by Theodore Griesinger, Stuttgart, 1862: "I find the statement 
 that in Virginia were 250,000 of German birth and descent at 
 the time of the Eebellion." — General G. Tochman, who in 
 1867 was appointed by the Aarginian Governor "Agent for Eu- 
 ropean Immigration," and who had the best opportunities for 
 gathering information, stated in an article, " Der Staat Virgi- 
 nien"-"^): "The population of Virginia in 1860 consisted of 
 l,0i7,299 whites, 58,042 free colored, 490,865 slaves and 112 In- 
 dians, or 1,596,318 in all. Among the white inhabitants there 
 wei'e 35,058 foreigners, (adopted citizens), or 5,490 English and 
 Scotch, 10,512 Germans, 16,501 Irish, 517 French, etc." — The 
 German immigration amounted therefore to one third of the 
 foreign population" "■*) and was second in rank. Adding to it 
 the posterity of the large German immigration since 1714, the 
 estimate of Griesinger of the numerical strength of the German 
 element in A^irginia : to represent tJie fourth part of the total 
 white pojmlation of the State, appears creditable. The large 
 number of German names of members of the Legislature dur- 
 ing the period of 1830 to 1860^°=) is also proof of the strength 
 of the German element and of its distribution over the entire 
 State. 
 
 1831-1834: Samuel Coft'man, (Shenandoah); Wni. Armi- 
 stead, Wm. D. Simms, (Halifax) ; Harman Hiner (Pendleton) ; 
 Vincent AVitcher, (Pittsylvania); AYm. P. Zinn, (Preston); John 
 Keller, (Washington) ; J. Helms, (Floyd) ; ,J. J. Moorman, A. 
 AVaterman, (Rockingham.) 
 
 202.) ''The German Soldiev in the Wjra of the U. S.," p. 191. Phila., Pa., 1890. 
 203.) "Virginische Staatszeitung," No. 17. RicbmonS, Va., January 25, 1868. 
 204.) "Virginia," by the Board of Immigration and by authority of Law, page 178. 
 Richmond, Va., 1876. 
 
 206.) "Journals of the House of Delegates and of the Senate of Va, State Library, 
 Richmond, Va. 
 
59 
 
 1836: F. G. Buhring, (Cabell) ; T. H. 8tega)-, (Floyd) ; Ma- 
 jor S. Wagener, (Mason) ; J. Conrad, (Rockingham) ; Abr. Rin- 
 ker, (Shenandoah) ; Col. Edw. Lucas, (Berkeley.) 
 
 1838: Th. Shanks, (Botetourt); W. Castleman, (Clark); 
 Edw. Lucas, jr., (Jefferson) ; II. E. Fisher, (Mason) ; Alexander 
 Newman, (Mai-shall.) 
 
 1839: Edm. Broadus, (Culpeper); W.Hoffman, (Lewis); 
 Alfred Leybnrn, Ch. P. Dorman, (Rockbridge.) 
 
 1840: Wm. Lucas, (Morgan and Berkeley) ; Rob. Y. Con- 
 rad, (Frederick) ; .Tos. Hannah, (Botetourt) ; C. G. Coleman, 
 (Charles city.) 
 
 1816: Henry Bedinger, (Frederick);' John D. Stringer, 
 (Harrison) ; K. Martz, (Rockingham.) 
 
 1850-1851: W. A. Buckner, (Ctiroline); R. R. Flemming, 
 (Halifax) ; W. Stump, (Hampshire) ; J. R. Heuser, (King and 
 Queen); F. Warman, (Monongalia) ; H. Sturm, (Randolph) ; J. 
 Horner, (Fauquier.) 
 
 1852-53: H. W. Sheffey, (Augusta) ; Albert G. Reger, (Upo- 
 hur) ; W. Heveler, (Highland) ; M. D. Newman, (Madison) ; 
 Andr. Keyser, (Page) ; J. Wellman (Wayne) ; S. Carpenter, 
 (Alleghany) ; J. M. Newkirk, (Berkeley.) 
 
 1856: Wm. Bush, (Charles city); P. J. Eggborn, (Cul- 
 peper) ; J. M. Holman, (Fluvanna) ; J. L. Kemper, (Madison) ; 
 J. Lantz, (Monongalia) ; J. Paul, (Ohio) ; M. Spitler, (Page) ; 
 A. J. Bowman, (Wood) ; F. H. Mayo, (Botetourt.) 
 
 1860 : Ferd. Wm. Coleman, (Caroline) ; F. G. L. Bouhring, 
 (Cabell) ; M. R. Kaufman, (Frederick); J. S. Hoffman, (Harri- 
 son); W. W. Flemming, (Highland); Gust. A. Myers, (Rich- 
 mond) ; W. M. Seibert, (Shenandoah) ; Arthur J. Boreman, 
 (Wood), and many more doubtful names. 
 
 Among the members of the TJ. S. Congress we meet with 
 the following names of German sound : 
 
60 
 
 1841 : Joseph Holleman (Isle of Wight), and 1860 Alex. E. 
 Boteler (Loiulonn). In 1863 Mr. Boteler was a member of the 
 
 Congress of the Confederate States. 
 
 The number of German delegates was probably much lar- 
 ger, for the author had not the opportunity to examine all lists. 
 The fact deserves notice that since 1777 the great majority of 
 the counties of eastern and western Virginia were represented 
 by Cerman-A'irginians in the Legislature. 
 
 The political horizon clouded at the end of the sixth de- 
 cade ; the slavery question had become more complicated by 
 the conflicting opinions concerning the Territories. The North 
 claimed all the Territories " as free States " and the South 
 asked the right of ingress and protection of its sla-ve-property 
 in half of them. Furthermore " the free-trade interests of the 
 Southern States " were seriously threatened by " the protective 
 policy of the North," and in this question the German-Vir- 
 ginians agreed fully with their Anglo-American fellow-citizens. 
 The merchants of the North reaped advantage from the South; 
 they shared in the profits of every pound of cotton, tobacco or 
 sugar which the southern planter raised. The northern manu- 
 facturer had the advantage of this great market, and the Ger- 
 mans recognized that the industrial and commercial interests 
 of the North, protected from foreign competition by a high 
 tariff, made every inhabitant of the South pay tribute to him 
 on almost every article he purchased. The ills thus inflicted 
 upon the southern people the Germans desired should be cor- 
 rected. 
 
 The "Fugitive Slave Law" intensified the hostile feeling 
 between the two sections of the C'ountry and led to the passage 
 of the " Personal Liberty Bills " in several of the free States. 
 Finally in 1859 John Brown invaded Virginia with twei:ty-one 
 followers to revolutionize and liberate the negro slaves, thereby 
 endangering the life and property of the whites. All inhabi- 
 tants of the State — those of German origin included — felt 
 alarmed and asked : " Where will it lead to, if the hatred and 
 the wild passions of the uncultivated negroes become unfet- 
 tered ? Shall we be exposed to similar horrors like the French 
 
61 
 
 ill St. Domingo in 1791 ?" The dangers may have been over- 
 estimated, but the safety of the white population was certainly 
 threatened. John Brown seized upon the United States Ar- 
 senal at Harper's Ferry, but was soon overpowered and hanged 
 as a traitor. The wild design of John Brown aroused the 
 southern feeling and the fanatics among the pi'o-slavery party 
 repre«euted his act as significant of the sentiments of the whole 
 North. No doubt well meaning people in the North looked 
 upon John Brown's deed as meritorious and humane, while 
 many southern men, no less noble-minded and feeling for the ojj- 
 pressed negroes, condemned it as madness. Different surround- 
 ings and circumstances influence the opinions of men and pro- 
 duce different views of events and their consequences. The 
 worst of it was that the hope io abolish Slavery by legis- 
 lative action, vanished. Not only the German-Virginians, 
 but also many Anglo-Americans were opposed to Slavery and 
 anticipated that it would be the rock upon which the Union 
 would split. 
 
 Thomas Jefferson, Virginia's noble son, proposed as early 
 as 1776 a scheme of gradual emancipation, which was approved 
 by the Convention framing the Constitution of Virginia. 
 
 The prevailing ideas entertained by him (Jefferson) and 
 most of the leading statesmen at the time of the formation of 
 the U. S. Constitution have been acknowledged iu a speech at 
 Savannah, Georgia, March 21st, 1861, by Alexander H. Stevens, 
 at that time the Vice-President of the Confederacy.^"") He 
 said : " They were of the opinion that the enslavement of the 
 African was in violation of the laws of nature ; that it was 
 wrong in .principle, sociall}', morally and politically. This 
 idea, though not incorporated in the Constitution, was the pre- 
 vailing idea at the time." 
 
 From 1820 to 1830 there were movements in Virginia, 
 Tennessee, Kentucky and Maryland for the gradual emancipa- 
 tion of their slaves. In Virginia the movement had nearly 
 succeeded, when it was the aggression of the northern aiolition- 
 
 206.) McPherson's 'Tolltical History of the Rebellion," 1800—1864, p. 103. 
 
62 
 
 ists which arreded it in all these States. The Ciernian-Lutlierau 
 reverends in convention at St. James, Green county, Tennessee, 
 unanimously resolved as early as 1823 : " That Slavery is to le 
 regarded as a great evil in our land, and we desire the Govern- 
 ment, if it le possible, to devise some way hy which this evil can 
 le removed." The Synod also advised every minister to admon- 
 ish every master to treat his slaves properly.^"'') Bev. Panl 
 Henkel was one of the Virginian delegates, and this resolution 
 was probably the first move in that direction in the South on' 
 part of the Germans. 
 
 Dr. Henry Ruffner, a German- Virginian and president of 
 the Washington and Lee University situated in Lexington, Va., 
 also made a most remarkalle protest against the institution of 
 Slavery that defied the unanimity of sentiment that prevailed 
 among the Anglo- Virginians before the Civil War. What was 
 known as " The Ruffner Pamphlet," advocating the gradual 
 abolition of Slavery, was published in 1847 and excited much 
 controversy. 
 
 Dr. Henry Ruffner was born in what is now Page county in 
 the year 1790 on the old homestead of the Ruffner family and 
 reared in Kanawha county. He was a pupil at the Lewisburg 
 Academy, a graduate of Washington College (now Washington 
 and Lee University) and a student of theology. Ordained as 
 minister in 1818, he organized the First Presbyterian Church 
 of Chai-leston, Kanawha, in 1819 ; accepted a professorship in 
 Washington College in 1819, was made president in 1836 and 
 resigned in 1848. 
 
 Henry Ruffner was a profound scholar and a writer of abil- 
 ity. His most elaborate book entitled: "The Father of the 
 Desert," and his novel : " Judith Bensadeli " first appeared in 
 the " Southern Literary Messenger." He spent the last years of 
 his life in Kanawha county aud is there buried. He died in 
 1861. 
 
 In fact all representative Virginians and thoughtful south- 
 ern men generally since Washington and Jefferson entertained 
 
 207.) "History of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod," by Socrates Henkel, 
 n.D., p. 62. Ner-Marliet, Va,, 1890. 
 
63 
 
 similar views upon Slavery. Even Robert E. Lee, afterwards 
 Commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia, ex- 
 pressed these views very clearly in a letter addressed to Mrs. 
 Lee, written December .1856. He said: " In this enlightened 
 age there are few, I believe, but will acknowledge that Slavery 
 as an institution is a moral and political evil in any country. It 
 is useless to expatiate on its disadvantages. I think it however 
 a greater evil to the white than to the black race, and while my 
 feelings are strongly interested in behalf of the latter, my. sym- 
 pathies are stronger for the former. The blacks are immeasur- 
 ably better off here than in Africa, morally, socially and physi- 
 cally. The painful discipline they are undergoing is necessary 
 for their instruction as a race, and, I hope, will prepare and 
 lead them to better things. How long their subjection may be 
 necessary is known and ordered by a wise and merciful Provi- 
 dence. Their emancipation will sooner result from a mild and 
 melting influence than the storms and contests of fiery contro- 
 versy. This influence, though slow, is sure." — This letter 
 shows that General Lee was an advocate of negro-emancipation. 
 He favored however, like the German- Virginians, to see it abol- 
 ished in a lawful and peaceable manner, and he was opposed to 
 endangering the Union by a rash action. He once declared : 
 " Both sides forget that we are all Americans ; " and at another 
 time he said : " If I owned the four million slaves, I w'ould give 
 them all for the Union ! " 
 
 Unfortunately in February 1831 an unforeseen event : an 
 insurrection of negroes in Southampton county^"^), excited the 
 people of Virginia and induced even a German- Virginian mem- 
 ber of the Legislature, Mr. Goode of Mecklenburg, to oppose 
 " the proposed emancipation of the slaves by some gradual scheme." 
 The. blacks in that section largely outnumbered the whites; 
 there were no large towns in that region, only scattered here 
 and there .villages and hamlets. There Avas no arsenal for arms 
 and ammunition nearer than Eichmond, and no means of de- 
 fence other than fancy fowling pieces for gentlemen's sport. 
 The old Virginians of that day had no pistols under their pil- 
 
 208.) Compare "Historical Papers No. 5, 1895, of tlie Wasliiogton and Lee Univer- 
 sity, Lexington, Va.," pp. ?7 to 97. 
 
64 
 
 lows; in manj' cases no bars to their doors ; no police making 
 their rounds about the negro quarters in the dead hours of 
 night, — the master sleeping among his slaves in peaceful se- 
 curity. There was indeed scarce any hindrance to prevent sav- 
 age deeds of cruelty. Nat Turner, a slave on the plantation of 
 a Mr. Travis of Southampton, was the leader in the insurrec- 
 tion, silently working upon the superstitions of the negroes 
 about him and waiting for some supernatural sound or sight to 
 call him to act. In February 1831 there came an eclipse of the 
 sun, and accepting this as the long looked-for signal, he se- 
 lected four of his immediate associates and on the morning of 
 the 32d of August, while it was yet dark, crept into the house 
 of his master with his baud and in a few minutes killed five 
 members of the family in their beds. They then hurried on, 
 murdering all the whites they found, gaining recruits as they 
 went to the number of fifty or sixty, all mounted on the horses 
 and armed with the guns, swords, axes and clubs they had 
 stolen from the houses of the dead. They were now a blood- 
 thirsty gang. Early the next day the news of the wholesale 
 massacre spread far and wide ; squads of men and militia com- 
 panies hastily gathered and the bloody mutiny was soon quelled, 
 but not until the negroes had gone a distance of twenty miles 
 and killed sixty-one white citizens. On the 11th of November 
 Nat Turner was executed. But death put no extinguisher upon 
 the excitement created by this rebellion of slaves. A suspicion 
 that a Nat Turner might be in every colored family ; that the 
 same bloody deed might be acted over at any time and in any 
 place, gained ground ; — the husband would look to his weapon 
 and the mother would shudder and weep over her cradle ! It 
 is not positively known how many German farmers were among 
 the victims, but some documents show the following names of 
 German sound: Mrs. T. Eeese, Mrs. Turner, Mr. Levi Waller, a 
 schoolmaster, his wife and ten children, etc. Naturally the 
 Germans felt greatly alarmed and with few exceptions they ad- 
 vocated : that the evil, that is, the institution of Slavery, ie re- 
 moved ly legislative means. They claimed that Slavery had ul- 
 timately to come to an end in the one way or the other, because 
 it was impossible to reconcile the slave to his fate. 
 
65 
 
 However the split between the North and the South be- 
 came more and more evident, — not on account of Slavery 
 alone, but for various reasons jn-eviously mentioned, — and 
 when in 1860 Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, the candidate of the 
 Kepublican party, was elected to the Presidency, the southern 
 fanatic leaders regarded it as a menace to Slavery and advocated 
 the .doctrines of State rights and Secession. On December 20bh, 
 1860, the people of South Carolina declared the connection with 
 the Union abolished. The great majority of the Virginians did 
 not agree wiili this rath measure and received it with distrust. 
 Only the pro'-slavery men and those doubtful elements that 
 speculate on the ruin of others and seek to realize their selfish 
 designs by the overthrow of law and order, applauded and 
 praised the revolutionary Palmetto State. The German- Vir- 
 ginians particularly did not at that time believe in the outbreak 
 of war, but expected that some covipromise ivould be agreed upon 
 and that Virginia would not separate from the Union. This 
 trust was so firm with them that at the close of 1860 they still 
 enjoyed life in their peculiar harmless manner. They cele- 
 brated a joyful Christmas and on New Year's Eve the " Gesang- 
 verein " at Richmond arranged an animated " Sylvesterfeier," 
 for which occasion H. Schuricht had composed a dramatic 
 scene, " Der Jahreswechsel." 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The Civil War and the German-Virginians. 
 
 'N the begiuuing of 1861 the outlook for the future rapidly 
 darkened ; affairs steadily drifted towards hostilities be- 
 tween tlie North and the Soutli, and finally the German- 
 Virginians after a long struggle were drawn into the 
 whirlpool of popular excitement. In the western part of the 
 State they belonged in large numbers to the " Union Party," 
 but in Middle and Southern Mrginia the great majority sym- 
 pathized with the South, whose constitutional rights they con- 
 sidered threatened. With all their devotion to the Union and 
 pride of American citizenship, they felt in duty bound towards 
 the State where they had become domiciled. Only a small 
 number of Germans avowed the principles and programme of 
 the Eepublic'an party and recommended unconditional submis- 
 sion to the Federal Government; but at this period of the great 
 crisis not one German- Virginian — American or foreign born — 
 was in favor of Secession. All German citizens in the State 
 heartily endorsed a resolution of the Legislature to call a 
 "Peace Congress" in order to avoid civil war. The Peace 
 Congress assembled in Washington, D. C, on the 9th of Febru- 
 • ary, 1861, and Ex-President John Tyler presided ; but every 
 proposal looking to a peaceful settlement was rejected by the 
 extremists. ]\reanwhile the revolutionary example of South 
 Carolina had been followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, 
 Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. These seceded States formed on 
 February 4th a new union under the title of "the Confederttte 
 States of America." They organized an army to oppose intrud- 
 ers and seized forts, navy-yards and arsenals. This Southern 
 Kevolution would yet have remained hopeless of success and 
 
67 
 
 never would have resulted in a long and bloody war without 
 the assistance of the Border States. Efforts at conciliation on 
 part of the North might have averted the conflict, but the 
 pleadings of the peaceable Border States were in vain. Eev. E. 
 0. Cave^"^) very rightly said in his oration at the unveiling of 
 the Confederate soldiers' and sailors' monument at Eichmond 
 on May 30th, 1894, with reference, to Virginia and the other 
 Border States : 
 
 " Not as a passion-swept mob rising in mad rebellion 
 against constituted authority, but as an intelligent and orderly 
 people, acting in accordance with due forms of law and within 
 the limit of what they believed to be their constitutional right, 
 the men of the S6uth withdrew from the Union in which they 
 had lived for three-fotirths of a century, and the welfare and 
 glory of which they had ever been foremost in promoting. 
 States which had been hesitating on the ground of expediency 
 and hoping for a peaceable adjustment of issues, wheeled into 
 line wiih the States which had already seceded. Virginia, 
 mother of States and statesmen and warriors, who had given 
 away an empire for the public good, whose pen had written the 
 Declaration of Independence, whose sword had flashed in front 
 of the American army in the War for Independence, and whose 
 wisdom and patriotism had been chiefly instrumental in giving 
 the Country the Constitution of the Union, — Virginia, fore- 
 seeing that her bosom would become the theatre of war with its 
 attendant horrors, nobly chose to suffer." 
 
 In justice to the memory of the Confederate dead, the dis- 
 tinguished orator protested at this occasion also against the as- 
 persion that they fought to uphold and ferpetuate the, Institution 
 of Slavery. He remarked : " Slavery was a heritage handed 
 down to the South from a time when the moral consciousness of 
 mankind regarded it as a right, — a time when even the pious 
 sons of New England were slave-owners and deterred by no con- 
 scientious scruples from plying the slave-trade with proverbial 
 Yankee enterprise. It became a peculiarly Southern Institu- 
 
 209.) "The Memorial OraUon," by Rev. R. C. Cave of St. Louis, Mo., the "Weekly 
 Times," p. 3, Richmond, Va., May Slat, 1894. 
 
68 
 
 tion, not because the rights of others were dearer to the north- 
 ern than to the southern heart, but because the condition of 
 soil and climate made negro-labor unprofitable in the northern 
 States and led the northern slave-oioner to sell his slaves down 
 South." 
 
 These arguments are based on history ! 
 
 We are not yet sufficiently removed from the strife to do 
 impartial justice to the motives of its authors. Those who have 
 not felt the bitterness of the then existing conditions ought not 
 to judge the whites of the South too harshly. Let it be remem- 
 bered that in no time or clime have the Caucasians ever con- 
 sented to live with an inferior race save as rulers. To the 
 present day the British in India, the French in Guiana, Mada- 
 gascar and Tonking, the Dutch, Portuguese and Germans in 
 Africa, the Spaniards in what is now left of their once exten- 
 sive colonial possessions, and our own forefathers on this conti- 
 nent have abx^ndantly demonstrated that the white man will 
 not be governed by uncivilized races. Sentimentalists may de- 
 plore this spirit, but all sober thinkers must recognize the fact 
 as an irreversible one. 
 
 Secession was a sudden movement on part of the Cotton 
 States, but Virginia and the other Border States hesitated to 
 approve and to join the Confederacy and they continued their 
 efforts to effect a compromise. In fact it was at that time the 
 common expectation of all thoughtful citizens, and particularly 
 of the Germans, — North and South, — that there would be 
 " no coercion " and " no war." 
 
 Mr. Lincoln had become Tresident of the United States on 
 the 4th of March, 186L The inaugural address of the Presi- 
 dent was very considerate and conservative. He renewed the 
 declaration he had made in previous speeches : that he had no 
 intention to interfere with the Institution of Slavery in the States 
 luhere it existed. "I shall take care," said he, "that the laws 
 of the Union shall be faithfully executed in all the States. In 
 doing this there need be no bloodshed or violence, and there 
 shall be none unless it is forced upon the National Authority." 
 
69 
 
 But these truly moderate words were received by the fanatic 
 leaders in the South as a declaration of war. Mr. Lincoln's 
 promise, not to interfere with Slavery tcltere it existed, die): not 
 satisfy them. Eight days after Mr. Lincoln's inauguration^ two 
 southern commissaries called on him and applied for & peace- 
 able separation of the southern States from the Union, demand- 
 ing the evacuation of Fort Sumter in South Carolina and Fort 
 Pickens in Florida. These demands he could not but refuse, — 
 and the fall of the iron dice of war had to decide. 
 
 In the northern States there were two leading parties; one 
 demanded an energetic action against the seceded States; they 
 proclaimed that the Union was an inseparable ivhole, an Ameri- 
 can State^ that secession was revolution and revolution equal to 
 civil war. This party called itself "Republican," and its adher- 
 ents were called '^Abolitionists'' Another powerful party was 
 the "Northern Democracy" and "no coercion" was its watch- 
 word. Upon this party rested the hopes of the Germans in 
 Virginia and of all friends of peace and unity, and some of the 
 most influential newspapers of the North supported it. The 
 " New York Ti-ibune " opposed all measures to force seceding 
 States to remain in the Union, and voices like this influenced 
 many German-Virginians to declare in favor of a peaceable se- 
 cession. 
 
 In the South the politicians were also divided into two par- 
 ties : the "Secessionists'" or defendants of "State Rights," who 
 claimed that every State was a political unit and Avas entitled 
 to enter into a Confederation of States as well as to withdraw 
 therefrom, and the "Union Men," who persisted to uphold the 
 Union of States. The first named did not give time to the lat- 
 ter to get organized ; the demand to join the seceded States was 
 urged, _ even the personal safety of the Union men became 
 endangered and many, being alarmed, left their southern homes 
 fugitives. 
 
 About this time the German citizens of Kichmond held a 
 very well attended mass-meeting at Steinlein's Mouticello Hall 
 'to consider what steps conld be taken to secure peace. H. L. 
 Wigand, an acknowledged Union man, was in the chair, and 
 
70 
 
 among the speakers was Captain 0. Jennings Wise, son of Ex- 
 Governor Wise=i°), who addressed the meeting in German. 
 But no course was agreed upon, as the majority considered it 
 the duty of every adapted citizen to submit to the will of the peo- 
 ple and to sacrifice their life and fortune, if necessary, in defence 
 of the State. 
 
 A very marked change was now taking place among the 
 citizens. The t!*nion party lost many adherents; the cry "to 
 secede" found more supporters and the German-Virginiaus also 
 yielded to the general current. But they never embraced the 
 southern cause in order to protect the interests of slaveholders; 
 there ivere 710 pro-slavery men amony the Germans except a few 
 Hebrews; but they were ready to defend the political and commer- 
 cial independence of the Slates. Time was a great leveler of 
 opinions as well as author of mighty issues in those days. 
 
 The Germans in the southern States have been harshly 
 criticized by northern fanatics, and among them by many of 
 their countrymen in the Korth, for taking np arms in defence 
 of the South. It will readily be granted by every German- 
 Virginian that these northern critics were aiming to carry 
 out the noble design of emancipating the slaves, but they 
 ignored the Constitution of Eights, interest and safety of 
 the Avhite population in the South. The northern accusers 
 were carried astray by passion, inclined to sacrifice a cul- 
 tured part of the southern pieople to the terrorism of an uned- 
 ucated and inferior race ; and the Germans felt the wrong that 
 the North, having sold its slaves to the South, attempted to com- 
 pel the southern slaveholders to free their negroes without 
 compensation. 
 
 Suddenly the news reached Virginia : Fort Sumter has 
 capitulated to the Confederate forces under General Beauregard 
 on the 13th of April, 1861, -- and the effect of this event was 
 electrical. Virginia (April 17th), Arkansas, North Carolina 
 
 210.) 0. Jennings Wise, Captain of Uie Richmond Liglit Infantry Blues and k!IUd 
 at the battle on Roanoke Island, had studied jurisprudenoe at the University at Goet- 
 tingen in Cermany and was for some time Attache to the U, S, Legation at Berlin 
 Prussia. 
 
71 
 
 and Tennessee, which had hesitated, now joined the Confeder- 
 acy. President Lincoln called for seventy-five thousand troops 
 on April 15th and on April 19th a, regiment of Massachusetts 
 troops, passing through Baltimore for the defence of Washing- 
 ton, was attacked. So the first blood was shed, but no one 
 guessed at the time of the terror and the loss which were to 
 follow. 
 
 With reference to the Secession of Virginia a remark of the 
 historian Edward A. Pollard may here be repeated. Pollard 
 says^^^): "Virginia did not secede in the circumstances or 
 sense in which the Cotton States had separated themselves from 
 the Union. She did not leave the Union with delusive pros- 
 pects of peace to comfort and sustain her. She did not secede 
 in the sense in which separation from the Union was the pri- 
 mary object of secession. Her act of secession was subordinate ; 
 her separation from the Union was necessary and became a 
 painful formality which could not be dispensed with." 
 
 Virginia troops now seized the United States Arsenal at 
 Harper's Ferry (April 18th) and the Kavy Yard at Iforfolk 
 (April 3lst.) All over the South the enthusiasm was spread- 
 ing ; the rich and the poor were alike eager to enter the army. 
 Army and navy officers of the United States, natives of the 
 South, resigned their charges and joined the Confederate ser- 
 vice; and the majority of the German-Virginians within the 
 present State limits entered military organizations. 
 
 It can be asserted that all the recently immigrated Ger- 
 mans, embracing the Confederate cause, did so with throbbing 
 hearts, and in most cases only under the pressure of compulsory 
 circumstances ; but whether voluntarily or not, they have ful- 
 filled their duty in the defence of the State with never falter- 
 ing true German bravery. 
 
 About the middle of April, 1861, a "Legion of mounted 
 men for border service" was organized by Col. Angus W. Mc- 
 Donald, Sr., of Winchester and among the captains of the com- 
 
 211.) "The Second Tear of the War," by Edw. A. Pollard, pp. 46-46. West & 
 JohnstQH, J(|ph)pond, Va,, 1S63, . 
 
72 
 
 mand Avere the following descendants of German pioneers : 
 S. W. Myers, Shauds, Jordan, Miller and Sheetz.-'^-) -yyj^ij 
 sjiecial pride every Virginian speaks of the "Stonewall Brigade" 
 and this heroic command was mostly composed of descendants of 
 German settlers in the Shenandoah valley. Nearly every other 
 section of the State furnished German-Virginians to the army; 
 there was hardly a company without some German members, 
 but the largest number came from Kichmond, where several 
 entirely German companies were formed. The old " German 
 Kifle Company," organized on the 1st of March, 1850, was at- 
 tached to the First Virginia Infantry Eegiment as Company 
 " K." Charles T. Loehr, Sergeant of Company D of said regi- 
 ment, gives the following names" '^): 
 
 Florence Miller, Captain, resigned 1861. 
 
 F. A¥. Hagemeier, Capt. after Capt. Miller's resignation. 
 
 C. Baumann, Lieutenant (first year.) 
 
 H. Linkhauer, Lieutenant. 
 
 F. W. E. Lohmann, Lieutenant, resigned 18C1. 
 
 Herman Paul, Lieutenant. 
 
 Wm. Pfaff, Lieutenant. 
 
 George F. l^eckman, Sergeant. 
 
 H. T. Elsasser, Sergeant. 
 
 Gerhard Haake, Sergeant. 
 
 Fred. Hebring, Sergeant. 
 
 C. E. Gronwald, Quartermaster Sergeant. 
 
 Henry Burkhard, Corporal. 
 
 Aug. Weidenhahn, Corporal. 
 
 Julian Alluisi J_,. Botzeli 
 
 Charles Arzberger John Braw 
 
 B. Bergmeier C. Brissacher 
 
 Adam Bitzel 11. Brnnner 
 
 G. Blenker C. Buchenan 
 
 Julius Blenker II. Buchenan 
 
 .Tohn AV. Bornickel W. E. Crec 
 
 212.) "The Second Year of the War," by Bdw. A. Pollard, p. 50 Richmond Va 
 186J. 
 
 213.) '.'War History of Ihe Old First Virginia Infantry Regiment" by Charles T 
 I.oehr. Richmond, 1884. 
 
73 
 
 C. W. Creedins 
 
 D. DeBar 
 
 C. P. Degeiihart 
 Adam Diacont 
 Ph. Diacont 
 Wolfgang Diacont 
 John T. Diclv 
 Joseph Dilger 
 Henry Dubel 
 John Emmenhauser 
 Aug. Pahrenbruch 
 John Pinlc 
 H. Fleckenstein 
 Joseph Gehring 
 L. Gelnhausen 
 J. W. Gentry 
 
 F. J. Gerhardt 
 George Gersdorf 
 George Glass 
 
 E. Grossman 
 Fred. Gutbier 
 
 G. Habermehl 
 Fred. Hach 
 John Hach 
 H. Haderman 
 H. Heinerhann 
 J. L. Helwick 
 E. Herzog 
 
 A. Hoch 
 J. P. Hollman 
 Andrew Hatke 
 George Koch 
 
 F. Lauterbttch 
 P. Lehmkul 
 Ch. Lindner 
 P. Lncke 
 Tobias Merkel 
 Felix Meyer 
 Jos. Nagelmann 
 David Folte 
 lienry Nolte 
 Herman Nolte 
 Jos. Ocker 
 Martin Deters 
 George W. Paul 
 AVm. H. Paul 
 L. Peters 
 L. Eaymann 
 P. Reidt 
 Rob. Richter 
 Jos. Rick 
 John Rodins 
 J. A. Rommel 
 S. Shapdock 
 — Smith 
 Ph. Staab 
 M. Stadelhofer 
 Chr. Stephan 
 G. Tolker 
 John Viereck 
 Jacob Wachter 
 John Wagner 
 A. AVerner 
 .T. Winter 
 
 Sergeant Charles T. Loehr mentions in his valuable book 
 also the following officers with German names: Capt. P. B. 
 Shaffer of Company F ; Capt. W. E. Tysinger of Company H • 
 Lieutenant F. M. Mann of Company B ; Lieutenant M. Seagles 
 of Company C and one hundred and two non-commissioned 
 German-Virginian officers and privates, — all belonging to the 
 First Regiment. 
 
A new Gei-mau Company, " The Marion Eifles," was mus- 
 tered into service on May 1st, 1861, and ordered to the Penin- 
 sula on the 24th of the same month. The muster-rolP i*) con- 
 tains the following names : 
 
 Alb. Leibrock, Captain. 
 Aug. Schad, 1st Lieutenant. 
 Heinrich Schuaebele, 2nd Lieutenant. 
 Edw. Euker, 
 Jul. Fischer, 
 
 Ed. Bell 
 
 Heinr. Beckman 
 
 Aug. Braun 
 
 Chr. B. Braun 
 
 Fr. Bierschenk 
 
 H. Buckelman 
 
 Geo. Blantz 
 
 Phil. Briel 
 
 W. Doell 
 
 Fr. Dill 
 
 Ad. Drescher 
 
 Charles Euker 
 
 Wm. Eggeliug 
 
 Chr. Eshernbusch 
 
 E. Fillman 
 
 A. Frank 
 
 Aug. F. Fiedler 
 
 Aug. Faulhabcr 
 
 H. Grimmel 
 
 Chr. A. Hennighausen 
 
 A. y. Halem 
 
 E. V. Halem 
 
 H. V. Halem 
 
 Chas. Haase 
 
 Wm. Heidmueller 
 
 (}. Hassenohr 
 
 Coleman Hecht 
 
 John Hauk 
 
 A. Heuers 
 
 Theo. Krone 
 
 J. Johnson 
 
 J. Keppler 
 
 G. Klein 
 
 Chr. Krebs 
 
 Herm. Kroedel 
 
 John Kolbe 
 
 W. Kempf 
 
 H. Lehman 
 
 E. Lieberman 
 
 W. Linz 
 
 Ed. Lies 
 
 L. Merkel 
 
 0. Meister 
 
 John Miller 
 
 H. Miller 
 
 E. Mear 
 
 John Marxhauseu 
 
 T). Nenzel 
 
 — Nopwitz 
 
 Fr. Otto 
 
 G. Paul 
 
 Chas. Pflus-felder 
 
 214.) The author is obliged to Lieut. Chr. A. Hennighausen of Richmond for fur- 
 nishing this list. Lieut. Hennighausen was a member of the "Marlon Rifle Company." 
 
75 
 
 Louis Eeinhardt 
 C. Eoeth 
 H. Reidt 
 G-. Euuge 
 C. Enngwitz 
 Fr. Eies 
 Ph. Stecker 
 Fr. Schneider 
 H. Schneider 
 Fr. Saeger 
 John Sevin 
 .Jac. Schwartz 
 Valentin Schwartz 
 
 .J. Schmidt 
 
 H. Schuermau 
 
 Ch. Siemens 
 
 B. Siemon 
 
 — Taimbold 
 
 J. Teslce . 
 
 E. Tiele 
 
 E. Wacker 
 
 J. Walter 
 
 L. Wuertemberger 
 
 Ch. Wagner 
 
 Oh. Volk 
 
 Company H, 19th Eegimeut Virginia Militia, was first or- 
 ganized as follows*^ ^"): 
 
 Karl Siebert, Captain. 
 
 L. Friedlaender 
 M. Schaaf 
 H. Eosenstein 
 Ch. Funk 
 P. Kraus 
 C. Stephan 
 L. Nachman 
 Fred. Scheiderer 
 Ed. Senf ^ 
 Jul. Wohlgemuth 
 H. lieineman 
 E. Morgenstern 
 Leopold Bind 
 L. Stein 
 Herm. Broedel 
 J. Gessinghausen 
 Jos. Stump 
 M. Hurge 
 J. Eeinhardt 
 
 Chr. Heise 
 F. Martin 
 Anton Kretzmar 
 S. Bolz 
 H. Winten 
 Mich. Hanna 
 Jos. Adelsdorfer 
 .Jac. Heiss 
 A. Fuchs 
 T. Singer 
 C. Calbe 
 E. Asmus 
 C..L. Miller 
 J. Merkel 
 Fred. Englert 
 Otto Huber 
 E[. Eabe 
 Dietrich Euker 
 A. Drescher 
 
 216.) Reported by Lieut. Ch. A. nennighausen, Kic'.injond, Va. 
 
76 
 
 Ph. llapp 
 M. Stahl 
 
 F. Wollcher 
 A. Huebuer 
 Constantin Hirt 
 C. H. Northhoim 
 W. Kellner 
 
 G. Wolff 
 J. Minnis 
 P. Seibert 
 
 Chr. >i. Schmidt 
 Ch. Gardeweiii 
 J. Weckerly 
 Geo. Zander 
 K. Hahii- 
 — Bernstein 
 r. Eeine 
 Aug. Israels 
 Ph. Statib 
 Lorenz Wekenberg 
 
 In October 1863 Company H was reorganized as " German 
 Home Guard," serving in the field and guarding the prisons 
 until April 3d, 1865. The roll gives the following names^"') : 
 
 C. Baumann, Captain. 
 
 G. Eunge, 1st Lieutenant. 
 
 Von der Hoehl, 2nd Lieut. 
 
 Ch. A. Hennighausen, do., Jr. 
 
 C. F. Fischer, Sergeant. 
 
 V. Schwartz, 
 
 W. Schotchky, " 
 
 'J. Dinkel, 
 
 F. Clevesahl, Corporal. 
 
 L. Morris, " 
 
 E. Senf, 
 
 F. Holle, 
 
 E. Albers, " 
 
 G. Aichele . " 
 
 M. Bottigheimer, 
 E. Boehme 
 E. V. Bueren 
 S. Bolz 
 Ph. Briel 
 Ch. Braun 
 W. Becker 
 IST. Becker 
 P. Busshaus 
 C. Berndt 
 
 W. Behle 
 
 G. Dietrich 
 
 W. Doell 
 
 Ch. Emmenhauser 
 
 — Ehmig 
 
 J. Feldner 
 
 C. Feldner 
 
 W. Flegenheimer 
 
 A. Frank 
 
 W. Finke 
 
 216.) Reported by Lieut. Ch. A. Hennigliausen, Ricliraonil, Va. 
 
11 
 
 A. Viick 
 
 A. Frommhageu 
 
 B. Fischer 
 
 A. Peldheimer 
 
 B. Gottlieb 
 
 L. Goeppliardt 
 — Goyer 
 Chas.TIaase 
 Chr. Heise- 
 H. Holzhauer 
 Cln-. Holzbach 
 P. Huebner 
 E. HeiTsler 
 W. H. Heinz 
 E. Herzog 
 J. Hauser 
 M. Hentze 
 A. Hopp 
 G. Hirseh 
 P. Keil 
 N. Kestner 
 H. Koppel 
 H. Knorr 
 W. Krng 
 A. Kolbe 
 
 E. Kuh 
 
 F. Lemggut 
 N". Liebermau 
 H. Meier 
 
 C. Mueller 
 0. Meister 
 P. Martin 
 W. Miller 
 
 G. Mueller 
 J. Meier 
 R. Merkel 
 
 N. Nussbaum 
 
 J. Nagelsmau 
 G. D. Obitz 
 L. Peter 
 H. Propst 
 L. Eammsteilt 
 
 A. Euppert 
 J. V. Eeif 
 Glias. Schmidt 
 P. Sorg 
 
 B. Schaaf 
 
 J. Schumacher 
 Jac. Schneider 
 John Schneider 
 Ch. Schoenleber 
 
 F. Schulte 
 Ph. Staab 
 L. Stern 
 Ph. Stecker 
 A. Spies 
 Ch. Siemens 
 Ch. Schoenborn 
 A. Schmidt 
 
 A. Schmus 
 J. Steinman 
 E. Thiele 
 Ch. Wiemer 
 
 G. Wolif 
 
 L. Welsenberger 
 
 E. Werne 
 L. Wagener 
 J. "Wolfram 
 L. Walter 
 
 F. Witte 
 — Weiner 
 Jac. Wolff 
 
 W. Zimmerman 
 
78 
 
 Towards the end of the year 1863 the coudition of his 
 health had obliged the author of this history to resign as 1st 
 Lieutenant of Comp. D, 14th Virginia Cavalry, 0. S. A., but bj 
 request of Governor W. Smith of Virginia he organized a Ger- 
 man company for home defence : Comp. M, 19th Virginia 
 Militia. The Company was composed as follows-'"') : 
 
 Herrmann Schuricht, Captain. 
 
 Friedr. Seibert, 1st Lieut. 
 
 J. Kindervater, 2nd Lieut. 
 
 Henry Wenzel, Orderly Sergt. 
 
 G. P. Paul, 1st Sergt. 
 
 H. Grimmel, 2nd Sergt. 
 
 P. Ruhl, 3d Sergt. 
 
 P. Schneider, 4th Sergt. 
 
 G. A. Krieger, 1st Corporal. 
 
 Georg Klein, 2nd " 
 
 G. Koenig, 3d 
 
 P. Eosmary, 4th " 
 
 E. P. Baetjer 
 
 — Beck 
 
 C. Bernstein 
 L. Binda 
 Ch. Brown 
 C. Buckenthal 
 E. Crehen 
 H. Demler 
 C. W. Dow 
 0. Ericson 
 
 — Peldner 
 
 G. Preitenstein 
 Emil Pischer 
 J. Pritz 
 
 E. A. Plemhardt 
 L. Gallmeyer 
 J. C. Ganter 
 J. Grom 
 
 — Grote 
 H. Gundlach 
 J. Guggenheimer 
 Ch. Haas 
 H. Klein 
 D. Klein 
 
 A. Krezmarcz 
 Wilh. Loeffler 
 
 B. Momonthy 
 J. D. Nauk 
 
 II. Eodenkirchen 
 • — Eobert 
 Henry Schott 
 D. Schoenfeldt 
 
 C. Schulze 
 Julius Schultz 
 John J. Spilling 
 Chs. Spott 
 
 217.) From a "muster-roll" in passesslon of the author. 
 
M. Stoll H. Wenton 
 
 C. "W. Thilow John Werner 
 
 F. Verspohl J. Wittman 
 F. Warnicke 
 
 Capt. J. Herbig, formerly a Lieutenant in the Bavarian 
 army, recrnited a German "Infirmary or Sanitary Company," 
 but the muster-roll of this troop is lost. 
 
 Several German-Virginians occupied very prominent posi- 
 tions in the Confederate army, as : 
 
 James L. Kemper, Brig. General of Pickett's Division. 
 
 Louis A. Armistead, do 
 
 D. C. Kemper, Brig. General Confederate Artillery. 
 
 J. N. AdenJDousch, Col. of 2nd Virginia Infantry, Stonewall 
 Brigade. 
 
 D. A. Weisiger, Col. of 12th Va. Inf. Regiment, Mahon's 
 Brigade. 
 
 John S. Hoffman, Col. of 31 st Va. Inf. liegiment. Smith's 
 Brigade. 
 
 — Neff, Col. of 33d Va. Inf. Regiment. 
 
 — Harper, and later J. H. S. Funk, Col. of 5th Va. Inf. 
 Regiment, Stonewall Brigade. 
 
 Capt. Buckner, commanding 44th Va. Inf. Regiment, 
 Jones' Brigade. 
 
 Col. Harman, of 53ncl Va. Inf. Regmt., Gen. Stonewall 
 Jackson's Corps. 
 
 Col. Rust, of Gen. Stonewall Jackson's Corps. 
 
 V. D. Groner, Col. of 61st Va. Inf. Regmt., Mahone's Brigade. 
 
 Maj. John Harman, Chief Quartermaster of Stonewall 
 Brigade. 
 
 — Sheetz, Capt. of Independent Troop of Horse, Gen. Jack- 
 son's Corps. 
 
 Capts. Schumaker and Carpenter, commanding batteries. 
 Gen. Stonewall Jackson's Corps. 
 
 Heros von Borke,' Col. and Chief of Staff of Gen. Stuart's 
 Cavalry Corps. 
 
 Captain — Schubert, Engineer Officer in General Rob't E. 
 Lee'c staff. 
 
80 
 
 Gustav Adoljjh (Schwiirzmaiin, Colonel and Adjutant-Gen- 
 ei'al of Gen. Albert Pike. 
 
 G. A. Peple, Major and Professor at Couf. Navy School. 
 E. von Bnchliolz, Captain of Ordinance, Wise Legion. 
 Dr. Max Eoemer, Major of Wise Legion. 
 
 — Tncker, Captain and Aide-de-Oamp of Gen. Fitzhugh 
 Lee. 
 
 — von Massow, Aide-de-Camp of Gen. Mosby ; and although 
 not a native of Germany or Virginia, but of German descent. 
 
 Carl Friedrich Henningsen, Brig. General and second in 
 command of Wise Legion. 
 
 The folloAving biographies of these officers include all reli- 
 able information that could be procured. 
 
 James Lawson Kemper, whose family history has been given 
 in Vol. I, Chapter 4, studied law. In the year 1847 President 
 Polk appointed him Captain of Volunteers, and he took part 
 with honor in the Mexican War. After his return he repre- 
 sented his native county in the Legislature, and the Virginia 
 Convention appointed him Colonel of the 7th Virginia Infantry 
 Eegmt. after the secession of the State. He was commissioned . 
 Brig. General after the battle of AA'illiamsburg, May 5th, 1862, 
 and fought with distinction in many bloody engagements. On 
 the second day of the battle of Gettysburg Pickett's division 
 had its grand day of honor and death, and Gen. Kemper was 
 one of the victims of the struggle ; he was carried from the field 
 badly wounded. On May 1st, 1864, he was appointed Major- 
 General and placed in command of the forces for the defence 
 of Eichmond. The army of Northern Virginia having surren- 
 dered at Appomattox Court House, General Kemper returned 
 to his law office in Madison county and issued a farewell 
 address to his old brigade. "It is the most painful duty of my 
 life," he said in that paper, " to sever the relations which for 
 three years have harmoniously iiuited us; which have carried 
 us together through memorable and flej'y trials, and have bound 
 you to my heart with ties stronger than hooka of steel." From 
 1873-78 Gen. Kemper was Governor of the State, and then he 
 retired with his family to Orange Court House, honored and 
 loved by his fellow citizens. He died in 1895. 
 
81 
 
 Gen. David A. Weisiger, a veteran of two wars, the hero of 
 the battle of the Crater and a successful business man, was 
 born Dec. 23cl, 1818, at " The Grove," the ancestral home in 
 Chesterfield county. His paternal grandfather was Samuel 
 AYeisiger, who came from Germany of a family prominent for 
 military achievements; he was a relative of Colonel William 
 Smith, of Revolutionary fame, and of the ancient Mayo family 
 of Richmond. He was partner iu the firm Eowlett, Weisiger & 
 Tanner, at Petersburg, when the Mexican War began, and soon 
 became second lieutenant of Company E, First Regiment of 
 Virginia Volunteers. While in Mexico Weisiger was appointed 
 adjutant of his regiment, and he made a proud record during 
 the war. On his return home he connected himself again with 
 the commission business, and when the Civil War commenced 
 he enlisted at once, was elected Major of the Fourth Virginia 
 Battalion oi-ganized at Petersburg, and promoted Colonel of the 
 Twelfth Virginia. After the battle of the Crater, Jnly 30tli, 
 1864, in which he commanded Mahone's Brigade, of which the 
 Twelfth Regiment was a part, he was commissioned Brigadier- 
 General. Gen. Weisiger was one of the most gallant officers of 
 the Confederate armj', of great dash and approved courage. 
 He commanded his regiment and also his brigade in many of 
 the leading battles and was wounded several times. After |;he 
 war he entered in Richmond in business and died there Feb- 
 ruary 32nd, 18D9. 
 
 General Louis A. Armistead was born at Newbern, N. C, 
 on the 18th of February, 1817. In 1839 he was commissioned an 
 officer in the U. S. Army. He distinguished himself in the 
 Mexican War, and at the time Virginia seceded he entered the 
 Confederate service. Gen. Armistead comn^anded a brigade of 
 Pickett's famous division, was mortally wounded at Gettysburg 
 and died a prisoner of war. His personal courage was of the 
 truest temper. He descended of a German family, which has 
 previously been mentioned with distinction, and has always 
 enjoyed high esteem in A^irginia. 
 
 General D. C. Kemper, a cousin of Gov. Kemper, was in 
 charge of artillery. He resides now at Alexandria, Va. 
 
82 
 
 Col. J. N. Adeiibousch commanded the second regiment of 
 Virginia Volunteers from September 16th, 1862, accredited to 
 the immortal "Stonewall Brigade." He was a descendant of 
 a German settler in the Shenandoah vallej'. 
 
 Capt. — Sheetz was only a comely youth, says Gen. Dabney 
 in his "Life of Lieut.-General Jackson," when he left his 
 father's farm to join the army. However, very soon he showed 
 himself a man of no common mark. Collecting a company of 
 youths like himself in the valleys of Hampshire, he had armed 
 them wholly from the Sfioils of the enemy, and without any 
 other military knowledge than the intuitions of his own good 
 sense, had drilled and organized them into an efficient body. 
 He speedily became a famous partisan and scout, the terror of 
 the invaders and the right hand of Colonel Ashby. Sheefz was 
 ever next the enemy ; if pursuing, in command of the advanced 
 guard; or if retreating, closing the rear; and Gen. Stonewall 
 Jackson had learned to rely implicitly upon his intelligence ; 
 for his courage, enterprise, sobriety of mind and honesty as- 
 sured the authenticity of all his reports. He was killed May 
 23d, 1862, in a skirmish near Buckton, between Front Royal 
 and Strasbourg. 
 
 Col. Hcros von Borke, born in Silesia, was a Prussian cav- 
 alry officer. At the beginning of the Civil "War he took fur- 
 lough, came to America, offered his services to the Confederate 
 Government and was attached to Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's staff. 
 He was a thorough soldier, and as a model officer soon became 
 the friend and advisor of his brave General. The position of 
 Chief of Staff of Gen. Stuart, with rank of Lieut.-Colonel was 
 conferred on him. In an engagement near Upperville, Fauquier 
 county, Aug. 19th, 1863, v. Borke was shot through the wind- 
 pipe, and while still convalescent his friend and general was 
 mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern, Hannover county. General 
 Stuart on his death bed wished the promotion of v. Borke to 
 his successorship, but the Confederate Government did not 
 comply to the desire of the dying hero. The Congress of the 
 Confederate States however voted resolutions of thanks for 
 Col. V. Borke's services, acknowledging his military talents and 
 bravery. 
 
83 
 
 The author met von Borke at that time in the Spottswood 
 Hotel in Richmond, and he received the impression that the 
 wounded Colonel was not yet qualified to endure the exposures, 
 hardships and excitement incident to the position as Commander 
 of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. Von 
 Borke returned to Germany and served as Major of Dragoons 
 (die Schwed'schen Dragoner) in the war of 1866, but his old 
 wound forced him soon after to retire. In 1886 he revisited 
 Virginia and was received with due honors. "His once robust 
 constitution appeared much affected by the ball he still carried 
 in his right lung, but his jovial, impulsive, warm-hearted 
 nature had not forsaken him''^!'^). During his stay at Eich- 
 mond his sword, which he had brought from his Fatherland to 
 Virginia, and worn when a Confederate ofHeer, was returned to 
 him.' Von Borke presented this relic to the State and the Leg- 
 islature accepted it with the following resolution : 
 
 " Kesolved by the General Assembly : That the State 
 of Virginia, appreciating the high manly qualities and 
 virtues of Lieut.-Colonel Heros von Borke, accept the 
 sword, and hereby directs the Secretary of the Com- 
 monwealth to place it among the relics preserved in 
 the Public Library." 
 
 Von Borke published in German and English a book : 
 "Zwei Jahre im Sattel," a» description of his military life as 
 a Confederate officer, and lately he wrote in conjunction with 
 Major Scheibert: "The Great Cavalrv Battle near Brandy 
 Station." 
 
 Captain — Scheibert ^^■^), of the Prussian Engineers, de- 
 tailed by his government as an observer, but taking an active 
 part as a combatant, was attached to Gen. Robert E. Lee's head- 
 quarters. His interest in the southern cause did not end with 
 the war; on returning to Germany, Avhere he was appointed Major 
 in the Prussian Engineers, he corresponded with the editor of 
 the " Southern Historical Society's Papers," and he wrote a book : 
 
 218.) "Southern Bivouac Magazine," p. 515. Loujsviiie, Ky., February 1386. 
 219.) "Tlie German Soldier in tlia Wars of tiie United States," by J. G. Eosengar- 
 ten, pp. 179 and ISO. Philadelplila, Pa., 1890. 
 
84 
 
 " Sieben Monate in den Kebellen-Staaten," published in Stettin 
 in 1868, characterized by its southern tone. In 1883 Major 
 Scheibert published a German translation of Allan's : " History 
 of the V' alley Campaign;" and in a letter of October 13th, 
 1881, dated Hirschberg, Silesia, Prussia, he says that he has 
 translated and printed in German : Early's " Gettysburg," 
 Stuart's and Lee's " Keport," Hubbard's '• Ohancellorville," 
 Patton's "Jackson," McClellan's " Jeb Stuart," Stuart's "Get- 
 tysburg," and biographies of Lee, Jackson, Stuart and Mosby. 
 His " Buergerkrieg in den Vereinigten Staaten " has been trans- 
 lated into the French and Spanish. 
 
 Colonel Oustav Adolph Schxvarzmann'^ ^ ") was born at Stutt- 
 gart, Wuerteniberg, March 17th, 1815, and received a thorough 
 and complete education. A young man of eighteen he came to 
 Baltimore and received a situation as clerk in a commercial 
 house. At the time of the Seminole War, 1835-'42, he enlisted 
 in the U. S. Army and owing to his superior education he was 
 soon promoted to a lieutenantship of the 4th Artillery Kegi- 
 ment. Schwarzmann was wounded several times and after the 
 close of the war he was appointed superintendent of the U. S. 
 Arsenal at Fayetteville, IST. C, and later on to a position in the 
 General Postoffice at Washington city. Sympathizing with the 
 South he went to Richmond at the beginning of the Civil War, 
 and he was at once appointed to the General Postoffice of the 
 Confederacy; but this civil service was not what he longed for, 
 and he soon joined the Confederate army. He was commis- 
 sioned Colonel and Adjutant-General to Gen. Albert Pike; par- 
 ticipated in numerous engagements and battles and again 
 distinguished himself by his bravery. After the termination 
 of the war Colonel Sohwarzmann went to Baltimore and 
 established himself as notary-public. His many friends in 
 Kichmond tried iu vain to induce him to take up his abode 
 there. A serious disease of the eyes, a result of exposures 
 during the war, darkened the remainder of his life, and after 
 twelve years of suffering he died on the 20th of February, 1882. 
 
 Col. David Lewis lluffmr, son of Dr. Henry Ruffner, was 
 
 220.1 From "Her Deutsche Corrosponilent," February 22n<l, 1S82, fiaUimore, Md, 
 
85 
 
 born ill Lexington, Ya., and Avas a graduate of Washington 
 College, now the Washington and Lee University. He was in 
 the Confederate army as Captain of "Kanawha Eiiieinen" until 
 he received an injury and was placed in the Quartermaster's 
 department of Gen. Williams' Brigade, and later on staff duty 
 in the field. He was commissioned Colonel Aide de Camp by 
 Gov. Jackson of West Mrginia in 1881. 
 
 G. A. Pe2ole was born at Henry-Chapelle, in the " Khino- 
 provinz," Kingdom of Prussia, in 1838, and received a normal 
 school education to fit him for the profession of teacher. After 
 his graduation a predilection for the mechanic arts induced 
 him to visit the polytechnical schools at Geneva and Vevay in 
 Switzerland. About 1S50 he emigrated to America, where he 
 for years engaged in educational pursuits and was favorably 
 known as a successful teacher. In 1859 he came to Richmond, 
 Ya., and during the Civil W^ar he acted at first as topographical 
 engineer, later as Commissary Sergeant at Buchanan, Botetourt 
 county, and finally he received the appointment as professor_ of 
 history and modern languages at the Confederate Marine School 
 on board the school-ship " Patrick Henry," stationed in the 
 harbor at Eockets, Richmond, Ya. Li this position he ranked 
 as "acting master" or "Major of the army." Towards the 
 close of the war he also edited for some time the "Richmond 
 Anzeiger," which the Confederate government had purchased, 
 and after the conclusion of peace he took charge of the " Cotton 
 and Woolen Mills" at Manchester, opposite Richmond, Ya. 
 Thus he turned his pedagogical and technical education to 
 good account. G. A. Peple was np to his death, October 24th, 
 1895, the superintendent of the above named mills. He took 
 an active part in the political and German social life of Rich- 
 mond, and for a long time he was the stirring spirit among his 
 countrymen. He composed a pretty comedy entitled : " Frau 
 Lipps," Avhich was enacted on, the stage of the Yirginia Gesang- 
 verein at Richmond, and upon several occasions he delivered 
 the official festive oration. As a member of the Board of Edu- 
 cation at Manchester he gained general admiration for hi.s 
 talents as. an organizer and by his pedagogical experience. 
 
8r, 
 
 Captain E. von Buclilioh, a native of the Kingdom of 
 Wuertemberg, was tlie son of the chief ranger von Buchholz 
 and sewed as cavalry and artillery officer in the Roj^al army. 
 Abont 1850 he emigrated with his family to America, located 
 tirst ill Washington, I). ('., and aftei'wards removed to Kich- 
 mond, \'a. fiov. Henry A. "Wise, ]-ecognizing his capacity, 
 engaged him to survey the State and to draw an accurate topo- 
 graphical inaj) of the same. In the fall of 18.59 a hostile 
 invasion of Virginia, known as "John Brown's Kaid," occurred 
 at Harper's Ferr}-, and Capt. von Buchholz accompanied Gov. 
 AVise to Jefferson county as a member of his staff. At the 
 breaking out of the Civil AVar Ex-Governor Gen. Heni'y A. Wise 
 was ordered to Kanawha valley in West Virginia and von 
 Buchholz was commissioned to organize the artillery of his 
 brigade. Soon after he was placed in charge of the Ordinance 
 stores of the brigade and in the spring of 1862 was again 
 transferred to the Virginia Ordinance Department at Eichmond. 
 After the end of the war there were no funds in the State 
 treasury for the completion of the survey of Virginia and its 
 map, and Capt. Buchholz went to San Francisco as superin- 
 tendent of a factory for the manufacture of explosives. There 
 he died in 1892. 
 
 Major Max lioemer, who claimed to be a German-Hunga- 
 rian, belonged to the AVise Legion during its western campaign. 
 After the war he settled in St. Louis, Mo., where he is prac- 
 ticing as a well-to-do physician. 
 
 Ccqit. — Tucker was born in Holstein, the son of Jewish 
 parents. Some months before the war broke out he came from 
 Memphis, Tenn., to Eichmond, and ivhen hostilities commenced 
 he joined Capt. Caskey's Cavalry Company, which was attached 
 to the AVise Legion. At Gauley Bridge Sergt. Tucker was de- 
 tailed as messenger to headquarters and shared the tent with 
 the writer. The opinion of all his superiors and companions 
 in arms was an unanimous approval of his ability and courage. 
 He was a splendid horseman and very ambitious. For som^ 
 time Capt. Tucker was in command of a company of cavahy, 
 and during the Pennsylvania campaign in 1863 he was one of 
 (len. Fitzhugh Lee's aides. At a very lively engagement at 
 
87 
 
 Shepperdstown, Va., the author met Capt. Tucker for the last 
 time and admired ins boldness and sangfroid in ihe midst 
 of the fight. 
 
 Vo7i Massow was a Prussian citvalry officer and came to 
 Richmond in 1861 to enter the Confederate service from eager 
 desire for war. Not successful in securing a commission ho 
 joined Gen. Mosly's independent troop and acted as one of his 
 aides. At a slcirmish near ITpperville, Va., he was shot through 
 the breast and left on the field for dead. \o\\ Massow recov- 
 ered, returned to Germany and in 1866 fought as Lieut, of 
 Dragoons under Gen. Vogel von Falkenstein. 
 
 Carl Friedricli Ilenningson, one of the most picturesque fig- 
 ures, an excellent soldier and well-known military authoi-, was 
 born in England, of German parents (from Hanover) in 18 10. 
 He received a superior German education, spoke several lan- 
 guages and was a highly gifted man and amiable companion. 
 But he was inclined to seek adventures and for that reason 
 never enjoyed a quiet and prosperous life. A lad of hardly 
 sixteen years of age he Tolunteered in the army of the Carlists 
 in Spain. For his gallantry he was appointed Captain of the 
 body-guard of Don Carlos. x\fterwards he rose to the position 
 of Colonel of cavalry and received the decoration of the order 
 of St. Ferdinand. After his return home he wrote a "History 
 of the Spanish War," which secured him the favor and pro- 
 tection of Wellington and Soult. In 1842 he went to Eussia 
 and took part in the Circassian War, and his publication : 
 " Eecollections of Russia."' created quite a sensation. In 1849 
 he joined the Hungarian army. He delineated the plan of 
 campaign, which was confirmed by Gen. Guyon, and he re- 
 ceived the appointment of military governor of Komorn. After 
 the downfall of the Hungarian Revolution Col. Henningson 
 embarked for America, where he worked jointly with Kossuth 
 for the Hungarian cause and also engaged in literary work. 
 Some of his publications of this period are : " The Twelve 
 Months Campaign under Zamalacarregen ;" " The White Slave,"" 
 a novel,. "Eastern Europe Sixty Years Ago," a novel, and 
 " Analogies and Contrasts." At the beginning of the " Fili- 
 buster War" in ISTicaragna he took command of tlie invading 
 
88 
 
 force tuid defended "GJrtiuada" heroically ivitli about 300 
 against 4,000 men. He repulsed the besieging army several 
 times, and on the 24th of Xovember, 1859, cut his way to the 
 sea-coast through the overwhelming forces of his enemies. 
 He burnt Granada before evacuating it and erected a spear 
 on its ruins to which he nailed a placard bearing the insci-ip- 
 tion : " Aqui file Granada," that is : " here stood Granafla." 
 At. the outbreak of the Civil "War he accepted the position of 
 military adviser to Gen. Henry A. Wise, and was appointed 
 second in command of the A\'ise Legion. After the battle on 
 Koanoke island Gen. Henningson commanded at Currituc 
 bridge the fragments of the legion and there the author acted 
 for a few days as his adjutant. Gen. lieuningsoii did not 
 find proper opportunity to display his military genius during 
 the War of (Secession. The cause was that Gen: Wise was no 
 favorite of President Davis and his legion was constantly 
 ordered to untenable or lost positions. Referring to Mr. Davis' 
 partiality Ed. A. Pollard says: "l\o man was ever more 
 sovereign in his likes and dislikes"'-"'). 
 
 General V. D. Gvoner, of Norfolk, and (ien. A. L. Long, 
 of Charlottsville, who are said to be descendants of German 
 families, are also named ^^■ith distinction. There was another 
 officer in the Confederate army Avho must be numbered Avith 
 the German element: Count B. Estv6n; but the German-Aar- 
 ginians would gladly disclaim all relation to him. The so- 
 called '■Count" came to Eichmond some years before the 
 Confederate episode. Estvdn lived there upon the earnings 
 of his two ladies, his wife and his sister-in-law, wlio gave 
 lessons and were acknowledged to be very highly educated. 
 He himself was a very good-looking jovial man and knew how 
 to perform the part of an upright Austrian country nobleman 
 to pyfection. When the Civil War commenced he pretended 
 to have recruited in ISTorth Carolina a regiment of Lancers and 
 was authorized to draw from the Ordinance Department the 
 necessary equipage. He took all accoutrements received : sad- 
 dles, bridles, blankets, etc., to Xorth Carolina, sold the articles 
 
 221.) '■The Second Year of the Wiir," by Edw. A. Pollard, t>. 302. Richmond, Va„ 
 
 ISili. 
 
89 
 
 at any price and disappeared. Estvau weiiL Lo Wasliingtoii city 
 in full uniform of a Confederate Colonel and claimed to have 
 deserted in sympathy with the ITnion. He was received with 
 distinction, introduced to President Lincoln and the best soci- 
 ety of the Union capital. From AYashington he went to Eng- 
 land and Germany, and assisted by his ladies, wrote a book : 
 " Kriegsbilder aus Amerika," first published in English at 
 London and later in German by F. A. Brockhaus, Leipzig, 
 1864. Finally Estvan ventured to revisit his old Fatherland, 
 Austria, and at Vienna he was arrested and prosccntod as a 
 criminal. 
 
 In the Union army were many Germans and also some Ger- 
 man-Virginians. Gen. Kobert B. Lee gave these German soldiers 
 in the Union army a very brilliant testimonial. At the time 
 when the southern cause was rapidly falling away he angrily 
 exclaimed : '• Take out the Dutch and we will whip the 
 Yankees easily." 
 
 Oen. Jacob Anrinen'---), distinguished during the rebellion, 
 was a native of Virg'inia, a graduate of AVest Point in 1831, 
 had resigned to engage in teaching and engineering, and when 
 the war broke out he re-entered the service as Colonel of the 
 24th Ohio; later as Brigadier-General he served with great 
 bravery in the West. 
 
 Gen. Hugo Dilrjer, born in Baden, enjoyed the reputation 
 of one of the boldest officers of the Northerri army. During 
 the war he learned to know and admire the Shenandoah valley 
 and its German population, and after the close of the hostilities 
 he concluded to live among the "Sesesh."' He purchased a 
 farm near Front Eoyal and is a very popular man among his 
 Virginian neighbors. 
 
 Gen. Lewis Iluffner, of Charleston, Kanawha county, before 
 mentioned, participated in the establishment of the separation 
 of West Virginia. Against the wishes of most of his relatives 
 ^-'') and many of his warmest personal friends he declared for 
 
 222.) "The German Soldier in the Wars of the U. S ," l)y J. G. Roseiigiirten, p. 166, 
 Philadelphia, 1390. 
 
 ^ 223.) "Historical PHpcre, No. 5, 1895, Washington and Lee University, I,e.\ington, 
 Va.," pp. 21—23. 
 
90 
 
 Lhe Union iiud stuod foi' it with the courage of inflexible 
 conviction. He was twice elected as a meniber of the Legis- 
 latni-e of West \'irginia. In 1863 he Avas one of the delegates 
 to the Wheeling Convention, which framed a constitution for 
 the new State, and in the same year lie was appointed by the 
 Legislature a Major-General of militia for the State. He was 
 also about that time tendered the position of Colonel of a regi- 
 ment in the Federal army, which he declined on account of 
 the large business interests he represented and which were 
 continually in peril. His public life closed with the war and 
 he died in 1 883 at his home. 
 
 Tlie contents of these biographies have run in advance 
 of the historical reports given and we return to the events in 
 the first year of the war. 
 
 On May 20th, 18G1, the seat of the Confederate Govern- 
 ment was transferred from Montgomery, Alabama, to Rich- 
 mond, and on the 29th of the same month President Jefferson 
 Davis was received in the new capital. The face of the city 
 at once became altered, — it was ovei'run by wild fanatics, 
 speculative adventurers, office seekers, gamblers and discredi- 
 table women, — the respectable inhabitants soon retired, alarmed 
 and disgusted, from publicity. In tlie beginning of the war 
 the Confederate armies had been victorious, but victory was 
 followed by disaster ; the enthusiasm and valor of the people 
 cooled down and the volunteer soldiers felt desirous to return 
 home. The exigency was very critical and the government 
 was forced to resort to conscription. In April and again in 
 September, 1863, acts of conscription were passed by Congress 
 and generally cheerfully acquiesced in. IS'cw disasters on the 
 Mississippi frontier, the evacuation of Xorfolk, Va., and the 
 destruction of the " Virginia " or " Merrimac," caused great 
 distress and public alarm in the old mother State. The de- 
 struction of the "Merrimac" left the James river and Rich- 
 mond almost unprotected, and there appeared unmistakable 
 signs of the intention of the Confederate Government to remove 
 to some safer place than the capital of the Old Dominion. 
 The sound of the guns of the Federal gunboats at Drewry's 
 Bluff and the thunder of the cannons during the battles around 
 
91 
 
 Eiolimoud were heard in the streets of tlie city. Mau}- pre- 
 pared to leave and there were cries of treason and disloyalty. 
 The foreign born inhabitants and especially such that kept 
 away from the army were objects of suspicion and all possible 
 influence was urged to force them into service. The Germans 
 in Richmond who were not citizens and therefore claimed ex- 
 emption from military duty were in a difficult situation. Xo 
 powerful German Empire then existed to protect and shield ■ 
 them, only the "Free City of Bremen" was represented in 
 Richmond by a Consul appointed to take care of her 'commer- 
 cial interest^. To this Consul, Edw. W. de Voss, all those 
 alarmed and suspected Germans hastened to seek protection. 
 Upon oath that they had not obtained American citizenship 
 and paying a fee of one dollar they received a certificate worded 
 as follows : 
 
 Consulate of the Free City of Bremen, Richmond, Va. 
 
 I, — E. W. de Voss, Consul of the free City of Bremen, 
 
 declare and certify that the bearer, , has taken oath that 
 
 he is a native of , Germany, and that he has never 
 
 taken the oath of allegiance to the United States or the Con- 
 federate States of America, or to any other foreign nation. 
 
 Given under my hand and seal of office, 
 
 Edav. W. de \'oss. Consul. 
 
 For some time these certificates were resi3ected by the 
 Confederate police and military authorities, but they also in- 
 tensified the ill-feeling towards the foreigners. 
 
 The close of the summer of 18G2 found the soil of Virginia 
 again almost cleared of the invading enemy, who had been 
 defeated around Richmond, at Cedar, mountain, at Manassas 
 and iu Kentucky. These victories and the battle of 'Sharps- 
 burg or Antietani had cost great loss of life. Maryland and 
 Kentucky failed to come to the sujijiort of tlie Confeder;ite 
 armies. Disastrous events followed theu iu the Soutliwest: 
 the defeat of Corinth, the capture of Galveston, etc., and on 
 the 22nd of Seijtember, ISO?, President Lincoln issued ids pro- 
 clamation of tlie Mma/icipation of the /Slaves. The scarcity 
 of all supplies, the enormous prices and the depreciation of the 
 
'J 2 
 
 Confederate curreiicj seriously added Lo the calamities and 
 disheartened the people. In fact the depreciation of the Con- 
 federate cnrrency did more to demoralize the South than 
 anything else. Tiie advance in prices was. enhanced by greedy 
 speculation. Although it was no secret that southern planters 
 were eager to smuggle and sell cotton, sugar and tobacco to 
 the North, the animosity of the natives accused the German 
 Jews and foreign adventurers to speculate on the misfortunes 
 of the South. However the truth was occasionally acknow- 
 ledged. Edw. A. Pollard for instance says in his book^^*), 
 written at the time: "Whatever diminution of spirit there 
 may have been in the South since the commencement of the 
 struggle it has been on the part of those pretentious classes of 
 the wealthy, who in peace were at once the most zealous 
 'secessionists' and the best customers of the Yankees, and 
 who now in war are naturally the sneaks and tools of the 
 enemy. The cotton and sugar planters of the extreme South 
 who prior to the war Avere loudest for secession, were at the 
 same time known to buy every article of their consumption 
 in Yankee markets and to cherish an ambition of shining in 
 the society of northern hotels. It is not surprising that many 
 of these affected patriots have found congenial occupation in 
 this war in planting in co-partnership with the enemy or in 
 smuggling cotton into his lines.'" This criticism certainly is 
 to some extent too severe in its general form of expression. 
 The devotion of the southern people to their cause is too well 
 known to be discredited, but it is equally unjust to accuse 
 the Jews and foreigners without distinction to have been 
 corrupt and unpatriotic. The large number of Germans who 
 served in the southern army and dared their lives on the battle 
 fields are strong proof against such spiteful accusation. 
 
 "In the South, during the dark and trying days of the 
 Confederacy," says Hou. Simon Wolf, Washington city^^^), "the 
 Jewish citizens of that section displayed to the full their devo- 
 tion to the cause which they held at heart. The Jewish South- 
 
 224.) ''The Second Year of the War," by Edw, A, Pollard, p. 303. Richmond, Va., 
 1863. 
 
 226.) "The American Jew a3 Patriot, Soldier and Citizen," by Simon Wolf p. 420, 
 Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
'.■3 
 
 eriiers were as zailous iu their efforts as were their neighbors 
 all about them, and hoivevcr mistalten was their contention 
 they adhered to it tenaciously. A Jew, it is said, fired the 
 first gun against Fort Sumtei', and another Jew gave the last 
 shelter to the fleeing President and Cabinet of the fallen Con- 
 federacj'/' 
 
 It cannot be disputed that Jews have been foremost among 
 tiie foreign-born population of Virginia in advocating the 
 secession-movement, — being interested in the "Negro trade." 
 The largest auction-house in Eichmond for the sale of slaves 
 was owned by a Jew. Although slaves were considered a neces- 
 sity by the planters and slave property being legitimate, the 
 Negro -trader Avas looked upon with contempt, and therefore 
 it reflected to a disadvantage on the Jews that several of them 
 were engaged in this detested trade. Howevei', the cheerful 
 alacrity with which they entered the Confederate service in 
 the hour of need, is evidence of their devotion to the southern 
 cause. In a number of southern Jewish families all the male 
 members ahle to bear arms were enrolled in the southern army. 
 In Virginia three brothers : Leopoltl, Samson and Solomon Levy 
 enlisted, and the last-named died of wounds received in battle. 
 
 Hon. Simon Wolf gives in his interesting history: "The 
 American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen," the folloiving 
 German- Virginian names of Jewish officers and soldiers in the 
 Confederate urmy : 
 
 Adler, Henry, Company E, 1st and 14th Inf. Eegnit. 
 
 Abrams, Isaac, Company G, 1st Inf. Eegmt. 
 
 Angle, Meyer, Company D, 12th Inf. Eegmt. 
 
 Angle, M., Company E, 46th Inf. Eegmt. 
 
 Angle, B., Company — , 46th Inf. Eegmt. 
 
 Angle, Joseph, Company E, 59th Inf. Eegmt. 
 
 Adler, A., Company A, 1st Artiller}^ 
 • Bear, Alexander, Lieutenant and subsequently, Surgeon 
 Company D, 4th Infantry. 
 
 Bacharach, M. 
 
 Baoarach S. 
 
 Baach, Siegmund, Longstreet's Corps. 
 
 Baach, Seligman, do. 
 
94 
 
 Baacli, Solomon H, Loiigstreet's Corps. 
 
 Bernheim, Samuel, Sergt.-Major, City Battalion. 
 
 Cohen, Jacob, Company B, 12tli Infantry. 
 
 Colien, David, Riclimoud Hussars. 
 
 Cohen, 31., do. 
 
 Dogen, Samuel, Company A, 19th Infantry. 
 
 Jh-eyfus, Leori, Company A, 10th Cavalry. 
 
 Deichs, Wm., Norfolk Blues. 
 
 Ezeldel, E. M., Company A, 1st Infantry. . 
 
 Ezekiel, Joseph K., Company B, 46th Infanti-y. 
 
 Eiseman, Louis, Wise's Brigade. 
 
 Ezekiel, Jacob, 1st Militia. 
 
 Ezekiel, Moses, Lieutenant of Cadets Va. Institute. 
 
 Frankenthal, Simon, Company B, 46th Infantry. 
 
 Friedenwald, Isaac, " A, 53d " 
 
 Friedland, A., Richmond Light Inf. Blues. 
 
 Goldstein, B., Company E, 46th Infantry. 
 
 Guggenheim, Simon, Company E, 46th Infantry. 
 
 Gunst, Michael, " E, 46th 
 
 Goldstein, J., " E, 46th 
 
 Gunst, Henry, " E, — Cavalry. 
 
 Gersberg, Henry. 
 
 Hirschberg, Joseph, " A, 1st Infantry. 
 
 Ilutzler, Siegmund L., " A, 1st " 
 
 Hexter, Simon, " E, 1st ■ " 
 
 Hessburg, Julius, 3d " 
 
 Ileilbroner, Henry, " H, 27th "' 
 
 Hesser, S., " E, 46th " 
 
 Hirsch, Herman, " A, 1st Cavalry. 
 
 Hessburg, M., " 
 
 Isaacs, Abrh., " E, 46th Infantry. 
 
 Kuh, E. L., •• H, Stli 
 
 Kull, U. E., " A, 12th 
 
 Kaddeu, A., " A, 10th Cavalry. 
 
 Kalten, Aaron, Wise's Legion. 
 
 Lichtenstein, Isidore, Company II, 1st Infantry. 
 
 Lowenstein, William, Richmond Light Infantry Blues. 
 
 Jjevy, Lewis, Company A, 12th Infantry. 
 
 Lowenstein, Isidore, " A, 12th " 
 
95 
 
 Lorscli, lleiiiy, Couipiiuy A, 19th liifautr}'. 
 
 Levy, Ezekiel, " E, 46th 
 
 Levy, Isaac J., " E, 46th '■ 
 
 Levy, Alexander IL, " E, 46th 
 
 Levy, Alexander, Lieutenant, Staff of General Magruder. 
 
 Levy, Joseph, Company E, 46th Infantry. 
 
 Levy, Emanuel G., " E, 46th 
 
 Levy, Leopold, ] £ " G, 1st Cavali'y. 
 
 Levy, Sampson, 1 1 " G, 1st " 
 
 Levy, Solomon, J | 23d Infantry. 
 
 Levy, B., Captain, Richmond Light Infantry Blues. 
 
 Lichtenstein, K., 19th Eeserves. 
 
 Lowenstein, I., Richmond Grays. 
 
 Literman, Simeon, Young's Battery. 
 
 Myers, "VTm., Company A, 1st Infaiitry. 
 
 Myers, Marks, 
 
 
 12th 
 
 U 
 
 Myer, Max, 
 
 a 
 
 B, 13th 
 
 ii^ 
 
 Middledorfer, Chas , 
 
 a 
 
 E, 12th 
 
 ii 
 
 Myers, A., 
 
 a 
 
 — 17th 
 
 ii 
 
 Myers, Solomon,. 
 
 a 
 
 — 18th 
 
 a 
 
 Moses, J. C, 
 
 '' 
 
 E, 46th 
 
 a 
 
 Myers, C, 
 
 It 
 
 E, 46th 
 
 a 
 
 Myers, LeAvis, 
 
 a 
 
 — 46th 
 
 ii. 
 
 Myers, Herman, 
 
 a 
 
 — 1st Cavalry. 
 
 Myers, Benjamin, 
 
 a 
 
 C, Wise's 
 
 \ Legion, 
 
 Middledorfer, Max, Fayette Artillery. 
 
 ISTewman, Joseph, Company K, 20th Infantry. 
 
 ISTewman, Isaac, 46th '■ 
 
 Newman, Jacob, 59th •' 
 
 Obermayer, H., 2nd " 
 
 Oethenger, David, Company B, 18th " 
 
 Oberndorfer, B., Young's Battery. 
 
 Plaut, Hugo, Sergeant on General Henry A. Wise's Staff. 
 
 Rosenberg, M., Company G, 6th Infantry. 
 
 Rosenfeld, Simon, " A, 12tli " 
 
 Reinach, A. S., •' B, 12th 
 
 Reinach, Isidore, " B, 12th ^' 
 
 Rosenheim, Henry, " E, 46th 
 
 Rosenberg, Michael, Norfolk Blues Infantry. 
 
'JG 
 
 Kcinaoh, M., I'etersburg Gra^^s. 
 8eldner, Isaac, Lieutenant, Gth .rufautry. 
 Schwartz, — , 17th Infantrj- 
 iSemoD, Jacob S., Company E, 4Gth Infantry. 
 Schoentha], Joseph, Company E, 46th Infantry. 
 Strauss, David, 7th Cavalry. 
 Simon, Isaac, Kichmond Hussars. 
 Simon, Nathan, Eichmond Hussars. 
 Smith, Henry, Otoy's Battery. 
 Seligman, H., Petersburg Grays. 
 Triesdorfer, G., Company B, 14th Infantry. 
 Tucker, — Lieutenant, Caskey's Riders. 
 Unstadter, JL, Company A, 6th Infantry. 
 AVhitlock, P., " A, 12th 
 
 WJlzinsky, L., '• H,12th " 
 Wolf, ^Y. M., Lieutenant 25th Infantry. 
 ^Vasseman, Levy, Company E, 46th Infantry. 
 Wamback, Leopold, Norfolk Blues Infantry, and several 
 uncertain names. 
 
 The losses of the Confederate armies liad to be repaired 
 in some way and the conscription laws were now carried out 
 with extreme rigor. The Confederate government took the 
 police authority from the State of Virginia and appointed 
 Gen. J. Winder "provost marsliall of Virginia.'' 
 
 He originated from Baltimore, had been a Colonel in the 
 Union army and was promoted by the Confederate govern- 
 ment to the rank of Brigadier-General. It probably was his 
 intention and orders to enforce the law and to guard the safety 
 of the city, but he did so in an almost savage manner. He 
 organized a secret police force of men, who for the most part 
 ought ratlicr to have been put under police control, and a 
 detestable system of espionage and denunciation was inaugu- 
 rated. A reign of terror began in Richmond. Arrests upon 
 tlie charge of political disloyalty or secret connection with the 
 enemy were daily occurrences. Several respectable German 
 citizens who were known to have opposed secession — like H. 
 L. Wiegand— were imprisoned in the ill-famed " Castle Thun- 
 der,"' and frequently had to wait there several months before 
 
97 
 
 the charge against them was investigated. Armed patrols 
 marched the streets of Richmond and ari'ested anyone who 
 had no passport of Gen. Winder to shoAv. If the prisoner could 
 not give other satisfactor}' legitimation ho was sent to the armj'. 
 
 However an Englishman, a correspondent of the '• Cornhill 
 Magazine," contrasting the rival capitals, sketched Gen. Winder 
 rather favorably as follows ^ ^ ") ; "Gen. Winder, the provost 
 marshall, every sojourner in the city knows full well. Gen. 
 Butler would rejoice in the posse'ssion of so vigilant au officer. 
 While Washington is overrun with the intriguing and the' 
 disappointed, Richmond has ears for every whisper, and there 
 can come no stranger to the city whose movements are not 
 watched and his mission understood. To Gen. Winder the 
 Avhole government of the city is entrusted. Offenders are 
 marched singly before the provost; he sits absolute and inipei'- 
 turbable, erect, prompt and positive. He has small searching- 
 eyes, a beaked nose and white bristly hair, which suggests the 
 unapproachable porcupine. He adopts a harsh voice with pris- 
 oners of war and with his justice may blend just a little retal- 
 iation ; for his brother has long been shut up in Fort AVarren 
 by Federal gaolers.'' 
 
 Not any less embarrassing was the situation of foreigners 
 or foreign-born citizens in other cities and towns, but partic- 
 ularly of those living isolated in the country. Bands of masked 
 and armed men harassed foreigners and tried to compel them 
 to leave the country. 
 
 The depot, agent at Trevillians, Lonisa county, Mr. Han- 
 cock, related to the author the following incident, sounding 
 almost like a romance : 
 
 "Some years before the war a German and his wife, rela- 
 tives of the Ruegcr and Loehr families in Richmond, settled 
 at Trevillian and opened a store. The industrious couple pros- 
 pered and thereby they awakened the envy of several less 
 successful neighbors. After the outbreak of hostilities they 
 were by these persons accused to be "Abolitionists'" and to 
 
 226.) "The Record," p. 42, Ja)y 16lh, 1803, pilW. by West k Johnston, Richmond, Va. 
 
have sold merchandise to negroes, thereby offeadiug against 
 the Virginia code. In consequence of these incitements a band 
 of masked men on horseback, headed by one of the spiteful 
 neighbors, approached their house in nighttime and ordered 
 them : " to leave the country within three days or their house 
 would be burnt."' In the third following night the horsemen 
 reappeared to carry out their threat, but the brave wife of the 
 German stood at the door of her dwelling armed with a gun 
 and told them that she would shoot anyone who dared to 
 destroy her husband's propert3'. The disguised men hesitated 
 and held a short consultation, and finally they turned their 
 backs to the house and disappeared in the darkness. The 
 German storekeeper and his wife, in dread of further moles- 
 tations hereafter, removed to Richmond until the reestablish- 
 ment of peace and order. Although successful in their under- 
 takings in the city, they i-eturned to Trevillians and reopened 
 their store. Their son and the daughter of the leader of their 
 assailants visited the same little country school, became at- 
 tached to each other and after years they were married. At 
 present the son of the German and the daughter of the " Ku- 
 Klux " are a happy couple and the proprietors of a much 
 enlarged storehouse." 
 
 In spite of distrust and sufferings the Germans, and even 
 thase who seriously regretted the separation from the Union, 
 competed with the Anglo-Americans in the endurance of severe 
 trials. The long Avar had entangled by its consequences all 
 the different parties ; all had finally but one material interest 
 and entertained but one hope : victory and peace. Defeat 
 appeared to every inhabitant of Virginia, suffering 
 most of all the Confederate States and liable to undei-go 
 dreadful hardships in case of being vanquished, as identical 
 with ruin. 
 
 This sentiment, especially felt by the descendants of the 
 •German jnoneers, is closely shown in " Virginia !"" a battle 
 song, composed by Mrs. C. J. M. .Jordan- = '). The song closes : 
 
 "War Songs of tlie Soiitli," p. 21fi, Rirhmoml, Va., West & Johnston, 1862. 
 
<J1} 
 
 " Hark, hark ! o'er mountain, vale and glen 
 
 The distant thunders rattle ; 
 The foe, the foe is at our door, 
 
 Up, brothers, to the battle ! 
 He comes, — abore our native hills 
 
 His flaunting banners wave ; — 
 Up, brothers, to a Victor's palm 
 
 Or to a Freeman's grave. 
 
 Chorus : ' 
 
 V[), noble Queen, the brave, the free, 
 
 Thou'ld bow thee to none other ; 
 Clod will thy shield and buckler be, 
 
 Virginia, oh, my mother! " 
 
 There was now one great danger threatening the Confed- 
 eracy. The army suffered -heavy losses sustained and iy ab- 
 sentees. Already in 1862 Gen. (Stonewall) Jackson complained 
 about the absence of officers and men from the ranks without 
 leave^^^). One of his brigades reported at that time twelve 
 hundred absentees. This state of affairs naturally began to 
 disgust the men doing faithful service, the armies grew feeble 
 and in a great measure disorganized. 
 
 The death of Gen. Jackson on May 10th, 1863, was also 
 very discouraging to the soldiers as well as to all the people. 
 The entii'e South was in mourning and the Germans looked 
 upon this sad event as the foreshadow of subjitgation. 
 
 "Other countries and ages," said R. T.. Dabney-""), may 
 have witnessed such a national sorrow, hut the men of this 
 generation never saw so profound and universal grief as that 
 which throbbed in the heart of the Confederate people at the 
 ■death of Jackson. Men were everywhere speculating with 
 solemn anxiety Uj^ou the meaning of his death. They asked 
 themselves: "has God taken the good man away from the evil 
 to come ? " 
 
 The fall of Vicksburg and the result of the battle of 
 Gettysburg in the beginning of July, 1863, were fatal and 
 
 228 and 229.) • "Life and Campaigns of Lieutenant General (Stonewall) Jackson," 
 pp. 633-684 ana 726-72", by R. I,. Dabne,v. 
 
100 
 
 cousidered as a reverse in the general fortunes of the contest. 
 The news of these disasters reached Kichmond on the same 
 day and despair toolc the place of the hope of an early peace. 
 Dissatisfaction, distrust, want of discipline and desertion stead- 
 ily increased. 
 
 The author is still in possession of a diary he kept in those 
 days, and an extract from it may find room here to illustrate 
 the low spirit prevalent in the army. 
 
 ■' Near Brandy Station, \'a., August 5th, 1863. — After our 
 victorious fight of yesterday we passed the night in readiness to 
 march. Everyone tied the bridle of his horse to his wrist and 
 laid down in the grass. Kow we are ordered to relieve the 
 picket line on Miller's Hill, near Brandy Station, and I remain 
 in command of Companies D and H, C14th Va. Cavalry}. My 
 wounded men from yesterday are doing well and are to be 
 taken to Culpeper. Men and horses suffer for want of rations 
 and I am almost broken down by rendering constant service. 
 The dispositions from headquarters of our brigade frequently 
 appear to be rash and thoughtless. Want of military know- 
 ledge and experience cause the troops many useless exertions 
 and hardships and create therefore much complaint. Desertion 
 is increasing, every night the gaps in our reduced brigade are 
 widened. Yesterday the first desertion occurred from our 
 regim.ent, hitherto honorably exempted. Unfortunately even 
 officers listen, ignoring duty and honor, to the peevish con- 
 versation of their men about the capitulation of Vicksburg, 
 our retreat from Maryland, our gloomy prospects, etc., and 
 likewise to quite unconcealed provocations to desert the army. 
 Such indifference is almost equal to sanctioning treason, and 
 such occurrences are very alarming. It is true that the desertj- 
 ers do not join the enemy, but hide in the woods and mountains 
 near their homes, but every one of them reduces our number 
 and leaves a vacancy in his company Avliich cannot Ih' filled.'' 
 
 The Governor of \'irginia now ordered 8,000 militia under 
 arms for home defence and in order to relieve the regulars 
 from guarding the prisoners. All foreigners still exempted 
 from service were called upon to join. The Confedei-ate gov- 
 
101 
 
 ernnient also organized a Brigade of Officials and Meciiaiiics, 
 employed in the offices and workshops, for lilie purposes. 
 The Virginian forces were placed under command of Governor 
 Gen. W. Smith and the Confederate brigade in charge of Gen. 
 G. Lee. The 19th Eegiment of Va. Keserved Forces was chiefly 
 composed of foreigners: Germans (Companies 11 and M), 
 Frenchmen, Italians, etc. Very soon these forces 'were also 
 ordered to the field about Eichmond, but the members enjoyed 
 the privilege of following their occupation if not on duty and 
 to draw rations f]-om the government magazine for their fam- 
 ilies at government prices. This permission was the more 
 valuable as all supjjlies commanded enormous prices, for in- 
 stance: One barrel flour, $300 to $600; one dozen eggs, $10; one 
 glass whisky $5; ojie cigar, 15 ; board per month, $450-$500; 
 a furnished room per month, $100-S125, etc. However the 
 above mentioned measure to strengthen the army was ruinous, 
 it demonstrated : that the South ivas exhausted. One Eichmond 
 regiment of the Confederate brigade under Gen. C. Lee was 
 called with harsh sarcasm the: "Silver Grays," the men being 
 aged and with gray sprinkled hair. By these desperate cir- 
 cumstances the N"orth was much encouraged and the Union 
 armies were at the same time heavily reinforced. The Federal 
 Government gave the order to e^nploj/ all liberated slaves to work 
 on fortifications or to be enrolled in separate regiments. In the 
 beginning of 1864 the A^orthern armies numbered about 500,000 
 men and 65,000 negro troops, and the United States Navy 
 was very strong. The Confederacy had only 150,000 to 200,000 
 soldiers left and the best part of the Southern Navy was cap- 
 tured by Admiral Farragut on August 5tli, 18G4, in the Bay 
 of Mobile. Di'saster followed disaster, many important places 
 were taken by the L'niou army and on November 12th Gen. 
 Sherman commenced his famous march through Georgia to 
 the Atlantic coast, cutting the Confederacy in two, while Gen. 
 Grant with his mighty army of the Potomac obliged Gen. Lee 
 to -fall back npon Eichmond, bravely contesting foot by foot 
 the advance on the capital of the Confederate States. Lee 
 defeated Grant once more at Cold Harbor, a few miles from the 
 city, and Grant transferred his army to the south side of James 
 I'iver a-nrt besieged Petersburg. Gen. Early, after an unsuc- 
 
103 
 
 uessfiil iuvasioii of Marykud, was obligod to give up the 
 Shenandoah valley to Geu. Sheridan. Sherman invaded the 
 Carolinas and Wilmington, N. C, was captured. The Confed- 
 erates could no longer offer eff'ectual resistance; they were losing 
 their strongholds one after the other, and the end of the bloody 
 drama was drawing near. On the other side the reelection of 
 Lincoln to the jwesidency of the United States and the call 
 for 300,000 men to strengthen the Tnion armies, increased 
 the confidence and determination of the North to finally over- 
 whelm the South. 
 
 The Confederate government, impressed by the imminent 
 danger of the situation, in March, 18G.5. resolved to arm the 
 slaves, but this last hope failed. Fate outran the realization 
 of this scheme. After sevei'al bloody battles around Peters- 
 burg, Gen. Lee was obliged to evacuate Petersburg and Rich- 
 mond, still hoping to be able to force his way through the 
 lines of the Union army and to unite with Gen. Johnson in 
 North Carolina. But the odds surrounding him were too great. 
 Not conquered but overwhelmed, he surrendered April 9th, 
 18H5, near Appomattox Court House with the remnant of the 
 army of Northern V'ii'ginia, numbering only 28,355 men, and 
 the other Confederate Generals, .Tohnson, Dick Taylor and 
 Kirby Smith soon followed his examjile. 
 
 The evLicualion of liichniond was accompanied by circum- 
 stances that deprived many German citizens of all tbey owned 
 and for the moment placed tliem in a desperate position ; but 
 by diligent labor they (piiclsly succeeded to regain prosperity 
 and wealth. 
 
 On Sunday forenoon, April 2i]d, I'l'esident Davis, while 
 attending Divine service at St. Paul's Church, received a mes- 
 sage from Gen. lioliert Vj. l^ee, informing him : "that he could 
 no longer hold i'l'lersluii-g and Pichmond." The news of the 
 impending evacuation spread like wild (ire and Ihe streets were 
 soon tilled witli fugitives. 'I'he night came, but no one rested. 
 'IMie militia companies received ordei's to maintain quiet and 
 order, but only few nienibers of these organizations resiwnded. 
 .\bout midnight several hundred barrels of whisky and brandy 
 
103 
 
 were rolled into the streets and emptied. A number of stragglers 
 from the Confederate army and negro-larkers possessed them- 
 selves of part of the intoxicating contents, and from that 
 moment law and order were disregarded. Gen. Ewell, before 
 leaving the city, gave order to set fire to the Confederate store- 
 houses, and very soon the conflagration was beyond control. 
 Everything was in confusion; there were not sufficient 
 means of transportation to save the endangered property. 
 Plunderers and thieves were at work, taking advantage of the 
 calamity, and for some time it seemed as if the whole city 
 would be destroyed. The terror of the scene was increased by 
 the explosions of ammunition in the Confederate magazines and 
 the blowing up of the gunboats. But early the next morning 
 the U. S. Gen. Gottfried Weitzel, born November 1st, 1835, at 
 Winzlen, Ehiheproviuce, Germany, took possession of the 
 doomed city and at once restored order. . Energetic measures 
 were taken by his command to subdue the conflagration and 
 save the endangered property. Col. Benjamin S. Ewell says : 
 
 "To the credit of this officer, Gen. Weitzel, it ought to be 
 known that when his command, consisting of two divisions, 
 one white, the other colored troops, the latter being in front, 
 approached the city, he changed the order of his march and 
 put the white soldiers in front when lie saw the fire, as being- 
 less likely to commit excesses, and being more skilled and ex- 
 perienced in extinguisliing fires." 
 
 Nearly all the cities and towns throughout Virginia can 
 tell a story of sufferings ; only those occupied by the Union 
 forces soon after the outbreak of hostilities made an exception, 
 Alexandria'^^") received at the beginning of the war a large 
 influx of Germans and a very busy time began. ^Musical and 
 singing societies were organized, and although there were many 
 adventurers and tramps among the new comers the majority 
 was made up of able and useful men. Even a German news- 
 paper: "Der Spassvogel," was started, but the publisher was 
 a queer fellow and his paper enjoyed only a short existence. A 
 social club: "Die Eintracht," was founded and it owned its 
 
 2S0.) "f;otresfipn(]ence of Pr, ,Ti))i«3 Pienelt, Alexandria, Va„ April SJ, 1892 
 
104 
 
 club-building, bar and restaurant. The club rooms were 
 opened every evening and twice a week dances and stage 
 performances took place. All branches of business prospered, 
 in short it was a time still clierished in the memory of the 
 few survivors. At that time too an effort was made to organize 
 a Cierniau churcli, and the endeavor was suj^ported by Kev. 
 Butler, chaplain of the House of Ifepreseutatives at Wasliing- 
 ton. The inte;ition was lo have an English sermon in the 
 forenoon and a German one in the evening, but for want of 
 concord the project failed. However, the religious spirit was 
 live amid the German Israelites and they erected a pretty and 
 large synagogue on the principal street of the city. Eev. Loe- 
 wensohn, a highly educated and noble-spirited man, was elected 
 rabbi, and under his leadership the first German school was 
 established in Alexandria, attended by children of every faith. 
 Before closing this important chapter the names of some 
 German -Virginians who occupied conspicuous Confederate 
 offices must be mentioned. 
 
 Christoph Gustav ^Memmingei'-'"), bom at Mergentheim 
 in Wuertemberg, came to Charleston, S. C, in 1806, when a 
 little boy. His parents died soon after and he was taken to 
 the Orphan Asylum. His talents awakened the sympathy of 
 Governor Bennet, who took him into his family and enabled 
 him to study law at the rniversity of Sontli Carolina. In 1823 
 Memminger graduated and in 1825 he was admitted to the bar. 
 He married Governor Bennet's daughter and soon became a 
 prominent figure in political and financial circles. He was a 
 member of the State Legislature from 1836 to 1860, and took 
 great interest in the organization of public schools at Charles- 
 ton. In 18G0 he was appointed Ti'easurer of South Carolina 
 and elected to the first Confederate Congi'oss. In Febrnarj', 1861, 
 President Davis called on him to be Secretary of Treasury, 
 lie accepted and removed to Uiehniond, A'a. "Mr. Memminger 
 has been severely criticized for endorsing the illimitable issues 
 of treasury notes. Kdw. A. Pollard for instance accused him 
 of "ignorance"-''-), but contradicting himself says: "When 
 
 231.) "Das (leutsche Element in ilen Vcr. Staaten," von Gustav Koerner. Cincinnati, 
 Ohio, 1880. 
 
 2.'?2.) "The Second Year of the War," Ijy Ediv. A. Pollanl, p, .'iltt Riclimoncl. V»„ ]8f,3, 
 
J 05 
 
 gold was quoted {lit tho close of 18G2) hi A'ew York at tweuty- 
 five per cent, premium, it was selling in Kichmoud at nine 
 hundred per cent, premium. Such have been the results of 
 the financial wisdom of the Coufederacj-, dictated by the Presi- 
 dent." lu June ISG-t Mr. Memminger resigned this sorrowful 
 position and after the close of the war he returned to Charles- 
 ton to practice there as attorney. He died on the 7th of March, 
 1888. ' 
 
 The list of members of the Confederate (States ('ongress 
 presents the following German-Virginian names- "•'') : 
 
 Ch. M. Conrad, born in AViuchester, Va., 2nd district of 
 Louisiana. 
 
 0. C. Herbert, born in Winchester, Va., 2nd district of 
 Texas. 
 
 John Goode, Libert}-, Bedford Co., Va., 6th district of 
 Virginia. 
 
 A. R. Boteler, Shepherdstown, .Teflerson Co., ^'a., 10th dis- 
 trict of Virginia. 
 
 Samuel A. Miller, Shenandoah Co., Va., 14th district of 
 Virginia. 
 
 233.) "The Record," p. 241, 1-y West & Jolinslon, Riclimond, Va , December lOlh, 
 
r 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The New State, West Virginia. 
 
 .ERMANS, and especially Penusylvaiiia-Germaus, largely 
 participated in the settlement of the western mountain 
 region of Virginia, now known as " West Virginia," 
 the "Little Mountain State," or "the Daughter of 
 the Old Dominion." Portions of AVest Virginia adjoining the 
 Ohio, Potomac, Kanawha and New river show to this day 
 many traces of an early German immigiation, reinforced at 
 the close of the last century by the numerous colonization of 
 German prisoners of war. It has already been stated that Gen. 
 Washington valued the Germans as desirable colonists, and 
 donated in 1770 by the English government with 10,000 aci'es 
 of land south of the Ohio, and by j)urchase the owner of large 
 estates on the Kanawha and Greenbrier rivers, he intended to 
 colonize these with German settlers. The realization of his 
 plan was delayed by the Revolutionary War; but after its close 
 he invited the German prisoners of war to stay in the NeAV 
 World, and a very large number of them accepted his favorable 
 proposal and built their cabins in Greenbrier, Pocahontas, 
 Nicholas, Fayette and Kanawha counties. 
 
 The very first German immigration to the wild and roman- 
 tic valleys of the Alleghanies occurred about the middle of 
 the last century. The oppression of the English High Church 
 and large land owners had driven them from their homesteads 
 in Pennsylvania and Eastern Virginia. Separated from the 
 civilized world, exposed to the attacks of the treacherous In- 
 dians, they became a hardy, independent and even rough 
 people. In the first part of this history if is stated that the 
 
107 
 
 counties Hardy uiul Pendleton were settled Ijy u pnrt of the 
 early German immigration to the Shenandoah valley, and 
 part of the following reports has also been previously men- 
 tioned. In what is now Jefferson county, Kobert llai'per, a 
 German, located in 1734, and his name is given in Harper's 
 Ferry. Jacob Hite founded Lcgtown and Thomas Shepherd 
 became the founder of Mechlenburg, now She^jJierdstotvn. In 
 Berkeley county the Waggeners and Faulkners, who distin- 
 guished themselves during the French and Indian War and 
 the War of Indejiendence, counted to the pioneer settlers. 
 The two brothers Andrew and Edward AVaggener came from 
 Culpeper to Berkeley in 1750 and settled at Bunker's Hill, 
 and later on General Adam Stephan (Stephens) and Colonel 
 W. Darke also made Berkeley their home. A\'itli the first 
 white inhabitants of Morgan county Thomas Hite, van Swear- 
 inger and others are numbered, and still more numerous were 
 the German pioneers in Hampshire county. Among the 
 founders of Watson Town in 1787 were Jacob Hoover, ^'. 
 Swisher, E. BumgaAlner, Isaac Zahn and other Germans. 
 Dnring the French and Indian War the German settlers of 
 this section had to fight for their homes and families. Bow- 
 ers and Furman were killed and H. Newkirk wounded. In 
 Pendleton county the horrible massacre at Fort Seybert by 
 the Indians in May 1758 tells of the early settlement' of Ger- 
 mans. Among the first white inhabitants of Pocahontas 
 county were Peter Lightner, H. Harper, W. Hartman and J. 
 Wolfenbarger, the Jordaus, Tallmaus, etc. The name "Knapp's 
 Creek" reminds of the German pioneers. In 1754 David Ty- 
 gar and Files came* to Ilandolph county. The nationality, of 
 these pioneers is not known, but in 1790, on the land of 
 Jacob AVestfall, the county-seat Beverly was laid out and the 
 Germans J. Westfiill, Th. Phillips, H. Rosecrouts and V. 
 Stalmaker were appointed trustees. Tucker cou)ity was set- 
 tled by Germans in 1776, but all pioneer colonists were mur- 
 dered by the savages. In 1758 Thomas Decker was the first 
 white man who entered the territory of Preston and Monon- 
 galia counties. Pie established a settlement on Deckers creek, 
 but he and his comrades were also slain by the Delaware 
 and Mingoe Indians. The same evil fate in 1779 befell an- 
 
loS 
 
 dtlicr CJcj-niiiu ycUlciiK'nt cu Dunlriii'.'i creek. At the time', 
 when the cmiDty of I'rcstou was formed by a division of 
 J\rononga]ia, the following (iermans wcvo among the first 
 county oflficers: F. Hara, \V. Sigler, Jacob Funk, etc. The 
 conuties Grant, ^Mineral, Marion, Harrison, Barbour, Lewis, 
 Upshur, Webster, Braxton, Gilmor, Ritchie, Doddridge, Tay- 
 lor, Tyler, Pleasants, Calhoun, Rean, Logan, Mason, Putnam, 
 Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, "Wyoming, McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh 
 and Boone are of later creation and are but little populated, 
 but in all of them the German element is more or less rep- 
 resented. The historian V. A. Lewis relates as a remarkable 
 circumstance : "A Mr. Gordon, an American-German, had had 
 by two wives twenty-eight children." — Weston or formerly 
 Fleisherville, the county-seat of Lewis county, was laid out on 
 the land of David Stringer; the same land had in 1784 be- 
 longed to Henry Flesher. Ilaclcers creek also derives its name 
 from a German settler. The German element of Wirt county 
 can boast of several well-known men, as: A. G. Stringer, first 
 County Clerk ; W. E. Lockhart, Commissioner in Chancery ; 
 Arthur L. Boreman, first Governor of the new State and later 
 U. S. Senator ; John G. Stringer, State Attorne}^ etc. In the 
 counties AVetzel, Marshall, Ohio, Brook and Hancock, form- 
 ing a long and narrow strip of land, the so-called "Panhan- 
 dle," and which are situated between Pennsylvania and Ohio, 
 the first attempts at a settlement were principally made by 
 Germans. William Boner came to Burke county in 1774, 
 Moses Decker about 1787, etc., but the settlements in Brooke 
 and Hancock counties suffered heavily from the savages, and 
 the last white men killed by the Indians in that part of the 
 Panhandle Avere the Germans Captain von Buskirk and John 
 Decker. Iv'o less endangered were the lives of the German 
 colonists in Ohio county and their courageous tenacity de- 
 serves exemplary credit. — West Lilertij was established by 
 legislative enactment Is'ovembcr 29th, 1787, on the lauds of 
 R. Foreman and others, and in 1793 Wheeling was first laid 
 out in town lots by Colonel Ebenezer Zane.— Marshall county, 
 formerly part of the county of Ohio, was first settled in 1769 
 by John Wetzel and family, who were soon followed by the 
 Siverts and Earlywines. In 1777 Nathan Master (Meister), 
 
109 
 
 James ami JouaUuui Riggs found homes within the limilri ol' 
 Marshall county. JJuring the struggles with the . Indians 
 Captain Foreman (1777), C^aptain John J3aker (1778), and 
 Colonel Beeler (1780) fought with distinction; they and their 
 men and also the Tnsch family were slain by the savages. 
 The counties Wood, Jackson and Mason jiear the Ohio river 
 also owe their present flourishing condition to German dili- 
 gence. The German Christopher Gist or Geist, whom the 
 historian of West Virginia, V. A. Lewis, erroneously repre- 
 sents to have been an Englishman, was in 1750 by order of 
 the Ohio Land Company the first explorer of this region. 
 George Washington, George Muse, Andrew Waggener and 
 others Avere donated by the English government with exten- 
 sive land tracts in Mason county in recognition of their emi- 
 nent, services during the French and Indian War, and they 
 desired, as has been previously mentioned, to draw German 
 farmers to their estates. Traces of an early German immi- 
 gration are found to this day in the counties of Kanawha, 
 Fayette, Greenbrier, Sum^rs, Monroe and Nicholas. AVith the 
 first white men who reached this part of the country came 
 the Hugharts, Eader, Moss, Hyde, Carpenter or Zimmermann, 
 Strickland, etc., and the last victims of Indian treachery 
 were a German family by name of Strand (Stroud) as pre- 
 viously stated, who lived near the junction of Gauley and 
 Kanawha rivers, respectively the Gauley and New river. 
 
 -With the enlarged settlement of the country the man- 
 ners of the mountaineers were gradually refined, but they 
 retained their indejjendent and energetic character. Within 
 the first half of the present century the Germans participated 
 in several demonstrations against the infringement on vital in- 
 terests and fair claims of Western Virginia on part of the 
 State government and against tlie unequal representation of 
 the two great sections of the State — the AYest and the East 
 — in the General Assembly. The unjust representation gave 
 to the East virtual sovereignty and rendered the western sec- 
 tion almost powerless in all matters of State legislation. 
 
 224.) "History of West Virginia," by Virgil A, Lewis, pp, 320—321. PhiiacJelpliia , 
 Ps., 1886, 
 
no 
 
 '•in Lhc Assembly in 1820--'*) the former had one hun- 
 dred and twenty-four members, while the hitter had but 
 eighty. The result was that the East secured to itself nearly 
 everything in the character of internal imiarovements. The 
 public buildings, with a single exception, the 'AVestern Lu- 
 natic Asylum at Staunton,' -were all east of the Blue Eidge. 
 But that which produced the greatest dissatisfaction and 
 caused deepest displeasure was the restriction of the right of 
 suffrage. Its exercise depended on a property qualification 
 and was restricted exclusively to the freeholders of the State. 
 The doctrine: 'that all men are born free and independent,' 
 was declared in the first clause of the ' Bill of Eights,' but 
 while it was claimed to be true in theory, it was declared to 
 be dangerous in apj)licafion. 
 
 The system of taxation'^ '■' ■') was also unequal, discriminat- 
 ing against the free mountain section, taxing lightly those 
 interests which the West did not possess, while expensive in- 
 ternal improvements, adding greatly to jeal property values, 
 were only undertaken in the East. Eailroads of greatest feasi- 
 bility and utility, surveyed and brought into notice by pub- 
 lic-spirited individuals, were procrastinated and killed by the 
 same determination to override the interests of this region. 
 
 The eminent value of this country was intentionally or un- 
 intentionally ignored by the oligarchy of the southeast of Vir- 
 ginia. For the variety and fertility of its soil, mineral and for^ 
 est resources, abundant w'aterpower, numerous mineral springs 
 possessed of sanitive character, a delightful and healthful cli- 
 mate, etc., invited immigration, but the slave-owners of the 
 East feared the influx of an intelligent and progressive popu- 
 lation, as is generally concentrated in industrial districts, 
 and they endeavored to reduce to a viinimum the means of 
 communication and traffic, like railroads, canals and good 
 roads, necessary to the development of the rich resources of 
 Western Virginia. Before the War of Secession the road sys- 
 
 235.) "West Virginia," by J. R. Dodge, U, S. Agricultural Report, 1863, page i&. 
 Washington, 1863. 
 
Ill 
 
 tem of West Mrgiuia consisted only of the stage-road from 
 Guyandotte and Charlestown, by way of (jauley Bridge and 
 White Snlphnr Springs, to Jackson Eiver Depot, now Clifton 
 Eorge, which was at that time the termiiivts of the Virginia 
 Central Kailroad, now the Chesapeake and Ohio Eailroad, and 
 of the turnpike route from Parkersburg to Staunton and 
 Winchester. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the only 
 railroad that touched West Virginia. Thus the interests of 
 East and AYest Virginia seriously conflicted; but the most 
 potent cause of the ill-feeling between the two sections was 
 the institutidn of Slavery. Statistical reports estimate the 
 number of slaves in the West, as stated previously, at seven 
 per cent, of the entire population, and in the East at more 
 than fifty per cent. Especially in the northern counties of 
 the present State of AYgst Virginia slavery and slave-labor 
 w^re discredited. Free labor was valued more profitable and 
 honorable than servile, yielding more comely social results 
 and sweeter moral fruit, and more successfully advancing the 
 national well-being and the progress of intellect. The Ger- 
 mans of the lower Shenandoah valley in the counties of Jef- 
 ferson, Berkeley, Morgan, I-|ampshire, Hardy and Pendleton 
 and of the "Panhandle" joined in these humane aspirations. 
 They were in constant commercial and social intercourse with 
 the people of the adjoining northern colonies or free States, 
 and it is but natui-al that they adopted their views and man- 
 ners. 
 
 "It was evident," says Virgil A. Lewis," ^'') "that a redress 
 of grievances never could be secured under the existing consti- 
 tution, and as early as 1815 the question of a constitutional 
 convention to revise that instrument began to be agitated." 
 
 In 1828 the people's vote was taken in regard to the call of 
 a convention and the proposition was carried by 31,896 assent- 
 iag against 16,646 dissenting votes, showing that even in the 
 East many voters recognized the necessity of reforms. In 1829 
 and again in 1850 conventions were held at Richmond to revise 
 the constitution in favor of West Virginia, but none of the re- 
 
 a3«.) "History of Virginia," by Virgil A. Lewis, p. 322. Philadelpliia, Pa,, 1889, 
 
112 
 
 foniis sought were tieciirecl in 1829. Among Uie menibers of 
 the convention of 1850 several western delegates bear German 
 names. A redress of many grievances was secured ; the right 
 of suffrage was extended, taxation rendered more cqnitable and 
 the basis of representation so remodeled as to secure to the 
 West greater equality in the halls of legislature. ■ But the Civil 
 War again created disharmony between the two sections; the 
 East favored secession, while the AA'est remained faithful to the 
 Union. 
 
 On 3Iay 13th, 18G], or twenty-four days after the Kichmond 
 convention had passed the ordinance of Secession, the delegates 
 of twenty-five western counties assembled at Wheeling and de- 
 clared imqnalified opposition to Secession and that in the event 
 of the ratification of the ordinance of Secession by the people 
 the counties represented ivould sejiarate from ilic eastern part 
 of the State and form a government of tlieir own, and a general 
 convention should meet on June 11th at Wheeling. 
 
 A list of the members of the "First Wheeling Convention " 
 contains the following German names : 
 
 Hancock county. — Wm. B. Freeman, .J. L. Freeman, ]>. 
 Breneman, Sam. Freeman. 
 
 Brooke county. — Adam Kuhn, Joseph Gist, John G. Jacob. 
 
 Ohio county. — J. K. Stefel, G. L. Cramner, A. F. Boss, 
 John Stiner, J. M. Bickel, J. Paul!, John C. Hoffman, Jacob 
 Berger, J. C. Orr. 
 
 Marshall county. — H. C. Kemple, ])v. Marshman, J. W. 
 Boner, C'h. Snediker, J. S. Kiggs, Alex. Kemple. 
 
 A\^etzel county. — A. W. Lauck, B. T. Bowers, Geo. AV. Bier, 
 W. 1). Welker. 
 
 Tyler county. — AV. B. Kerr. 
 
 Harrison county. — S. S. Fleming, Felix S. Sturm. 
 
 I'leasants county. — W. A. Cramer. 
 
 AVood county. — S. Fj. A. ]5urche, AV. Vroman, J. Burche, 
 Peter Dils, H. Eider. 
 
 Monongalia. — L. Kramer, H. Deering, E. V>. Fogle, .J. D. 
 Hess, Ch. H. Burgess, J. T. ^\. Bly, J. ]\[iHer. 
 
113 
 
 Preston county. — D. A. Lctzinger, AV. B. Zimi. 
 
 Jackson county. — ,A. Mesher, G. Leonard. 
 
 Marion county. — J. Holman, John Chisler. 
 
 Mason county. — W. E. Wetzel, L. Harpold, ^V. AV. Harper, 
 Wm. Harpold, Sam. Yeager, Ch. H. Bunigarten, C'h. K AA'ag- 
 gener. 
 
 Wirt counly. — H. Nenmau. 
 
 liampsliire county. — George AV. Slieets, (i. W. Hizer. 
 
 Berkeley county. — J. S. Bowers. 
 
 Koane county. — I. C. Stump. 
 
 and many others of doubtful origin like Smith, Youug, AViu- 
 ters, Conrad, Brown, King, Fish, Hunter, Baker, Snyder, Cook, 
 Walker, Marshall, etc. AVm. B. Zinn of Preston county was 
 made temporary president and C'h. B. AVaggener was oue of the 
 secretaries. 
 
 On the 23d of May the vote on the ordinance of Secession 
 was taken and while the eastern portion of ATrginia was almost 
 unanimously in favor of Secession, in the western counties of 
 the 44,000 votes cast 40,000 'were against the ordinance. 
 
 On the 4th of June the delegates to the "Second AVheeling 
 Convention " were chosen and assembled with the senators and 
 represeiitatives elected in Afay at the general election to mem- 
 bership of the General Assembly of Mrginia on .June 11th at 
 AVheeling. The German element was again largely represented 
 in this memorable assemblage in which foi-ty counties of the 
 old mother State took action. The convention resolved- ■*■') ; 
 "We, the delegates here assembled in convention to di'vise such 
 measures and take such action as the safet-y and welfare of the 
 loyal citizens of Vii'ginia may demand, have maturely consid- 
 ered the premises, and viewing witli great concern the deplor- 
 able conditio]) to which this once happy commonwealth must 
 be reduced unless some regular adequate measure is spe.edily 
 adopted, and appealing to the Supreme Ivuler of the universe 
 for the rectitude of our intentions, do hcrebv, in the name and 
 
 237.) Compare "A DeclaraUon of the People of Virginia represented in Convention 
 at the City of Wheeling, Thursilay, .lune 13th, ISOI," 
 
114 
 
 on behalf of the good people of Virginia, solemnly declare that 
 the preservatiion of their dearest rights and liberties, and their 
 security in person and property, imperatively demand the reor- 
 ganization of the Government of the Commonwealth, and that 
 all the acts of said convention (that is, the Eichmond conven- 
 tion which pass.ed the ordinance of Secession) and executive 
 tending to separate this Commonwealth from the United States, 
 or to levy and carry on war against them, are without authority 
 and void ; and that the offices of all who adhere to said con- 
 vention and executive, whether legislative, executive or judicial, 
 are vacated." 
 
 Thus the Wheeling convention had proclaimed an inter- 
 regnum in the State government and already the following day 
 began the work of reorganization. Arthur J. Boreman of Wood 
 county was president of the convention and G. L. Cramner sec- 
 retary. The new goverumeut of Virginia was acknowledged by 
 the United States authorities as the legal government of Vir- 
 ginia. On the fir^t day of July the General Assembly organized 
 at Wheeling and elected senators and representatives to the 
 National Congress at Washington, who were admitted to seats 
 in the respective houses. 
 
 •'Having reorganized the government^-'") and elected a 
 chief executive officer, Francis H. Pierpont of Marion county. 
 Governor of Mrginia, and provided for the election of all other 
 officers, civil and military, the labors of the convention were 
 evidently drawing to a close. Nothing had been done that ap- 
 peared to directly inaugurate the popular movement for the 
 formation of a new State. In reality however the true theory 
 had been adopted and the only legitimate mode of arriving at 
 the most desirable result had been conceived and acted upon by 
 the convention. If the government, thus restored, was acknow- 
 ledged by the Federal authorities as the only government in 
 Virginia, then the legislative branch of it could give its assent 
 to the formation of a new State, as provided for by the Consti- 
 tution of the United States." August 6th, 1861, the convention 
 ]-eassembled at Wheeling and adopted an ordinance to provide 
 for the formation of a new State, and on the 24th of October tlie 
 
 238.) J. n. nagan's First West Virginia Report, p. 63, 
 
115 
 
 people of the respective counties stiuctioned tliis resolution. On 
 the 26th of November a Constitutional Convention assembled 
 again at Wheeling, the first capital of the new State, to frame 
 the first Constitution of West yirginia. The following German 
 names are among those of the delegates who performed this im- 
 portant labor : K, W. Lauck of Wetzel county, Eob't Hager of 
 Borne, Henry Bering of Monongalia, Harmon Sinsel of Taylor, 
 J., A. Dille of Preston, G. W. Sheets of Hampshire, Louis Ruff- 
 uer of Kanawha, etc. On the 3d day of May, 1862, the Consti- 
 tution was confirmed by a general vote of the people, and on 
 the 9th of the same month a State convention asseinbled at Par- 
 kersburg elected the German-Virginian Arthur L. Boreman 
 Governor of West Virginia, while Governor Pierpont of Vir- 
 ginia moved the archives of the restored government to Alex- 
 andria, which continued to be the rallying centre of Unionism 
 in Virginia until the 35th of May, 1865, when the Pierpont 
 government removed to Eichmond. 
 
 In the meanwhile Federal and Confederate armies had en- 
 tered the mountain region of Old Virginia and on the 7th of 
 July, 18^1, the first blood was shed in the battle at Scary creek. 
 General Henry A. AVise, in command of the Confederate forces 
 sent into, the Kanawha valley, was victorious in this first en- 
 gagement, but the Federals under General 'Cox being in. strong 
 force, the Confederates were in danger of being cut off and re- 
 treated to Meadow Bluff, north of Lewisburg, Greenbrier county. 
 "The disaster at Rich mountain, the surrender of Pegram's 
 force, and the retreat northward of Gariiclt's army," says A. 
 Pollard, ^^'•') "had withdrawn all support from the right fiank 
 and indeed from the rear of General Wise." 
 
 The campaign of tlie Confederate troops in West Mrgima, 
 thus quite unsuccessful, the Legislature of Old Virginia on the 
 1.3th of ilay, 1802, proposed to acknowledge the formation of 
 the new State of AVest Mrginia, hut only luitliin the jurisdiction 
 of Virginia. The waves of tlie conflict rolled over this attempt 
 to bring about a reconciliation, and on December 31st, 1862, 
 President Lincoln confirmed the I'esolution of the Fnited States 
 
 239.) "The Lost Cause," by Ediv. A, Pollard, ii. 169. New York, I8(i6, 
 
116 
 
 Congress to admit Wed Virginia as a State in the Union, with 
 fifty counties of 21,000 square miles and 376,688 inhabitants. 
 
 Thei-e was a feeling of relief among the friends of the 
 Union as from an irksome and heavy burden in the separation 
 from the Old Dominion, tlie influence of which had long rested 
 like a nightmare npon the western^ section ; but there were still 
 many adherents to the old Government in the new State. The 
 Germans and German descendants were mostly Union men. 
 For instance, in Preston county the German citizens demon- 
 strated and agitated already in January 1861 against the seces- 
 sion movement.^'"') "A county convention appointed a com- 
 mittee of which S. W. Snider, J. Wolf, I. Startzman, G. Hilden- 
 berger, Ch. Bischoff, etc., were members, and elected delegates 
 to the 'People's Convention,' to assemble at Richmond, Va., the 
 13th of February, 1861. On the same day about 150 citizens of ' 
 the German settlement met, electing Ch. Hooton chairman and 
 G. H. Schaffer secretary, and the meeting passed resolutions 
 disapproving the course of the extreme southern States and 
 deprecating the doctrine of secession. Other meetings were 
 held at the Gladesville schoolhouse and at Pleasant Valley 
 church ; patriotic songs were sung and even the women ex- 
 pressed their attachment to the Union.'' 
 
 AVhen the crisis came and war broke out, the German de- 
 scendants promptly responded to the call for troops to join the 
 Federal army. Preston county for example showed on its mus- 
 ter-rolls the German names of the following officers: Sam'l 
 Snyder, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 16th West Virginia Regi- 
 ment; Captain W. if. Paul, 1.5tli West \'irginia Regiment; 
 Captain M. ls\. Snyder, 17th West "\1rginia Regiment: Captain 
 \). A. Letzinger, 3d Regiment West Alrgiiiia Cavalry ; Captain 
 J. S. Hyde, 3d Regiment West Virginia Infantry ; C'aptain AV. 
 A. Falkenstine, joined 3d if aryland Volunteers; .faoob Stemjile, 
 Major of ililitia; Captain Peter Zinn, etc. The number of 
 Germans from AVest Virginia on the Confederate side was com- 
 jiaratively small. The census of 18G0, which does not consider 
 the older (lerman immigration, but simply anglicizes it, num- 
 
 240 ) "Uistory of rrcslon i-(miU,v, W. Va,," l>,v S, T. Wiley, p. 96, Klngswood, W, 
 Va., 1882. 
 
bers the German population of the new State at 10,512 and 
 states: that 869 engaged in the war. However these figures are 
 much too loio. According to the report of the Adjutant-General 
 of the State for the year 1865 it appears, that West Virginia fur- 
 nished in all 36,530 troops to the Federal army, and in propor- 
 tion to the strength of the German element — Germans and 
 their descendants — it must at least have supplied one-third, 
 or 12,200 men. No official data exist to show the number, that 
 went from West Virginia into the Confederate army. The his- 
 torian Virgil A. Lewis'-'*') estimates the number at about 7,000, 
 and the author, who was an officer of General Jenkin's Cavalry 
 Brigade, which was principally recruited in West Virginia, 
 from his observations would appraise the Germans and German 
 descendants among them at not more than 3,000 — 4,000. Of 
 Confederate officers from West Virginia and of German descent 
 Colonel J. S. Witcher, 3d Virginia Cavalry ; Captain Wm. H. 
 Haflner, Company E, Edgar's Battalion ; Captain Wm. Keiter, 
 who commanded a Tennessee Artillery Company; Lieutenant 
 Hawer, Company D, 14th Virginia Cavalry ; Chaplain Brillkart, 
 8th Virginia Cavalry ; Lieutenant Henry A. Wolf, 3d Virginia 
 Cavalry, and Captain Peter Carpenter are known. "Shriver 
 (Schreiber?) Greys," a handful of exiles from Wheeling, only 
 thirty strong, are mentioned in Confederate reports as a gallant 
 band.2*2) 
 
 During the late war the German districts of the new State 
 had chiefly suffered, especially the lower Shenandoah valley 
 and the counties on Greenbrier, New and Kanawha rivers, but 
 by the energy and industry of the population they soon regained 
 their former wealth. The development of West Virginia since 
 its separation from Old Virginia is surprising and is a concil- 
 iating moment of the dismemberment of the Mother-State of 
 the Union. Astonishing activity has characterized the con- 
 struction of railroads ; the Monongahela and Kanawha rivers 
 were made navigable for steamboats ; a thorough and stringent 
 law was enacted relative to the construction and working of 
 
 241.) "History of West Virginia," by Vii-gil A. Lewis, p. 423. Phlladeiphia, 1889. 
 242.) "Tlie Life of gtoneirali Japlison," by a Virginian, p. 78, Ayres & Wade, 
 Eiolimond, Va., 1863. 
 
118 
 
 roads; the hidden treasures of the earth: coal, iron, lead, cop- 
 per, silver, antimony, nicliel, borax, soda, alum, salt, lime, pe- 
 troleum, etc., have been mined and developed ; the mineral 
 springs of remarkable varietj' and of high reputation are 
 rapidly attaining celebrity among the most noted and elegant 
 watering places of the northern Statps and even of the Old 
 AYorld ; agriculture and rural enterprise, fruit growing, wine 
 making, dairying, and the production of -wool are progressive 
 and the value of real estate is constantly advancing. In conse- 
 quence of the last named progress many German farmers have 
 gained great wealth. Before, during and after the late war sev- 
 eral Germans have been entrusted with surveying the laud and 
 with exploring and analyzing the mineral resources. The first 
 topographical map of the two Virginias was drawn, as already 
 mentioned, by order of Gov. Henry A. Wise, by Capt. v. Buch- 
 holtz, a native of Wuertemberg and a resident of Eichmond ; 
 Oswald Heinrich, a Saxon, explored the mineral wealth of the 
 Alleghanies by order of the Confederate government and he 
 has drawn the first geological map of West and East Virginia ; 
 General L. Ruffner, a member of the well known Ruflner family 
 originating from the kingdom of Hannover, was the superinten- 
 dent of the celebrated Kanawha Salines,— and Dr. Heinrich 
 Froehling, chemist of Richmond, collected and analyzed sam- 
 ples of ore, etc. 
 
 Among the names of the high officials of the new State, as 
 Avas already stated, are several German ones, like : Arthur I. 
 Boreman, Governor from 1863—1869 ; Daniel Polsley, Congress- 
 man, Judge and Lieutenant-Governor, born at Palatine, Mar- 
 ion county, Va., and of German descent^ *■'), and H. A. G. Zieg- 
 ler, State School Superintendent from 1869 — 1870. 
 
 Previous to 1861 the public education was as much neg- 
 lected in West Virginia as in East Virginia, but already in 1872 
 of 170,035 boys and girls of school age 85,765 w^ere enrolled in 
 3,479 public schools, and in 1882—1883 the total enrollment 
 amounted to 155,544. The German language Was taught in al- 
 most every high-school and college. 
 
 248.) "Prominent .\[en of West Vii-ginia," p. 231. 
 
Another evidence of the important part the Germans have 
 had in the settlement and development of West Virginia is fur- 
 nished by the following names of counties, cities, villages, riv- 
 ers, etc. : Wetzel county, named after the Indian hunter Ludvvig 
 Wetzel ; }Virt county, after the lawyer and statesman B. W. 
 Wirt; and in the counties: Barlour : Plackersville, Huffman, 
 Burnersville, Galls ; Berheley : Martinsburg, Gerrards Town, 
 Flaggs, Darkesville; Boone: Coon's (Kuhn's) Mills, Hager; 
 Braxton: German, Cutlip's (Gottlieb's); Brooke: Steubenville, 
 Herrmann Creek, Bowman ; Fayette : Ansted, IS'uttalburg, Leb- 
 long, Crickmer, Dcitz, Frederick; Gilmer: DeKalb, Tanners; 
 Greenbrier : Frankford, Hughart, Lewisburg ; Grant : Lah- 
 mansville, Keyser, Kerms, Kelternian, Jordan's Eun ; Hamp- 
 shire : Frankfort, Hainesville, Euckman ; Hardy : Moorfield 
 (formerly Mohrf eld \ Doman, Baker's Eun; Harrison: Hess- 
 ville. Hacker's Creek ; Jackson : Wiseburg, New Geneva, Muse's 
 Bottom, Lockhart's, Fisher's Point ; Jefferson : Shepherdstown 
 (formerly Mecklenburg), Harper's Ferry, Charlestown, Snyder's 
 Mills, Lectown (founded by Jacob Hite) ; Kanawha : Winifreds, 
 Sissonville, Copenhaver's Mills, Jordan ; Leivis : Freemansburg, 
 Berlin, Hacker's Creek, Fink's Creek ; Logan : Burch ; Marion : ' 
 Palatine, Metz, Meyers, Sturm's Mill ; Marshall : Becler's Sta- 
 tion; Mason: Cologne, Grimm's Landing; Mercer: Duhring ; 
 Mineral: Frankfort, Hartmonsville, Schelle, Keysertowu ; Mc- 
 Dowell : Jaeger ; Monongalia : Statler's Eun, Decker's Creek ; 
 Monroe : Lindside, Peterstown ; Morgan : Unger's Store, Stat- 
 ler's Cross Eoad ; Nicholas : Kessler's Cross Lanes ; Ohio : 
 Wheeling, Zane's Island; Pendleton: Macksville, Fort Seybert, 
 Kline's Cross Eoads ; Pleasants : Scfaultz ; Preston : Kyer's 
 Bun, Newburg Town, Gussman, Amblersburg, and also founded 
 by Germans : Kingwood, Franklin and Fellowsville; Putnam: 
 Carpenter's; Pocahontas: Knapp's Creek; Raleigh: Launa; 
 Randolph : Helvetia ; Ritchie : Eusk ; Roane : Linden, Schil- 
 ling, Harper's District ; Summers : Mohlers, Barger's Springs, 
 'Eosa; Taylor : Westermans, Fetterman Town, Astor, Forman's 
 Ford; Tucker: Hannah's Ville ; Upshur: Hinklesville, Hin- 
 kle's Mill, Tallmansville, Lorentz, Peck's Eun ; Wayne : Krout's 
 Creek; Welster : Hacker's Valley, Stroud's Knob, Boughman's; 
 Wetzel: Lowman, Steinersville, Cline's Mill; Wirt: Shertzville; 
 
120 
 
 Wood : Luebeck, Vienna, Boreman, Lockhart's Eun ; Wyoming : 
 Saulsville. — Many other places settled by Germans or -with 
 their aid bear English names, and also in some counties not 
 mentioned above the German element is strongly represented, 
 as for instance the iSt. Clara Colony in Doodridge connty. 
 
 }\ heeling in Ohio county has the largest German population 
 of the West- Virginian cities. The U. S. Census of 1890 num- 
 bers the total j)opulation of Wheeling at 34,552, and the Ger- 
 man element at 9,612. Ohio county, in which Wheeling is lo- 
 cated, is in a high state of cultivation and among its farming 
 population are many Germans. The grapevine has been culti- 
 vated by them with gratifying results. On the island at Wheel- 
 ing, known as "Zane's Island" and owned by the descendants of 
 the original German owner, the pioneer of that name planted 
 a large vineyard. C. L. Zane, one of the proprietors, claims^**) 
 an average product of 500 (?) gallons of wine to the acre. In 
 Wheeling itself, which was first laid out in town-lots by Colonel 
 Ebenezer Zane in 1793, many of the leading manufacturers and 
 merchants are of German nationality. German churches, 
 schools, societies, lodges and several German newspapers have 
 been founded in that city. Education has always had ardent 
 supporters among the German citizens. The liberal and hu- 
 mane tendency of progressive pedagogical science possesses 
 many warm advocates in their circles. AVhen in 1837 a "Ger- 
 man Convention" at Pittsburgh, Pa., discussed the means for 
 the maintenance of German customs and language, Virginia 
 'i\-as represented by Andreas Schwarz of Wheeling. lie was one 
 of the vice-presidents of the convention and took a prominent 
 part in the foundation of the first American Independent 
 Teacher.^ l^eniinnry at Philipsburg, Pa.-''") 
 
 After the separation of West Virginia an excellent public 
 school system was established and an important concession was 
 made to the Germans of Wheeling by the organization of a 
 
 244.) "U. S. Agricultui-al Ropoi't of 1853," p. 60. Washington, 1863. 
 
 246.) Compare "Gesohichte dei- deutsclien Schulbestrebungen in Amerilia," von H. 
 Schuriclit, Seite 41-42 und 47—48, Leipzig, 18St, and "Deutsclies Magaiin," von H, a] 
 Rattermann, Seite 594—613. Cincinnati, Olilo, 1368. 
 
''German Department in the Public Schools of the city." Six 
 teachers for instruction in German were appointed,-'"') and in 
 1875 the German classes numbered 482 pupils, besides several 
 German private and parochial schools with about 300 pupils. 
 This concession to the German element was made in recognition 
 of their patriotism displayed during the struggle for the inde- 
 pendence of West Mrgiuia and the war against the Confeder- 
 acy. The German citizens of Wheeling organized an entirely 
 German compau}', " First AVest Virginia Artillery," under the 
 command of Captain Fuerst, which joined the ITnion forces. 
 But in 1877 knownothing intrigues succeeded in limiting the 
 instruction in German to the higher classes of the public 
 schools, and consequently the list of the enrollment of the Ger- 
 man department was reduced to 166 pupils. In the Spring of 
 1865 a German Educational Society for mutual instruction iu 
 educational matters was formed by Prof. 0. A. Schaefer, super- 
 intendent of the German department, and everything, indicated 
 a sound spirit for the cultivation of mind among the German 
 inhabitants. The culture of music rested, like in other Ameri- 
 can cities, almost exclusively in German hands. A lady vo- 
 calist of eminent talent lived in Wheeling about 1860: Louise 
 Gubert, born 1837 in Philadelphia of German parents-^") ; but 
 her sonorous melodious voice and efficiency never benefitted the 
 great world. She Avas content as music teacher at the De Chan- 
 tal Seminary. Celebrated artists, composers and managers re- 
 peatedly tried to secure her talent to publicity ; Max Strakosch 
 offered her fifty thousand dollars for a concert tour of six 
 months, and Eubinstein was put in ecstasy by her truly phe- 
 nomenal voice; but nothing could induce her to resign her 
 conventual piivacy.' 
 
 During the stirring time of war Johann G. Eberhard-''' '') 
 was chosen Pastor of the free Protestant church, which he ad- 
 ministered until 1867. He was editor of the " Protestantische 
 Familienblatt," the author of "Onkel Biesebrecht's deutsch- 
 
 246.) "U. S. Report of Commissioner of Kducation for 1871," p. 366. Wasliington, 
 0. C, 1872. 
 
 247.) "Der deutsche Pionier," 14. Jalirgang, Seite 259-261. Cincinnati, Oliio. 
 218.) "Deutsch in Amerilta," by Dr. G. A. Ziramermann, p 229. Cliicago, 1894. 
 
123 
 
 amerik. Volkserziihlungeu " and published a number of pretty 
 poems. 
 
 Only once, as mentioned previously, a small number of 
 German fanatics, who dreamed of Germanizing America, en- 
 dangered the friendly relations of the Anglo and German ele- 
 ments of the city. In September 1853 a "Congress of German 
 Revolutionists" assembled at Wheeling^'"') and issued a pro- 
 gram for the formation of a " Universal Eepublic." The at- 
 tendance was very small, only sixteen delegates participating, 
 of whom only three were German inhabitants of AVheeling; 
 but this so-called Congress created an angry feeling among the 
 Anglo-Americans, exciting suspicions, and gave, as stated be- 
 fore, an impulse to the unjust and hateful kiiownothing move- 
 ment which disturbed the harmony of Virginia from 1854 to 
 1856. 
 
 Next to AVheeling, Martinsburg in BeWveley county and 
 Parkersbnrg in Wood county have many German inhabitants. 
 The influence of the German element of ParTcershurg is demon- 
 strated by the appointment of Prof. W. M. Strauss to the ofBce 
 of superintendent of the public schools." ''°) Martinsburg was 
 made a town by legislative enactment in October 1778, pn the 
 lands of a German : General Adam Stephan, anglicized to Ste- 
 phen or Stevens, and its first inhabitants were Pennsylvania- 
 Germans, Germans and Dutch. At present ^°^) the German 
 element amounts to about one-fourth of the population, num- 
 bering in 1880 in round figures 8000 inhabitants. The de- 
 scendants of several of the German pioneers are still residents 
 of the town, as the families Seibert, ]Sroll,Eentsch, Kuschwa, 
 Doll, Diefendoerfer, Schaefer, Klein, Schmal (now Small), 
 Bentz, Martin, Blessing, Homrich, Schobe, etc. Most of them 
 are farmers, but some of them are engaged in commercial and 
 industrial pursuits and all are esteemed as good citizens. 
 
 Shortly after the foundation of Martinsburg a Lutheran 
 
 249.) "Das deutsche Element in den Ver. Staaten,'' von Gustav Koerner, Seite 122. 
 Cincinnati, Ohio, 1880. 
 
 260.) "U. S. Educational Report of 1888—1889," Vol. I, p. 274. 
 251.) Correspondence of Mr. C. P. Matthaei at jrarlinsburg, W. \'a. 
 
133 
 
 and Reformed church were built, but the divine service was 
 conducted In English. The first German church was erected 
 in 1858 by the influence of Eev. Cast, a native of Baden; but 
 during the late war it was burned down (1863.) After the war 
 Eev. Prof. Gehrhardt of Lebanon, Pa., became pastor of the 
 German community and he was also elected superintendent of 
 the public schools. In the year 1868 a German private school, 
 a Turnverein and a German lodge were organized, but at pres- 
 ent they only have a bare existence. 
 
 Gharlestown, the county-seat of Jefferson county, gained 
 historic fame by the execution of John Brown ; it is also one of 
 the early German settlements in Shenandoah valley. A native 
 of Germany, Mr. Gustav Braun, was for years, up to 1897, Ma- 
 yor of the town. 
 
 CJuirleston, in Kanawha county, now the capital of West 
 Virginia, has 7,500 inhabitants and several of its prominent 
 merchants and manufacturers are Germans. 
 
 The new State of West Virginia has rapidly increased in 
 population and wealth. lu 1870 the population amounted to 
 443,014 inhabitants, in 1880 to 618,457 and in 1800 to 762,794, 
 and the German immigi'ation can claim to have added largely 
 to this progress. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 German Immigration and Rural Life in Virginia 
 After the War. 
 
 mORB than a quarter of a century has elapsed since the 
 army of ISTorthern Virginia grounded their arms at 
 T Appomattox Court House and the soldiers returned 
 
 to the plough and harrow to restitute the devas- 
 tated land. The progress of building up the waste places 
 however has been slow. During the war farming was 
 brought to a partial standstill and for some years thereafter 
 it was in a state of extreme depression. The determination and 
 physical endurance of the planters and the former slave-owners 
 appeared seriously broken ; only in those sections of the State 
 which were settled by Germans, especially the Valley, the farm- 
 ers went to work with renewed energy and enterprise. The 
 Anglo-American land-owners, disheartened and in a state of 
 dejection, were almost helpless. Burdened with debt, without 
 money to pay wages or taxes, their houses, farm implements 
 and stock reduced or demolished; unaccustomed to work and 
 also too proud to sell a part of their large estates in order to 
 procure the necessary means for repairs and improvements, no 
 progress in tilling the soil was made and their fields and mead- 
 ows turned into a state of wilderness. Very singular circumstances 
 resulted. The formerly wealthy slave- and land-owners were 
 drifting into poverty, the amount of unpaid taxes was increased 
 to exorbitant amounts, and finally the large estates of many 
 were sued by the executive officers and offered at public sale. 
 Very frequently no purchaser able to pay appeared, and conse- 
 quently the indebted estates were left in the hands of the old 
 
125 
 
 owner. The lands were then taxed to the utmost capacity of 
 production and their fertility Avas rapidly exhausted, for the 
 soil was not fertilized, but scantily tilled ; there was no change 
 of seed and the same crops were grown successively year after 
 year. The forests were laid waste without consideration, but 
 only in order to make money for the most urgent needs. Sim- 
 ilar uncongenial conditions existed among the small Anglo- 
 American farmers. Slavery always and eveiywhere degrades 
 labor; this degradation is positive in the South. The small 
 white farmers have adopted during the time of slavery the ex- 
 ample of the rich planters : to look upon manual labor as dis- 
 gracing a " wMte gentleman." They are possessed of presumption 
 which strongly contrasts with their poverty and their want of 
 learning. The wife of a neighbor of the author once complained 
 to a lady -relation of his : " You cannot imagine how poor we are !" 
 — " Why," replied the lady, " you have three grown daugh- 
 ters and four strong boys able to work, who can hire out. 
 Female and male help are much in demand and high wages are 
 offered."-^" Hovv can you propose that we shall become servants," 
 she was interrupted by one of the daughters, " if we should 
 'work for other people, ive would no more he received in society." 
 — This occurrence illustrates the notions prevalent among this 
 class of Virginian farmers. The " society " of which the girl 
 spoke, consists of people just as presumptuous and as poor and 
 ignorant as herself ; people who are even called by the negroes 
 with disregard : "poor white trash." — Labor for a fair remuner- 
 ation, whether mental or physical, should be the glory of all 
 Virginians, as it is among the German-Virginians. There is 
 true dignity in labor, especially in the tilling of the soil ; there 
 is also success in labor, as is demonstrated by many German-Vir- 
 ginian farms ; but it has been distasteful to the Anglo-Virgin- 
 ian element and considered degrading by them. The result has 
 been violation of wise economy and the State has been retarded 
 in its progress. Another peculiar symptom is, that after the 
 war many of the old masters became the debtors of their 
 former slaves. They frequently lacked the ready money to pay 
 the labor of the blacks; the claims of the latter accumulated 
 and finally the negro received in payment a tract of land or 
 some cattle. In this way negroes came to be the present neigh- 
 bors of their former masters. 
 
It would howevei: be unjust to hold the Virginiiui people 
 alone responsible that the wealth and prosperity of the State 
 are slowly augmenting. After the war the Virginians, with 
 but few exceptions, were zealous to reestablish good relations 
 with the victorious Union. The fourteenth Amendment to the 
 Constitution of the United States, abolishing slavery and giving 
 citizen-rights to all persons born in the Eepublic, was ratified 
 by the required majority, and General Grant, who Avas sent to 
 Virginia to investigate the feeling of the people toward the 
 Union Government, stated in his report: " That the inhabitants 
 had submitted to the results of the late war and that the two 
 chief differences — secession and emancipation of the slaves — 
 had been definitely disposed of." The North did not however 
 assist, as had been hoped, to heal the bleeding wounds and to 
 make the southern land again a source of national wealth. 
 
 " When the Confederacy fell," says Edw. Ingle in his book, 
 "Southern Sidelights," "the whites of the South were relieved 
 of an enormous incubus — slavery — but were at the same 
 time deprived of the means to turn the relief to their immediate 
 advantage. The blacks had freedom without the capacity to 
 undertake the responsibility of freedom, and presently were, 
 through partisan politics, surrounded by influences that would, 
 for a generation at least, stand in the way of their develop- 
 ment." 
 
 The Northerners boast of the forbearance and clemency 
 towards the conquered "rebels," but on the other hand it can- 
 not be denied, that the Government at Washington has with 
 partiality considered the Eastern and Western lands and that 
 the South was the neglected drudge of the Union.' If a pro- 
 portionate share of the enormous sums which have been spent 
 to develop the Northwest had been invested in the South ; if 
 the spirit of enterprise, which constructed a netw'ork of rail- 
 roads in the unpopulated prairies, would have been induced to 
 restore and enlarge the roads of tra\el and traffic in the South- 
 ern States ; and if efforts had lieen made to direct the stream 
 of an industrious and wealthy immigration to the South as well 
 as to the West, the traces of imperfect negro labor and poor 
 tillage and of all the devastations of the war would have dis- 
 
rz7 
 
 appeared years ago. Beladen Virginia was left to herself ; she 
 could not make liberal venture to attract immigration of intel- 
 ligent white laborers. 'In 1866 the Legislature passed an act to 
 encourage and increase immigration to Virginia ; a Board of Im- 
 migration was organized and General G. Tochmann and Mr. B. 
 Barbour were appointed agents of immigration to Germany and 
 England, but without any obligation on the part of the Slate to 
 2)ay the expenses. Only insignificant results could be expected 
 of such illiberal policy. Colonel Frank Schaller =°=) was au- 
 thorized by General Tochmann to travel to Germany and to 
 visit first his native State of Saxony, to draw immigrants to the 
 Old Dominion. But the success was very trifling. However 
 full credit must be given General Tochmann for his endeavors 
 and good will. He was a native of Poland and had partici- 
 pated in the campaigns of 1830 and 1831 as major in the Polish 
 army. During the period of 1832 to 1834 Tochmann was vice- 
 president of , the Polish Eevolutionary Committee at Avignon in 
 France, and in 1837 he came to America and visited the princi- 
 pal cities to awake sympathy for his suppressed fatherland, 
 la 1845 he was admitted to the bar as a lawyer and since 1853 
 he settled in Virginia, where he lived and associated principally 
 with the Germans. Henry G. Miller of Eichmond was his sec- 
 retary. After the failure as agent of immigration he left the 
 State in disgust. 
 
 During the summer of 1868 Rev. I. A. Reichenbach came 
 to Richmond, Va., with the intention to organize German colo- 
 nies in the South. On July 21st a public meeting was arranged 
 in front of the City Hall to hear the propositions of the pastor, 
 and a committee was elected to examine his plan. The com- 
 mittee consisted of the following highly respected citizens: 
 Peple, Hoffbauer, Tiedemann, Gimmi, Leybrock, Dr. Strecker 
 and Dr. Grebe. But the project was soon abandoned for want 
 of confidence in the propositions and the person of the reverend. 
 
 . German settlements promising good results were started in • 
 the counties Chesterfield, Prince George, Louisa, Lunenbui-g 
 and Mecklenburg. Wm. Grossmaun of Petersburg, Va., a native 
 
 252.) "Vir|[ini3che Staatsseitung/' January 26th, 1868. B, Hassel, Richmond, Va. 
 
128 
 
 of Silesia, and in the old country professor at a German college, 
 but now real-estate agent, has done very much to develoiD the 
 German settlement at Port Walthall in Dinwiddie county, near 
 the city of Petersburg. In Chesterfield county at Granite Sta- 
 tion, not far from the city of Manchester, is a prosperous settle- 
 ment of German Catholics. In Lunenburg^ '^^) Ch. Kickers and 
 0. Jansen from Schleswig-Holstein and A. and G. Petzold from 
 Saxony are successful farmers, and the same may be said of E. 
 Williams (Wilhelm?) of Prussia, in Prince George county. In 
 the southwestern part of Louisa county in 1868 two German 
 ■villages, Frederickshall and Buckner, stations on the C. & 0. 
 E. E., were started by Heselenius, Fresh, Mauker, Lieb, Goering, 
 Stolz, Schrader, Lorey and others. Some of these settlers have 
 removed to other parts of the country, but the majority still re- 
 main and are doing well. In the northwestern corner of the 
 same county the author purchased in 1886 a farm and planted 
 a large vineyard, known as " Idlewild Vineyards." The reports 
 of the State Commissioner of Agriculture mention, that in 1 888 
 to 1893 several Pennsylvania-Germans came to Botetourt. Into 
 Albemarle and Orange Germans immigrated from Illinois, Wis- 
 consin, Dakota, Nebraska and Ohio ; in Prince George a num- 
 ber of Germans from Eussia and Bohemia purchased farms, and 
 in Goochland many families from the northeastern States, and 
 among them some Germans, settled since the war and are well 
 pleased. Other official documents show that the counties Henry, 
 Norfolk, Warwick, Eoanoke, Alleghany and Taxwell increased 
 in population from 126 to 195 per cent, and that a large num- 
 ber of the newcomers are Germans. The old German settle- 
 ments on Opequan, Shenandoah, Eapidan, Kappahannock, Dan, 
 New and Roanoke rivers also received some additions from the 
 Northeast and direct from Germany. The status of Virginia 
 for the year 1870 says (page 178) : " Of the foreign population 
 of Virginia Ireland furnished nearly one-half, Germany one- 
 third, England one-sixth and Scotland one-twentieth. Over 49 
 per cent, of the foreign-born population were found in tide- 
 water, where they are located in the seaport cities. Over 29 
 per cent, lived in the middle country and nearly 8 per cent, in 
 Piedmont, while the Valley had over 11 per cent." 
 
 263.) Correspondence of Mr. Wm. Groszmann, Petersburg, Va, 
 
129 
 
 During the last two decades there was a slight increase in 
 immigration, owing to efforts made by some of the railroad 
 companies. They had pamphlets printed explaining the ad- 
 vantages in Virginia for capital and labor, and these papers 
 were liberally distributed. The conclusion had gained gi'ound 
 that it be better to seek immigrants from other States of the 
 Union, especially from the NorthAvest, rather than to repeat the 
 efforts to invite a stream of promiscuous population from 
 abroad, — and immigration from the northwestern States has 
 actually set in. The German element being very strong in the 
 West, it is also well represented among these newcomers. All 
 of these are desirous to escape the rigorous winters of the in- 
 hospitable western climate ; to get nearer to the markets and to 
 again enjoy society and those home-like comforts which charm 
 life and which are wanting upon the borders of civilization. 
 Immigrants going to the cities and into some professional or 
 mercantile occupation did not succeed, on an average, as well 
 as those engaged in farming. The statistics show that some- 
 thing like 90 per cent, of all those who go into mercantile pur- 
 suits in the United States either become bankrupt or have to 
 make arrangements with their creditors, while of the remaining 
 10 per cent, not more than half succeed in making more than a 
 bare living.-"') 
 
 Among the number of successful merchants in Virginia 
 the Germans are largely represented. Virginia is also a good 
 field for German medical men speaking the English language. 
 German musicians are predominating and German mechanics 
 are much in demand; but surest of success, we repeat, are those 
 engaging in farming. They at least secure a good livelihood; 
 they produce on their farms sufficient of nearly all the neces- 
 saries of life and many of its luxuries, and above all the farmer 
 if not rich, is at least independent. It is surprising that the di- 
 rect immigration of farmers from Germany is not taking larger 
 proportions. The settler will find in Virginia a lovely climate, 
 neither too hot in summer uor too cold in winter, for regular 
 work all the year round. Its proximity to the ocean on the 
 
 254 ) "Virgin!^" a Synopsis published by the State Board of Agriculture, p, 81, 
 Richmond, Va., 1889. 
 
130 
 
 East and thortingc of mountains on the West modify the cli- 
 mate and make it most healthful, enjoyable and suited for out- 
 door life. The farms, and in many cases with dwellings and 
 outhouses, can be bought at very low prices and will, with in- 
 telligent working and proper manuring, produce as good crops ' 
 as anywhere else. The taxes on the lands are light and the 
 produce can be sold readily. AVhy then does the great mass of 
 Germans seek the far West in preference to Virginia ? At the 
 annual meeting of the State Board of Agriculture on October 
 31st, ,1888, the Committee on Immigration made the following 
 statement in its report^ " '^) : "Virginia needs population; it 
 needs more good men, women and children. It has thousands 
 of acres of broad, fertile, unoccupied lands awaiting the tiller's 
 toil ; it has thousands of acres of timber awaiting the wood- 
 man's axe and thousands of ■veins of most valuable ore and coal,' 
 only awaiting capital." — In fact every Virginian asserts : 
 " What we wailt is good working people." But in truth it is 
 not ioreignlsibor, hut foreign money they are looking for; and 
 the selfish and unkind tendency is felt and keeps immigrants 
 and especially the sensitive Germans away. A correspondence 
 in "Der Sueden,"-"") written by a highly respected German 
 citizen of Charlottesville, Va., gives a good illustration of this 
 assertion. The correspondent wrote : " It is easily explained 
 why Virginians give preference to English immigration. In 
 the period from 1870 to 1876 a large number of Englishmen 
 came to Albemarle, Orange and Nelson counties and bought 
 farms. !Most of these newcomers were young gentlemen from 
 London and other large cities in England and possessed little or 
 no experience in farming. They generally paid one-third cash 
 of the price of their lands and, anticipating large profits, they 
 agreed to settle the balance in one, two or three years. They 
 invested the balance in costly improvements on their farms and 
 when the restitute payments became due, there was in many 
 cases no money on hand, and the former owners were ivell 
 pleased to foreclose the indebted property; for they received 
 their farms back with costly improvements made upon them 
 
 255) "Der Sueilen," Jahi-gaog I, p. eo, No. 6. Richmond, Va., Feb. 8tli, 1891. 
 266.) "Virginia," a Synopsis published by the State Board of Agriculture, p. 111. 
 Hiohmond, Va., ISSO, 
 
131 
 
 and gained besides the money already paid. With few excep- 
 tions the unfortunate Englishmen returned to England, while 
 the German settlers, who came at the same time, still remain 
 here and have paid for and improved their farms. The former 
 had come with the idea to lead the life of English country gen- 
 tlemen, but the latter were determined to work and persevere. 
 The sales made to the English thus proved more profitable to 
 the Virginians than those made to Germans, whom they envy 
 on account of their success." — The opinion expressed in this 
 correspondence appears severe, but is correct. However a new 
 era is at hand and it brings a change of people and conditions. 
 The old Virginian planters, who would rather starve than sell 
 an acre of their neglected and indebted lands to a hard-work- 
 ing foreigner, are gradually dying out and their heirs are less 
 determined not to part with some of their surplus lands. Be- 
 sides, the example given by the foreigners already settled in the 
 State, is now stimulating the native element to renewed efforts 
 and revives their dormant energy. 
 
 There are other causes that impede German immigration 
 and particularly that of German laborers. Since the first 
 settlement of the colony tobacco has been considered one of 
 the staples of Virginia, but the Germans have not become 
 acquainted to any extent with its cultivation here. This is a 
 surprising fact, as the German farmers in other countries ^ 
 in southern Germany and in the German colonies in Africa 
 — are very successful in its growth, and as the export of 
 Virginian leaf principally rests in German hands. There is but 
 one' explanation for the small part they take in cultivating 
 the plant and that is, that formerly llie work in the to- 
 bacco-fields was exclusively done by negro slaves, and that 
 the Germans did not desire to concur with them ; while at 
 the present time farm labor is scarce and wages much too 
 high compared with the pilces of farm products, tobacco in- 
 cluded. The competition of the former slaves is the main 
 cause in keeping white laborers at a distance, combined with 
 the methods of the planters to treat them as they do their 
 colored hands. We are not disposed to be placed on the 
 same level as negroes, to be fed like them on corn-bread and 
 
132 
 
 bacon and to work for low negro-wages. These are the reasons 
 given by white laboring men for their antipathy towards the 
 South. The negroes know very well that the farmers depend 
 on their labor, and it pleases them to let the white folks 
 feel that they are now independent, free citizens, wlio can work or 
 he lazy, just as they like. Very frequently the farmers are left 
 deserved when help is most needed ; the crops cannot be gath- 
 ered in time and consequently sufEei- a partialor complete 
 loss. "The negro is gregarious," -°'') says the standing com- 
 mittee of the State Board of Agriculture, "and prefers gang 
 work on a railroad, or as a stevedore, or in a tobacco fac- 
 tory, rather than the quiet, monotonous labor of the farm." 
 This unreliability of the colored farm-hands explains why at 
 present the German farmers do not grow tobacco, and at the 
 same time why the German immigration is not as numerous 
 as desired. 
 
 Grape culture is most successfully carried on by Ger- 
 mans. In the vicinity of Charlottesville and Cobham, Albe- 
 marle and Louisa counties ; near Front Royal in Warren 
 county; near Afton in Nelson county ; at Haymarket in Prince 
 William county; around Richmond in Henrico county and 
 also in the counties Fairfax, Madison, Goochland, Appomat- 
 tox, Brunswick, Greenville, Hanover, Lunenburg, Middlesex, 
 Spottsylvauia and Surrey vineyards have been planted by 
 Germans or with the aid of German vintagers who are ex- 
 perienced in viticulture. The first large and prosperous vine- 
 yard was planted at the suggestion of an old Swiss, Sol. Sel- 
 ler, in 1866 at Pen Park near Charlottesville by AVilhelm 
 Hotopp. = ^**) Mr. Hotopp was born at Celle in Hannover and 
 came to America when a boy of eighteen years. He was for 
 years a successful manufacturer in New Jersey, settled in 
 Virginia after the conclusion of the Civil War and purchased 
 the farm " Pen Park " near Charlottesville, once owned by the 
 well-known statesman B. AVilliam Wirth. There he planted 
 his vineyard, and after years of prosperity he died May 4th, 
 1808. 
 
 257.) "Report of the State Board of Agriculture of Va.," p, 135. Rich., Va., 1838, 
 258.) "Albemarle," by W. H, Soamon, p. 55. Charlottesville, Va., 1888, 
 
133 
 
 Several Germans, who had settled in Albemarle, eagerly 
 grasping for something more remunerative than corn, oats or 
 tobacco, planted vineyards, and Englishmen and Americans 
 followed soon after. In 1888 about three thousand acres 
 had already been planted in Albemarle county. In the fall 
 of 1870 Mr. Hotopp began to make his grapes into wine — 
 red and white, — and finding a ready sale, some other grow- 
 ers in the vicinity of Charlottesville in 1873 resolved on co- 
 operation and formed the "Monticello AVine Company" un- 
 der the successful management of Mr. Adolph Eussow, a 
 native of Holstein. Other German establishments are: P. 
 Peters' Mill Parks Wine Company at Haymarket, Prince Wil- 
 liam county ; Idlewild Vineyards of H. Schuricht & Son, near 
 Cohham in Louisa county, and Fritz Baier, Nelson county. 
 Their wines are of the very best. 
 
 In fact the Germans are known to be successful in every 
 branch of farming. They are excellent stock raisers ; the 
 German dairies are remarkable for their neatness, and their 
 gardens and orchards are kept clean of weeds and in model 
 order. 
 
 At a mass-meeting of prominent farmers and truckers at 
 Norfolk, Va., on February 21st, 1889, for the purpose of se- 
 curing a sub-experimental station for Eastern Virginia-^''), 
 a committee of eighteen was elected and among them we 
 meet with the following German names: J. A. Whetsel (Wet- 
 zel?) James Wagner, C. Miller, Walter Jordan, A. C. Her- 
 bert, etc. And only lately the present Governor, J. H. Tyler, 
 has paid a flattering compliment to the German- Virginian 
 farmers of the Valley by the appointment of Mr. George W. 
 Koiner of Augusta county to be Commissioner of Agriculture. 
 To a "Dispatch" reporter^"") the Governor remarked: 
 
 "I do not think I could have gone to a more appro- 
 priate section of the State for a Commissioner of Agriculture 
 than the Great Valley of Virginia and the county of Au- 
 
 269.) Report of the State Board of Agriculture of Va., p. 39. Eiclimond, Va., 1888 
 260.) "Weekly^ Dispatch," Richmond, Va., Dec. 6th, 1898. 
 
134 
 
 gusta. I have been oa the spleiididly-tilled farm of Mr. 
 Koiner. I Was farmer enough to see he knew his business. 
 He will get all the practical good possible out of the de- 
 partment." 
 
 George W. Koiner, a member of the well-known Koiner 
 family, is a little upwards of forty years of age — a live, 
 energetic, np-to-date farmer. He represented Augusta county 
 in the House of Delegates for two terms. 
 
 Absalom Koiner of Fisherville, Augusta county, is an- 
 other member of the distinguished Koiner family. He was 
 for several years a member of the State Board of Agricul- 
 ture and in 1888 president of this body.^"') 
 
 Dr. W. H. Kulifner, the first State Superintendent of Pub- 
 lic Education in Virginia, wrote to the author of this his- 
 tory, referring especially to the Germans in the Valley : 
 '• There are and have been a great many interesting and some 
 important characters among the Germans of Shenandoah and 
 Kockingham, and much worthy of notice in their way. They 
 are certainly the thriftiest people now in Virginia and they 
 are the leaders in popular education. They have in fact a 
 great future before them." 
 
 In the neighborhood of Eichmond the farms of the late 
 Major Lewis Ginter and C. L. Miller are known as model 
 stock farms. 
 
 In conclusion it may be said, that the frugal and in- 
 dustrious German farmer may today prosper here as well as 
 did the German pioneer who settled in Virginia a century 
 and a half ago. 
 
 1.) "Report of the State Board of Agriculture," pp, 1 and 6, Kichmond, Va., 1888, 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The German Citizens of Richmond After 
 THE War. 
 
 HE German population of Richmond was already pre- 
 vious to the war the nucleiis of the entire German 
 element of the State, and it has ever since retained 
 the leadership. After the fall of the Confederacy the 
 German merchants and mechanics were in a state of numb- 
 ness, the. first effect of forlorn hopes and destructive blows. 
 Many had lost all and momentarily despaired of future pros- 
 perity, but very soon they roused themselves and by dili- 
 gence, enterprise and perseverance they gained new wealth. 
 They lost no time in repining, but addressed themselves im- 
 mediately to .the work of rebuilding upon the ruins, and in 
 their success made a record that is unparalleled. The task 
 before them was a herculean one, but they accomplished it 
 in an incredibly short time. Several of those who left Vir- 
 ginia at the outbreak of hostilities returned. After the great 
 victories of the German armies in Austria and France in 
 1866, 1870 and 1871 ; npon the establishment of the Forth 
 German Confederation, and most of all by the foundation of 
 the powerful German Empire, the Germans and German-Vir- 
 ginians were inspired" with feelings of self-consciousness and 
 pride and with an admiration of their people and Father- 
 land heretofore unknown. This feeling of national self-re- 
 spect soon found expression in a more active participation in 
 political affairs. , However this newly aroused enthusiastic ad- 
 miration of the dear old Fatherland possessed nothing anti- 
 American, but on the contrary instigated only to advance the 
 pon^itign of Virginia with truly German loyalty and piety. 
 
136 
 
 The devotion of the Germans to the State was manifest dur- 
 ing the struggle for readmissiou to the Union. The Kepub- 
 lican party desired to control the vote of Virginia with the 
 militia, the apparatus of the State government, and the vote 
 of the freed men, and for this purpose they tried to impede 
 the right of election of the white democratic citizens. In 
 other words, the question was put: "If the intelligence and 
 wealth, or the organized carpet-bagger and African ignox-- 
 ance should control the State ? " and the German voters held 
 the decisive vote. 
 
 No doubt this was cause for anxiety ; the unequal dis- 
 tribution of illiterates throughout the Union might be a 
 source of national peril. The following table, compiled from 
 the census of 1870, will sufficiently disclose this fact: 
 
 Voting population of the United States . . . 7,623,000 
 
 " " " former slave States . 2,775,000 
 
 Illiterate male adults in United States . . . 1,580,000 
 
 " " former slave States . . 1,123,000 
 
 Per cent, illiterate voters in U. S. to entire vote, 20 
 
 slave States ... 45 
 
 " " " States not slave . . 9 
 
 " " " South Carolina . : 59 
 
 Illiterate voters in Southern States (white) . . 304,000 
 
 " (colored) . 819,000 
 
 This table will make apparent that forty-five per cent, 
 of the voters of the Southern States were nnable to read 
 tlieir ballots and that the illiterate vote involved great dan- 
 ger. It threatened the white population of the South with 
 au unbearable terrorism of ignorance. 
 
 The majority of the German citizens of Kichmond counted 
 to the moderate Democrats. They had accepted the final re- 
 sult of the war and faithfully submitted to the laws of the 
 Union. Their leader was Prof. G. A. Peple. A compara- 
 tively small number of Germans was connected with the Ee- 
 publicans and their leader was Hermann L. Wiegand. 
 
137 
 
 On June 5th, 1868, a German mass-meet mg was held at 
 Dueringer's Park to discuss the new Constitution of the 
 State and the elections on hand. Prof. Peple addressed the 
 assemblage and several resolutions were adopted, condemning 
 the military rule since 1861 and the unlimited favors bestotoed 
 on the negro element. Although not one in the large assembly 
 toas an advocate of slavery, it was resolved: 
 
 "We are proud to be of German descent and we reject 
 with indignation as an insult to be placed on equal political 
 and social footing with the negroes just extracted from the 
 mire of slavery. We consider it as sacrificing the nation, to 
 force the white population of the South under the rule of a 
 half-civilized and inferior race." 
 
 This resolution was nnanimously adopted; even the Ger- 
 man Eepublicans voted for it. All of them adhered to the 
 opinion of the " Declaration of Independence," which is the 
 Magna Charta of American liberty, stating : " That all men 
 are created equal ; that they are endowed by the Creator with 
 certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty 
 and pursuit of happiness." But they considered as a crime 
 against civilization to expose them to the danger of negro 
 rule and they predicted that negro suffrage would break 
 down American reverence for the ballot-box and lead to bri- 
 bery and fraud in conducting elections. This peril was also 
 recognized by Anglo-Americans and even by leaders of the 
 Eepublican party. It was clearly apparent to the mind of 
 General Grant, when he recommended: " to exclude all il- 
 literates from the right of suffrage by constitutional amend- 
 ment." President Hayes also revealed his conviction of the 
 danger in several of his messages to Congress. 
 
 The result of the elections in 1868 was, in consequence 
 of the German vote, a decided victory for the democratic 
 candidates. Mr. Lovenstein was elected member of the Legis- 
 lature, — after Prof. Peple had declined to be a candidate,— 
 and until his death he represented the district either in the 
 House of Delegates or in the Senate. The Germans also 
 voted against the Clause 4, Sect. 1, Art. 3, and against Sect. 
 
138 
 
 6, Art. 3, " test oath " or " iron Ocitli," as it was .called, by 
 which those should be deprived of the right to vote, who 
 had served in the Confederate army, or who had in any way, 
 eDen only hy business transactions, been connected with the 
 Confederate government. 
 
 The German citizens of Eichmond again took a very 
 active part in the elections of 1870. Two Germans were 
 candidates for the office of Commissioner of Revenue: Isaac 
 Hutzler and Julius Fischer, and the latter was elected by a 
 majority of twenty-five votes. A. Bodecker represented the 
 city in the Legislature and within the last twenty-five years 
 the following German- Virginians were members of the Board 
 of Aldermen and City Council: Laube, Lohman, Louis Wag- 
 ner, A. Bodecker, Eduard Euker, li. Metzger, F. Brauer, C. 
 E. Brauer, G. Klein, Christian Zimmer, Chris. Thon, 0. Cras- 
 ser, H. Bodecker, Spangenberg, Lauer, Strauss, Charles H. 
 Philips, S. L. Bloomberg, Jos. Wallerstein, Wm. Zimmermann 
 and P. C. Ebel. Li 1894 Ch. Philips was chosen city treas- 
 urer and he was reelected without opposition in 1897. 
 
 The Germans and German descendants have also greatly 
 assisted in the establishment and administration of the pub- 
 lic schools. The good results of these efforts are shown by 
 the fact, that in 1860, before the outbreak of the war, the 
 total number of pupils in all the schools of the State was 
 only 67,034,2"^) but in 1895—1896 the pupils enrolled in 
 the public schools alone had increased to 360,133.^'^'') Dr. 
 Wm. H. Riiffner was elected the first State Superintendent 
 of Public Instruction in 1870 and he continued in this im- 
 portant office for twelve years. In reply to an inquiry of the 
 author in regard to his descent, he answered: "I take pleas- 
 ure in saying that my father was of pure German stock, 
 though American born. 2"'') And his son, A. H. Euffner, 
 wrote: "The first Euffner ancestor who came to America, is 
 
 262.) International Exhibition 1876, by Francis A. Walker, p. 80. J. B. Lippincott 
 & Co.,Phila., 1878. 
 
 263.) Report of the Commissioner of Ednoation, 1895—1896, Vol. I, p. Ixi. Wash- 
 ington, 1897. 
 
 264.) Correspondence of Dr. W. II. Rullner, Lexington, Va., October 2, 1800. 
 
139 
 
 said by our family history to have been the son of a Ger- 
 man baron, who lived in Hanover, Germany. He came to 
 Virginia about one hundred and fifty years ago and owned a 
 large tract of land on the Hawksbill creek near Luray. 
 Father is the author of the Virginia School Law. Geology 
 is now his profession. He is the son of Dr. Henry Kuffner, 
 for many years President of Washington and Lee University 
 in Lexington. Father has always taken great interest in 
 Germans and Germany, so much so that his family often 
 laughs and tells him, that he shows himself a true son of 
 the Fatherland." 2 15 °) Dr. W. H. Ruffner was born at Lexington 
 and received his excellent scientific education at Washington 
 and Lee University. He afterwards studied theology at the 
 Union and Princeton Seminary and for some years officiated as 
 preacher in Philadelphia. Dr. Euflner wrote several essays on 
 social and political questions and after 1870 devoted himself to 
 education. By numerous lectures and articles published in the 
 newspapers he materially aided to arouse the interest of the 
 public for public instruction. Dr. Kuffner was editor of the 
 "Educational Journal of Virginia" and associate editor of the 
 "New England Journal of Education." The Ruffner family 
 certainly numbers among the most prominent of the State. We 
 copy from the U. S. Educational Report of 1895—1896, Vol. I, 
 page 370, the following right creditable, well deserved and 
 highly interesting statements : 
 
 " While this college (the Washington and Lee University) 
 never contributed to the cause of popular education, yet 
 through its president, Dr. Henry Ruffner, it made a most re- 
 markable protest against the institution of slaver y,^^^^ defied the 
 unainimity of sentiment that prevailed before the Civil War. 
 His son. Dr. William H. Ruffner, was the first State Superin- 
 tendent of Education of Virginia; still the most notable southern 
 educator of late enlisted in the cause of the people's school, the 
 Horace Mann of the South." 
 
 The introduction of German instruction into the public 
 schools of Richmond has repeatedly been agitated, but not suc- 
 
 S65.) Correspondence of A. IT. Ruffner, Lexington, Va., October 3, 1890. 
 
140 
 
 cessfully. German is only taught in the High School, but not 
 in the Grammar or lower grades. The German press of Rich- 
 mond has repeatedly urged its introduction in the lower grades, 
 where it would benefit the mass of the pupils. An excellent 
 article published in "Der Eichmond Patriot," July 23d, 1869, 
 entitled " The Public Schools and the Germans," (Die offent- 
 lichen Schulen und die Deutschen), and signed Dr. A. S. B., 
 deserves special comment. In the fall of 1886 the author of 
 this history lectured in " Siteugerhall " under the auspices of 
 the Gesangverein " Virginia," and advocated the support of the 
 National German-American Teachers' Seminary at Milwaukee, 
 Wisconsin, recommending also the organization of an Educa- 
 tional Association, the aim of which should be the introduction 
 of German instruction into the public schools ; the support of 
 German private and parochial schools and the establishment of 
 German Kindergartens. " The more you do to keep alive the, 
 German spirit, the more inviting our State will be to German 
 immigrants; they will feel at home where their native tongue is 
 spoken," he argued.-"") A committee composed of Hermann 
 Schmidt, Heniy Wenzel, G. A. Peple, H. 0. Boschen, H. L. Wie- 
 gand, E. Wendenburg and B. Heinrich was appointed and au- 
 thorized to take action, but nothing was achieved. 
 
 Again, in his oration at the German-Day celebration, 1896, 
 the same orator advocated-"'') : "JSTot to cultivate unfair Ger- 
 man notions, but to enable German parents to educate their 
 children with the assistance of the mother tongue, which they 
 naturally command better than any other idiom ; that they may 
 become intelligent and faithful Americans ! For this noble 
 aim we must not cease to demand : that the German language 
 be taught in our public schools wherever the German element 
 is sufficiently numerous to justify this measure, as for instance 
 in our Eichmond. Our Anglo-American fellow-citizens must . 
 take into consideration liow helpless their wives would be in their 
 educational task, if left to influence the mind and heart of 
 their children only through the medium of a foreign language." 
 
 266.) "Virginische Staats Gazette," Richmond, Va., Dec. 22 18S6 
 267.) "The Times," Richmond, Va., September 16, 1886. 
 
141 
 
 German church life has prospered in the city of Eichmond 
 during the last three decades, and the statement of the New 
 York historian, Anton EickhofE^" 8-). ajj^ ^j^g German church - 
 in Eichmond the English language is used," is unfounded. 
 There are also, instead of one German church, two Protestant 
 and one Catholic church, and also a synagogue of German Is- 
 raelites in the city ; and the statutes of the German Evangelical 
 St. Johannis Covununity expressly state : 
 
 " § 5. In all the regular divine services on Sundays and 
 holidays, in the meetings of the community and the presbitery, 
 in all records and the parish register, the German language 
 shall be exclusively usecl.'"^'^^) 
 
 Eeverend Hoyer, previously mentioned in Chapter XII, was 
 succeeded in office as pastor of this congregation by Eeverends 
 Schwarz, Blenuer, W. Ide, Dr. Carl Scholz, Eduard Huber, E. 
 A. John and, since 1886, Dr. Paul L. Menzel. During the pas- 
 torate of Eev. Huber the new church building corner Eighth 
 and Marshall streets was erected and the community joined the 
 German Evangelical Synod of North America. About three 
 hundred families are embraced in this community. A school 
 was established and children of all creeds admitted. During tne 
 pastorate of Eev. John a pretty schoolhouse was built on Eighth 
 street, between Broad and Marshall. The number of pupils ex- 
 ceeded one hundred, and a German teacher, assisted by two 
 lady associates, was employed ; but in 1888, on account of ill- 
 luck with the teachers and discord among the members of the 
 community, the school was discontinued. In place of it a 
 Saturday school, principally for tuition in German and singing, 
 was instituted, which is attended by about sixty pupils, in- 
 structed by the pastor. A Sunday School is also connected 
 with the church and is frequented by about three hundred pu- 
 pils. An association of the ladies of the church, the "Frauen- 
 Verein," has contributed large sums of money for charitable 
 purposes and about twelve thousand dollars for expenses of the 
 parish and the payment of building debts. Another association 
 
 268.) "In der Neuen Heimath," von A. Eiokhoff, p. 203. New York, 1884. 
 269.) Statuten der Deutschen St. Johannis Gemeinde zu Kiohmond; 1889, 
 
14^ 
 
 of young ladies, " Der Tabea Verein," has like purposes for its 
 object and its contributions have amounted to about four thou- 
 sand dollars. The i-eestablishment of the day school is not al- 
 together abandoned. §69 of the- statutes of 1889 says: "to 
 maintain and to cultivate the German language and German 
 customs, to educate the youths to become respectable members 
 of the community and to make secure thereby its continued 
 existence, a day school shall be kept if possible." A great 
 honor -was conferred upon this community and its pastor in 
 1898. The Emperor of Germany invited the Evangelical Sy- 
 nod of North America to designate one of its members to parti- 
 cipate in the consecration of the Protestant church (Erloser- 
 Kirche) at Jerusalem, as his Majesty's guest. The Synod 
 elected Dr. Paul L. Menzel delegate. 
 
 The Oerman Eoangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Community 
 has also prospered. The Eeverends L. Lochmer and F. Dreyer 
 ofBciated within the last decades and at present Eev. C. I. 
 Oelschlager is pastor. The new church building, Sixth street 
 near Clay, was finished in ,1868 and the old church adjoining 
 the new building was converted into a schoolhouse. Pi-evious 
 to the opening of the public schools the enrollment was from 
 eighty to one hundred pupils, but since then it has decreased to 
 thirty or forty. The instruction is given by the pastor and a 
 lady teacher. In 1889 a Sunday school was organized, which is 
 visited by eighty or ninety pupils. A ladies' association (Frauen- 
 Verein) has contributed large sums for charitable works and 
 the support of the parish, and in conjunction with the commu- 
 nity at large it furnishes the means for the theological and 
 pedagogical education of one of the members' sons of the com- 
 munity. Two pastors and two teachers educated at the expense 
 of the association and church are already in office. Rev. Chris- 
 tian Jonathan Oelschlager, the present pastor, is a German- 
 American. His parents came from Wuertemberg and he was 
 born 1849 in Pennsylvania ; he graduated at Columbus, Ohio, 
 and holds his present office since 1883. 
 
 St. Mary's {Marien) German Catholic Coinmunity, to which 
 nearly all the German Catholics of Richmond and the adjoin- 
 
143 
 
 ing couuties belong, unmbers^"") 325 families with a total 
 membership of 1300. To these are to be added eight families 
 at Buokner's Station, Louisa county, who have a pretty chapel 
 of their own and are visited every month by one of the fathers 
 of St. Mary's church. Rev. WHUbald Baiimgartner, a native of 
 Bavaria, is the Pastor Prior. The following schools are con- 
 nected with St, Mary's church : Boys' Highschool, Kev. F. Ed- 
 ward Meyer, 0. S. B. Principal, IG pupils; Boys' Parish School, 
 I. Section, Prof. C. P. Mutter, teacher, 33 pupils; II. Section, 
 40 pupils ; Girls' Parish School, I. Section, 58 pupils ; II. Sec- 
 tion, 33 pupils ; Girls' Highschool, 120 pupils. The schools for 
 girls are managed by sisters of St. Mary's Benedictine Institute 
 under the supervision, of the pastor. Another school connected 
 with St. Mary's church is kept in Chesterfield county, near 
 Granite Station. A lady teacher is in charge of it and the pu- 
 pils number twenty. The total enrollment of the various schools 
 amounted at the close of 1890 to 309. The pupils, assisted by 
 an excellent choir under the leadership of Prof. Mutter, per- 
 form the ecclesiastical singing in German, English and Latin. 
 The following German Catholic societies are also connected 
 with the church : ^ ' ^ ) 
 
 St. Joseph's Beneficent Society (Unterstiitzungs-Verein) 101 
 members. 
 
 St.. Benedict's Society (Unterstiitzungs-Verein) 60 members. 
 
 St. Mary's Social and Beneficent Society, 103 members. 
 
 St. Anna Ladies' Society (Frauenverein) 310 members. 
 
 Society of the Living Kosary (Verein des lebendigen Eosen- 
 kranzes) 235 members. 
 
 St. Mary's Sodality for Young Men and Ladies, 340 mem- 
 bers. 
 
 Society for the Poor of St. Mary's church. 
 
 The voluntary subscription is very liberal and is dispensed 
 among the poor by the officials of the society. St. Mary's 
 church, Priory and school buildings are located corner Fourth 
 and E. Marshall streets. 
 
 270.) "Der Sueden," I, No. 3, p. 10, January 1891. Kichmond, Va. 
 271.) "Der Sueden," I, No. 6, p. 11, February 1891. Richmond, Va. 
 
144 
 
 The Beth Ahaba Synagogue, Eleventh street between Mai'- 
 shall and Clay, Is one of the prettiest buildings in the city. 
 The membership is constantly increasing. The Eabbis who 
 succeeded Eev. M. G. Michelbacher, already mentioned, are 
 Wechsler, Dettelheim, Hoffmann, Dr. Abraham Harris, born in 
 England by German parents, and at present Ed. N. Calish. 
 Moses Millhiser was president of this German-Jewish commu- 
 nity ever since its organization to his death in 1892, and Hon. 
 AVm. Lovenstein was for years its secretary. The present offi- 
 cers are : Julius Strauss, president ; Charles Hutzler, vice-presi- 
 dent; Henry S. Hutzler, secretary; L. Z. Morris, treasurer; 
 Isaac Held, financial secretary; Greentree, sexton. Board of 
 Managers: Messrs. E. Gerst, Isaac Strauss, E. Bottigheimer, 
 I. Thalhimer, E. Eaab, and Sol. Bloomberg. With the syna- 
 gogue is connected ^^The Society of the Home for the Enfeebled 
 by Age and for the Sick," which has over 300 members. Henry 
 S. Hutzler is president of this charitable institution. The 
 "Heireiv Benevolent Association of Richmond" elected the fol- 
 lowing officers : President, S. Stern ; Vice-President, B. Jacob ; 
 Secretary, H. E. Hirshberg ; Treasurer, Harry Marks. The 
 "Congregation Keneseth Israel," Eev. Dr. L. Harfeld, Eabbi, 
 elected the following officers : President, Harris Jacob ; Vice- 
 President, P. Hirshberg ; Secretary, H. E. Hirshberg ; Treas- 
 urer, M. Meyer. The congregation of " Beth Shalome " has 
 lately combined with " Beth Ahaba." 
 
 Th.& Protestant Episcopal Church Home, 517 North Fourth 
 street, was the gift of the late German Consul Friedr. W. Hahne- 
 winkel and can therefore be termed a German foundation. It 
 is a retreat for gentlewomen,'^ ''2) those ladies in Virginia desti- 
 tute of friends and fortune and unable to support themselves ; 
 but it is designed for members of the Episcopal Church exclu- 
 sively. It is presided over by the bishop, but no German- Vir- 
 ginian is at present in the Board of Managers. 
 
 Scientific and artistic efforts had until the middle of the 
 nineteenth century not attained a very prominent degree in 
 Virginia; however the Anglo- and German- American citizens 
 
 272.) "The Bichmond Dispatch," January 1, 1898. 
 
145 
 
 of Richmond have always participated in every attempt to pro- 
 mote them. The Richmond Microscopical Society, chartered in 
 1880, consisted entirely of Germans. The founders were Dr. Wm. 
 A. Weissiger of Manchester, Rev. Ed. Huber and G. A. Peple. 
 Membership was limited to active workers with the microscope. 
 Regular meetings were held the first Friday of each month and 
 the society had a reference library and subscribed to micro- 
 scopical journals. Meetings were held at Dr. Henry Froehling's 
 office, corner of Twelfth and Gary streets. Members had the 
 use of Dr. Froehling's chemical laboratory for research. In 
 1889 Dr. H. Froehling was president, G. A. Peple secretary, 
 Thomas Christian treasurer and Dr. Wm. Grebe librarian. ^''^) 
 Dr. Henry Froehling is analytical and consulting chemist for 
 the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad, R. & A. and M. & 0. Central 
 railroad and Banking Co. of Georgia. Dr. M. A. Burt, who by 
 accident was killed at his residence on March 20th, 1890, was 
 vice-president of the Richmond Medical and Surgical Society ; 
 and the German-A'irginian Dr. C. L. Cudlipp (according to his 
 own explanation this name was derived from Gottlieb) was sec- 
 retary. Another German-Virginian, Dr. W. T. Oppenheimer, is 
 president of the Board of Health and professor at the Rich- 
 mond Medical College. The "Jeffersonian Literary and Social 
 Circle," owning a library of 1250 volumes, and the "Mercantile 
 Club," with elegant reading rooms, are composed mostly of 
 German- Virginian Hebrews, and their object is the cultivation 
 of social and literary relations. L. Hntzler, J. S. Levy, Charles 
 Hutzler, M. S. Block, Myer Heller, D. Mitteldorfer, Wm. Loven- 
 stein, E. Raab, F. S. Myers, Wm. Heller, Moses May, Sol. Sycle, 
 Israel I. and Jacob I. Cohen, X. Ezekiel, M. Rosenbaum, J. 
 Thalheimer, L. and Joseph' Wallersteiu, W. and J. Gans, H. S. 
 Binswanger, Ch. Strauss and others are among the leading men 
 and former presidents of the clubs. The literary activity of 
 the Germans reawakened after Richmond rose out of the ashes 
 of the evacuation fire in 1865. The "Richmond Anzeiger" was 
 the only German newspaper that survived the terrors of the 
 war, but it did not satisfy all liberal Germans and consequently 
 a new German weekly, "Der Richmond Patriot," vets published, 
 
 273.) Richmond Directory, p, 26, 1889-1S?0, 
 
146 
 
 The pai^er was well edited and the management rested in the 
 hands of Isaac Hutzler and Wm. Lovenstein. , On July 20th, 
 1870, the "Patriot" was transferred to the ^^ Virginia Deutsche 
 Publishing Co." which had started on April 11th, 1870. The 
 daily " Virginia Siaats Gazette" continues to this' day. Editors 
 of the " Gazette " were in successio*!! : Paul Ketterlinus, Jacob 
 Rosenfeld, Heinrich Pein, (born at Altona, Holstein, died at 
 Richmond June 7th, 1886), and Moritz Priedrich Eichter, (born 
 at Grossschoenau near Leipzig, Saxony.) In 1890, after the 
 successful celebration of the first " German Day," the German 
 Neivs Company of Virgitiia was organized : G. A. Peple, presi- 
 dent; Christian Droste, secretary; Joseph Wallerstein, vice- 
 president, and Hermann Schmidt, Fritz Sitterding, Carl Euehr- 
 mund, H. G. Miller, directors. Herrmann Schuricht of Louisa 
 county was chosen editor of a new German weekly, "Ber Sue- 
 den." The principal object of the promoters of this paper was 
 to secure through a large circulation in the United States as 
 well as in Germany and wherever the German tongue is spoken, 
 the influx of German settlers into Virginia and the other 
 southern States. To make "Der Sueden" instructive as well as 
 attractive, its columns were filled with descriptions of all the 
 features of German-American life in the southern States, the 
 topics of the day discussed, the different branches of agricul- 
 ture, commerce, science, art and literature represented, and the 
 cooperation of eminent professional men and well known dis- 
 tinguished writers was secured. The first number appeared on 
 January 4th, 1891, and the paper was very favorably spoken of 
 by the leading German and English journals of the Union ; 
 but in October 1891 Mr. Schuricht resigned the editorship on 
 account of his impaired health. Mr. B. Hassel was elected his 
 successor and a few weeks later the News Co. sold "Der Sue- 
 den" to the publishers of the " Staats Gazette," who still con- 
 tinue it as their Sunday publication, but changed in shape and 
 contents. Of the originals written by German-Virginians and 
 published in "Der Sueden " during the time of its independent 
 appearance are to be mentioned : Novels and poems by Chris- 
 tian Droste under the nom-de-plume of " R. Helge ; " educa- 
 tional and popular articles by Prof. G. A. Peple ; poems and 
 two novels by H, Schuricht, and by the sarne author: " Peds^- 
 
147 
 
 gogical Letters to a German-American Mother." Dr. William 
 Grebe wrote different articles for English papers on medical 
 questions and he also translated and published in 1893 in Eng- 
 lish : " Gesunde und kranlce Nerveu," by Dr. Freiherr K. von 
 Kraft-Ebings. 
 
 Several German- Virginian artists have gained well-merited 
 recognition. The sculptor Edward V. Valentine, who is said to 
 be of German descent and a pupil of Professor Aelquoit Kiss of 
 Berlin, enjoys a national reputation. His exhibition gallery, 
 801 E. Leigh street, is open to visitors from 10 to 11 o'clock 
 on Saturdays, but strangers ai'e usually admitted on other days 
 upon presenting their cards. Besides his recumbent statue of 
 General Lee at Lexington, Va., Mr. Valentine produced other 
 important art works, among them the Stonewall Jackson statue 
 at Lexington and the Jefferson statue in the court of the Jeffer- 
 son Hotel at Eichmond. The sculptor's brother, the late Mann 
 S. Valentine, left a bequest of $125,000 for a permanent Museum 
 and Library under the name : " The Valentine Museum." The 
 purposes of the museum are : to preserve the relics illustrative 
 of the civilization of Vii'ginia and the United States, from the 
 discovery of America to the present time, and more especially 
 to secure from destruction portraits, manuscripts, etc., the pro- 
 ducts of southern labor ; to preserve the archaeological remains 
 of Virginia and the South, and so arrange them as to show the 
 habits and customs among the aborigines ; to acquire, classify 
 and exhibit the natural products, botanical and mineral, of 
 Virginia, for the purpose of developing further knowledge of 
 the State's resaurces among Virginians and prospectors; to ac- 
 quire collections exhibiting raw materials, and the processes of 
 manufacture of the same into finished products; to acquire and 
 classify specimens of art and its allied industries iu order that 
 students may derive practical benefit from them ; to acquire a 
 complete reference library on the above subjects and to make 
 this library of practical value to earnest investigators. The 
 treasures of the Valentine Museum are known in all the leading 
 scientific circles thi-oughout America and Europe, and they are 
 housed in a beautiful old Virginia home corner of Eleventh 
 and Clay streets. The very large number of valuable and in- 
 
148 
 
 terestiiig German manuscripts, autographs, books and engrav- 
 ings is really surprising. The most notable and rare collections 
 were thrown open to the public on November 2 1st, 1898, and 
 will for ever commemorate the name of Valentine. 
 
 Moses EzeMel, a native of Eichmond, Va., and of German- 
 Jewish extraction, sculptured in Eome "The Statue of Religious 
 Liberty," exhibited and much admired at the Centennial Cele- 
 bration, 1876. It is in the form of a group of statuary in Car- 
 rara marble. An eminent and thoughtful foreiguei-, a states- 
 man of world-wide fame, passing through Fairmount Park 
 (Philadelphia Exhibition Grounds), earnestly gazed at the mar- 
 ble groirp and exclaimed : " If the Centennial Exhibition of 
 1876 resulted in this work of art and nothing else, the 
 American people should, be satisfied. I, the subject of a mon- 
 arch, salute the nation that makes this creation possible." ''■'■') 
 
 Caspar Buberl, a native of Eger in Bohemia, now a resident 
 of New York City, has only temporarily resided in Virginia, 
 but his name is inseparably connected with some of Virginia's 
 proudest monuments. He came to America forty years ago, 
 aged twenty-two. Since his arrival in this country he has been 
 an active, busy man and has executed many decorative pieces of 
 sculpture North and South. The sculptor, in a letter dated 
 May 1894, says: "My last ]3iece ot modeWiug, the Coti federate 
 for the Rkhmond Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, will, I hope, 
 be liked by the public, as I did this work with a feeling of 
 thanks for all the kindness I have received from the generous 
 people of the South." Mr. Buberl has modelled this monu- 
 ment and also the A. P. Hill monument and the Howitzer mon- 
 ument, both at Richmond, after designs by Mr. W. S. Sheppard. 
 The bronze statue of the Confederate Soldier at Alexandria, Va., 
 is another piece of his work. 
 
 Alfred H. Raynal, an engineer of superior qualifications 
 and talent, and highly regarded, was superintendent of the 
 Richmond Locomotive and Machine Works. In 1891 lie retired 
 from office and accepted a position in New Jersey. 
 
 274.) "The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier ^nd Citizen," by Simon Wolf pp 65 
 »bJ 63, Pliiladelpliia, 1836, '••-:. 
 
149 
 
 The most important lithographing establishment in Rich- 
 mond is the well known firm of A. Hoehn & Go. on Bank 
 
 street. 
 
 Of German architects and builders Gapt. Leihrock and Carl 
 Seihert have already been mentioned. The last named built the 
 new St. Johannis church. Fritz Sitterding, a very enterprising 
 and successful business man, has built many churches and resi- 
 dences in all parts of the State. The large Exhibition Build- 
 ing, with its ingenious roof-work, but now taken down, was 
 erected by him. Garl Ruehrmund is another excellent architect 
 and draughtsman. His biography follows later. 
 
 It is also a matter of pride with the Germans of Richmond., 
 that many of the principal buildings there, are from designs of 
 German architects ; that the plan of the new and magnificent 
 City Hall was drawn by a German architect, Myer of Detroit, 
 Mich., and that the designs of the Masonic Temple are also the 
 work of a German. 
 
 Friedrich Roeth is spoken of in the local papers of 1870 as 
 a superior fresco painter, and it is a matter of regret, that the 
 son of the late A. Hottes, who had studied at the art schools of 
 Muenchen and was looked upon as a very promising talent, died 
 soon after his return to Richmond. 
 
 Music was again cultivated by the German citizens of Rich- 
 mond after the thunder of the cannon around its hills had 
 ceased. In speaking hereafter of the public festivals of the 
 Germans, occasion will be found, to point to the charming ef- 
 fects of music and its inspiring influence, and it is therefore 
 sufladent for the present to name the various organizations de- 
 voted to its culture. 
 
 The " Gesangverein Virginia " survived the war and gained 
 reputation by the performances of the operas " Stradella," 
 April 15th and 19th, and "Der Freischuetz," April 16th 
 and 30th, 1875. These performances were universally appre- 
 ciated and were the first rendering of opera hy home talent in the 
 South. The society was from that time on very popular and 
 the whole city showed its interest for it at the celebration of 
 
150 
 
 the a5th and 40th anniversaries of its foundation on September 
 24th, 1877 and July 1st, 1893. At the 25th anniversary 
 "Saengerhall" was dedicated and for the occasion a poem, 
 " Weihe-Gesang" (Dedication Song) by G. A. Peple, set to mu- 
 sic by the musical leader C. L. Siegel, was sung. In honor of 
 the 40th anniversary H. Scharicht composed and dedicated a 
 festive play, " Huldigung deni deutschen Liede." 
 
 In 1870 two other similar societies were formed : the " Oer- 
 mania Maennerchor," Krause, leader, and " Richmond Phil- 
 harmonic Association." On April 20th, 1876, the " Richmond 
 Mozart Association" was organized and received the hearty 
 support of the wealthy Germans. E. A. Hoen and Samuel 
 Hirsch were members of the board of directors, while Prof. 
 Jacol Reinhard was for several seasons the musical leader. 
 German ladies and gentlemen took active part in the perform- 
 ances. 
 
 The Arion Society of Richmond, a singing society for 
 the promotion of vocal musical study, was organized June 
 17th, 1887; Joseph W. Laube, president, and Jacob Eein- 
 hard, director. It was not a German society, but listed 
 many members of German descent. 
 
 The Richmond Musical Protective Society was organized 
 January 1st, .1886, and consists of professional musicians only. 
 Its membership numbers 38. Its objects are social intercourse, 
 interchange of views on all things pertaining to the musical 
 profession and the protection of its interests generally. To its 
 members counted: H. P. Laube, John Baseler, John Reintz, J. 
 T. Pulling, C. B. Baseler, G. A. Thilow, J. C. Eeinhardt, Rich- 
 ard Wagener, A. J. Leiss, Jacob Beier, Geo. Voelker and H. J. 
 Tremer. These names indicate that the society was composed 
 chiefly of Germans. 
 
 There are sevei'al German lodges in the city and others in 
 which the German element is heavily represented. On Septem- 
 ber 13th, 1870, the Germania Lodge of Knights of Pythias, pre- 
 viously mentioned, was established by Ch. T. Loehr, Otto Mor- 
 gensteru, J. Hntzler, A. Blenner, P. Fischer, 0. F, Cammann, 
 
151 
 
 0. Dunker, L. Gimmi, H. Metzger, G. Habermehl, I. Marxhau- 
 sen, L. Michel and G. "W. Eobinson.^''^) After an existence of 
 twenty-four years the lodge numbered about two hundred mem- 
 bers and the total receipts amounted to about $16,000, of which 
 sum more than $9,000 have been paid for benefits, funerals and 
 endowments. Several of the Hebrew orders have a decided Ger- 
 man charp,cter and to their most prominent members are 
 counted : M. Hepburg, Ch. Hutzler, Julius Strauss, H. S. Hutz- 
 ler, W. Lovenstein, L. Hexter, A. Levy, M. C. Block, H. Fisher, 
 0. Goldenberg, J. Baer, J. Hirschberg, I. Held, A. Cohen, N. 
 Nachman, E. Bettingheimer, J. Thalheimer, P. Hellstern, A. 
 Gunst, S. Binswanger, W. Flegenheimer, M. J. Eosendorf, M. 
 Kaufman, M. Myer, J. Lewit, E. A. Ezekiel, M. Cohen, E. Solo- 
 monsky, E. Ullmann, etc. 
 
 The German military organizations were dissolved at the 
 end of the Civil War and since that time no entirely German 
 company has been formed. However the Stuart Horse Guard 
 is almost a German troop. It was commanded until October 
 1892 by Captain Carl Euker, afterwards Colonel of the First 
 Virginia Cavalry Regiment, and his successor in command of 
 the Company was Captain Edward Euker, his nephew. Chas. 
 Euker, Jr., the son of Colonel Euker, was elected one of the 
 lieutenants. Other Germans or German descendants have held 
 high positions in other military corporations, like Captain Chas. 
 Gasser of Company D, First Virginia Volunteers, Captain Chas. 
 H. Philips and Lieutenant Werne, Lieutenant Armin Heinrich 
 of Eichmond Light Infantry Blues ; Lieutenant-Colonel Stern, 
 Inspector-General; Captain P. T. Conrad, Quartermaster of 
 First Virginia Eegiment ; Lieutenant H. D. Messier of Com- 
 pany B; Captain A. A. Spitzer, Adjutant-General of Grand 
 Camp Confederate Veterans ; Dr. E. B. Stover, Surgeon-General 
 of the same Camp ; Charles T. Loehr, Commander of Picket's 
 Camp Confederate Veterans, and Captain John Trusheim of the 
 Petersburg Artillery. 
 
 It is further proof of the influence and respect the Ger- 
 mans of Eichmond enjoy, that foreign States have appointed 
 
 276.) Nebengesetze uqij Qrdensregein der Germania Loge, Printed by Va. S'*at8 
 Gazette, Richmond, 18S9, 
 
152 
 
 several of them their commercial representatives. Friedrich 
 Hanewinkel, Heinrich, Boehner and Adoljjh Osterloh officiated 
 as Consuls of the German Empire, respectively of the North 
 German Confederacy ; Emil Nolting, ]3elgian Consul, Charles 
 L. Ludwig, Consul of the United Kingdoms of Norwatj and 
 Sweden, and Louis Borchers, succeeded A. Osterloh, Consul of 
 the Austrian Empire. 
 
 In the development of industry and commerce the Ger- 
 mans have taken active part. In the manufacture, purchase and 
 export of tobacco, Virginia's great staple, they are still much en- 
 gaged. After the restoration of peace the export of tobacco 
 underwent a great change. Steamers took the place of the sail- 
 ing craft, so that for many years gone by no merchant ship has 
 sailed from Eockets with a full cargo to the rivers Weser and 
 Elbe. All tobacco is at the present time shipped by railroad to 
 Baltimore or New York and forwarded from there by steamer. 
 The purchases for the Austro-Hungarian Government have 
 been made by the German firms of Fr. Wm. Hanewinkel & Sons, 
 H. Boehmer, Osterloh & Co., A. Osterloh & Co., and L. Bor- 
 chers & Co. These firms have also supplied most of the de- 
 mand of the French, Italian and Portuguese Governments, and 
 the German tobacco houses : Schaer, Koetter & Co., E. 0. Nol- 
 ting & Co., Nolting & Koetter, B. R. Victor & Co., and Williams 
 & Rehling, have successfully participated in this export. Ma- 
 jor Lewis Giater, of German descent, one of the most meritor- 
 ious men of Richmond, was partner of the firm of Allen & Gin- 
 ter, manufacturers of tobacco and cigarettes. The firm has 
 been changed to Allen & Ginter Branch of the American To- 
 bacco Company. 
 
 In 1891 a very valuable invention was made by Prof. G. A. 
 Peple for the drying and assorting of leaf tobacco, to dispense 
 with~steam and impure air. The invention is now the property 
 of "The Mayo Tobacco Drying and Ordering Company," of 
 which G. A. Peple was up to his death vice-president. The appa- 
 ratus has been adopted by the American Tobacco Company and 
 by other large tobacco houses. 
 
 Major Lewis Ginter, above named, was born in New York, 
 
 r 
 
1S3 
 
 His great grandfather had emigrated from Germany and settled 
 there. When a young man he came to Eichmond and at the 
 outbreak of the Ci-vil War he joined the Confederate forces and 
 was promoted to t^e rank of major. After the war Major Gin- 
 ter went JSTorth, but a few years later he returned to Eichmond 
 and engaged in the tobacco trade with astonishing success. He 
 was the first to use the light colored tobacco of Virginia and 
 North Carolina in place of Turkish tobacco for the manufacture 
 of cigarettes. The firm of Allen & Ginter gained a widespread 
 reputation under his management, and finally Major Ginter ac- 
 cepted the presidency of the Allen & Ginter Branch of the 
 American Tobacco Company. Important as were the business 
 talents of Major Ginter to the interest of the city, of still greater 
 value was the delight he took in the beauty of nature, his de- 
 sire to beautify by all manner of improvements the picturesque 
 environs of Eichmond and to further in this way the prosperity 
 of the city. West of the Capital, where the Confederates had 
 thrown up earthworks on sandy hills, Maj. Ginter purchased large 
 tracts of land, btiilt elegant avenues and boulevards, laid out 
 parks and invested much money to secure a beautiful landscape. 
 The city of Eichmond is greatly indebted to the sense of beauty, 
 the enterprise and the noble spirit of this German- Virginian. 
 No man could have made better use of the wealth he gained by 
 diligence and intelligence. Greatly beloved by all Eichmond, 
 he died October 2nd, 1897. 
 
 In the period of 1889—1890 Ashton Starke, another Ger- 
 man descendant, was president of the Virginia State Agricul- 
 tural and Mechanical Society. 
 
 German business men engaged in the management of 
 banks, insurance companies and building associations. The 
 cedar works and several other manufacturing interests are con- 
 trolled by Germans and their descendants. Two large breweries. 
 The Richmond Breioery of Kersten and von Eosenegk, now 
 RosenegFs Brewing Company, and the Peter Slumpf Brewing 
 Company, Peter Stumpf late president, are in successful opera- 
 tion since 1891, after Euker's Brewery, Edw. Euker, proprietor, 
 and the James River Breiuery of Baier, Juengling & Betz had 
 
154 
 
 been discolitinued. In all branches of the wholesale and retail 
 trade the Germans are engaged. The sale of dress-goods is 
 almost the exclusive domain of the German Israelite citizens. 
 The sole furrier of importance in the South is Charles Haase. 
 German artisans are employed with preference in all the various 
 factories. 
 
CHAPTER XVlI. 
 
 The Celebration of German Public Festivals in 
 Richmond and Biographies of German- 
 Virginian Prominent Citizens. 
 
 HE historical facts mentioned in previous chapters show 
 that the Germans have contributed very materially to 
 the wealth and progress of the city of Richmond and 
 the entire State. They have helped in a great measure 
 to bear the burden and expenses of the community and com- 
 monwealth. It is asserted that the German-Virginian popula- 
 tion of Richmond pays about 07ie-t7iird ot the whole amount of 
 the city's taxes. 
 
 More and still better than by anything else, the true moral 
 value and influence of the German-Virginian element and its 
 love and admiration for the native land and people of the fore- 
 fathers, are illustrated by their ptiblic festivals. 
 
 On the •14th of September, 1869, the German associations 
 celebrated the Centennial Anniversary of the eminent German 
 naturalist, philosopher and explorer, Alexander von Humboldt. 
 The German societies : Schiller Lodge, Gesangverein Virginia, 
 Turnverein, the Druids, the Redmen, and the Society for the 
 Relief of the Sick, with banners floating, formed in procession 
 in front of the City Hall under the direction of their marshalls : 
 Charles Klein, Carl Euker, Christian Unkel, A. Blenner, Otto 
 Camman and H. Dabble. They paraded the principal streets 
 to the theatre, where a large number of ladies and gentlemen 
 had already assembled. The stage Avas handsomely decorated 
 and after the orchestra had performed an overture the curtain 
 
156 
 
 was drawn and the singing societies, under the leadership of 0. 
 L. Siegel, sang Mohr's grand hymn. Next followed the unveil- 
 ing of a fine plaster bust of Humboldt, cast by E. Valentine. 
 Surrounding the bust, globes, maps, telescopes and other em- 
 blems of science were scattered. Dr. Boldeman recited a pro- 
 logue, followed by Prof. G. A. Peple, the German orator of the 
 day; Patrick Henry Aylett delivered the English oration. 
 The speakers were heartily applauded and the singing societies 
 intonated the "German Song of Victory," by F. Abt. Eesolu- 
 tions were read and adopted, which had been prepared especi- 
 ally in acknowledgment of the anticipated large participation 
 and the hearty sympathy of the Anglo-American citizens by a 
 committee composed of G. A. Peple, Herman Koppel, Alors 
 Pick, A. Osterloh, G. Klein, Otto Meister, Oh. Simmons, Her- 
 mann Boschen, H. Burchard, H. Diebel, H. Willers, A. Blenner, 
 Christ. Meckel, Henry Demler, P. Thomas, P. Laube and P. 
 Dush. 
 
 Although the American population had not taken part in 
 honoring the memory of the great explorer and writer of the 
 American continent in such measure as had been expected, yet 
 the resolutions were unanimously adopted.^'"') The proceed- 
 ings were closed by a "Volksfest" at Hattorf's Garden. The 
 houses and business places of the Germans generally were deco- 
 rated with flowers and evergreens, and the Stars and Stripes 
 and the emblem of the North German Confederation waved 
 from many of them. 
 
 A few mouths previous to the Humboldt Centennial Cele- 
 bration, and as a kind of continuation of the great "Singing 
 Festival" at Baltimore, Md., several singing societies of New 
 York city visited Eichmond as the guests of the Gesangverein 
 Virginia. ^ " ) They were members of "Socialer Maennerchor," 
 "Teutonia" and "Liederkranz," and on July 16th, 1869, a grand 
 concert of the combined visiting and home societies was given 
 at the Eichmond Theatre. Hon. George Chahoon and Prof. G. 
 A. Peple welcomed the New York singers in short but appro- 
 
 276.) "The Daily State Journal" of Sept. 14, 1869, Vol. I, No. 275. Richmond, Va. 
 277.) "Richmond Patriot," July 23, 1869. Richmond, Va. 
 
157 
 
 priate speeches. On the next day the visitors were shown the 
 city and its environs and on July 18th a picnic at Hattorfs 
 Garden closed the festivities. 
 
 Another ''Singing Festival" ^'''^) of still more elaborate char- 
 acter was arranged September 28th to 30th, 1873. The follow- 
 ing societies took part: "Germania Maennerchor," Baltimore, 
 Md., "Maennerchor," Philadelphia, Pa., "Saengerbund," Wash 
 ington, D. C, "Gesangverein Virginia," "Germania Maenner 
 chor," and "Eichmond Philharmonic Association," Eichmond, 
 Va. A grand concert, assisted by KesstiicFs double orchestra, 
 under the leadership of Prof. Carl Lenschow, at Assembly Hall 
 excited the admiration of a large audience. It was followed by 
 a "Commers" at Monticello Hall, where Prof. Peple, Mr. Wolf 
 of Washington and Oswald Heinrich of Eichmond delivered 
 addresses. I. H. Pein recited a poem, " Gruss an die Saenger," 
 composed by him. On September 30th the festival closed with 
 a picnic at the Fair Grounds, where several mass choirs were 
 chanted. 
 
 A deep and proud feeling came to the heart of every Ger- 
 man-Virginian, when the news of the brilliant victories of the 
 German armies in France reached America. On August 13th, 
 1870, an appeal was published to meet on the evening of Au- 
 gust 1 5th at Monticello Hall, in order to make arrangements 
 for the collection of funds for the relief of the wounded Ger- 
 man soldiers. This appeal was signed by Carl Seibert, secre- 
 tary, and the highest enthusiasm prevailed at the meeting. It 
 was largely attended and a " Deutscher patriotisclier Unterstuetz- 
 ungsverein," (German Patriotic Beneficial Society) was organ- 
 ized. A committee was elected for the collection of money, 
 consisting of Eduard Euker, J. E. Fischer, William Euker, W. 
 Wild, 0. L. Siegel, G. Klein, Dr. Boldeman, Louis Euker, Dr. 
 Grebe, H. Schmidt, M. Millhiser, S. M. Eosenbaum, G. Hoff- 
 bauer, A. Osterloh, J. Kobbe, I. Preskauer, Dr. Strecker and H. 
 Metzger, and already in the beginning of September one thou- 
 sand, one hundred dollars could be forwarded to the Consul- 
 
 278.) "Taglicher Anzeiger," Sept. 30, 1873. Richmond, Va. 
 
158 
 
 General of Germany at New York. The young German- Vir- 
 ginian ladies of Richmond also evinced enthusiastic sympathy 
 with the glory of the old Fatherland. On September 10th, 
 1870, Miss Emma Grebe (now Mrs. Cordes) president; Miss 
 Marie Thilow (now Mrs. Kehling) secretary ; Miss Pauline Ly- 
 brock, treasurer, and Mr. Heinrich Phillips, assistant secretary, 
 issued another appeal to the Germans of Kichmond to furnish 
 money, to be given for the support of the children of German 
 soldiers killed in battle or who died in the hospitals. A "Fair" 
 was arranged by the patriotic young ladies, and they were de- 
 lighted to be enabled to forward thi'ough Consul Hanewinkel 
 three hundred and twenty-seven dollars, the proceeds, to the 
 Consul-General, Mr. Johannes Roesing at New York. 
 
 The sons of the city of Marburg in Hessia, residing in Eich- 
 mond, collected among themselves aboirt three hundred and 
 fifty dollars as a contribution to the erection of a "Siegesthurm" 
 in the neighborhood of their native city, and they also shipped 
 a nicely polished quarter-stone of Richmond granite for the 
 same monumental structure. Finally, on March 13th, 1871, a 
 grand " Friedensfeier" was arranged. George Klein acted as 
 president and the festive committee was composed of Carl Sei- 
 bert, I. Rosenfeld, H. G. Miller, AVm. Graeser, E. Senf, H. Dom- 
 ler, A. Blenner and E. Kempe. Paul Ketterlinus, editor of the 
 Virginia Staats Gazette, delivered the festive oration from the 
 portico of the City Hall. The torches borne in the procession 
 were then' thrown on a pile and burnt while " Die Wacht am 
 Rhein " was sung. Houses and residences of Germans were 
 everywhere decorated and illumined, and at the banquet at 
 Monticello Hall Consul Hanewinkel, Consul Boehmer and Prof 
 G. A. Peple addressed the partakers. 
 
 In 1881 the Germans of Richmond participated in the 
 " Yorktown Centennial." Mr. Q. L. Siegel composed a festive 
 march for the occasion. Although Germany had not been the 
 ally of the American colonies during the War of Independence 
 like France, yet it had furnished them several men who ren- 
 dered very important services. Prominent among those German 
 partisans was General von Steuben, — and his descendants, liv- 
 ing in Germany, participated in the centennial festivities as the 
 
159 
 
 " Guests of the United States." The representatives of the 
 Steuben family were : Colonel Arndt y. Steuben, Captain Fritz 
 v. Steuben, Captain Eugen t. Steuben, Lieutenant Cuno v. Steu- 
 ben, Lieutenant Berndt y. Steuben, Lieutenant Anton y. Steu- 
 ben and the royal high forester Richard y. Steuben. They 
 were invited by their countrymen to Eichmond to attend a 
 " Commers at Saengerhall " arranged in their honor. A grand 
 parade marched through the principal streets of the city and 
 several artistically decorated floats of historical character pre- 
 sented its leading feature. 
 
 However the most successful of all festivals arranged by 
 the German citizens of Richmond were the celebrations of 
 "German Day" on October 6th, 1890; September 23rd, 1891; 
 September 15th, 1893; October 3rd, 1894; September 13th, 
 1895, and in 1896 and 1897. The enthusiasm displayed by the 
 citizens of German birth or descent on these occasions was al- 
 most unexampled, while an interest hardly less great was shown 
 by the public in general. The newspapers, English as well as 
 German, contained full descriptions of the proceedings. In 
 1890 and 1891 the "Richmond Dispatch "2^°) printed the Ger- 
 man oration and the prologue not only in English, bat also in 
 German, while in 1893 the " Righmond Times " published H. 
 Schuricht's "Festive Play" in the original, and in 1896 and 
 1897 the orations of H. Schuricht, von Eoseuegk, Dr. Menzel 
 and Dr. Calish. 
 
 The last-named papei', with reference to the first German 
 Day, said^^") : "These proceedings were such as to inspire our 
 citizens of German blood not only with a w;armer attachment to 
 the land from which they originally sprung, but also with a 
 keener devotion to the adopted soil in which they are now so 
 deeply rooted. The excellent influence of such a celebration 
 was clearly illustrated at ^very point in its course, and that in- 
 fluence will long survive in the Community." — The " Rich- 
 monder Anzeiger " of October 7th, 1890, had printed in large 
 
 i79.) "The Richmond Dispatch," No. 12,231, pp. 1, 2 and 4. Richmond, Octoter 7th, 
 1890. 
 
 280.) "The Times,*' No. 2486, p. 2. Richmond, Va., October 7th, 1890. 
 
160 
 
 letters at the head of its report of the first " German Day " : 
 "Great Success! 8000 participants! The grandest German 
 festival ever held in this city ! " — The celebration of 1891 was 
 fully as well attended. The visitors at the festival grounds 
 were estimated at from 8 — 10,000. 
 
 The officers of the First German Day were Alfred von N. 
 Eoseneglc, president; Hon. Wm. Lovenstein, first vice-president; 
 H. G. Miller, second vice-president ; Wm. Felthauss, third vice- 
 president; F. 0. Ebel, fourth vice-president; Carl Euehrmund, 
 first secretary ; C. T. Loehr, second secretary ; and W. H. Zim- 
 mermaun. treasurer. A committee of ladies, of which Mrs. B. 
 Hassel was president, assisted in the arrangements for decora- 
 tion of the hall of the Exposition Building, and also arranged 
 and managed the plays for the children about the grounds. 
 The officers of the " Toutig German- Americans " were C. F. 
 Kohler, president ; John C. Seibert, first vice-president; A. H. 
 Felthaus, second vice-president ; W.P.Klein, third vice-presi- 
 dent; George 0. Ditrich, Jr., and A. Vonderlehr, secretaries; 
 and H. Schott, treasurer. Mr. C. F. Kohler acted as chief -mar- 
 shall and his assistants were J. C. Seibert, P. W. Klein, Henry 
 Schott, Tony Felthaus and G. C. Ditrich, Jr. 
 
 The day was opened with the parade of the Young Geiman- 
 Americans, which took place at 9.30 o'clock in the morning. 
 Long before 'the time to start a large crowd had collected in 
 front of Saenger Hall, where the procession was to form. This 
 building, as well as many residences, was beautifully decorated 
 with a profusion of flags and streamers, bearing the American 
 and German colors, and every Avindow was filled with ladies and 
 girls who were to follow the parade in carriages. The scene was an 
 inspiring one and calculated to arouse to enthusiasm the most 
 staid individual. At the head of the column rode ten mounted 
 policemen. Next followed Chief-Marshall Kohler and Grand 
 Chief-Marshall von Eosenegk with their aides. All of the 
 marshalls of the young Germans wore soft white felt hats and 
 sashes, bearing the German and American colors. The aides of 
 Grand Chief-Marshall Eosenegk were clothed in black suits, 
 silk hats and regalia, and also wore sashea with the American 
 and Teutonic colors. Several' of the horsemen, who were all 
 
161 
 
 finely mounted, bore the flags of both nations. Behind the 
 marshalls followed several young men, who were also mounted, 
 and a squad of twenty-two policemen on foot. Next came 
 Voelker's Band, followed by seventy young Germans, employees 
 of the Eichmond Locomotive and Machine Works. Behind 
 these came the young German-Americans, who numbered about 
 three hundred. They carried at their head a handsome white 
 satin banner with the name of their organization printed upon 
 it in gold letters. This was presented by the German ladies of 
 the city. Their uniforms were very pretty and elicited general 
 admiration. Carriages containing the ladies followed in the 
 rear and ended the procession. Along the entire route the side- 
 walks were filled with people. Broad street from Seventh to 
 First being impassable for a short time. The beauty of the 
 procession was enhanced by the magnificent horses ridden by 
 the Germans. 
 
 At twelve o'clock the formal ceremonies were opened in the 
 large main building of the Exposition Grounds. On the plat- 
 form were seated Governor Phil. McKinney, Mayor J. Taylor 
 Ellyson, Members of Congress, the Board of Aldermen and the 
 City Council, Judges, Eev. Menzel, many other distinguished 
 invited guests, the orators of the day: H. Schuricht and Wm. 
 Lovenstein, the Committee members, members of the Gesang- 
 verein Virginia and the Chorus. In front of the platform a space 
 • was reserved for the five music bands and below this the front 
 row of seats was occupied by the oldest Gei'uian citizens, among 
 whom were : M. Kaiser, G. Albrecht, John Lintz, W. Graser, J. 
 C. Lange, J. J. Kuhr, C. Eeitz, S. Boltz, C. Wendlinger, P. 
 Krainzler, A. Bensal and John Does. There 'were about two 
 thousand chairs occupied by the ladies ; the aisles and galleries 
 were also filled. 
 
 After the overture Mr. J. J. Spilling, chairman of the Ee- 
 ception Committee, introduced President A. von N. Eosenegk of 
 the German-American Association of Eichmond, who welcomed 
 the vast assemblage. Next a selected choir of mixed voices, 
 composed of members of the " Virginia" and a large number of 
 ladies, rendered the "Festive Song," composed by Prof. E. L. 
 Ide, and then Eev. Paul L. Menzel offered the prayer. Next the 
 
162 
 
 Soldier's Home Band played the " Bridal Rose '" overture, and 
 then followed the German and English orations, being replete 
 with valuable historical information and breathing a fervent 
 spirit of patriotism and- devotion to the Fatherland and the 
 Union. The orators were frequently interrupted by applause 
 and they were, together with Mr. von Rosenegk, Rev. Menzel 
 and Mr. -Siegel, the recipients of beautiful floral tributes. Mr. 
 Schuricht was the special recipient of a beautifully worked 
 banner by Miss Emma L. Brimmer, as a token of remembrance 
 of the occasion. After the execution of several musical selec- 
 tions, Governor P. McKinney and Mayor Ellyson were intro- 
 duced, who in appropriate terms complimented the Germans of 
 Richmond upon their loyalty, patriotism and love for their native 
 land, and the success of the festival. At the conclusion of the 
 set programme German hospitality was la^i^y manifested and 
 the rest of the day was given over to am^usements until the 
 grand torchlight procession for the evening was formed. 
 
 The climax of scenic effect and enAu^iasm. was reached, 
 when, after dark, the grand torchlight ^jwocession formed in 
 line. The streets were thronged with spe>ctators. Housetops, 
 windows, telegraph poles, lamp-posts, etc./ were considered ad- 
 vantageous points for look-out. At the c,irner of Eighth and 
 Broad streets a large bonfire of the torches was made and amid 
 a grand pyrotechnic display " Die Wacht am Rhein " and the 
 " Star Spangled Banner " were sung by a chorus of thou- 
 sands, and' with an intensity of feeling never before exceeded. 
 
 The festival closed with a " Commers " at Saengev Hall, 
 which was attended by the Governor and the Mayor of the 
 city. This first celebration of "German Day" in Richmond 
 proudly deserves the adjective " glorious," and the author has 
 given it such a detailed description because, in his opinion, it 
 illustrates the sentiment and influential strength of the Ger- 
 man element in the city. It has also left some useful traces. 
 On January 12th, 1891, the " German- American Association of ■ 
 Virginia" (Die Deutsch-Amerikanische Gesellschaft von Vir- 
 ginien) was organized, to further German immigration into the 
 State, to aid settlers with advice and also pecuniarily, and to 
 cultivate German customs. About three hundred persons joined 
 
163 
 
 the Association and the officers elected Avere : A. von N. Eose- 
 negk, president; H. T. Miller, F. C. Ebel, Joseph Wall ersteiu 
 and H. Mittendorfer, vice-presidents ; Carl Kuehrnnind, secre- 
 tary; Ch. T. Loehr, financial secretary; C. Wippermann, treas- 
 urer; and W. Flegenheimer, J. Strauss, F. Tholl, Hermann 
 Schmidt, Theo. Moecker, J. C. Seibert and F. W. Waguer, di- 
 rectors. 
 
 The Association soon gained acknowledgment by the lead- 
 ing Anglo-American citizens. On October 17th, 1894, an "Im- 
 migration Convention " assembled at Eichmoud and the Ger- 
 man-American Society was invited to be represented by delegates. 
 Eev. Dr. Paul Menzel, as chairman of the delegation, addressed 
 the convention on^*^) : " The class of immigrants most desired 
 and the sections or countries abroad from which it is most de- 
 sirable to secure them," and his remarks received universal 
 approval. 
 
 In March 1891 a branch of this society, " The Young 
 Men of the Oerman- American Associaiion" was formed and 
 the following officers were chosen: Fred. Koehler, president; 
 J. C. Seibert, H. Bromme, A. Felthaus, vice-presidents ; Geo. 
 C. Dietrich, Jr., secretary ; E. H. Metzger, financial secretary ; 
 H. Schott, treasurer ; A. Dietz, C. Guenther, H. Metzger and 
 H. F. Grimmel, directors. The " German Day " also indi- 
 rectly prompted the establishment of the " Teutonia Clul; " 
 Carl Euehrmund, president; C. Burgdorf, secretary; F. C. 
 Ebel, treasurer; and also of the "Alert Social Club" of young 
 German-Virginians. 
 
 The second " Oerman Bay " and the " Theodor Koerner 
 Centennial Celelration" on September 23rd, 1891, was inaug- 
 urated on the eve of the 22nd by an imposing torchlight pro- 
 cession. The programme for the occasion was as follows : 
 Parade of the Young Men's German -American Association to 
 the Exposition grounds, including the German-American pu- 
 pils of the public schools; at 12 o'clock the celebration of 
 the 100th Anniversary of Koerner's Birthday at the large mu- 
 sic hall, followed by plays and dancing. The " Koerner Actus" 
 
 281.) In priDt by A. E. Strauss Printing Company, Richmond, Va. 
 
164 
 
 opened with a musical overture. The rear of the platform 
 had been transformed into a stage^^'^), in front of which and 
 to the right the iuvited guests and members of committees 
 and to the left the singers were placed. Vice-President Mil- 
 ler and President von Eosenegk welcomed the large audience 
 and bespoke the twofold character of the celebration, and 
 they were succeeded by Hon. Mayor Ellyson, who illustrated 
 the qualifications of Germans as citizens. The speakers were 
 heartily cheered and then the Singers, led by Prof. E. L. Ide, 
 under accompaniment of the orchestra, intonated with grand 
 effect Theodor Koerner's " Prayer during battle," (Gebet wah- 
 rend der Schlacht.) As soon as the applause had subsided, 
 Christian Droste stepped to the front and delivered an ex- 
 cellent biographical speech of the youthful German poet and 
 martyr-hero and happily succeeded to excite the due admira- 
 tion for the patriotism and talent of Theodor Koerner. The 
 Virginia Gesangverein next sang Koerner's " Schwertlied ; " 
 then Judge Flournoy made some eloquent complimentary I'e- 
 marks, followed by the culminating point in the ceremonies. 
 H. Schuricht took the stand in front of the curtain and re- 
 cited a " Prologue " composed by him, — the curtain was raised 
 and amid a group of beautiful exotic plants, on a high pe- 
 destal, the fine plaster bust of the poet, cast by a true friend 
 of the Germans, Mr. Fr. Moynihan, of this city, was exposed 
 to view. In front of the pedestal and on the steps leading 
 up to it knelt " Olio," the Muse of History, the hand raised, 
 engraving on the marble the name of Theodor Koerner, and 
 from the left side " Germania " approached the bust, a laurel 
 wreath in her hands, to decorate the poet's brow. Clio was 
 personified by Miss Lizzie Euker, now Mrs. Dr. Meyer, and 
 Germania by Miss Maria Menzeh. When Mr. Schuricht con- 
 cluded his poetical explication of the tableau, the Singers in- 
 tonated the " German Song " or " Das deutsche Lied." The 
 tableau, the pr9logue and the singing were received with 
 rapturous delight. 
 
 This closed the proceedings in Music Plall, and the rest 
 of the day was spent in mirth and gayety. The German 
 News Company had published a Pest-Blatt of " Der Sueden." 
 
 282.) "Der Sueilen/' Vol. 1, N'o. 39, rp. 12 and 13. Richmond, Va.', Sept. 27, 1891. 
 
165 
 
 111 1892 the observance of the "German Day" was con- 
 fined to an all-day picnic at Blandon Park. The attendance 
 was a large and devoted one. 
 
 Iq 1893 the celebration of " German Day " was arranged by 
 the junior association, in which the senior society participated. 
 It took place on September 14th and was a pronounced success. 
 
 Long before 10 o'clock, the hour fixed for the starting of 
 the parade, the German- Americans began to flock to Saenger 
 Hall, their usual rendezvous, while President von Eosenegk as- 
 sembled the members of his organization at the corner of Sixth 
 and Grace streets, from where they joined the column of the 
 parade. A carriage followed, containing " Germania," (Miss L. 
 Wolff), " Columbia," (Miss M. Senf ), and " Virginia," (Miss E. 
 Schum.ann.) The rear was brought i,ip by about thirty aides on 
 horseback. 
 
 The procession started shortly after 10 o'clock in the fol- 
 lowing order: Squad of police; chief-marshall and aides; Presi- 
 dent von Eosenegk and aides ; Blue's Band ; Young Men's 
 German-American Association ; German Pleasure Club ; other 
 organizations ; Social Home Band ; members on horseback ; 
 members in carriages and children in wagons. 
 
 Immediately after arrival the grounds were turned over to 
 the children, who indulged in all sorts of games and out-door 
 sports. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon all the visitors repaired 
 to the large music hall, which had b^en tastefully decorated. 
 The Blue's Band opened this jiart of the proceedings with the 
 march " Wien bleibt Wien," followed by a festive performance 
 or "Festspiel," entitled "Der deutsche Tag im Jahre 1893," 
 composed and dedicated by Herrmann Schuricht of Louisa 
 county, whereupon the entire audience sang " Die Wacht am 
 Ehein." 
 
 A. von N. Eosenegk, president of the German-American 
 Association, next delivered an address of welcome. The music 
 played the Oriental Overture and a chorus of eighty children 
 from St. Mary's Parochial School sang " Ich habe mich erge- 
 ben." Prof. C, ,P. Mutter conducted the singing, while the 
 
166 
 
 music played the accompaniment under direction of Eev. P. 
 Gregory, S. 0. B. 
 
 H. G. Miller, orator of the day, was then introduced and 
 delivered an oration on the subject " Objects and Purposes of 
 the German-American Association." 
 
 The fifth Celebration-'''') in BXchmowA. of "German Day," 
 October 3rd, 1894, which was held at Saenger Hall, proved no 
 exception to the rule : that whatever the German-Americans of 
 the community undertake they do well and with genuine en- 
 thusiasm. The day was generally observed as a holiday by the 
 German population. 
 
 The festivities commenced at 3 P. M. under the auspices of 
 the German- American Association, the oflBcers of which were as 
 follows: A. von N. Rosenegk, president; H. C. Miller, first vice- 
 president; Joseph Wallerstein, second vice-president; E. A. 
 Stumpf, third vice-president; Carl Ruehrmund, fourth vice- 
 president ; T. Moeker, recording secretary ; Oh. T. Loehr, finan- 
 cial secretary ; C. Wippermann, treasurer ; directors: J. F. Koh- 
 ler, Peter Stumpf, A. Pohlig, E. Kersten, 0. Dunker and M. F. 
 Richter. 
 
 The celebration opened with an entertainment for children 
 in the garden of Saenger Hall. The City School Board had or- 
 dered that all German pupils in the public schools be given a 
 half-holiday in order that they might participate in the cele- 
 bration. The grounds had been tastefully decorated and the 
 little ones were quick to crowd them. A happier, healthier set 
 of children were never gotten together. 
 
 At eight in the evening, when the second part of the pro- 
 gramme commenced, Saenger Hall was packed almost to suffo- 
 cation; most of the ftudience were ladies. The programme 
 opened with an overture by the orchestra; song, St. Mary's 
 Church Choir ; addresses by the President and 0. Ruehrmund, 
 chairman of the Executive Committee ; chorus, Gesangverein 
 
 283.) From "The Slate," October 3, 1894, and "The Richmond Dispatch," Oolober 
 4, 1894. 
 
 A 
 
167 
 
 " Virginia; " speeches by invited guests, including Mayor Tay- 
 lor's address; song, "What is the German Fatherland?" by 
 the German-American Association's chorus ; and the reading of 
 a letter from Prof. Scheie de Vere, at this time the only hon- 
 orary member of the Association, acknowledging the compli- 
 ment of his election. Then followed a comedy performance, 
 and a ball and banquet concluded the entertainment. 
 
 On April 1st, 1895, the 80th anniversary of Prhice Bis- 
 marck's birthday was celebrated in Saenger Hall under the au- 
 spices of the German-American Society of Virginia. Almost 
 every German of Eichmond city participated in the " Commers." 
 Enthusiastic speeches were delivered by President von Eose- 
 negk and A. Osterloh, Consul of Germany, and the entire large 
 assemblage, arising from their seats, sang a " Festival Song " 
 composed by Herrmann Schuricht. 
 
 The elaborate celebration of the sixth German Day, Septem- 
 ber 12th, 1S95, consisted in parade, oratory and song. The 
 " Times " gave the following description : 
 
 According to instructions, those who desired to participate 
 in the parade on horseback or in carriages, assembled soon after 
 9 o'clock on Broad street or thereabouts and half an hour later 
 the aides of the President A. von N. Rosenegk reported at head- 
 quarters. Everything worked smoothly and promptly at the 
 minute fixed for the starting of the parade, for the bell at the 
 Second Police station house had hardly struck 10, when Mr. A. 
 von N. Eosenegk, the president, asked his aides to fall in line on 
 Marshall street between Seventh and Eighth streets. This was 
 done at once, and the parade started a few minutes later from 
 the corner of Seventh and Broad streets. 
 
 The following is the order in which the participants in the 
 big parade marched : 
 
 Marshal J. H. Blumelinck, Charles Gasser, W. Schmidt. 
 
 President A. von IST. Eosenegk. 
 
 Aides of the president and color-bearers on horseback, in 
 .dark clothes, white neckties, white gloves and silk hats. Aides : 
 H, G, Miller, W, H. Zinjmermann, E. Kersten, Louis Euker, 0. C, 
 
168 
 
 Thon, J. li. Middendorf, Jos. W. Bliley, B. Wittkamp, H. L. 
 I-Iutzler, K. B. Felthaus, M. K. Fritosche, 0. .L. Brauer, Marx 
 Gnnst, H. Graser, T. Schwanne, Ang. Boehling, Aug. Stille, C. 
 Werner, William Eueger. Color-bearers : H. Kramer, H. Jan- 
 ning, Charles Battige. 
 
 Blues' Band. 
 
 Marshals, Charles E. LoeflBier and Joseph Stumpf. 
 
 Members on horseback. 
 
 St. Mary's Home Band. 
 
 Captain Chas. Hara and members of the Germauia Pleasure 
 Club, dressed in the old German costume, on horseback, acting 
 as escort to the float. 
 
 A magnificently decorated float, arranged by Mr. M. Lind- 
 ner. Upon a throne in the centre, and under a large canopy were 
 seated Columbia, represented by Mrs. Charles Gasser, and Ger- 
 mania, represented by Miss E. Weinbrunn, both appropriately 
 and handsomely dressed. Behind each was stationed a page 
 and in front a herald, with trumpet. The float was drawn by 
 six magnificently caparisoned horses, each led by a gentleman 
 ia continental uniform, and on each side of the float marched 
 six gentlemen in old German costumes and halberds. 
 
 The float was ten by sixteen feet, with a large canopy six by 
 nine feet, and was by far the handsomest masterpiece in the line 
 of decoration ever exhibited in this city. Heavy drapery was 
 placed around the bottom of the float, intermingled with shields . 
 of satin and silk flags, bearing the American and German colors, 
 while a variety of satin banners ornamented the top. The can- 
 opy was curtained in red, heavily draped with a tinsel finish. 
 
 Festoons of evergreen were stretched from the bronze corner- 
 posts of the float to the canopy, and besides there were other 
 floral decorations in large number. The canopy was tipped off 
 by a large brass eagle. 
 
 Then followed a large number of carriages, with ladies and 
 gentlemen of various organizations. 
 
 The procession moved down Broad to Nineteenth, down Nine- 
 teenth to Main, up Main to Sixth, up Sixth to Broad, and up 
 Broad street to the Exposition Grounds. 
 
169 
 
 As soon as the grounds of Kichmond College were passed 
 President A. von K Eosenegk lined up his aides on the south 
 side of Broad street to have the parade pass them in review. 
 Subsequently they brought up the rear, and about fifteen min- 
 utes later everybody found accommodation within the gates of 
 the Exposition Grounds. 
 
 Shortly before 2 o'clock the Music Hall began to fill with 
 people, Avho were anxious to listen to the singing and the speeches 
 that had been announced. The ladies were nearly all dressed 
 in light summer costumes, and the sight was certainly a beau- 
 tiful one to behold. JSTotwithstanding the excessive heat the 
 hall was completely filled during the progress of the proceed- 
 ings, and a good many others remained on the outside. Take it 
 all in all, there must have been fully 4000 people present during 
 the celebration. 
 
 In the centre of the back part of the big platform a dais 
 had been erected on which were seated Germania and Columbia, 
 the former represented by Miss Weinbrunn and the latter by 
 Mrs. Charles Gasser. Miss Weinbrunn wore a heavy white satin 
 dress with red tunique and black trimmings and the German 
 eagle embroidered in gold on the front of the corsage. In her 
 hair she wore a wreath of laurel and oak leaves. Mrs. Gasser 
 also wore a white satin dress with blue tunique, in which the 
 stars, representing the various States of the Union, were inter- 
 woven. The bodice of the dress was trimmed with red silk, 
 and on her head Mrs. Gasser wore a silk cap in the national 
 colors. In front of Germania and Columbia sat the .two pages, 
 Johnny Krause, dressed in a pink suit and blue mantel, and 
 Bernard Schott, dressed in pale blue. Between thepages little 
 : Anthony Schwane, Jr., found his seat, who was dressed in the 
 uniform of a lieutenant of infantry of the German army. The 
 orators of the day were Messrs. von Rosenegk, Ch. H. Phillips 
 and William H. Zimmermann. 
 
 In September 1890 and 1897 the seuanth and eighth celebra- 
 
 '" tions of German Day were arranged in a similar manner in the 
 
 new large Auditorium on Exhibition Grounds. Herrmann 
 
 ', Schuricht, A. von N. Rosenegk, Rev. Dr. Paul L. Menzel and 
 
170 
 
 Rev. Dr. Eduard B. Calish delivered tlie principal festive ora- 
 tions. Ths assemblages again attained considerable proportions. 
 The main part of the gatherings was composed of sons and 
 daughters of the Fatherland, but many native-born Americans 
 participated and all mingled together in a brotherly unity, 
 which in itself proved the fraternal feeling existing between 
 them. 
 
 In the beginning of 1898 the meritorious president of the 
 German-American Association of Virginia, A. von N. Eosenegk, 
 resigned and Carl Ruehrmund was elected in his place. Under 
 the supervision of the last-named the 7iinth celebration of Ger- 
 man Day took place on October 6th, 1898, in Saenger Hall. 
 During the afternoon a Juvenile Festival (Kinderfest) was hap- 
 pily carried out and at night the official part of the celebration 
 consisted in a concert, an address by President C. Ruehrmund, 
 a theatrical performance and dancing. 
 
 No doubt the celebrations of " German Day " have success- 
 fully served to keep alive in Virginia the individuality, feeling 
 and thought, — the entire soul of the German element — com- 
 bined with the true spirit of American institutions. 
 
 On August 9th, 1898, «iemori«Z .seryjces in Jionor of Prince 
 Bismarck, " the artificer of the German Empire," were held at 
 Saenger Hall under the auspices of the Gesangverein Virginia. 
 The hall was full when the meeting was called to order, a few 
 minutes after 9 o'clock, by Mr. Henry G. Miller, chairman of 
 the committee which had arranged it. On the stage were a 
 number of well-known Germans of the city, including Mr. Mil- 
 ler, Mr. A. von N. Eosenegk, Rev. Dr. Paul L. Menzel, the ora- 
 tor of the evening, and others. The decorations of the hall and 
 stage were simple and tasteful, consisting of potted plants and 
 combinations of German and American colors. 
 
 After prayer by Rev. Dr. Menzel, Mr. Miller presented Mr. 
 A. von N. Eosenegk, the president of the society, who came for- 
 ward and delivered a short address. In his speech he called at- 
 tention to the following occurrence : 
 
 "Several years ago, as you know, the German-American 
 
in 
 
 Ladies' Aid Society was organized. They opened two wards In 
 the Virginia Hospital. The ladies wrote to Prince Bismarck, 
 requesting the permission to use his name for the male ward, 
 and received the following highly honored reply- over his auto- 
 graph : 
 
 An 
 
 Frau Ann.v. von Nickisch Rosenegk 
 
 Richmond, Va., 
 
 Virginia Hospital, 
 
 Corner Clay and Eleventh Street?, 
 
 U. S. 
 
 Friedrichsruh, den 18. Mai 1895. 
 
 Die Benennung der in dem Virginia-Hospital neu 
 luten Abtheilung nach mei 
 eine ehrenvolle Auszeichnung. 
 
 erbauten Abtheilung nach meinem Namen ist fiir mich 
 
 V. BiSMAUCK. 
 
 Mr. von Eosenegk continued : " The letter is framed and 
 placed in the Virginia Hospital, and we here present will show 
 the love and' esteem we cherish, and express the sorrow we feel, 
 by drafting resolutions of sympathy and transmitting them to 
 his family." 
 
 These resolutions were presented by Mr. Miller and adop- 
 ted, and after the singing of " Spielmann's Testament " by the 
 Gesangverein chorus, the brilliant memorial address by Dr. 
 Paul L. Menzel followed, which was the chief feature of the 
 evening. Hereupon the meeting adjourned. 
 
 The German ladies of the city, ever alive to the interests 
 of human sufferers, have organized in 1895, as previously men- 
 tioned, a "German-American Ladies' Aid Association of the Vir- 
 ginia Hospital," of which Mrs. W. Rehling is President ; Mrs. 
 A. von Rosenegk, First Vice-President; Mrs. C. Oehlschlager, 
 Second Vice-President ; Mrs. Bertha Haase, Third Vice-Presi- 
 dent; Mrs. Adam Feitig, Fourth Vice-President; Mrs. C. Kin- 
 
dervater, Fifth Vice-President ; Miss Emma Grimmel, Financial 
 Secretary ; Miss Catharine Phillips, Eecording Secretary, and 
 Mrs. Chas. H. Phillips, Treasurer. 
 
 On the 30th of May, 1895, the '-Times" published for the 
 benefit of the Hospital a large "Woman's Edition," to which 
 Herrmann Schuricht, of Louisa county, and Mr. Wermuth, of 
 Berlin, Commissioner of the German Empire to the World's 
 Fair at Chicago, were the contributors of German articles. 
 
 In the early part of 1897 a " Gemischter Chor " of fifty 
 ladies and gentlemen was organized under the leadership of the 
 gifted professor Carl F. Mutter, cantor of St. Mary's Church 
 and musical director of the Gesangverein Virginia. On Decem- 
 ber 3nd, 1897, this newly started chorus for the first time ar- 
 ranged a public concert, which was a decided success. 
 
 On May 9th, 189i', the German ladies of Richmond demon- 
 strated again their appreciation of the cultivation of vocal mu- 
 sic by the gift of a magnificent flag to the Gesangverein Virginia. 
 Miss Helene Brauer delivered the gift in representation of the 
 following ladies: Mrs. Wm. H. Zimmermann, 0. W. Thilow, 
 .John Steinbrecher, F. C. Ebel, C. B. Loefler, E. A. Stumpf and 
 Misses Helene Brauer, A. AVenzel, Bertha Haase, Gussie Bromm 
 and Rosa Schumacher. 
 
 To complete these reports of the German Festivals the bi- 
 ographies of some of the leading men may be added. 
 
 I 
 Alfred von N: Bosenegk^ '^ ^) is a son of a colonel of the 
 
 German army, whose full name he bears. His mother was also 
 of noble blood, a Miss Sophie von Kleist. The father still lives 
 in Eberswald, near Berlin, Germany. Mr. von Eosenegk was 
 born in Stettin in Germany November 31st, 1852, and went in 
 1862, when only ten years of age, to the Military Academy in 
 Potsdam and Berlin, where he remained until 1870, when he 
 was promoted as subordinate officer to the army, to serve in the 
 Franco-Prussian war, which ended in 1871. During the pro- 
 gress of the war he gained the rank of officer, which distinction 
 
 294.) From the 'Richmond Dispatch," October 6th, 1890. 
 
173 
 
 he retained until 1875, when he severed his connection with the 
 German army and immigrated to this country, previously how- 
 ever having been joined with Miss Anna Weisser in the holy 
 bonds of batrimony. During the first five years of their life in 
 this country the two had to struggle hard for existence, as nei- 
 ther could master the English language. In 1880 he engaged 
 in the hardware business, beginning with a very subordinate 
 position, from Avhich he Avas gradually promoted, and in 1885 
 he accepted a call from the Bergner & Engel Brewing Company 
 of Philadelphia as manager for the Eichmond depot. In 1891 
 von Kosenegk associated with Mr. Emil Kersten. They estab- 
 lished the well-known Eichmond Brewery, which was changed 
 in 1893 into a stock company under the new firm " Eosenegk's 
 Brewing Company." It has also been Mr. von Eosenegk's for- 
 tune, through his courteous manners, to gain the love, esteem 
 and respect to the highest degree not only of his German friends 
 and countrymen, but of a vast number of our worthy American 
 citizens. 
 
 Mr. von Eosenegk is a member of Schiller Lodge of Inde- 
 pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Germania Lodge, Knights of 
 Pythias, Gesangverein Virginia, Benevolent Protective Order of 
 Elks, Iron Hall and Fraternal Legion, and among their mem- 
 bers he is very popular and highly respected. The German Day 
 movement was greatly due to his effort and gained reality 
 through his untiring labors. He was the president of the Ger- 
 man-American Association for eight years and is at present the 
 president of the Gesangverein Virginia. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Paul L. Menzel, the scholarly pastor of St. John's 
 German Evangelical Church, was born March 5th, 18.39, at 
 Lausanne, Switzerland. He is the oldest son of Eev. 0. W. 
 Menzel. Until 1850 he remained with- his parents in St. 
 Hippolyte, in the south of France. Then a boy he went 
 to Germany, studied the German language and spent ten 
 and one-half years in different institutions, colleges and univer- 
 sities, where he prepared for the ministry. After passing his 
 examinations, he accepted a professorship in the College of 
 Niesky, Silesia. On August 39th, 1868, he was ordained a min- 
 
174 
 
 ister of the Gospel by Bishop E. Eeichel of Saxony, and subse- 
 quently served at different places. In '74 he came over to America 
 and held for six years the position of German pastor in the two 
 churches in Dausville and Keikinsville, in Western Hew York. 
 In 1879 he joined the German Evangelical Synod of N. America. 
 Since 1883 he has been the secretary of the Atlantic District 
 of this organization and in 1894 he was elected president. In 
 1880 he accepted the pastorate of the German Protestant Church 
 of Albany, N. Y., and by his effort helped to erect the new 
 building which was dedicated in May 1883. Since February 
 1886 Mr. Menzel has been pastor of St. John's Evangelical 
 Church in Eichmond. In 1894 the Washington and Lee Uni- 
 versity of Lexington, Va., conferred on him the honorary de- 
 gree of Doctor of Divinity. 
 
 Siafe Senator William Lovenstein, of Richmond, was born 
 October 8th, 1810, at Laurel, formerly known as Hungary Sta- 
 tion, Henrico county, about eight miles from Eichmond city. 
 In addition to a good common school education, he spent two 
 years at an academy in New York city. Eeturning from school 
 he entered mercantile business, in which he engaged until the 
 beginning of the war. Upon outbreak of hostilities he imme- 
 diately left for the front with the Eichmond Light Infantry 
 Blues, of which he was a member, and saw active service before 
 he attained majority. Mr. Lovenstein remained uninterruptedly 
 with his company until captured by some of Burnside's troops 
 at Eoanoke Island. At the conclusion of the war he reengaged 
 in business. When the State was readmitted into the Union in 
 1869, he was elected, though only twenty-nine years of age, to 
 represent Eichmond in the House of Delegates. He was re- 
 elected four successive times, serving in that branch ten years 
 in all, during which time he was upon the most important com- 
 mittees. 
 
 lu 1881 Mr. Lovenstein was elected to the State Senate and 
 in 1897, the time of his death, he was serving his fourth con- 
 secutive term of four years. Governor Lee appointed Mr. Lo- 
 venstein a member of the board of the Female Normal School, 
 (an institution which to a great degree owes its existence to his 
 efforts.) For years he has been a member of the City School 
 
1% 
 
 Board; past-master of Fraternal (formerly Frau^aise) Lodge 
 No. 53, A. P. and A. M. ; grand secretary and supreme repre- 
 sentative of the Royal Arcanum ; past-regent and secretary of 
 Virginia Council No. 26 ; past-president of District Grand 
 Lodge No. 3 and Rimmon Lodge No. G8, I. 0. B. B. ; a member 
 of the Board of Trustees and secretary of the congregation of 
 Beth Ahaba. He was cliosen president of the Grand Conven- 
 tion of the B'nai B'rith at the session of that body in Richmond 
 in June 1890. Senator Lovenstein's chief business occupation 
 was that of cashier of the Richmond Perpetual Building, Loan 
 and Trust Coinpauy. 
 
 Carl Ruelirmiond, the son of Rev. P. W. Ruehrmund, was 
 loi'n September 32nd, 1855, at Berlin, the Capital city of the 
 Kingdom of Prussia. He visited the " Louisenstiidtische Real- 
 Schule," where he graduated in 1874. After four years' study 
 at the "Architectural Academy " at Berlin, and having served 
 his term in the Prussian army, he was employed as assistant 
 architect by the government surveyor of buildings (Baurath) 
 Orth, and later on in the architectural department of the Royal 
 Railroad System. The prospects of promotion in the govern- 
 ment service being gloomy, Ruehrmund resolved to try his luck 
 abroad, and after spending some time in Scotland and England, 
 he came to America in 1881. Having worked in various archi- 
 tectural offices, he was engaged in 1884: by the Government to 
 superintend the rebuilding of the custom-house and post-office 
 at Richmond, Va., and after finishing this work he entered in 
 1887 into private practice. Among numerous public and pri- 
 vate edifices which he erected may be mentioned: the St. 
 Mark's Lutheran and the Calvary Baptist churches at Roanoke, 
 Va.; the Hoge Memorial Church; the storehouse of Cohen 
 Brothers ; Third Police Station ; the Henrico Court House ; the 
 cattle-yard at Richmond, and the hospital of th« State Lunatic 
 Asylum. 
 
 Carl Ruehrmund enjoys among his German fellow-citizens 
 the reputation of being a warm and zealous advocate of all Ger- 
 man cultural and social efforts, and they bestowed on him many 
 honorary offices. He was elected president of the " Teutonic 
 Club," secretary and vice-president of the " German- American 
 
176 
 
 Association of Virginia," and now lie holds the presidency of 
 this the most important German society in the State. 
 
 Heinricli Georg Miller is one of the most active and perse- 
 vering leaders of the German element in Richmond. He was 
 born September 26th, 1834, at Lauterbach in Hesse-Darmstadt, 
 and after completing his school-education selected horticulture 
 for his vocation. In 1857 Mr. Miller emigrated to America and 
 was first employed as gardener in Baltimore, Md., and finally 
 came to Richmond in 1861. In the year 1866 Gen. Tochmann 
 was appointed agent of European immigration and Mr. Miller 
 was made his assistant. He has continued since that time in 
 the public service and occupied for the last twenty-five years 
 the position of assistant gas-inspector at Richmond, and at 
 present he holds the position of bill-clerk in the department. 
 He has for years been president of the church wardens of the 
 St. John's German Evangelical Church, was president of the 
 Gesangverein Virginia and is president of the German-Ameri- 
 can Association of Virginia. During the war Mr. Miller served 
 in a cavalry troop, commanded by Captain Wm. English. The 
 troop was assigned to local defence, but it took part in the en- 
 gagements at Drewery's Bluff and around Petersburg. 
 
 Q. L. Siegel was born April 12th, 1838, at Kirchheim, Bo- 
 landen, Bavaria, and died at Richmond January 4th, 1893. 
 When a boy thirteen years of age he came with his parents to 
 New York and studied music, for which he showed great talent. 
 Desirous to see the world, he accepted different engagements 
 with circus and minstrel troups and travelled with them over 
 the entire United States and in Canada. In 1856 he partici- 
 pated in the Walker campaign in Nicaragua and then took ser- 
 vice on a U. S. man-of-war and visited other parts of the globe. 
 At the beginning of the Civil War he lived at Charleston, S. C, 
 and enlisted in the 14th South Carolina Infantry Regiment of 
 Genei-al Maxey Greggs' Brigade. He remained with this com- 
 mand throughout the war, from the bombardment of Fort Sum- 
 ter to the surrender at Appomattox, and he fought in many 
 battles. After the war Mr. Siegel remained in Richmond, 
 married a daughter of John H. Boschen and established a 
 shoe-store. He was very successful in his business, but his love 
 
177 
 
 for music did not allow his mind to rest quietly. What he has 
 done to advance musical art in Eichmond from 1870 to 1885 
 and as leader of the Gesangverein Virginia, is ' gratefully re- 
 membered and appreciated by his German fellow-citizens. G. 
 L. Siegel was an artist born, but an adverse fate prevented him 
 from making full use of his great talent. 
 
 Hermann Schmidt, the brother-in-law of Siegel, was born 
 on March iTth, 1838, at Vlotho on the river Weser and came to 
 America in 1800. He was the first German to select Eichmond 
 as a place of residence after the close of the war. In 1865 he 
 
 ■ established a grocery business. Being indefatigable in his ef- 
 forts, a thoroughly educated German merchant and of great en- 
 terprise, the business rapidly prospered. With the same energy 
 he displayed in his business, he supported every effort to im- 
 prove the welfare of ill-fated Eichmond. The Germans of 
 Eichmond soon recognized the nobleness of his intentions and 
 organizing talents, and in all their undertakings he was a cer- 
 
 ' tain leader. He was a member of the church and school board 
 of the St. Johannis Church ; president of the German Eelief 
 Society; president of the Virginia Building and Loan Com- 
 pany, and director of the Gesangverein Virginia, of the German- 
 American Society of Virginia and of the German News Com- 
 pany of Virginia, etc. The Transparent Ice Company was 
 founded by him. He died in 1894 and his death was deeply 
 mourned by his German and American fellow-citizens. 
 
 'William. H. Zimmermmm \& another prominent and repre- 
 sentative German-American of Eichmond, born in the city of 
 Marburg, Germany, in 1845. He came to this country in 1860, 
 and after a short stoppage at Eochester, N. Y., Baltimore, and 
 Louisville, Ky., he made his home in Eichmond. At the begin- 
 ning of the late war he enlisted in the Confederate ranks, but 
 being then only a boy of fifteen years, he was not sent to the 
 front, and did military duty in and about this city. At the 
 close of the war he engaged in the fur business in this city, and 
 in 1875 gave his undivided attention to the restaurant and ho- 
 tel business. 
 
 For many years he has been closely identified, not only 
 
178 
 
 with the German-American interests in this city, but he has al- 
 ways proven himself a public-spirited citizen, and in all under- 
 takings that tended to be of benefit to this city, his name could 
 be found among those on top of the list. He is a promi- 
 nent and influential member of the German-American As- 
 sociation, of the Gesangverein Virginia and many other or- 
 ganizations. In the year 1893 it was chiefly by his efforts that 
 the German-American voters of Eichmond rallied at Saenger 
 Hall and organized the German-American Democratic Club, 
 which very soon made its power and influence felt among the 
 rest of the residents. His countrymen appreciated the interest 
 in public affairs manifested by Mr. Zimmermann, and elected 
 him a member of the City Council and president of the Dem- 
 ocratic club, which offices he has held in an efScieut and digni- 
 fied manner. 
 
 Charles T. Loelir was born August 8th, 1842, at Altona, 
 Westphalia, and came to Eichmond in 1853 when a boy. 
 He is a highly esteemed, self-made man. During the war he 
 was sergeant in Company D, First Virginia Infantry Eegi- 
 ment, and his name has become widely known by his excel- 
 ' lent publication : " War History of the old First Virginia In- 
 fantry Eegiment, Army of Korthern Virginia, Eichmond 1884." 
 Charles T, Loehr is at present notary public, local manager 
 of the Virginia Fire and Marine Insurance Company and 
 secretary and treasurer of the Virginia Building and Loan 
 Association. Of the many honorary offices conferred on him, 
 those of First Commander of Pickett's Camp Confederate Vet- 
 erans, Grand Master of the Knights of Pythias of Virginia, 
 treasurer of Hines Memorial Hall and finance secretary of 
 the German-American Association of Virginia may be men- 
 tioned. 
 
 Rev. P. WilUbald Baungartner, O.S.B., pastor of St Mary's 
 Catholic Church, was born May 5th, 1853, at Wolfratshausen. 
 He received a thorough education in school at his native place, 
 the Latin school of the Holland Institute and the Eoyal Lndwio-'s 
 College at Munich. He writes: "From childhood I entertained a 
 predilection for study and the Church, and it was my cher- 
 
179 
 
 ished desire to go to America and to work there among my 
 German conntrymen." In the year 1871 he emigrated and 
 went to St. Vincents to join the order of St. Benedictus. 
 He studied philosophy for two years and theology for three 
 years and on April 33rd, 1878, he received the consecration 
 to priesthood. Soon after, on May 1st, Rev. Baumgartner 
 ■was designated assistant of Rev. P. Renno Hegele at Saint 
 Mary's Church, Richmond, Va., and since 1884 he is the 
 highly esteemed pastor of the' German Catholics of the dio- 
 cese Richmond. He is a true sympathizer and ardent sup- 
 porter of the charitable and civilizing endeavors of his coun- 
 trymen. 
 
 Joseph Wallerstein, the second vice-president of the Ger- ■ 
 man-American Association, is a native of Blacksburg, Va. 
 When six years old, he came to Richmond with his parents, and 
 has been living here ever since. Early in his youth he started 
 out in the produce business and has followed that vocation up 
 to the present day. He has been for the last ten years a mem- 
 ber of the Travellers' Protective Association, which was organized 
 in 1883, and is now the vice-president of the national organiza- 
 tion. He has also for some time been the chairman of the Rail- 
 road Committee of the local organization. 
 
 Mr. Wallerstein is also a member of numerous other Ger- 
 man-American organizations, and his activity and effective influ- 
 ence in the Common Council for the past few years has been 
 too well noticed by all who pay attention to the affairs of this 
 city as to be especially mentioned in this connection. 
 
 Gliristian Droste was born in Bremen, Germany, on March 
 8th, 1862. He received a thorough education, served an ap- 
 prenticeship in a mercantile house in his native city and 
 soon distinguished himself by his diligence and ability. He 
 exhibited also a marked love for literature. Intellectual la- 
 bor is his delight. In the beginning of 1887 he emigrated 
 to America, arrived at Richmond, Va., on February 1st and 
 was employed by L. Borchers & Co., leaf tobacco merchants. 
 Ohr. Droste soon advanced to the position of bookkeeper, 
 and Mr. Louis Borchers, Consul of Austria-Hungary, made 
 
180 
 
 him secretary of his consulate. la 1891 he participated in 
 the orgauiztition and management of the German News Com- 
 pany of Virginia and in the pnblication of the German 
 weelcly: "Per Sueden," contributing novels and poems under 
 the nom-de-plume of " E. Helge." His oration at the " Theo- 
 dor Koerner Anniversai-y " also merits credit. 
 
 Carl Wippermann holds the important position of Treasurer 
 of the German -American Association, and has for years ad- 
 ministered the financial affairs of the organization in a wise 
 and economical manner. He was born in April, 1855, in West- 
 phalia, Prussia, where he received his first school education. 
 Later on he entered the gymnasium at Herford, and served as 
 a volunteer in the Fifteenth and Ninety-third Eegiments, In- 
 fantry of the German armj'. At the exijiration of his term he 
 was discharged with the rank and qualification of a com- 
 missioned officer. 
 
 Mr. Wippermann learned the mercantile business at Magde- 
 burg, Prussia, in a most thorough manner under' the direct 
 supervision of an upcle, in whose establishment he remained 
 until 1877, when he came to Eichmond to accept the position 
 of book-keeper with Mr. Hermann Schmidt, a brother of his 
 former employer. He has been the book-keeper of the firm 
 for a number of years, and is now its manager. 
 
 Nearly every German-American organization has the name 
 of Mr. Wippermann on its roll of members, and he is also en- 
 gaged in a number of business enterprises. He is one of 
 the most prominent members of the Gesangverein Virginia, 
 and is vice-president of the Virginia Building and Loan Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 When the German-American Association was formed about 
 seven years ago, Mr. Wippermann was among its original mem- 
 bers, and when Mr. William H. Zimmermann resigned the po- 
 sition of treasurer of the organization, Mr. Wippermann was 
 elected to succeed him, and has been in charge of the financial 
 affairs of the association ever since. 
 
181 
 
 Ferdinand Charles Ebel was bom January 4th, 1858, at 
 Frederick, Md., and received a thorough school education in a 
 private German-American school at Baltimore and after the re- 
 moval of his parents to Eichmond in 1889 at the German-Eng- 
 lish school of the St. Johannes German Lutheran Church. At 
 the age of fifteen years he entered his father's business to learn 
 the tailor trade and in 1885 lie became a partner in the paternal 
 firm. Mr. F. C. Ebel took great interest in all affairs of public 
 utility and rendered his hearfy support to all endeavors for the 
 preservation of German nature and culture to coming genera- 
 tions. He is one of the most popular men among his German- 
 American and Anglo-American fellow-citizens, and he held the 
 honorary positions of secretary and vice-president in the Ge- 
 sangverein Virginia and of vice-pi-esident of the German- Ameri- 
 can Association of Virginia since its organization. In the year 
 1895 he was elected a member of the City Council and his ser- 
 vices are highly appreciated. 
 
 Charles H. FhiUij^s, the financial secretary of the German- 
 American Association, was born in Eichmond on March 39th, 
 1859. Mr. Phillips, though born in this country, has taken an 
 active part in all the large entertainments given by the German- 
 Americans in this city. Soon after completing his education, 
 he began a course at the Old Dominion Business College. 
 
 AVhile still a young man he began to take an active interest 
 in the political affairs of the city. He served for some time on 
 the Democratic City Committee, and in 1888 he was chosen to 
 fill an unexpired term in the Board of Aldermen. There he 
 soon worked to the front, and his abilities being recognized, he 
 was made a member of the Board of Police Commissioners, un- 
 der the regime of which board the police force of Eichmond 
 has been raised to the highest possible standard. In 1894 he 
 became a candidate for the office of City Treasurer, and though 
 there were in the field several other candidates, he was the suc- 
 cessful applicant, leading the field by a good, clear majority. 
 
 • In his youth Mr. Phillips began his business career in the 
 store of his father, where he remained until the business was 
 discontinued. Later he was associated with the firm of Phil- 
 
182 
 
 lips & Stein, and when that firm was burned out, he entered the 
 employ of the Richmond China Companj'. 
 
 Mr. Phillips is a member of nearly every German-American 
 organization in existence in this city. He was president of the 
 Gesangverein Virginia and is one of those men who fnlly de- 
 serve the thanks of all German-Americans for the great interest 
 which he has at all times taken in affairs they were most con- 
 cerned in. He has also recently come into prominence as a 
 military man, having been appointed on the staff of the First 
 Regiment as commissary, with the rank of captain. 
 
 Rev. Edward N. Calisch was born in the city of Toledo, 
 Ohio, on June 23rd, 1865. When he was six years old his 
 father moved to Chicago, just four weeks before the great fire 
 of 1871 in that city. The family lost everything they had in 
 that fierce conflagration, hardly even saving the clothes on their 
 back. The mother with her two boys went back to Toledo for 
 a year, while the father endeavored to found a home for them. 
 In that effort he laid the foundation of disease which carried 
 him off four years latei'. His death left the family destitute. 
 Edward and his brother went to work, the former, at the age of 
 ten years, securing a position with the firm of Mandel Bros. 
 After a year of work, place was obtained for him in the Jewish 
 Orphan Asylum at Cleveland, Ohio, at which institution he re- 
 mained three years, and winning a scholarship in the Hebrew 
 Union College at Cincinnati, he entered the latter institution 
 September 1879, whence eight years later he graduated as rabbi. 
 He graduated the same year from the University of Cincinnati. 
 His first official charge was in Peoria, His., where he remained 
 four years. Then he was called iu September 1891 to his pres- 
 ent position as rabbi of the Beth Ahaba Synagogue at Rich- 
 mond, Va. Rev. Calisch is a toost .eloquent orator and he has 
 gained for himself the greatest respect of both Americans and 
 Germans of all creeds. 
 
 Julius Straus was born in the city of Richmond on the 4th 
 da,y of May 1843. His parents came from Bavaria in 1837 and 
 he received his first instruction from the Rev. M. J. Michel- 
 bacher. At the age of ten years young Straus was sent for two 
 
183 
 
 years to a boarding school in New York and tlien attended the 
 higher schools in his native city. His talents turning into a 
 commercial channel, he went into his father's business and con- 
 tinued therein until the Civil "War. After the conclusion of 
 war he reembarked in business. He entered the insurance busi- 
 ness in 1869 and is now engaged therein nearly thirty years. 
 For four years he served in the City Council and in the year 
 1887 he was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of 
 the Central State Hospital at Petersburg, Va. Julius Straus 
 always took a firm stand. He interested himself in the affairs 
 of the German-American Association of Virginia and was also 
 conspicuous in the celebration of " German Day " at Eichmond. 
 He has been for thirty years a member of the Grand Lodge of 
 Masons and is on several important standing committees ; is 
 Past President of the Independent Order B'nai B'rith, District 
 No. 5 ; Past Chancellor of Knights of Pythias ; Past Exalted 
 ' Ruler of the B. and P. 0. Elks, and has served for twenty-five 
 ■ years on the Board of Managers of the congregation " Beth 
 •Ahaba" at Eichmond, of which he is now the president. 
 
 There are many other zealous German-Virgiuians, but the 
 limit of space forbids further personal mention. 
 
 Many of the German societies have been spoken of in the 
 
 foregoing descriptions of the public festivals and it remains 
 
 only to name a few more in order to complete the report about 
 
 . the German social and public life in Eichmond during the last 
 
 decades. 
 
 The "Qerman Relief Society" (Deutscher Unterstuetzungs- 
 Verein) was to some extent the forerunner of the German - 
 American Association. H. Schmidt and Henry Miller were the 
 founders and managers of the society, which offered good advice 
 and assistance to German immigrants. Several German settlers 
 have received pecuniary help by this benevolent association, 
 who are now well-to-do farmers in the neighborhood of Eich- 
 mond, and many mechanics have been temporarily assisted by 
 it when out of employment. The society nunibered in its time 
 about three hundred members, 
 
184 
 
 Gymi;a'5tics (Turneu) lias not prospered in Richmond since 
 the war. The ''Social Turnverein" had outlived the critical 
 time of that event, but its existence had been seriously shaken 
 by measures of the Confederate police, and it did not regain its 
 former prosperity and popularity after the conclusion of peace. 
 A humorous occurrence recalls those hateful times of persecu- 
 tion. During the third year of the war the papers and minutes 
 of the Turnverein were suddenly seized by order of the provost- 
 niarsliall, and being written in German a translation was or- 
 dered and undertaken by an unqualified man. In order to give 
 to a very talkative member of the society a witty reprimand, the 
 secretary had recorded : " H . . . talked tin " (H . . . schwatzte 
 Blech), which means, he spoke nonsense ; but the versed trans- 
 lator worded it: " II . . . talked about sheet-iron." The discus- 
 sion of the Turnverein about " s;^ee^^ro« " was considered by 
 the police decidedly suspicious, and poor H . . . was arrested 
 and locked up in " Castle Thunder." Such ill-treatment, ridic- 
 ulous as it was, caused many members to resign, and after some 
 years of lingering existence the society was dissolved. However 
 the desire to practice the gymnastic art, physically and intel- 
 lectually, did not die out, and on February 1st, 1885,- ^°)' the 
 " Richmoiii uiiabh'cengige {independent) Turnverein" was or- 
 ganized. About seventy members joined the new association 
 and tlie number of puijils (boys and girls) amounted to about 
 fifty. A very handsome hall, Turnhalle, was equipped and the 
 officers elected were : .J. .T. Spilling, first speaker ; H. C. Bo- 
 scheu, second speaker; Theo. Moeker, first secretary; Max 
 Lindner, second secretary ; Oscar Pflamm, first Turnwart ; Wm. 
 Gehrmann, second Turnwart; J. A. Moll, treasurer, and C. Has- 
 sel, Zeugwart. But the young German-Virginians were not in- 
 clined to submit to the rules of strict discipline and regular at- 
 tendance of the exercises, and so the praiseworthy undertaking 
 was discontinued after one year's effort. This laudable enter- 
 prise had the good effect, that the Americans learned to appre- 
 ciate gymnastic exercise, and the Young Mens' Christian Asso- 
 ciation established a very beautiful gymnasium. 
 
 285.) Constitution d !S Riclimond unahhaengigen Turnvereins. Printed by Virginia 
 Staats-Gazette, 1895. 
 
185 
 
 In 1893 the Germaus of Kichmond resolved to regain pd- 
 litioal influence and to secure a proportionate representation in 
 the administration of the city's affairs. They organized a 
 " German Democratic Club " and elected an energetic man — Wm. 
 Zimmermann — to the presidency. The result of this step was 
 apparent in the next election. All the nominees made efforts 
 to win the confidence and support of the German voters. 
 They were invited to address the club, to explain their pro- 
 gramme and to give assurance that the interests of all classes 
 of the population would be regarded by them without par- 
 tiality and preference. One of the resulting effects was the 
 election of Charles Phillips for city treasurer. 
 
CHAPTER XVlIl. 
 
 German Life in Various Other Cities and Towns 
 OF Virginia. 
 
 'he German inhabitants of the Virginian country towns 
 had to compete against many adversities after the Con- 
 f federacy was conquered. They were reduced in number 
 and wealth and immigration had almost ceased. 
 
 Alexandria had prospered daring the time the Union army 
 was concentrated around it, but when the troops were with- 
 drawn commerce and industrial life came to a standstill. The 
 former inhabitants returned poor and disheartened^^''), the 
 country all around was devastated and the northern business 
 men left for other cities. Of the Germans who had settled in 
 the city during war time, finally only a handful remained, and 
 the German societies were discontinued for want of means and 
 members. All had to struggle 'for daily existence and years 
 passed by before confidence in a prosperous future was restored. 
 It was in 1868 when Friedrich Pfafl, Adolph Diedel, W. Bauer, 
 Brill, West, Mumm, Wenzel and others united to build a Ger- 
 man-Lutheran charch and school and invited Eev. J. R. Bischof 
 to become the pastor ; but the permanent organization of a 
 community was not accomplished until 1884, although a church 
 had been built. It was a wooden structure about sixty feet 
 deep and forty feet wide, with a steeple and bell donated by the 
 well known brewer Eobert Portner. One day, when the church 
 was in course of erection, Mr. Portner happened to pass by and 
 he asked the architect to show him the plan. He was surprised 
 
 }.) Correspondence of Dr. Julius Dienelt, Aiexandria, Va, 
 
18? 
 
 that no steeple liad been projected and inquired for the reason. 
 "The community is small and poor," explained the architect, 
 "and they have. not got the means." "Well," argued Mr. 
 Portner, " without a steeple it will be no church. Draw a plan 
 for one, bell included, and I will pay the costs." Nearby a 
 dwelling-house for the pastor was built, which contains also 
 the necessary school rooms, and between the two buildings is a 
 shady playground for the pupils. The present pastor, Eev. Jo- 
 •hann Schroy, was installed in office in 1884. The church and 
 school registers show eighty-seven church members and thirty- 
 'five pupils. The Germans of Alexandria are known to be loyal 
 citizens and several of them have held public offices. Geo. A. 
 Mushba,ch was a niember of the House of Delegates from 1878 
 to 1879 and at present is a member of the Senate of Virginia. 
 Mr. Ch. Bendheim is the present representative in the House of 
 Delegates. Eobert Portner, Isaac Eiohberg and Louis Kraft 
 were menlbers of the City Council, and the present Mayor of 
 the city is Hon. Henry Strauss. 
 
 In 185i Dr. Julius Dlenell, to whom the author is indebted 
 ■for these items, settled in Alexandria as dentist. He also gave 
 lessons for some years in the Military Academy and his hobby 
 are literary labors! Dr. Dienelt translated: " Wieland's Obe- 
 ron" and wrote several novels and poems in German. His fes- 
 tive poem, composed for the occasion of the unveiling of the 
 Confederate monument May 24th, 1889, will always touch a pa- 
 triot's heart. In 1891 Dr. Dienelt was a contributor to " Der 
 Sueden." 
 
 The -German element in the old German settlement, the 
 city of Fredericksburg, is less prominent. The city suffered 
 -vei-y much during the War of Secession and it is now the only 
 ■place in Virginia which has gone backward in population and 
 wealth. In 1860 Fredericksburg had 5,023 inhabitants, but the 
 census of 1890 gives only 4,538. Amohg the German inhabi- 
 tants Mr. John D. Elder, the distinguished artist, deserves es- 
 pecial mention. He died in February 1895. Mr. Elder was 
 educated at Duesseldorf, Germany, under Lei tz, and some of 
 his most celebrated paintings — " The Battle of the Crater,". 
 the "Bust of Shylock," "After Appomattox," and portraits of 
 
188 
 
 Lee, Jackson, Davis, Johnson, etc., were owned by General Ma- 
 hone and Mr. Joseph Bryan. He was an exhibitor at art exhi- 
 bitions in Germany and in this country, and won many prizes, 
 and in his peculiar line was considered the peer of any artist in 
 America. 
 
 Petersburg, which also suffered heavily in the various cam- 
 paigns around Eichmond, has quickly regained its ante-bellum 
 prosperity. In I860 it had 18,266 inhabitants and in 1890 it 
 figured 22,680. Every visitor to the city will be astonished by 
 the large number of German firms, as for instance, H. Noltinius 
 and P. Schwenck & Co., tobacconists; M. Levy, pianist; AV. 
 Tappey, machine works ; J. Liebert, wines and liquors ; A. Ro- 
 senstock, M. Cohen, M. Sual and J. Eigenbrunn, dress goods ; 
 W. Grossmann, real estate ; M. Mendel, toys, etc. The wealth 
 of tlie German citizens is shown by the fact that they pay about 
 one-fifth of the city and other taxes. In 1876 a "German 
 Club " was organized, of which Mr. Tappey, A. S. Eeinach and 
 J. Eosenfield were the officers. Efforts were made to establish a 
 German church and school ; the, city generously donated the 
 grounds and a church and school house were actually built. 
 But disharmbny caused the abandonment of the laudable un- 
 dertaking. In 1895 a German-Evangelic, community was or- 
 ganized at Walthall's near Petersburg and is administered by 
 Eev. Dr. Menzel of the St. Johannis church at Eichmond. 
 More unity prevailed among the German Israelites of Peters- 
 burg, who erected the synagogue " Eodof Sholem," at the head 
 of which the rabbi Eev. J. Kaiser officiates. Mr. H. Nultinius 
 deserves especial credit as the promoter of German music. On 
 the first day of May 1890 the " German Society of Petersburg" 
 was organized to promote immigration. E. Gieland was elected 
 president and P. W. Leimburger was his next successor. Sev- 
 eral members of the society formed a " Gesang-Section " and 
 practiced vocal music, particularly German " Yolkslieder."^^'') 
 
 Norfolk, celebrated as one of the finest harbors on the At- 
 lantic coast, and for the excellence and quantity of oysters and 
 fish brought to its market, is rapidly growing in population and 
 
 237.) The author is obliged to Mr. W. Grossmann for this information. 
 
189 
 
 importance. In 1820 its population numbered 8,478 ; before 
 the war it had 14,620 inhabitants and according to the last cen- 
 sus its population is now over 35,000. The German element is 
 not as conspicuous as in Kichmond, but in commerce and 
 manufacture it takes a prominent part. In the summer of 
 1891 a correspondent of the "Richmond Times" named the 
 following leading German firms : R. P. Voigt, Loewenburg & 
 Hecht, Hecht & Herschler, Hamburger & Bro., Obendorfer & 
 Co., Frey Bros., A. Myers & Co., Mayer & Co., Pinner & Derring, 
 A. J. Kerns, ISTorfolk-Portsmouth German Building Associa- 
 tion, etc. The " Norfolk Journal of Commerce " published in 
 October 1888 a history and statistic of Norfolk and Portsmouth, 
 naming the following German- Virginians as members of the 
 " Common Council " and city officials : J. Adelsdorf, R, I. Eor- 
 man, A. P. Thorn, W. M. Hannah, S. Marx, Th. B. Rowland, 
 Jos. A. Rolland, E. M. Baum, Dr. W. A. Thom, J. A. Brimmer, 
 Jos. W, P. Veith, J. W. Blick, J. J. Kuling, etc. This list is 
 evidence that the German- Virginian element in Norfolk is re- 
 spected and influential. Gen. W. D. Groner, of^German desfjent, 
 previously mentioned, was appointed Commissary of Virginia at 
 the World's Fair held at Chicago, Ills. "' •' 
 
 Portsmouth, the sister-town of Norfolk, on the west bank 
 of Elizabeth river, opposite Norfolk, numbered in 1870 10,492 
 inhabitants and now it has a population of about 14,000, of 
 which many are Germans or of German lineage. Especially 
 among the mechanics and the truck-farmers about the city, as 
 well as in Norfolk, Princess Ann and Nansemond counties, Ger- 
 man-Virginians are numerous. 
 
 Neivport News, a creation of the Chesapeake and Ohio 
 Railroad Company, promises to become one of the most impor- 
 tant harbors on the Atlantic coast, being accessible at all sea- 
 sons of the year to vessels of the heaviest tonnage. Within a 
 few years it has grown to a flourishing city of about 7,000 in- 
 habitants, of whom about one hundred families are Germans, 
 mostly German Jews, and several of the leading business houses 
 are conducted by them. However the German language is spo- 
 ken very little by these people, being Germans only in name. = *'^) 
 
 288.) Correspondence of Walther Hoffmann, Clerk of Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad 
 Office at Newport News, Va. 
 
190 
 
 In Faniville and the entire Prince Edward county tlie 
 ntttriber of Germans is small, but they enjoy the reputation of 
 -good, industrious people. There are about twelve German 
 falrmers'^^") in the county and some German Hebrews have 
 ■stores in Parmville and in the country. A Lutheran reverend 
 lives near the Danville railroad and has built on his farm a 
 small church and schoolhouse. From time to time the German 
 farmers assemble there for divine service and the worthy pastor 
 'gives instruction to their children. Dr. W. W. H. Thackton 
 ikas kindly furnished the author the following characteristic in- 
 'fatinlBition.^'"') '"About 1815 Captain John Stephan came to 
 Pi-i&ciS Ed'ward county and built his home at the small village 
 "toHgsville,"aboiit one mile from Prince Edward courthouse, 
 now 5'drmville. Captain Stephan was a pleasant and intelligent 
 man, ftfll^of wit and well known in Virginia and other southern 
 '■States, 'being the Owner of a very popular " Wayside house of 
 entertaiinment for travellers," situated on the great stage-road 
 ^frdm Washington to Middle Georgia. Many distinguished 
 Southern "statesmen made it a rule to stop on their trips to and 
 "fr<jm the 'Capital of the United States at Captain Stephan's or 
 'Stevens, as they called him.. John C.Calhoun and Wm. C. 
 Preston from South Carolina, Crawford and Barrian from Geor- 
 ygia, and -many others frequently enjoyed his gay conversation. 
 ■ Captain Stephan attained the age of eighty-five years and being 
 childless, he invited a nephew from Germany to come over to 
 him,and he inherited the property. The old gentleman died 
 •loVed-and esteemed by his neighbors and numerous friends, and 
 his remains rest in the churchyard of Sidney College Church." 
 
 Danville is one of the chief tobacco marts of the State and 
 is a. growing city. In 1825 its population amounted only to 
 1,355, in 1870 to 3,464 and in 1890 to 10,305. ~Many of the 
 early settlers of Pittsylvania county and of all the counties 
 along the North Carolina line were Germans and German Swiss, 
 as has been alreadystated, and since the war some thrifty set- 
 tlements have been made by Germans and English along the 
 line of the Richmond and Danville railroad. Danville itself 
 
 289.) Corresttondesce of C. ZimmermanD, at FarmTille, Va. 
 290.) Correspondence of Dr. W. W. H. Thackton, Farmville, Va. 
 
191 ■ 
 
 has a fair number of German citizens ; most of them are well- 
 to-do merchants and mechanics. 
 
 Bristol, on the Tennessee line, Wytheville, the county-seat 
 of Wythe, Neiolmi, Ghristianshurg, Fincastle in Botetourt, and 
 Lexington, the seat of the Washington and Lee Uniyersity, and 
 the Virginia Military Institute in Eockbridge county, — all 
 these towns have a good sprinkling of German population. 
 
 i?oattofe, in Koanoke county, deserves special mention, be- 
 ing one of the most prosperous places in the Valley. Within a 
 few years it has grown from a small village to a town of about 
 20,000 inhabitants, of whom the German element forms a very 
 respectable part. A German brewery exists and several other 
 large factories and firms are owned or managed by Germans. 
 
 Salem, the county-seat of^Eoauoke county, was formerly an 
 'exclusively German-Lutheran settlement, bnt situated iu the 
 heairt of the " Iron District," it is now becoming an important 
 centre of trade and manufacturing interests. At Salem is lo- 
 cated the "Eoanoke College," a Lutheran institution. Though 
 one of the youngest colleges, it is one of the most flourishing.^*") 
 
 Lynchburg, situated on the banks of the James river in 
 Campbell county, had in 1860 a population of only 6,853, which 
 has increased to more than 20,000. It is lai-gely engaged in the 
 manufacture of tobacco and the most important firms are Ger- 
 man, like : Holt, Schaef er & Co., Seeling & Co., John Katz, Jr., 
 etc.^^^) Mr. ' Schaef er is president of the Lynchburg sugar 
 factory. One of the largest dry-goods houses in the South is 
 that of Guggenheimer. The number of German citizens how- 
 ever is small. An evidence of German life in Lynchburg is, 
 that a publication, "War Songs of the South," edited by "Bo- 
 hemian," correspondent of the "Eichmond Dispatch," and pub- 
 lished by West & Johnston, Eichmond, Va., 1863, was printed 
 by C. A. Shaffter at Lynchburg, whose name surely is German. 
 
 290.) "Virginia," a geographical and political summary, by the Board of Immigra- 
 tion. Page 213. 
 
 "291.) Correspondence of Mr. C. Droste, Richmond, Va. 
 
193 
 
 In 1893 E. Giuland, formerly of Petersburg, Va., orgauized a 
 small German school for instruction in German and singing.^" ^) 
 
 Staunton, Harrisonburg, Woodstock, Front Royal, Slrass- 
 burg, Berryville, Leesburgli, Neiv Market and Winchester, all 
 situated in the Shenandoah Valley, are justly termed, as has 
 been stated before, of German origin. After the late war a few 
 newcomers of the same nationality located there. The Luther- 
 ans have the " Staunton Female Seminary " at Staunton, and at 
 Winchester exists, besides a Lutheran and a Fnited Brethren 
 church, also a German Keformed church. ^^■■*) 
 
 A widespread distinction among the descendants of the 
 Gei'man settlers in the Valley was gained by Harrison Holt 
 Riddleberger. He was born October 2nd, 1844, at Edinburg, 
 Shenandoah county. At the early age of seventeen years he en- 
 tered the Confederate army and *\'as promoted to a lieutenancy 
 and later on to the rank of captain. After the return of peace 
 he studied law and domiciled himself as lawyer at Woodstock. 
 Li 1866 Riddleberger was elected State's Attorney and later on 
 a member of the legislature for three successive terms. In 1875 
 he was made a member of the "State Committee," in 1876 
 and 1880 a presidential elector and from 1883 to 1889 a 
 "Eeadjuster," a member of the U. S. Senate. Since 1870 he 
 edited three Virginian newspapers. Biddleberger possessed 
 great force as an orator and politician ; he was a most violent 
 opponent of General Mahone, the leader of the Republican party 
 in Virginia, and made himself commendably known in the 
 movement for settling the State-debts accumulated during the 
 Civil AVar. The respective arrangements resolved upon by his 
 suggestions to the Legislature of Virginia are known as "the 
 Riddleberger Compromise.'' His prospects were certainly very 
 bright, but his unfortunate passion for intoxicating drinks 
 ruined his career and caused his early death on January 34th, 
 1890. 
 
 General John E. Roller of Harrisonburg is another German- 
 
 292.) Correspondence of Mr. Emil Gieland, Lynchburg, Va, 
 
 293. Compare "Winchester, the Metropolis of the Valley," by Hancoclc, Laughlin 
 & Co. 
 
103 
 
 Virginian of renown. He is an ardent admirer of the merits of 
 the Germaii'pioneers in Old Virginia and now engaged in writ- 
 ing their history, which will no doubt furnish further proof of 
 their exertions in promoting the growth and prosperity of Vir- 
 ginia. as a colony and as a State. 
 
 Charlottesville, the county-seat of Albemarle and the seat of 
 the University of Virginia, had in 1870 a population of 2,838 
 and at present it is estimated to be about 7,000. The German 
 element is now not as large there as before the war, but the 
 commerce of the town is still prominently in German hands. 
 The wine-making industry flourishes in Charlottesville and its 
 neighborhood. Mr. Hotopp's and the Monticello Wine Com- 
 pany, in charge of Mr. A. Eussow, are the. two largest establish- 
 ments. Both firnis have been awarded various exposition 
 medals. Leterman Bros, are the leading clothing house in this 
 part of the State. The German Israelites have for years had a 
 synagogue, "Beth Israel," and there is also a Gei'man Lutheran 
 church, of which Kev. J. L. Craemer was pastor, while after- 
 wards liev. J. A. Schroy of Alexandria administrated the pas- 
 torate. At present a German-American is pastor and he is en- 
 deavoring to anglicize his German community. A German 
 school does not exist at Charlottesville or at any other place in 
 Albemarle, but the German language and literature have been 
 part of the courses of study at the University since its founda- 
 tion. German is also taught at the celebrated " Miller Manual 
 Labor School of Albemarle."^"*) Within the last decade sev- 
 eral German-Virginians held public offices in the city and 
 county. 
 
 Manchester is making rapid progress. Against 2,793 in- 
 habitants in 1860, it now has to show a population of 10 to 
 11,000, and the population of the immediate suburbs is esti- 
 mated at SjOOO.''^") A great number of Germans live in the 
 city ; most of these tire mechanics and wage-workers employed 
 in Eichmond. Manchester and Eichmond are really but one 
 
 294.) German in9truction i» given at all colleges and highscliools in Virginia, the 
 Washington and Lee University at Lexington included. 
 296.) The "Riclimond Dispatch," p. 2. April 18, 1891. 
 
194 
 
 city, being connected by several bridges spanning the James 
 river and by electric and horse-car lines. After the war its peo- 
 ple were of course impoverished, and though it escaped such a 
 disaster as the conflagration, that burned the greater portion of 
 the business quarter of Eichmond, the latter by reason of its 
 becoming early after the cessation of hostilities the money cen- 
 tre of the State, absorbed much of its trade. These conditions 
 however were only temporary. Manchester has within herself 
 the factors of recuperation and an independent progress in cer- 
 tain directions, and these were not slow in asserting themselves. 
 She had the situation, the water-power, the railroad connections, 
 the climate, the tributary territory and the will to make herself 
 a city, and they were all converged to that consummation with 
 substantial and gratifying results. The German inhabitants 
 have naturally profited by all these advantages and are doin j; 
 well. 
 
 It. would require the space of a much larger volume to 
 point out all the localities in the State where the German ele- 
 ment is represented and forms a valuable addition to the Anglo- 
 American population. German storekeepers are to be found all 
 over the counti-y in Culpeper, Warrenton, Gordonsville, Orange 
 county, Louisa, Leesburg, New Market and many other minor 
 towns. The author could not visit all parts of Virginia to per- 
 sonally collect information, and on the other hand he found it 
 very difficult to induce people settled there to furnish him with 
 reliable information by letter. But to give further evidence of 
 the importance and influence of the German-Americans in Vir- 
 ginia, he presents a list of the German- Virginian delegates to 
 the General Assembly and the TJ. S. Congress during the period 
 from 1860 to 1893, a list of school officials from 1872 to 1896 
 and a list of the localities with German names throughout the 
 State. To the latter the English names of such cities, towns 
 and villages are added which are known to be of German origin. 
 
List of -German-Virginian Delegates to the 
 
 General Assembly of Virginia and 
 
 THE U. S. Congress."^') 
 
 Sam. A. CofEmann, Eockingham Co., Member House of Delegates 
 
 David W. Berlin, Upshur " " " 
 
 David M. Shriver, Ohio Co., Member of the Senate of Va. 
 
 J. A. Nighbart, Boone County, Member House of Delegates 
 
 Benj. K. Linkous, Fayette " " " 
 
 G. W. Eust, Page 
 
 A. J. Deyerle, Eoanoke " " " 
 
 A. K. Tfout, Augusta " " Senate of Va. 
 
 Geo. B. Keezell, Eockingham County, " " 
 
 George H. Peck, Giles 
 
 Dr. L. F. Woltz, Carroll County, Member House of Delegates 
 
 F. Stearns, Henrico " 
 
 H. Peck, Montgomery County " " 
 
 H. B.Harnsberger, Eockingham " " " 
 
 J. B. Straver, Shenandoah '■ " " 
 
 M. Hanger Angusta 
 
 A. B. Lightner, 
 
 Paul Lightner, Bath 
 
 Henry W. Keyser, Page 
 
 James P. Critz. Patrick 
 
 ixr T i_ • i-»* T 1 rr J. Member House of Delegates 
 
 VVm. Lovenstein, Eichmonu Lity, noiv seuawr. 
 
 A. Bodecker, " Member House of Delegates 
 
 H. H. Eiddleberger, Shenandoah County, """'" ?.°rse'„"«S"'" '"" 
 J. H. von Auken, Sussex County, Member House of Delegates 
 Geo. A. Mushbach, Alexandria City, '"""""'" o°w°s°ena"ol-?°"" ''° 
 
 296.) From the "Journal of the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia," 
 and the "Illustrated Southern Almanac," J, L. Hill Printing Co., Richmond, Va., 1898, 
 
196 
 
 D. P. May, City of retersbiirg, 
 
 Sam. Burger, Botetourt County, 
 
 P. B. Starke, Brunswick " 
 
 Wm. A. Eeese, Greenville " 
 
 H. Conrad, Frederick " 
 
 J. J. Deyer, Southhampton County, 
 
 Ph. Herring, Eockingham " 
 
 J. D. Honaker, Bland 
 
 Sam. E. Leybrock, Pulasky " 
 
 H. W. Daingerfield, Essex Coflutj', 
 
 Chesterfield County, 
 Craig " 
 
 Montgomery " 
 
 MonibL'r House nr DiilegiUen aiitl 
 
 J. V. Herring, 
 G. C. Huffman, 
 13. Einer, 
 J. E. Sanger, 
 L. D. Starke, 
 Ch. Bendheim, 
 
 Eockingham 
 
 Norfolk City, 
 
 Alexandria County, " 
 
 George W. Koiner, Augusta " . " 
 
 Alexander B. Lightner, Augusta '■ 
 John C. Utz, Madison " " 
 
 J. W. Churchman, Augusta County, Member House of Delegates 
 
 A. L. Winter, 
 K. B. Stoner, 
 T. C. Pilcher, 
 S. T. Turner, 
 E. 0. Jordan, 
 C. G. Kizei', 
 M. Switzer, 
 
 Bedfort 
 
 Botetourt 
 
 Fauquier 
 
 Norfolk City, 
 Eockingham County, 
 
 J. M. Bauserman, Shenandoah 
 
197 
 
 List of School Officials. 
 
 The list of school officials from 1872 to 18'J6 shows the fol- 
 lowing German names of county and city sujoerintendents in 
 Virginia and West Virginia.^"'') 
 
 George M. Peck, Hampton, Elizabeth County, Virginia. 
 
 Dr. 0. M. Stigleman, Floyd C. H., Floyd County, 
 
 W. H. Gold, Winchester, Frederick " 
 
 James P. Beck, Pearisburgh, Giles " " 
 
 Henry C.Coleman, South Boston, Halifax " " 
 
 Addison Borst, Fredericksburgh, King George and Stafford 
 
 Counties, "Virginia. 
 George H. Kendrick, Point Truth, Scott County, Virginia. 
 
 John W. Wildman, Leesburgh, Loudoun " " 
 
 S. B. Grose, Clay C. PL, Clay County, AVest Virginia. 
 
 E. F. Vossler, Grant C. H., Grant County, " 
 
 John S. Kern, Nicholas C. H., Nicholas County, " 
 
 Wm. A. Newman, Knob Fork, Wetzel " 
 
 R. Workman, Mouth Short Creek, Boone " " 
 
 0. P. Wirgman, Eomney, Hampshire " " 
 
 J. C. Lininger, Winfield, Putnam 
 Jos. S. Loose, Harrisonburg, Rockingham " 
 George J. Kayser, Hamlin, Lincoln " 
 
 John A. Bock, Farmington, Marion " " 
 
 M. H. Bittinger, Indian Creek, Monroe " 
 George Buck, Berkeley Springs, Morgan " 
 ■ A. Workman, Falls of Twelve Pale, Wayne '• 
 C. L. Broadus, Roxalana, Roane " 
 
 Richard L. Carne, Alexandria, Alexandria " Virginia. 
 
 W. W. Wysor, Newbern, Pulaski " 
 
 Joseph Phipps, Osborn's GajD, Wise 
 
 John Hess, Duffield, JefCersou " West Virginia. 
 
 W. M. Wirt, Dallas, Marshall 
 A. B. Phipps, Princeton, Mercer " 
 
 297,) U, S, Reports of the Coromissionev of Education fiom 1872 to 1£96, 
 
 Virginia. 
 West Virginia. 
 
198 
 
 W. A. Blaukenshjp, Ohesterfield " Virginia. 
 
 J. A. Iloltzman, Jeffersoutou, Cnlpeper " " 
 
 E. C. Glass, Lynclibiu'gh, Ciimpbell " " 
 
 W. M. Straus, Pavkersbiirgli, Wood " West Virginia. 
 
 K. Kemper, Alexandria, Alexandria " Virginia. 
 
 John U. Bader, Staunton, Augusta " " 
 
 B. Rust, Roanoke, Roanoke '■ " 
 
 These school reports contain a still larger number of doubt- 
 ful names and they give evidence of the active part German- 
 Virginiaus are taking in public education. 
 
 List <w Localities and Post Offices with 
 German Names. 
 
 Counties, 
 
 Acconiac. — lioitnian's Wharf, ■\Iappburg, Wagram, Keller P.O., 
 
 Horutown. 
 Albemarle. — Shadwell, ITotopp's Rapids, Blenheim P. 0. 
 Alexandria. — Fort Myer. 
 Alleghany. Keysei-'s Klines, Selma, Stacks. 
 Amherst. — T ordan. 
 
 Amelia. — Smack's Creek, Amnion P. 0. 
 Appomattox. — Karl P. 0. 
 Augusta.— Koiner's Store P. 0., Sangerville,- Fishersville, Wey- 
 
 er's Cave Station, Croberger's Siding, Stover's Shop 
 
 P. 0,, Shaffer's. 
 
 iiedford,— Coleman's Falls P. ()., Emaus P. 0., Marrville, Ni- 
 ninger P. 0. 
 
 Botetourt.— Amsterdam, Coyner's Spring, Kyle, Obenshain P.O., 
 
 Strom P. 0., Tinkers Knob. 
 Brunswick.— Alps, Walthall's Store P. 0., Ordsburg P. 0., 
 
 Thomasburg, Turner, Harper's Home. 
 Buchanan. — Schack's Mill P. 0. 
 
199 
 
 Buckingliam. — Hiirdwicksville, Cnrdville. 
 Campbell. — Kiistburg, Kosenbergev Mine, Heald's, Eensen's P.O. 
 Caroline. — Shumansville, Knopf P. 0. 
 
 Carroll. — Lambsburg, Woltz's P. 0., Dutchman's Branch, JSTes- 
 ter P. 0., Peck P. 0., Piper's Gap. 
 
 Charlotte. — Keese's P. 0. 
 
 Chesterfield.— Port AValthall, Granite, Ettrick's P. 0., Halls- 
 burg, Frank's Branch. 
 
 Clarke.— Castleman's River and Perry, Singer's Glen, Meyer- 
 hoeier's Store P. 0., Berryville. 
 
 Craig. — Huffman's P. 0., Kyle's, Simmonsville, Layman P. 0. 
 
 Oulpeper.^Stevonsburg, Hedgeman's River, Freeman's Ford, 
 Waylaudsbnrg. 
 
 Cumberland. — Colemansville. 
 Dinwiddle. — Burgess P. 0., AValdemar. 
 Dickinson.— -Treeling P. 0. 
 
 Fairfax. — Vienna, Franconia, Lewinsville, Springman P. 0., 
 Wiehle P. 0., Germantown, Shueter's Hill. 
 
 Fauquier. — Germantown, Linden, Bristersburg. 
 
 Floyd.— Ultizer's Ford, Huffville. 
 
 Fluvanna. — Stillman P. 0., Bullenger's Creek. 
 
 Franklin. — Helm's P. 0., Sontag, Hickman, Holland's, Prilla- 
 man's, Wirtz P. 0., ISTaff's P. 0., Germantown. 
 
 Frederick. — Winchester, Kernstown, Stephensburg (formerly 
 Stephansburg), Front Royal, Foreman's Creek, Syd- 
 ner's Gap, Rosenberger P. 0., Siler P. 0., Hinckle P.O., 
 Jordan's Springs. 
 
 Giles. — Luri'ch. 
 
 Grayson.— Clem's Branch, Redman's P. 0. 
 
 Goochland. — Vinetaville P. 0. 
 
 Greene.— Ruckersville, Wetsel's P. 0. 
 
 Hanover. — Hanover. 
 
 Henrico.— Dutch Gap, Hungg-ry, Carl's Neck. 
 
 Henry.— Waller's, Koger's, Irisburg. 
 
 Highland. — Wier. 
 
 Isle of Wight.— Smithfield, Auguste. 
 
 King and Queen.- Walden's P. 0., Truhart. 
 
 King George.— Coinorn, Spillman's, Weedonville, 
 
 King William.— Frazer's Ferry. 
 
 Lee,— Fritz P, 0, 
 
200 
 
 Loudoun.— Middleburg, Snickersville, Leesburg, Snicker's Gap, 
 Lovettsville. 
 
 Louisa. — Fredericksliall, Buckner Station, Bumpass, Arminius 
 Coppermine. 
 
 Lunenburg. — Lunenburg Court House (now Lewistown), Me- 
 herrin, Kinderwood, Kunatli P. 0., Lochleven P. 0. 
 
 Madison. — Origlersville, Froyman's Mills, Fisher's Gap. 
 
 Middlesex.— Conrad's Mill P. 0. 
 
 Montgomery. — Blacksburg (formerly Schwarzbiirg), Christians- 
 burg, Langhorn's P. ()., Einer's P. 0., Flagg P. 0., 
 Vickers. 
 
 Nansemond. — Holland. 
 
 Nelson. — Hartwicksville, Roselaud, Faber's Station. 
 
 New Kent.— Bock P. 0. 
 
 Norfolk. — Tanner's Creek, Bower's Hill, Rodman. 
 
 Northampton. — Franktown, Burgess' Store, Cohu's Wharf. 
 
 Northumberland. — Lottsburg. 
 
 Nottoway. — Drauker's P. 0. 
 
 Orange. — Germanna Mills, Falknerland, Mugler. 
 
 Page. — Marksville, Rust Siding, Ruffner's Cave, Audenried, 
 Printz and Strickler's Mines, Kountz, Brand. 
 
 Patrick. — Mack's Gap, Critz P. 0. 
 
 Pittsylvania. — Berger's Store. 
 
 Powhatan. — Tucker's Creek. 
 
 Princess Ann. — Kempsville. 
 
 Pulaski. — Newbern, (formerly Neu Bern), Honaker Iron Bank, 
 Altoona, Schooler Station, Mack's and Strouble's C'k's. 
 
 Rappahannock. — Hollandsburg, Jordan's Eiver. 
 
 Roanoke. — Salem, Singer, Deyerle's Station, Gish's. 
 
 Rockbridge. — Lexington, Tinker's Creek, Kerr's Creek, Browns- 
 burg, Barger, Locher's Siding, Rapp's Mills, Goshen 
 Pass, Eugleman P. 0., Zack P. 0., Appold's, Zoll- 
 man P. 0. 
 
 Rockingham. — Keezletown (formerly Kieselstadt), Rushville, 
 Harrisonburg, Falk's Run, Chrisman, Singer's Glen, 
 Frieden's, Brock's Gap, Seller's, Meyerhoefer's P. 0., 
 Chrisman. 
 
 Kossel. — Honaker Station, Heyter's GajD. 
 
 Scott. — Welchlnirg, Rpeer's Ferry, De Kalb District. 
 
201 
 
 Shenandoah. — Strassbuvg, Woodstock (formerly Miillerstown), 
 Maurertown, Sanmsville, Hamburg, New Market (for- 
 merly NeiT, Market), Fisher's Hill, Getz P. O., Lantz 
 Mills, Hepner's P. 0., Edeuburg, Bowman's. 
 
 Smith.— Holstein Mills, Grosse's P. 0. 
 
 Southampton. — Berlin, Jerusalem, Bower's, \'icksville. 
 
 Spotsylvania. — Fredericksburg, Brokenburg, Brockville, Har- 
 denburg, Beck's Lauding, Thoriiburg, Twymau's P.O. 
 
 Stafford. — Fosterville, Germanna Ford, Musselman. 
 
 Sussex. — Coman's Well, Belsche's, Freeman's. 
 
 Tazewell.— Tannersville, Shrader's P. 0., Adria, Steeleburg. 
 
 Warren. — Front Eoyal, Linden. 
 
 Washington. — Mangel's Spring, Hyter's Gap. 
 
 Westmoreland. — Hague, Templeman's X Road, Horner's P. 0., 
 Tucker's Hill. 
 
 Wise. — Lipp's District, Berge's Gap, Bannei". 
 
 Wythe. — Umbarger's, Steam's, Simmerniiin's ilineral Lauds, 
 Witheville, Cragger's Bank. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 In the beginning of 1898 the United States were involved 
 in war with Spain, but the author abstains from recording this 
 very important event and the part the German-Virginians have 
 taken in it. The time has not yet arrived to form a safe and 
 impartial opinion of the causes and consequences of this con 
 
 book 
 
 flict and the victories won by our Army and Navy. This 
 is designed to illustrate firmly established facts: the advan- 
 tages Virginia offers to immigj'ation and particularly the efforts, 
 genius and perseverance with which the German population has 
 enlarged year by year the elements of its vitality and prosperity. 
 
M 
 
 although frequently subject to adverse conditions. Virginia, — 
 in wealth and importance once at the head of all the States, — 
 appears destined to advance again with the assistance of a new 
 and numerous immigration from the German Fatherland to the 
 front rank of this glorious Union. The soil of the old mother- 
 state is so diversified, its climate so delightful, the range of 
 crops so great, the working season so long, water-power so abun- 
 dant, its mineral resources are so rich and farm-lands so cheap, 
 that a future may be predicted of a rapid improvement of its 
 population, agriculture, industries, commerce and all that in- 
 cludes prominence and happiness of a country. 
 
203 
 
 A P P E N'D I X. 
 
 List of Anglicized German Names in Virgixia 
 
 Adler 
 
 to Eagle. 
 
 Armstaedt 
 
 " Armistead and Armsteed 
 
 Baer 
 
 " Bear. 
 
 Bauer 
 
 " Bowers. 
 
 Banmaini 
 
 " Bowman and Baiighnian. 
 
 Becker 
 
 " Baker. 
 
 Beier 
 
 " Byer and B3'ers. 
 
 Berger 
 
 " Barger. 
 
 Betz 
 
 " Bates. 
 
 Bieler 
 
 '■• Beeler. 
 
 Bill me 
 
 " Bloom. 
 
 Bltimenberg 
 
 '• Bloomberg. 
 
 Boscher 
 
 •' Bosher. 
 
 Brauer 
 
 '• Brauer and Brewer. 
 
 Br aim 
 
 '• Brown. 
 
 Breitkopf 
 
 " Broadhead. 
 
 Brockhaiiss 
 
 " Brook house. 
 
 Buehring 
 
 " Bouhring. 
 
 Buerger 
 
 " Burger. 
 
 Busch 
 
 " Bush. 
 
 Ohristmanu 
 
 " C'hrisman. 
 
 Clemehz 
 
 " Clements and demons. 
 
 Engel 
 
 " Angle and Angel. 
 
 Erhardt 
 
 " Airheard and Earhart. 
 
 Fischer 
 
 ■' F;j:cr. 
 
 Flemming. 
 
 '■ Fleming. 
 
 Foerster 
 
 " Foster. 
 
 Frei or Frej 
 
 •• Fry- 
 
 Freimann 
 
 " Freeman. 
 
204 
 
 Freuud 
 
 to Friend. 
 
 Froebel 
 
 " Fravel. 
 
 Frohmauu 
 
 " Froman. 
 
 Fuchs 
 
 " Fox. 
 
 Fuhrmami 
 
 " Furmaa. 
 
 Fuerst 
 
 ■• Furst. 
 
 Gaei'tner 
 
 " Gardner. 
 
 Gerber 
 
 " Garber and Tanner. 
 
 Gerth 
 
 " Garth. 
 
 Goetz 
 
 " Gates and Yates. 
 
 Goldschmidt 
 
 " Goldsmith. 
 
 Gottlieb 
 
 " Cudlipp. 
 
 Gruen 
 
 " Gi-een. 
 
 Gruenebaum 
 
 " Greeubaum and Green tree. 
 
 Gute or Gnde 
 
 " Goode. 
 
 Gntmann 
 
 " Goodman. 
 
 Hafer 
 
 " Haver. 
 
 Harbacli 
 
 " Harbough. 
 
 Hardwicli 
 
 " Hardwicke. 
 
 Hartenstein 
 
 " Hartenstine. 
 
 Hausmann 
 
 " Houseman. 
 
 Held 
 
 " Hite. 
 
 Heilraann 
 
 " Hileman. 
 
 Heinev 
 
 " Hiner. 
 
 Heinz 
 
 " Hines. 
 
 Heiss 
 
 " Hayes. 
 
 Hermann 
 
 " Harman. 
 
 Herr 
 
 " Harr. 
 
 Herzog 
 
 " Duke. 
 
 Hnth 
 
 " Hood. 
 
 Jaeger 
 
 '•■ Yager, Yeager and Hunter 
 
 Jehle 
 
 " Yahley. 
 
 John 
 
 " Jone and Jones. 
 
 Jung 
 
 " Young. 
 
 Kaiser 
 
 " Keyser. 
 
 Keil 
 
 " Kyle. 
 
 Kirchman 
 
 " Churchman. 
 
 Kircliwall 
 
 " Kercheral. 
 
ioh 
 
 K\e 
 
 to Cliue, Kline and Little or Small. 
 
 Kloess anclKloss " Glaize. 
 
 Koch 
 
 " Cook. 
 
 Koenig 
 
 " King. 
 
 Koinath or ? 
 Kunath J 
 Kohl 
 
 " Koiner, Coyner, Koyner, Coiner, Ki^ 
 
 uer, Cuyner and Cyner. 
 " Cole. 
 
 Kohlmann 
 
 " Coleman. 
 
 Koppel 
 Kraemer 
 
 " Copple. 
 
 " Creamer and Kremer. 
 
 Krause 
 
 " Grouse and Krouse. 
 
 Kreiitzer 
 
 " Crozer. 
 
 Krueger 
 Kuhn 
 
 " Crigger and Kreger. 
 " Coon. 
 
 Kuntz 
 
 " Coons, Kountz and Coontz. 
 
 Kn ester 
 
 " Custer. 
 
 Kurz 
 
 " Short. 
 
 Lang and Lang 
 
 e " Long. 
 
 Lanbe 
 
 " Loube. 
 
 Lanter 
 
 " Lowther. 
 
 Lehman n 
 Leibrock 
 
 " Layman. 
 " Lybrock. 
 
 Lentz 
 
 " Lantz. 
 
 Lieber 
 
 " Li ewer. 
 
 Loewe 
 Loewenstein 
 
 " Lyon and Lyons. 
 
 " Loyenstein and Livingston. 
 
 Lorenz 
 
 " Lawrence. 
 
 Ludwig 
 
 " Lewis. 
 
 Marschall 
 
 " Marshall. 
 
 Matheus and ' 
 Matthes 
 
 " Mathew, Matthews and Ma- 
 thues. 
 
 Me jo 
 Mertz 
 
 " Mayo. 
 " Martz. 
 
 Michel 
 
 " Mitchel. 
 
 Moritz 
 
 " Morris. 
 
 Nenbert 
 
 " Nighbart. 
 
 Neukirch 
 
 " Newkirk. 
 
 Neumann 
 
 " Newman. 
 
 Oppenheimer 
 
 '■' Oppenhimer. 
 
'M 
 
 Puttinann 
 
 to Putman. 
 
 Reimann 
 
 " Rayman. 
 
 Reiner 
 
 " Riner. 
 
 Reiss 
 
 " Rice. 
 
 Ried 
 
 " Reed. 
 
 Riese 
 
 " Rees and Reese. 
 
 Roemer 
 
 " Romer; 
 
 Rotlaniann 
 
 " Redman and Rodman. 
 
 Saner 
 
 " Sower. 
 
 Sehaefer 
 
 " Shafer, Shepherd, Shepperd 
 
 
 and Sheppard. 
 
 Scharf 
 
 " Sharp. 
 
 Schenk 
 
 " Shank. 
 
 Scheuner 
 
 " Shewner. 
 
 Schiener 
 
 " Sliuoner. 
 
 Sclamal 
 
 " Small. 
 
 Schmidt 
 
 " Smith. 
 
 Schmncker 
 
 " Smucker. 
 
 Schneider 
 
 " Snyder and Taylor. 
 
 Schoeplein 
 
 " Chapline. 
 
 Schreiber 
 
 " Shriver. 
 
 Schuermann 
 
 " Shurman and Sherman. 
 
 Schuessler 
 
 " Chisler. 
 
 Schuetz 
 
 " Sheetz. 
 
 Schumacher 
 
 " Shoemaker. 
 
 Schumann 
 
 " Shuman and Choohman. 
 
 Schwarz 
 
 " Sewards and Black. 
 
 Schweinfurt 
 
 " Swineford. 
 
 Schweitzer 
 
 " Switzer. 
 
 Seller 
 
 " Siler. 
 
 Siegel 
 
 " Siegle, Seagles, Sycle and Side 
 
 Sniedt 
 
 " Sneed and Snead. 
 
 Spielmaun 
 
 " Spilman. 
 
 Stahl 
 
 " Steel. 
 
 Staufer 
 
 " Stover. 
 
 Stein 
 
 '' Stone. 
 
 Steinbach 
 
 ■•' Stainback. 
 
 Steiner 
 
 " Stiner and Stoner. 
 
 Steinmetz 
 
 " Stinemetz. 
 
:i07 
 
 Stephan 
 
 to Stephens and Stevens. 
 
 Storch 
 
 " Stork. 
 
 Tempel 
 
 " Temple. 
 
 Thalheinier 
 
 " Thalhimer. 
 
 Traut 
 
 " Trout. 
 
 Uhl 
 
 " Ewel. 
 
 Vierlaender 
 
 " Verlander. 
 
 Vogel 
 
 " Vogle. 
 
 Waechter 
 
 " Wachter. 
 
 Wagner 
 
 " Wagener, Waggener and AVag 
 
 
 goner. 
 
 Wassermaiin 
 
 " Waterman. 
 
 Weber 
 
 " Weaver. 
 
 Weimar 
 
 " Wymar. 
 
 Weise 
 
 " Wise and White. 
 
 Werner 
 
 " Warner. 
 
 Wieden 
 
 " Weedon. 
 
 Wier 
 
 " Wyer. 
 
 Wieland 
 
 " Wyland. 
 
 Wilhelm 
 
 " Williams. 
 
 Zimmermann 
 
 " Simmerman and Carpenter. 
 
Specimens of german-Virginian 
 
 POETRY. 
 
 Die Letzte Predigt. 
 
 Von Wilkelm Mueller.*) 
 
 Herbei ihr Miinner, stark unci scMicht, 
 
 Die ihr getrotzt der Wildniss Schreckeii I 
 Ileut' ruft euch eine fromme Pflicht, 
 
 Des Westens wetterbranne Reckeii. 
 Ihr Frauen, emsig nnd besonnen, 
 
 Den Mannern gleich an kiihnem Miitli, 
 Heut' lasst die Hiitte rebnmsponnen 
 
 Getrost in eurer Kinder Hnt. 
 
 Znm Kirchlein eilt am Waldesi-and 
 
 Das ihr erbaut, wie Jnda's Sohne 
 Den Tempel, eure Wehr zur Hand 
 
 Und aitf den Lippen Psalmentone. 
 Den Pred'ger gilt es, heut' zu ehren, 
 
 Kommt aus dem Shenandoah-Thal, 
 Denn Muhlenberg wird euch belehren 
 
 Mit ernstem Wort zum letztenmal. 
 
 ITnd wo man mit der deutschen Art 
 
 Der Vater Sprache hoch gehalten, 
 Sind zeitig schon zur Kirchenfahrt 
 
 Bereit die Jungen und die Alten. 
 Die -wurd'gen Siedler von den Farmen, 
 
 Die Jager von der Lichtung Saum, 
 Die Eeichen kommen, wie die Armeu, 
 
 Das kleine Bethaus fasst sie kaum. 
 
 *) Pror, Wilhelm MueUei- was born Apvil Odi, 18J5, at neppeDheim, Hessia ahd'camc 
 to America in 1836. He wag principal of a scliool in Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterwards editor 
 of the German "Puck," New Yorli. Mr. Mueller published several collections of lyric and 
 humorous poems, dramas and opera texts. In 1860—01 he was proprietor of a farm in Louisa 
 County, Va., and now he travels in Germany. The poems reproduced here have been pub- 
 lished in "Der Sueden," Richmond, Va., 1891. 
 
209 
 
 Als sicli der Gliiub'geu fromme Schaar 
 
 Gestiirkt dnrch kraftige Gcsange 
 Tritt Muhlenberg vor den Altar 
 
 Und spricht zur andachtsYollen Menge : 
 " Oft hat mein Wort in euch entziindet 
 
 Die Sehnsncht nach des Friedens Heil ; 
 Den Segen hab' ich euch gekitndet, 
 
 Der fromnaer Denmth wird zu Theil." 
 
 " Ihr gabet willig der Person 
 
 Des Ksnigs die verdiente Ehre. 
 Gehorsam zolltet ihr dem Thron, 
 
 Sowie es uns'rer Kirche Lehre. 
 Doch wenn mit heiligen Gesetzeu 
 
 Spott treibt der Herrscher Tyrannei, 
 Wenn sie der Volker Eecht verletzen, 
 
 Dann seid ihr aller Bande frei !"' 
 
 "Emporuug wird zur Manuespflicht, 
 
 Gehorsam ware Schmach und Schande, 
 Den Konig fordert vor Gericht 
 
 Und, zeiht ihii des Veri-aths am Laude. 
 Nicht langer singt des Fi'iedens Psalmen, 
 
 Stosst schmetternd in des Krieges Horn, 
 Verbergt die Sichel in den Halmen 
 
 Und greift zum Schwert im Eiicherzorn; 
 
 " Und wie ich euer Lehrer war 
 
 Und euer Freund in Friedenszeiten, 
 Will ich in Stunden der Gefahr 
 
 Euch in den Schlachten Donner leiten. 
 Steht treu zu niir in blut'ger Fehde, 
 
 Die Freiheit ruft zum heil'gen Krieg. 
 Nun sei's genug der miiss'gen Rede, 
 
 Die Waffen filhren uns zum Sieg ! " 
 
 Der Pred'ger sprach's, und den Talar 
 Liess er von seinen Scliultern gleiten. 
 
 Geriistet staiid er am Altar, 
 Ein Priesterheld aus alten Zeiten. 
 
210 
 
 Des Stanneus Banii lag aii£ der Knnde ; 
 
 Doch als der Pfarrer scliliigt an's Schwert, 
 Da brans't ein Enf aus jedem Munde: 
 
 " Mit Muhlenberg fur Haus und Herd ! " 
 
 Uud wie's der Siedler Schaar gelobt, 
 
 So folgten sie des Fuhrers Bahneii. 
 Wo heiss und wild der Kampf getobt, 
 
 Da wehten die Virginier Fahnen. 
 D'rnm, wenn ihr jene stolzen Uelden, 
 
 Die fur die Freiheit kampften, neunt, 
 Lasst audi Yon Muhlenberg euch melden 
 
 Und seinem deutschen Kegiment. 
 
 Auf einem alien Fort. 
 
 Von Wilhelm Mueller. 
 
 Als deine A¥iille rings von Waffen starrten, 
 Da botest du der Stadt uud Kiiste Schutz. 
 
 Von jener Schanze wehten die Standarteu 
 Und sprachen Iciihn dem Landesfeinde Trutz. 
 
 Jetzt deckt die steile Boschung frischer Kasen, 
 Am Schilderhaus sprosst Rittersporn empor. 
 
 Im Hofe seh' ich muntre Ziegen grasen, 
 Und Scliwalben nisten an dem offnen Thor. 
 
 Der Bruderkampf, der Nord und Siid entzweite, 
 Liess an dem Strand die Schanzen einst erstehn. 
 
 Doch als der Friede kam nach heissem Streite, 
 Durft' anch des Krieges finstres Werk vergehn. 
 
 Und wo das Hornsignal zum AVaffentanze 
 
 Mit dumpfem Klange rief der Krieger Schaar, 
 
 Da schmiickt die Jugend mit dem Blumenkranze 
 Beim hejtern Spiele sich das goldne Haar. 
 
311 
 
 Die Pfiihle, die das BoUwerk einst umgaben, 
 Yereint der Fischer jetzt znm starkeu Floss. 
 
 Und in dem Schanzkorb Iiolen kecke Knabeii 
 Der Tiefe Schiitze aus des Meeres Schoss. 
 
 Columbia, du darfst dich gliicklich nennen, 
 Bannst du der Zwietracht Geist im eignen L&nd- 
 
 An deinen Marken wird kein Kampf entbrenneii, 
 Keiii aussrer Feind droht jemals deinen Strand. 
 
 Indess die alte AVelt der Volker Starke 
 Den Furien des Kriegs zum Opfer bringt, 
 
 Uebst du die beste Kraft im Friedenswerke, 
 Die goldner Ernte Segen dir erringt. 
 
 Der Sueden. 
 
 Von Wilhelm Mueller, 
 
 Der Himmel trug der Schwermutli dustres Kleid, 
 Eiii Wolkenzug schwebt' iiber meinem Haupt, 
 
 Wie eines Riesenkranicbs graue Schwiiige 
 Und barg des Tages flammendes Gestirn. 
 
 Der grimme Nord mit todlich kultem Hauch 
 
 Schnob durcli des Land und zwang des Eises Joch 
 
 Den Strcimen auf, und was da fleucht und krcncht 
 Erschaiierte in seinem eis'gen Odem. 
 
 Mir selber drang er bis in's Mark und schien 
 Des Lebens Quell erstarrend zu durclikiilten. 
 
 Da schwamm im Abendlicht ein Scliwan dahin, 
 Von seinen Fliigeln triiuft' ein letster Glanz 
 
 Des Tag's und sank mir leuchtend in das Herz, 
 Gleich einem Gruss aus lenzbegliickten Zonen. 
 
 Und plotzlicli rief's in meiner Seele laut : 
 Nach Stiden, rasch dem Ltiftesegler nach, 
 
 Hinweg, aus ivinterstarren Au'n nach Sudan ! 
 
212 
 
 Unci wie ein Zaubermautel tnig das lloss, 
 
 Das dampfbeschwingte, mich nach warm'reii 
 Bald sail ich golden der Orange Pracht [Landen. 
 
 Aus dunklem Laiibe scMmmern und erging 
 Midi triinmend nnter gliinzend blattrigen 
 
 Mg,gnolien, wonnig milde Litfte athmend, 
 Uud mit deni froh erstaunten Blick die Weite 
 
 Des sounig blaiien Himmels kiihn ergreifend. 
 
 sanfter Haiioh von harz'gem Duft geschwilngert, 
 Sonnenblick, der in das Herz mir flammt ! 
 
 Wie ihr den Sinn mir zanberisch beriickt, 
 Vermein' ich eine alte dunkle Sage 
 
 Mit einem Mai in klai-em Licht zn schau'n. 
 
 Der Kastjlianer, der den Quell der Jiigend 
 
 In diesen Landen selieud einst gesucht, 
 Ward niclit von seinem maclit'gen Drang betrogen, 
 
 Nur springt der Wuuderbrnnnen der Verjiingnng 
 Nicht aus dem Boden Florida's, -wo Leon 
 
 Nach ihm geforscht-er rauscht mit sanfter Macht 
 In Georgia's Fichtenhainen und umweht 
 
 Dich stiirkend in Liiften Carolina's, 
 Wo Dir aus reinem sonnenhellem Aether, 
 
 Auf freien Hohen aus der Tannen Odem, 
 Im stilleii Thai, aus niuvmelnden Gewassern, 
 
 Wie aus dem Donnergruss der Eatarakte 
 Ein neues Leben in den Busen dringt. 
 
 Und jene Schiitze, die voll Beutegier 
 Die Spanier einst zu hebeu kanieu, ruhn 
 
 ^'erborgen in der Erde dunklen Tiefeii 
 In mancheni sonnbegliinzten Hang des Sudl,auds. 
 
 [■nd wenn das Erz aus Bergesschooss gewounen 
 liell aufsprtiht in des Ofens rothenTlammen 
 
 Und rait dem Pochen niiicht'ger Eisenhammer 
 Die eh'rne ISTeuzeit ilireu Eiuzug halt ; 
 
 Und wenn einst auf virgin'schen Eebenliiigelu 
 Der Sonne Licht im Traubenblut erglftht 
 
313 
 
 Und strahlend hell in dem Pokale f iinkelt, 
 
 Den Muden Stiirkuiig, Kraft dem Siechen spen- 
 
 Dann ist die alte Sage wahr geworden, [dend, 
 
 Dann ist des Stidlands goldner Schatz gehoLen, 
 
 Die Landung der ersten Jungfrauen zu Jamestown, Va. 
 
 Anno 1619. 
 
 Vo I Herrmann Schuricht. 
 
 ^' Ein Schiff in Sicht ! Hallo — hallo ! " 
 lErtont der Euf, — und flink und froh 
 Ana Jamestown eilt zum nahen Strand 
 ;Ein jeder Mann nnd junge Pant. 
 
 3*och war kein Einziger beweibt 
 "Von Allen, die die Neugier treibt — 
 ,XInd leicht begreiflich ist f urwahr : 
 Dass liebetoll die ganze Schaar. 
 
 :Mit vollen Segeln biegt das Schifl 
 , Jetzt um das nahe Eelseiiriff ; — 
 Auf dem Verdecke ist zii schau'n 
 Ein Kranz holdseliger Jnngfrau'n. 
 
 ;Sie lassen Tiicher weh'n zum Gruss — 
 Die Miindehen spitzen sich zum Kuss — 
 Und jubelnd, — brennend vor Begier 
 Am Ufer steh'n die Pionier'. 
 
 Kaum legt das Schifl im Hafeu an, 
 Als Yorwilrts dranget Mann fiir Mann ; 
 Doch Captain Smith gebietet : " Halt ! " 
 Und rufet, dass es weithin scha'llt : 
 
314 
 
 " Zuriick — ■ ihr heirathslustig Pack — 
 Erst bringet filnfzig Pfuud Taback, 
 Eh' eine Schone Ihr wiihlt aiis 
 ITnd fiihrt als Eh'gesponst nach Hans ! " 
 
 Das war, wie Jedermaun ersieht, 
 Ganz inedertriichtig and perfid — ■ 
 Und ellenlang ward manch Gesicht, 
 Dieweil an Taback es gebricht. 
 
 Die Eeich'reu aber schleppten schnell 
 Ihr Tabackqnantum d'rauf zur Stell' — 
 Und wer zuerst kam, hatt' die Qual: 
 Denn heikel ist solch' Jungferwahl ; 
 
 Die schonsten Miidclieu gingeu ab 
 Wie Marzipan — klipp-klapp — klipp-klapp ■ 
 Und auch die Aelt'ste, lahm und stumpf, 
 Fiihrt heim zuletzt ein Lederstrumpf. 
 
 Geniig — die N"achfrag' war so gross — 
 So lock end stiss das Eheloos — 
 Dass noch manch' theure Madchenfracbt 
 Nach Jamestown ward zu Mavkt gebracht. 
 
 Wo ist sie hin, die schone Zeit ? 
 
 Jammer und o Herzeleid — 
 Vergebens aus der Jungfrau'n Zahl 
 Sucht manche jetzt 'nen Eh'gemahl ! 
 
215 
 Widewilt's versunkene Insel. 
 
 Von Herrmann Schuricht, 
 
 In langstentschwimd'nen Tagen, 
 Als Eichmond kaum gekannt, 
 Lebt' an des Jamesstrom's Ufern 
 Ein Maun aus deutschem Land. 
 
 Am Fuss der wilden Fiille 
 Warf er die Angel aus — 
 Und Fiscli und leck're Austern 
 Bracht' Abends er nach Haus, 
 
 Der Widewilt, — der Fischer, -^ 
 Ward ringsum bald genannt ; -^ 
 Begehrt war seine "VVaare 
 Von Alt und Jung im Land. 
 
 Da schwoU nach Wintersstiirmen 
 Der Strom einst machtig an, 
 Und brach durch Feld und Walder 
 Sich schaumend neue Bahn. 
 
 Fhrwtird'ge Waldesriesen 
 Biss er vom Grnnde los, 
 Trug sie hinab die Falle 
 Zum Tvilden Fluthenschooss. 
 
 Und donnernd folgten ihnen 
 Sandmassen und Gestein 
 Und hiillten in der Tiefe 
 Mit festem Arm sie ein. 
 
 So wuchs im Stromesbette 
 Ein Inselchen empor. 
 Das Widewilt, der Kiihne, 
 Zur Heimstatt sich erkor. 
 
 Br baute Pallisaden 
 Ringsum, der deutsche Mann, 
 Und legte Austernbeete 
 Aw£ seiner Jn^el an. 
 
316 
 
 Sein Unternehmen bliihte, 
 Gepflegt mit Fleiss und Muth — 
 Und trotzte Strom und Wellen 
 Und jeder Friihlingsfiuth. 
 
 Doch Widewilt wurd' alter, — 
 Sein letztes Stiindlein sehlug — 
 Und eines stillen Abends 
 Man ihn zu Grabe trng. 
 
 D'rauf folgt ein stranger Winter — - 
 Und hoch das Eis sicli staut, 
 Wo kiihn im Strom der Deutsche 
 Sein Inselland gebaut. 
 
 Kein Muth'ger wagt's zu schiitzen ;- 
 Und als der Eiswall brach 
 Folgt ihm zermalmt, — geborsten, — 
 Des Todten Insel nach. 
 
 Jetzt decken Flnth und Wellen 
 Was Widewilt erstrebt, — 
 Dieweil er unvergessen 
 Im Volksmund weiterlebt. 
 
 Der See im Dismal Swamp in Virginien. 
 
 Nach Tlioraas Sloore von Herrmann Schuricht, 
 
 l)er grosse und beriiclitigte Dismal Swamp liegt zehn bis 
 zwolf Meilen von Norfolk, Ya., entfernt und ein in der Mitte 
 desselben gelegener See, welclier eine Liinge von ungefahr sieben 
 Meilen liat, wird " Drummond's See " genaunt. Die Sage hat 
 um denselben den Zauber der Komantik gewoben. Es wird er- 
 ziihlt, dass ein Jiingling um den Tod seines geliebten Madchens 
 den Verstand verlor, plotzlich aus dem Kreise seiner Freunde 
 verschwand und nie mehr geselien wurde. Er hatte oft behaup- 
 
217 
 
 tet, (iass seine Geliebte nicht todt, sondern nach dem Dismal 
 Swamp entflohen sei, viiid deshalb verbreitete sich das Geriicht, 
 dass er gleichfalls nach jeuer traurigen Wildniss entwichen nnd 
 doi't verhungert, oder im Morast versnnken sei. Tliomas Moore, 
 Erin's bewunderter nnd geliebter Sohn, weilte 1804 in Virgi- 
 nien, horte die Sage vom See im Dismal Swamp und machte 
 dieselbe zum Gegenstand der folgenden Dichtung : 
 
 Man grub ihr ein Grab, — zu lialt nnd dumpf, 
 Fiir ein Herz so treu und warm ; — 
 Und leniiet, -wo gluht der fanlende Stumpf 
 Ihr Boot mit krSf tigem Arm. 
 
 " Bald werd' ich sie schau'n im Mondenschein, 
 Bald hor' ich der Ruder Schlag; — 
 Und zum See floh sie, durch Wald und Snmpf, 
 Ein Leben der Liebe wartet dort mein — 
 Und ich berg' die Maid im Cypressenhain 
 Folgt Todesgrauen ihr nach ! " 
 
 Er hastefc zum Sumpf und achtet's nicht, 
 Dass grausig und rauh der Pfad, 
 Den kuhn er durch Dorngestriipp sich bricht,— 
 Dass Schlangen sich bergen Tor Tageslicht 
 Im Moot', das kein Fuss betrat. 
 
 Und sucht' er East, von Nacht umgraut,— 
 Und f iihlt sich vom Schlaf geletzt, — 
 Da lagert er, wo verzaubertes Kraut 
 Mit giftigen Thranen sein Haupt bethaut 
 Und brennend die Haut ihm n^tzt. 
 
 Die Wolfin heult in dem nahen Eohr, — 
 Die Kupferschlang' zischt ihn ari ; 
 Wild schi'ickt er aus wiistem Traume empor 
 Und klagt : " Wo find' ich das dunkle Moor 
 Und Liebchen im weissen Kahn ? " 
 
 Da schaut er den See ;— jiih zuckt ein Strahl 
 Hellflammend und leuchtend weit; 
 
2lg 
 
 " Willkommen Dein Licht — viel tausend Mai!" 
 Er rnft— und's Echo hallt durch Wald u. Thai 
 Den Namen der todten Maid. 
 
 Er hohlt einen Birkenstanim zum Kahn, 
 Stbsst ab von des lifer's Eand ; 
 Ein Irrlicht nur leuchtete ihm voran — 
 Als jah erbrauste ein wilder Orkau — 
 Und nie kehrt er heim an's Land. 
 
 Doch Nachts, — wenu die Kothaut jagt das Wild 
 Und rastet am Waldessaum, 
 Dann glaubt sie des liebenden Paares Bild 
 Zu schauen im Mondeslicht bleich tind mild, 
 Im Kahn auf Wellen-Schaum. 
 
 Der Deutsche Tag im Jahre 1893. 
 
 Festspiel, 
 
 Der deutsoli-amerikanischen Gesellsohaft zu Blchmonci, Va., gewidmet 
 von Herrmann Schuricht. 
 
 Scene. — Eine Waldgegend. — Wahrend der Vorhang sich 
 hebt ertonen Glockengelaute nnd Trompetenfanfaren, — dann 
 erscheint Ger mania freudig erregt und gefolgt tou Golumhia 
 und Virginia, welche im Hintergrunde zuruckbleiben und ihren 
 Worten lauschen. 
 
 Oermania (mit warmer Empilndung): 
 
 Trompeten schmettern und die Glocken hallen, 
 Zum Festplatz stromt das Volk von fern und nah, 
 Der Deutsche Tag bricht an,— laut hor ich schallen : 
 
 " Alt Deutschland hoch und hoch Amerika ! " 
 
 In jedem Auge leuchtet helle Freude 
 
 Und selbst die Hiitte prangt im Festtagskleide. 
 
219 
 
 Mit Wonne seh ich Deutschland's Sohne piiegeii 
 
 Erinnerung an der Vater heiimischen Herd, 
 
 Denn solche fromme Liebe ist ein Segen. — 
 
 Nur SelbstacMung macht And'rer Achtnng -vverth ! — 
 
 Die deutschen Frauen preis ich, denn sie kronen 
 
 Des Festes Stnnden durch den Eeiz des Schnnen. 
 
 Drum Heil dem Tage der im Freudenchore 
 Den deutschen Geist belebt im fremden Land ! 
 Ein jedes Haus schmiick' Deutschland's Trlcolore 
 Und Blumen zieren jede Frauenhand ! — 
 Wir konnen froh, mit wachsendem Vertraueu, 
 Der Zukunf t in das klare Auge schauen ! 
 
 Golumhia (von Virginia gefolgt, tritt sie an Germania heran) : 
 
 Gruss Met ich Dir zum Ehrentage 
 Wo Dein Herz voll Jubel schlagt, 
 Wo empor im Fltigelschlage 
 Himmelwiirts Dich Hoffnung tragt. — 
 Doch in dieser grossen Stnnde 
 Fall auch was uris storend trennt. — 
 
 E i n e n lass zum festen Bunde 
 Was sich "am'erikanisch" nennt! 
 Ende Deines Stammes Irrung, 
 Bau nicht einen Staat im Staat — 
 Solch' Begiunen bringfc Verwirrnng 
 Und streut ^chlimmer Zwietracht Saat. 
 
 Germania (mit abweisender Handbewegung und in beschworen- 
 dem Tone sprechend) : 
 
 0, halte ein und giess nicht Wehrmuthstropfen 
 In uns'res Festes harmlos stille Lust, — 
 Nur Lieb' und Treue sind es, welche klopfen 
 Mit miicht'gen Schlagen an die deutsche Brust ! 
 Mit gleichem Maasse lass uns Alle messeu : — 
 Die Heimath lieben, doch die alte nicht vergessen ! 
 
 Mit ed'lem Stolz die Sohne Englands hangen 
 An ihrer Vater schonem Inselreich ; 
 
230 
 
 Der Pietfit, mit der sie es umfangeu, 
 Kommt niir die Liebe f iir die Mutter gleicli ; — 
 Und gleiche heil'ge Stimmen mahnen 
 Die Deutsohen an die Stiitten ihrer Almen. 
 
 Nicht als Erob'rer, nein, als Priedensboten, 
 Sie zogen-ein in's jungfrauliche Land. 
 Den Boden brachen sie und halfen roden 
 Den TJrwald mit geschaft'ger Hand, — 
 Sie pflanzten Eeben an der Berge Plangen 
 Und fiillten Thaler mit des Sanges Klangen. 
 
 Sie halfen kampfen urn der Freiheit Segen, — 
 Beschiitzten Weib und Kind mit Heldenmuth 
 Vor rothen Teufeln, — waren allerwegen 
 Dem Land getreu mit Gut und Blut. 
 So gliicklich nur im opferfrohen Streben 
 Will in Amerika das Deutschthum leben ! 
 
 Virginia (mit Begeisterung) : 
 
 Ein weises Wort ! — Ihm ist's gelungen 
 Jedweden Schatten zu zerstreu'n, — 
 Es hat niein stolzes Herz bezwungen, 
 Und fortan soil's Dein eigen sein ! 
 
 (Virginia reicht der Germania lebhaft die Hand, wahrend Co- 
 lumbia, wie versohnend, ilire Eechte auf deren 
 Schulter legt) : 
 
 Virginien, die Mutter Kolonie, 
 
 Beut Dank dem deutschen Fleiss nur und Genie! 
 
 Nicht nur des Shenandoah Thales Fluren, 
 Oh, nein, fast jedes County in dem Staat 
 Zeigt deutlich deutschen Schaffens Spuren ; — 
 Von mancher wackern Heldenthat 
 Erziihlen die Geschichts-Annalen, — 
 Von Indianerkampfen,— auch yon Todesqualen. 
 
 Die Namen: Led'rer, Hermann, Stover, 
 Von Steuben, Gallatin und Muhlenberg, 
 
3^1 
 
 Post, Hinkel, Buckner, Gist und Weissei', 
 
 Wirt, Armstadt, Kemper und so mehr, 
 
 Sind hellen Sternen zu vergleichen 
 
 Die hoch am Himmel stehu nnd nie verbleiclien ! 
 
 Golumiia (zum Auditorium gewendei;) : 
 
 Gepriesen seid, geliebte deutsche .Brtider, 
 
 Wir f eiern mit Euch diesen deutschen Tag ! 
 
 Einstimmen wollen -wir in Eure Lieder 
 
 Und achten nicht der fltichtigen Stunde Schlag. 
 
 Die "deutsche Wacht" von -weinumrankten Rheine 
 
 Wir sehen neidlos sie im Glorienscheine ! 
 
 (Das Orchester, die drei Biihnengestalten und das gesammte 
 Auditorium stimmen die "Wacht am Ehein" an) 
 
 Nach dem Deutschen Tage. 
 
 Von Herrmann SchuricJit, 
 
 Der Tag ist vorilber, — das Lied ist verrauscht, 
 Dem frohlichen Herzens wir AUe gelauscht : 
 Das Fest hat bewiesen, dass edel und wahr 
 Auch fern von der Heimath der Unseren Schaar. 
 
 In Lied und in Rede ward riihmend gedacht, 
 Was hier in dem Lande die Vater voUbracht: 
 Sie f allten den Urwald ; — im blutigen Strauss 
 Beschiitzten sie Kinder, die Frauen und Hays. 
 
 Sie pflanzten die Reben am bergigen Hang 
 Und fiillten die Thaler mit Frohsinn und Sang,- 
 Sie kampften fiir Ehre und menschliches Recht- 
 Erzogen ein freies und treues Geschlecht! 
 
Dass frei es stets bleibe und gross dieses Land, 
 D'rauf reichte der Deutsche dem Deiitschen die Hand : 
 "Bleibt einig !" erklang es mit Kraft uhd mit Macht — 
 "Denn was wir ersti'eben, noch ist's nicht voUbracht !" 
 
 Zum Sosten Geburtstage des Filersten Bismarck. 
 
 Festlied fur den Bismarck-Commers der Deutsch-amerikanischen Gesellschaft von Virgi- 
 nien zu Richmond, Va , am 1. April 1893. 
 
 Van Herrmann Schuricht. 
 
 Melodie.— "Die Wacht am Ehein." 
 
 Strom' aus, o Lied, o Jubelsang — 
 
 Und glockenheller Becberklang ! 
 
 Nur ein Gefubl, nnr eine Lust 
 
 Heut flammt in aller Deutschen Brust; 
 
 II : Furst Bismarck ist's, dem wahr und rein 
 Die Deutschen Dankesworte weih'n! : || 
 
 Durch ihn das deutsche Vaterland 
 
 Zu neuer Lebenskraft erstand, — 
 
 Er schirmt' die heil'ge Landesmark 
 
 Durch deutsche Streiter, kiihn und stark, — 
 II : Auch fern selbst, liber Land und Meer, 
 Bracht' Deutschland's Namen er zu Ehr! : || 
 
 Wir schieden einst vom heim'schen Strand, — 
 
 Sind Burger jetzt im freien Land, — 
 
 Doch nimmer loscht die Sehnsucht aus 
 
 Zum unvergessnen Vaterhaus. 
 II : Die Heimathsliebe, treu und fest, 
 Der Deutsche wahrt im fernen "West ! : || 
 
 Die deutsche Sitte, deutsches Wort, 
 Wir pflegen treulich fort und fort, — 
 Der deutsche Mann rergisst sie nicht, 
 Bis einst im Tod das Auge bricht ;— 
 
22i 
 
 II : Sie sind sein stolz, — sein Hab nnd Gut, 
 Ein Stuck vom eignen Fleiseh iind Bint. : || 
 
 Flirst Bismarck hoch ! — Fiir alle Zeit 
 Bleibt Dank und Achtung ihm geweiht ! — 
 Des Reiches Schopfer, — ruhmesreich, — 
 Gilt Tins den grossten Helden gleich, — 
 II : Es schmtickt sein Haupt im Silberglanz 
 Des Lorbeers immergriiner Kranz. : || 
 
 Der Posten am Walde. 
 
 Im Lager bei Salem, Va., 1862. 
 Von Herrmann Schuricht, 
 
 Wenn Abends die Gattin bei Lampenschein, 
 Am tranten Herds, — verlassen,^allein, — 
 Dann zieh'n die Gedanken durch Nacht und 
 Zum stilleu Posten am Walde hinaus. [Graus, 
 
 Wenn tiber die Eb'ne-der Sturmwind jagt, 
 Und hobl in den Wipfelu der Baume klagt, — 
 Dann schreckt sie empor aus freundlichem 
 Und denket desPostens amWaldessanmi [Traum, 
 
 Gar muthig waoht er im nachtlichen Schein, 
 In Sturm und Kegen, der Theure — allein — 
 Und halt seine Btichse bereit zum SchusB, 
 Bereit zum Alarm und todtlichem Gruss. 
 
 Wenn Feiude auch lauern in Sclilachtdrdnung 
 Zu fassen die Beute im kuhnen Sprung : 
 Schlaft ruiiig Kam'raden, in dunkler ISTacht 
 Getreu der Posten am Walde halt Wacht!— 
 
 Sie aber betet : "0 du, der gebeut, 
 "Zerstreue die Wolken, wenn Wetter draut, 
 
334 
 
 ''Damit auch in seine einsame Welt 
 
 "Des Mondes Ltlchelu nnd Sterneuliclit fiillt. 
 
 "Und fiilF ilini die muthige Maanesbrust 
 "Mit Bildern der Heimath und Heimatlilust, 
 "Und mal' ihm die Zukuuft in Farbenpvachfc, 
 "Dem einsamen Posten auf stiller Wacht !" 
 
 Weihe-Sang. 
 
 Zar Einweilmng der Saengerhalle am 24. September 187r. 
 Von G. A. Peple. 
 
 Stimmet ein, Gesangesbriider, 
 
 In des Tages Festgesang ! 
 Singet eure schonsten Lieder 
 
 Mit der Prende liellem Klang ! 
 Denn das Haus, das schon erstanden, 
 
 1st ja unsere Heimatii neii ; 
 Sie umschliesst mit festen Banden 
 
 Unsere Sanger wahr imd treu. 
 
 Sei begrtisst, du gute Halle ! 
 
 Sei begrusst, du liebes Haus ! 
 Denn der Sanger Herzen alle 
 
 Giessen Segen aiif dich aus. 
 Und im Segen sollst du bluhen 
 
 Wie ein deutscher Liederkranz; 
 Schon ist ja dein Morgengliihen — 
 
 Schoner wird dein Abendglanz. 
 
 Laast in diesen Mauern schalten 
 
 Wie ein Lied die Harmonie, 
 Denn aus ilirem Friedenswalten 
 
 Steigt des Lebens Poesie. 
 Und die Frauen auob, die treuen, 
 
 Fiihrt auch sie zum neuen Heerd; 
 Alles soil sich mit uns freuen, 
 
 Alios das uns lieb und werth. 
 
225 
 
 Frohsinn, well' in unserer Mitte, 
 
 Frohsinn^Frucht der Einigkeit ; 
 Peutscher Sang nnd deutsohe Sitte, 
 
 Buch sei dieses Haus gewelht. 
 Stimmet ein ! Gesangesbrtider, 
 
 In des Tages Festgesang ! 
 Singet enre schonsten Lieder 
 
 Mit der Frende hellem Klang. 
 
 Am Deutschen Tag 1896. 
 
 Ton Pastor Dr. Paul L. Ifemel. 
 
 Auf, auf ! es riistet sich alles zurn Fest : 
 Der Deutsche Tag ist gekommen ! 
 Die Jungen, die Alten — ein jeder verlasst 
 Mit Frohsinn im Herzen das heimische Nest, 
 Von deutscher Begeisternng entglommen. 
 Sie Ziehen hinaus mit klingendem Spiel 
 In buntem Gemisch zum gemeinsamen Spiel : 
 
 Im Winde flattern die Fahnen, 
 
 Als woHten zur Eile sie mahnen. 
 
 Mein deutsches Volk ! so seh' ich dich geni, 
 VoU Eifers und stolz von Empfinden. 
 Du verleugnest dich nicht, ob die Heimat aiich fern ; 
 Wie der Schiffer, so folgst du dem leuchtenden Stern, 
 Trotz widrigen Wogen und Winden. 
 Dein Stern ist die Liebe zum deutschen Geist, 
 Der alles, was uiedrig, weit Ton sich weist; 
 
 Du strebest nach Idealen, 
 
 Die edeln, erwarmen und strahleu. 
 
 Es regt und bewegt sich von unten her 
 Die Gemeinheit mit frecher Stirne. 
 Sie fragt nicht nach Kecht, nach Zucht nicht und Ehr', 
 Sie thut, als ob sie allein Herrscherin wiir', 
 
226 
 
 Die schamlose, feile Dime ! 
 Politik, Eeligion und gesellige Freud', 
 Alles reisst sie an sich, — die Teufelsmaid ! 
 Und besudelt rait ihrer Beruhrung 
 Was sich hingibt ihrer Verf iihrung. 
 
 Drum Heil dir, Germania, reine Braut! 
 Du zertritzt den abscheulichen Drachen. 
 Wer liebenden Herzens zu dir aufschaut, 
 Dem Geist deines Wesens sich anvertraut, 
 Du entreisst ihn dem gahnenden Eachen. 
 Mit deutscher Treu und deutscher Zucht, 
 Mit deutscher Kraft und deutscher Wucht 
 Zerstorst du das Eeich der Gemeinheit 
 Und baust einen Tempel der Eeinheit. 
 
 Wo Wahrheit das ewige Fundament, 
 Und der Grundstein : nie wankende Treue ; 
 "Bin Wort ein Mann !" — das sei der Zement, 
 Der alles verbindet, was deutsch sich nennt : 
 Wir geloben es heut' dir auf's Neue ! 
 . Ob Lug und Trug uus aiich umringt, 
 Aus deutscher Brust der Schwur erklingt: 
 
 Tod jeglicher Liig' und Unklarheit ! 
 
 Unsre Losung ist : Treue und Wahrheit ! — 
 
 Auf solchem Grunde baut sich's gut ; 
 Jeder Pfeiler ist dann eine Tugend : 
 Gehorsam und Ehrfufcht und Mannesmuth, 
 Und Keuschheit und reiner Begeisterung Gluth, 
 Das lerne vom Alter die Jugend. 
 Nicht Mammonsdienst und Heuchelsinn, 
 Nicht schnode Wollust reiss uns hin : 
 
 Ein Leben in Zucht und Ehren, 
 
 Darnach nur steh das Begehren. 
 
 Und dann fehlt auch das Hochste uicht. 
 Wo rein alles Denken und Sinnen : 
 Da funkelt im herrlichsten Sonnenlicht 
 Der Freiheitsgottin, hold' Gesicht 
 
227 ■ 
 
 Hoeh iiber des Domes, Zinnen. 
 
 Sie weiht Germania's Tempel ein, 
 
 ZiTi" Stiitte ToU Licht und Sonnenschein 
 
 Fiir wahrhaft deutsche Seelen, 
 
 Die ihreu Dienst erwiihleu. 
 
 Nun auf, mein Volk ! und denke dran 
 
 An diesem Deutschen Tage : 
 
 Die Vater zogen dir voran, 
 
 "Fromm, frisch, froh, frei," auf Heldenbalm : 
 
 Folg' ihnen, kampfe, wage, 
 
 Sei unverzagt ! ein ganzer Mann, 
 
 Der im Kampfe den Drachen bezwingen l^ann, 
 Dem winkt wahrer Freiheit Segen 
 Auch hier auf all' seinen Wegen ! 
 
 Zur Fahnenweihe und Stiftungsfest des Gesangvereins 
 "Virginia," Richmond, Va., Juni 26. 1854. 
 
 Von B. Hassel. 
 
 Auf ihr Sanger, hebt die Fahnen, 
 Laut erschalle froher Sang ; 
 Mag sie fiihren uns auf Bahneu 
 Hin zu Spiel und Lust und Klang. 
 
 Lasst sie heut' uns froh entfalten, 
 Eeiht euch Briider in die Keih'n : 
 Lasst die Freundschaft nie erkalten, 
 Der wir heut' aiif's Neu uns weih'n. 
 
 Nach der Freude lasst uns streben. 
 Die des Sanges Macht verleiht ; 
 Mag' ein neues Band sie weben 
 Um den Sanger und die Maid. 
 
 Liebchen kvissen wir die Wangen, 
 Keichen froh dem Freund die Hand. 
 
338 
 
 Vor Gefahr lasst uns nicht bangen, 
 Kiihn die Stirn ihr zugewandt ! 
 
 Hebt empor den voUen Becher, 
 Laut erton' ans voUer Brust : 
 Hoch die Fahne, boch der Zecher, 
 Hoch das Weib, Gesang und Lust ! 
 
 An Sie. 
 
 Von Prof. if. Scheie de Tere. 
 
 Icb soil vergessen lernen, 
 Soil aus der Seele Grund 
 Das siisse Bild entf eruen 
 Von dem das Herz mir wund ? 
 
 Wobl seh' ich griine Auen, 
 Maibluthe, Sonnenlicht, — 
 Docb muss ich riickwarts schauen 
 Mit Thranen im Gesicht. 
 
 Wohlan, icb will verschmerzeu, — 
 Vergessen kann ich's nie, — 
 Was dem gepressten Herzen 
 Einst Himmelswonne lieh ! 
 
 Wer mag die Frommen schmiihen, 
 Die betend, sehnsucbtkrank, 
 N"och starr gen Westen seben 
 Wenn langst die Sonne sank ! 
 
 Der Blumen Geheimniss. 
 
 Von Chr. Droste. 
 
 Die Blumen, die Du mir gepfliickt, 
 Auf s Zimmer mir gebracht, 
 Die baben es mir zugebaucht 
 In heimlich dunkler Nacbt: 
 
239 
 
 Dass Du der Hose einen Kuss 
 
 Fiir mich hast anvertraut, 
 
 Dass Du sie danii mit feuchtem Blick 
 
 ISToch einmaj angeschaut. 
 
 "Mein Herz," so fliistertest Dn leis, 
 "1st bei Dir allezeit, 
 
 Doch weiss ioh nicht, nenn' ich es Gliick, 
 Nenn' ich es Herzeleid !" 
 
 Erinnerung. 
 
 Von Chr. Droste. 
 
 Ich fuhr im kleinen Nachen 
 Hinunter den heimischen Fluss, 
 Es rauschten mir Buchen nud Eicheu 
 Gar touenden Wandergruss. 
 
 Voruber an Dorfern und Stadteii 
 Ging meine einsame Fahrt, 
 An Hiitten vorbei und iSchlossern, 
 Und Menschen von mancherlei Art. 
 
 Voruber an jener Terrasse, 
 Vom Abendroth sanf t umgluht ; 
 Dort sang eine Schaar von Madchen 
 Das alte, uralte Lied. 
 
 Sie sangen von Liebe und Treue, 
 Vom HofEen und vom Grab — 
 Es klangen die weichen Tone 
 Eiihrend zu mir herab. 
 
 Mein Nachen trieb langsam weiter, 
 Das Euder entsank meiner Hand — 
 Lied von Liebe und Treue, 
 Wie klingst dii im Vaterland, 
 
330 
 Turnerkraenzchen. 
 
 Dem Turnverein /,u Richmond, Va., gewidmet im Jahre 1S60 
 von IJiigo Plant. 
 
 Nun frisch ! die Biinke weggeriiumt 
 Und hurtig, Madels, aufgezaumt ! 
 
 Das Lustspiel ist voriiber; 
 Die P r e s s e sitzt schon bei'm Pokal — 
 Was thut's ? sie hat vom letzten Mai' 
 
 Nooli etvvas Eritik iiber. 
 
 Ilir Musikauteii ! friscli d'rauf los, 
 Anf lustrumeuten kleiu iiiid gross 
 
 Eiu Lnstiges geblasen ; 
 Spielt nns so etvvas aus dem " F," 
 Ich sag' Euch das nur im Betreff 
 
 Der Vetteru und der Basen. 
 
 Die paaren sich schon hier und da, 
 Sie kommen an von fern iind nah 
 
 In einer bunten Kette. 
 Husch ! fiiegt voran ein Schneiderlein, 
 Die Andern stiirmen hinterdrein, 
 
 Als ging es um die Wette. 
 
 Sie wogen schaukelud hin und her, 
 Ein aufgeregtes wildes Meer 
 
 Im lustigen Entrinnen ; 
 Sie drehen wirbelnd sich im Kreis', 
 In hellen Stromen rinnt der Schweiss — 
 
 Mir schwindelt's vor den Sinnen. 
 
 Komm hurtig, Miidel, frisch und frei ! 
 Zu sitzen hier war' Narrethei, — 
 
 Hineln in's frohl'che Streben ! 
 Schon wiegen wir uns Brust an Brust, 
 Wir fliegen fort in trunk'ner Lust, — 
 
 So lob' ich mir das Leben ! 
 
 Wie gluht auf meiner Wang' ihr Hauch, 
 Es wellt ihr Busen, blitzt ihr Aug', 
 
231 
 
 Da — hat die Lust ein Ende ! 
 Wie eine Mahnung schaut mich an 
 Mit ernstem Auge Vater Jahn 
 Von jenem Transparente. 
 
 0, Vater Jahn, du deutscher Mann, 
 Was hab' ich Bases denn gethan, 
 
 Dass Du heraufbesehworen 
 Die truben Geister jener Zeit, 
 Wo ich mit schwerem Herzeleid 
 
 Mein Vaterland verloren. 
 
 Stossseufzer. 
 
 Von Hugo Plaut. 
 
 Sinneud am Geschmeidekasten 
 
 Stand der junge Juwelier, 
 
 Seine kund'gen Hiinde fassten 
 
 Einen glanzenden Saphir. 
 
 Seufzend seine Lippen hauchen : 
 Ach, Saphire, — ihre Augen ! 
 
 Seinem Blicke strahlt entgegen 
 Eothlich ein Korallenband, 
 Und er nimmt des Meeres Segen 
 Traurig lachelnd in die Hand. 
 
 Traurig lasst er's wieder fallen : 
 Ihre Lippen, — ach, Korallen ! 
 
 Ein Geschmeide gleissend funkelt 
 
 Jetzt vor seinem Kennerblick ; 
 
 Und sein Antlitz sich verdunkelt, 
 
 Hastig stosst er es zuriick ; 
 
 Wild ruf t er in seinem Schmerze : 
 Falscher Demant, = ach, ihr Herze ! 
 
232 
 Maasliebchen. 
 
 Von Hugo Plant. 
 
 Die Sonne sinkt langsam hernieder, — 
 Sanft weht der Abend wind,— 
 Am murmelnden Wiesenbachleiii 
 Steht spielend ein rosig' Kind. 
 
 Sie pflilcket ein bleichendes Bliimlein 
 Vom Grande frisch und griin, 
 Und fiingt es an zu entblattern 
 Nach altem deutschen Sinn. 
 
 "Er liebt micli von Herzen, mit Schmer- 
 Ein wenig oder uicht." [zen, 
 
 Das sind die magischen Worte, 
 Die leis' dazu sie spricht. 
 
 Mit banger, gespanntor Ervvartung, 
 Vollbringet sie ihr Spiel, 
 Sohon sind an des Blumleins Kelche 
 Der Blatter nicht mehr viel. 
 
 Da rauscht's aus dem nahen Gebtische, 
 Ein Jiingliug tritt hervor, 
 "Er liebt Dich von ganzem Herzen," 
 Klingt's traut an ihrem Ohr. 
 
 Es waren die Worte verklungen, 
 Ihr ward so wohl, so warm, 
 Sie fiihlte sich liebend umschlungen 
 Von des Geliebten Arm. 
 
235 
 
 SUPPLEMENTARY REMARKS TO VOLUME I OF THIS 
 
 HISTO:?Y OF THE G2RMAN ELEMENT 
 
 IN VIRGINIA. 
 
 Since the publication of Volume I the attention of the au- 
 thor has been called to the following supplements and mistake?. 
 
 On page 36, line 4, is to be added after the words : " ascer- 
 tained to.be in Norfolk," the name of the country: " England."' 
 
 On page 40, referring to Governor Eichard Kempe, and af- 
 ter the words : "President of this body in 1644," ought to be 
 inserted: "1645 Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia." 
 
 On page 67, line -34, should stand: "In Staford and Orange 
 counties German settlements were built up at Germanna Ford," 
 instead of only : "in Stafford county." 
 
 On page 68, after the words : "in picturesque language," 
 ought to be subjoined: "Inconsistent with Colonel Byrd's state- 
 ment and H. A. Rattermann's assertion (' Deutscher Pionier,' 
 8ter Jahrgang, Seite 106: 'Dem schottischen Edelmann [Spotts- 
 wood] gefiel es unter den fleissigen und rnhigeu Deutschen so 
 ■ wohl, dass er sich eine (;ler deutschen Jungfrauen — eine Ilan- 
 noveranerin Namens Theke — zur Gattin nahm,') — that the 
 historian Campbell denies that Spottswood married a German 
 lady and that he asserts : that Miss Thecky (not Theke) was 
 Miss Dorothea Bryan or Brain, and that ' Thecky ' was the di- 
 minutive or pet name of her Christian name. Campbell says 
 furthermore : that Miss Dorothea was a sister of Ann Butler 
 Bryan, who was Spottswood's wife." 
 
 The author is not convinced that Colonel Byrd's statement 
 in regard to Governor Spottswood's Avife and family-life are less 
 trustworthy than Campbell's. Colonel Byrd visited Germanna 
 and was a contemporary of Governor Spottswood. 
 
^36 
 
 On pages 70 to 73, referring to the Kemper family and to 
 the settlements of Germanna, of Gennantown, Fauquier county 
 and on the Eobinson river in Madison county, the author re- 
 ceived the following explanatory emendations : 
 
 Mr. Charles E. Kemper of Washington, D. C, writes : " I 
 have read with much interest your History of the German Ele- 
 ment in Virginia. You make some statements, however, about 
 my ancestor Johanii Kemper, which are not in accord with 
 family information and tradition. You state, that after marry- 
 ing Alice Utterback he removed with others to the Eobinson 
 river section in Madison county. All our information is to the 
 effect, that he settled at Germantown, Fauquier county, and 
 probably died there, though as to this we are not certain." 
 
 A cousin of this correspondent, Mr. Willis M. Kemper, 
 Attorney-at-Law, Cincinnati, Ohio, confirms by letter these re- 
 marks as follows : " Johann Kemper never went to live in the 
 German colony in Madison county. When the colony of twelve 
 families had their fuss with Governor Spottswood, the whole 
 colony (I have their names, — taken from the diary of my 
 great grandfather, James Kemper, a son of John Peter Kem- 
 per) — moved in what was then Stafford, after 1730 Prince 
 Williams and after 1759 Fauquier county, — about nine miles 
 southwest of Warrenton. — and settled Germantown. De- 
 scendants of all twelve of these families are to be found there 
 today. John Peter Kemper's house, " Cedar Grove," was built 
 with brick in 1745 ; it is still standing and inhabited by a mem- 
 ber of the Kemper family. Governor Kemper's grandfather 
 moved to Madison about the beginning of this century and in 
 this way happened to be there." 
 
 The " f nss " the colonists had with Governor Spottswood, 
 mentioned in the foregoi'ig letter, has been alluded to in Vol. I, 
 page 72, and after the words : "in the present county of Madi- 
 son," — for the sake of better understanding, — ought to be 
 added: " that the former good relations between the Governor- 
 and the German settlers had been seriously injured by these 
 money matters, and the latter made bitter complaint of him." 
 The evil final relations between Spottswood and the Germans 
 are confirmed by the original manuscripts now on file in the 
 State Library at Eichmond, Va. 
 
 Partly alluding to the prenamed events, Kev. T. 0. Keister 
 of Greencastle, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, writes to the 
 author : " For ten or twelve years I have been collecting ma- 
 terial for a History of Lutheranism in Virginia. The history of 
 Lutheranism in Madison county dates back to 1720, whose 
 founders were evidently from the Germans who settled at Ger- 
 
33t 
 
 manna and near there. The two colonies, the one at Germanna 
 and the one at Spottswood's iron furnace near Germanna for 
 some reason moved up on the Robinson river and there in 1720 
 a deed was given them for their glebe lands. My data leads 
 me to conclude, that their migration was made between 1719 
 and 1720." 
 
 Touching the same historical occurrence and in variance 
 with the historian Dr. Slaughter, Mr. W. W. Scott, the present 
 State Librarian of Virginia, writes : " I do not believe for a mo- 
 ment that it was these Germans (who settled at and near Ger- 
 manna}, or any of them Avho went to Germantown, Fauquier 
 county, as stated by Dr. Slaughter." 
 
 These various data and conjectures do not settle the date 
 and nature of the German settlements in Madison, Orange and 
 Fauquier counties positively, but the author feels greatly 
 obliged to the forenamed correspondents, as their letters throw 
 some light on the subject and verify the main points of the his- 
 torical facts he has represented in Volume I. 
 
 On page 71, line 15, referring to " the first German preacher 
 in Virginia," Mr. Willis M. Kemper of Cincinnati writes on 
 January 13th, 1899: "I think you are mistaken in saying that 
 Gerhard Hinkel was the first German preacher in Virginia. I 
 have always been claiming this honor for my ancestor Henry 
 Haeger, who built his church at Germantown, according to 
 James Kemper. John Peter Kemper did not marry a daughter, 
 but 'a grand-daughter of Parson Haeger. You will find Parson 
 Haeger's will on record in Prince William county. Will Book C, 
 , pages 108 and 117. By this will is apparent that the old gen- 
 tleman had two daughters, — one of whom married a John 
 Hoffmann, the other a John Fishbach, both members of 
 the German colony of twelve families, brought over by Gover- 
 nor Spottswood. One of the grand-children, Elizabeth Fish- 
 bach, married Peter Kemper in 1738. Henry Haeger was the 
 pastor of the twelfth colony, which, according to a petition 
 quoted by Dr. Slaughter from Bishop Meade, came first and 
 went to Germantown, — and therefore it must have been the 
 twentieth colony that went to Madison county. Bishop Meade's 
 petition says the second colony cam.e in 1717; the date of the 
 coming of the first colony is blank in Bishop Meade's petition. 
 Not long since I wrote to the " Society for the Propagation of 
 the Gospel in Foreign Parts" in London, from whose letter- 
 book the petition was taken, and they write me: that this 
 blank should be 1714."— But in another letter, dated February 
 3d, 1899, the same writer informs the author: "I don't know 
 the exact date of Henry Haeger's coming to Virginia, or whether 
 
S38 
 
 Or not he had previously been at New Berne with Graffenried's 
 Swiss and Palatines. I know the German colony settled at 
 Germanna in 1714, and my ^great-grandf ather says: their Pastor 
 Haeger came in after tliem. He was certainly there in the sum- 
 mer of 1719, because the petition quoted in Bishop Meade says 
 he was there when the petition was written and sent, and it 
 must have left Virginia not later than midsummer 1719." — 
 Thus the two letters of Mr. Willis M. Kemper appear to contra- 
 dict each other in regard to the time of Eev. Haeger's arrival in 
 Virginia. — Eev. Socrates Henkel, pastor at New Market, Va., 
 states in his " History of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee 
 Synod," page 67 : " that his ancestor Gerhard Plenkel came to 
 Virginia about 1718," and therefore it is left in doubt, which of 
 the two reverends came iirst. — lu regard to the petition quoted 
 is also reported : " A united petition from the two German colo- 
 nies, one of fifty and the other of eighty persons, was sent to 
 England in 1719, praying for an assistant to Eev. liaeger at 
 Germanna," while others entertain grave doubt as to the very 
 existence of such a document. General John E. Eoller further- 
 more stated in a lecture at Eichmond, Va., on January 9th, 
 1899 : " The church erected at Germantown was the first Re- 
 formed church in America (not Lutheran.)" 
 
 On page 77, line 36, after the words: "Albemarle and 
 Louisa counties," is to be inserted as stated by General Eoller in 
 his prementioned lecture : " Nearly two-thirds of the people of 
 Virginia west of Fredericksburg trace their descent to the Ger- 
 mans." 
 
 On page 81, line 17, after the words : " of the foundation 
 of Eichmond," ought to be added : " In 1780 an act for locating 
 the public squares to enlarge the town and for the purpose to 
 locate the Capital, Halls of Justice, State House for Executive 
 Boards and a residence for the Governor, etc., was passed. A 
 committee of nine was appointed to lay out lots in such form 
 and such dimensions as requisite, and the German citizen Eob't 
 Goode (Gude), whose descendants are still living in Eichmond, 
 was elected a member of this important committee." 
 
 On page 94, after the words: " causing their own dissatis- 
 faction," ought to be inserted: "For some years the Indians 
 had molested the brethren and in July 1764 they broke up the 
 settlements in the Shenandoah valley, and all of them, twenty- 
 six persons, returned to Pennsylvania." — In his before men- 
 tioned lecture : " The Colonial German Element of Virginia," 
 General Eoller of Harrisonburg, Va., stated upon good author- 
 ity : " The German Pietists under Kelpius visited Virginia in 
 lb94 before settling in Pennsylvania, and Eev. Koster was the 
 
^39 
 
 ©arly Pietist pastor in Virginia." — • Johann Kelpius was boril 
 in Siebenbuergen, was a follower of Phil. J. Spencer and Jacob 
 Boehme and founded a community in the wilderness on the 
 Wissahickon in Pennsylvania under the name : " Das Weib in 
 der Wiiste." He died in 1708, only 40 years of age." Accord- 
 ingly neither Hinkel nor Haeger have been the first German 
 preachers in Virginia, bnt the Pietist Kev. Koster. 
 
 In referring to the incident of Colonel Bowman's death, re- 
 lated on page 131, Mr. Wm. E. English, Vice-President of the 
 Indiana Historical Society, a descendant of Joist Hite and con- 
 nected with the Bowman family, writes : " The history states 
 that in this glorious affair Colonel Bowman lost his life, plainly 
 meaning Colonel Abraham Bowman, who succeeded General 
 Muehlenberg in command of the Eighth Virginia Kegiment. 
 This is a mistake. Colonel Abraham Bowman settled in Lex- 
 ington, Kentucky, after the Eevolutionary War and was still 
 alive when LaFayette ti sited this country the first time. There 
 was another Colonel Bowman killed at Yorktown, but not 
 Colonel Abraham. He, Abraham, was a brother of Colonel 
 Joseph Bowman." 
 
 The End. 
 
INDEX TO VOLUME It. 
 
 A. 
 
 Page 
 
 Adenbousch, Col. J. N 82 
 
 Alexandria, Germans of 27, 103, 186 
 
 Ammen, Gen. Jacob 89 
 
 Amicable Society, The 26 
 
 Armistaed, Walter Keith 22 
 
 Armistaed, Gen. Louis A 81 
 
 Armistaed, Major George 21 
 
 Architecture, Engineering and Mining, Germans distinguished in 49, 149 
 
 Artists, German, of Richmond 49, 149 . 
 
 Ast,W.F 24 
 
 B. 
 
 Baumgartner, Rev. P. Willibald 178 
 
 Beth Shalome Synagogue 29 
 
 Bethlehemgemeinde , 47 
 
 Beth Ahaba Synagogue 144 
 
 Blaettermann, George 15 
 
 Board of Immigration 127 
 
 Boehm, Heinrich 17 
 
 Borke, Col. Heros von 82 
 
 Buberl, Caspar \ 148 
 
 Buchholz, Capt. E. von 86 
 
 C. 
 
 Calisch, Rev. Edward N 182 
 
 Census, U. S., 1890— Population of Virginia 8 
 
 Columbian Agricultural Society 24 
 
 Company H, 1 9th Virginia Militia, Muster- Boll 78 
 
 Congress of German Revolutionists 34, 122 
 
 Company M, 19th Virginia Militia, Muster-Roll 75 
 
 Confederate States of America 66 
 
 Consuls, Germans employed as 152 
 
 Consular Certificate of German Citizenship 91 
 
 D. 
 
 Darmstadt, Jose|iIi 25 
 
 Decker, Luke 7 
 
 Der Virginische Volksberichter und New Marketer Wochenschrift 13 
 
 Deutscher Patriotischer Unterstuetzungsverein 157 
 
 Dienelt, Dr. Julius 137 
 
 Dilger, Gen. Hugo gg 
 
 Discrimination against West Virginia, , . HO 
 
 Droste, Christian 179 
 
E. 
 
 Page 
 
 Ebel, Ferdinand Charles 181 
 
 Eberhard, Johann G 121 
 
 Eichelberger, Eev. Louis Frederick 16 
 
 Evacuation of Richmond 102 
 
 Ezekiel, Moses 148 
 
 F. 
 
 Fine Arts in Virginia , . 49 
 
 First West Virginia Artillery 121 
 
 First Wheeling Convention 112 
 
 Foss, Heinrich 8 
 
 Free Mason Society (Freie Gemeinde) of Richmond 34—36 
 
 Fugitive Slave Law , 60 
 
 G. 
 
 Gallatin, Albert 19 
 
 General Assembly of Virginia, names of German members 28 
 
 German-American Association of Virginia 162 
 
 German- American Ladies' Aid Association of the Virginia Hospital. . . . 171 
 
 German Day Celebrations 159 — 171 
 
 . German Democratic Clnb 185 
 
 German Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Community 142 
 
 German Home Guard, Mnster-RoU of 76 
 
 German Immigration in West Virginia 57, 106, 107 
 
 German Immigration in Virginia 55 — 58 
 
 German Lutheran Synod, Organization of 7 
 
 German Mass-Meeting June 5th, 1868, at Richmond 137 
 
 German Names of Members of Legislature, 1830 — 60 58 
 
 German News Company 146 
 
 German Officers in the Confederate Army 79" 
 
 German Rifle Company 39 
 
 German Rifle Company, List of Members, 1861 72 
 
 German Relief Society 183 
 
 German Societies of Richmond 53, 54 
 
 Gesangverein Virginia 53, 149 
 
 Ginter, Major Lewis , 152 
 
 Groner, General V. D 
 
 H. 
 
 Hassel, B 40 
 
 Heinrich, Oswald Julius ,. 32 
 
 Henkel, Rev. Ambrosius 9 
 
 Henkel, Rev. Paulus 7,11 
 
 Henningson, Carl Friedrich 87 
 
 Hoehn & Co., A 149 
 
 Hotopp, Wm ■ 132 
 
 Hoyer, Rev 40 
 
 Humboldt Centennial Anniversary 155 
 
 1. 
 
 Immigration about 1830 • 55 
 
 Immigration, Efforts after the War 127 
 
Page 
 
 Immigration, Remarks on, by Prof. Learned 15 
 
 Insurrection of Negroes in Southampton County 63 
 
 J 
 
 Jewish Emigration to Virginia 8 
 
 Jewish Officers and Soldiers in the Confederate Army 93—96 
 
 John Brown's Raid 60, 61 
 
 K. 
 
 Kemper, James Lawson 80 
 
 Knownothing Movement 37, 38 
 
 Koerner Centennial Celebration 163 
 
 Koiner, George W. and Absolom 134 
 
 Krauth, Dr. Charles Porterfield 17 
 
 Ku-Klux at Trevillians 98 
 
 L. 
 
 Ladies' Aid Society : . 170 
 
 Lange, Gottfried 41 
 
 Leibrock, Captain Albert 49 
 
 Leiper, Dr 24 
 
 Lincoln, President, Inauguration of 68 
 
 List of German Names of Members of the General Assemby of Va. . .28, 58 
 List of German-Virginian Delegates to the General Assembly and the 
 
 U.S. Congress 195, 196, 
 
 List of Localities and Post Offices with German Names 198-201 
 
 List of School Officials 197 
 
 Lodges, German 150, 151 
 
 Loehr, Charles T 178 
 
 •Lovenstein, Senator William 174 
 
 Lutheran Church, Oldest Publication Board of 11 
 
 Lutheran Churches of German Origin in Virginia, 45 
 
 Lutheran St. Johannis Church in Richmond 46 
 
 M. 
 
 Marion Rifles, Muster- Roll of the 74 
 
 Marshall, Chief Justice John 20 
 
 Martinsburg, "W. Va 122 
 
 Marx, Joseph 25 
 
 Mass-Meeting at St. Johannis Church 38, 39 
 
 Massow, von 87 
 
 Memminger, Christoph Guatav 104 
 
 Menzel, Dr. Paul L 173 
 
 Military Organizations 151 
 
 Miller, Heinrich Georg 176 
 
 Minnigerode, Dr. Carl - 42 
 
 Muster-Roil Company H, 19th Virginia Militia 75 
 
 Muster- Roll Company M, 19th Virginia Militia 78 
 
 Muster-RoU German Home Guard 76 
 
 Muster-Roil German Rifle Company in. 1861 72 
 
 N. 
 Newspaper, First German , , 13 
 
IV 
 
 p. 
 
 Peple.G.A g.^l'fl 
 
 Phillips, Charles H 181 
 
 pX::'?!'^^!.!;:^!"'^;;:::::;:-:::::;::;:;;;;;--"^ 
 
 Population of Virginia in 1862 " to 
 
 Printing Office at New Markft 9—10 
 
 Protestant-Epiacopal Church Home '■•...."..".,'.'.'!!...!... 144 
 
 R. 
 
 Raynal, Alfred H j^g 
 
 Richmond Unabhiingige Turn verein ,..!!!!.! 184 
 
 Richmond Microscopical Society ."..'.'..... 145 
 
 Riddleberger, Harrison Holt 192 
 
 Roeraer, Major Max '.'.'.'........... 86 
 
 Roller, Gen. John E 192 
 
 Rosenegk, Alfred von N 172 
 
 Ruehrmund, Carl .!.!!!.. 175 
 
 Ruffner, Dr. Henry ....!!!.'!. 62 
 
 Ruffner, Dr. Wm. H 138 
 
 Ruffner, Joseph 22 
 
 Ruffner, General Lewis 23 89 
 
 Ruffner, Col. David Lewis .' 84 
 
 S. 
 
 Saint Juhannis Church, Richmond 141 
 
 Saint Mary's German Catholic Church 47, 143 
 
 Saxon- Virginian Colonization Enterprise 56 
 
 Scheibert, Captain 83 
 
 Scheie de Vere, Prof. Maximilian ." 43 
 
 Schiller, Comment on 6 
 
 Schillerfeier 33 
 
 Schmidt, Hermann I77 
 
 Schmucker, Rev. Samuel Simon 17 
 
 School- Matters, Condition of 14 
 
 Schwarz, Andreas 120 
 
 Schwarzmann, Col. G. A 84 
 
 Secession, Remarks on 66 — 69 
 
 Second Wheeling Convention 113, 114 
 
 Settlement!?, German, After the Civil War 127, 128 
 
 Settlements at New Hessen and Helvetia 57 
 
 Shutz, Capt 82 
 
 Siege), G. L 176 
 
 Singing Festival , 157 
 
 Sitterding, Fritz 149 
 
 Slavery, Comments on 61 — 65 
 
 Social Turn verein 184 
 
 Societies, German Vocal and Instrumental 150 
 
 Steubenfest : 31 
 
 8trau.=, Julius 182 
 
 Stuart Horse Guard 151 
 
T. 
 
 Page 
 
 The Amicable Society 26 
 
 Theodor Koerner Centennial Celebration 163 
 
 Tobacco Indnstry, Germans Engaged in 26, 50, 152 
 
 Tochmann, Gen. G 127 
 
 Tucker, Capt 86 
 
 U. 
 
 University of Virginia 14 
 
 V. 
 
 Valentine, Edward V 147 
 
 Virginia Deutsche Publishing Co 146 
 
 Virginische Zeitung 40 
 
 Viticulture in Virginia 51, 52, 132 
 
 W. 
 
 Wallerstein, Joseph 179 
 
 Weisiger, Gen. David A 81 
 
 Weitzel, Gen. Gottfried 103 
 
 West Virginia Germans in the Armies. » 117 — 121 
 
 West Virginia Names of German Settlements 119 
 
 West Virginia, Early German Settlers in 106, 108 
 
 Wheeling Convention, Names of German Members 112 
 
 Wheeling, Popnlalion of 120 
 
 Widewilt's Island 27 
 
 Wier, Bernard 27 
 
 Winder, Gen. J 96 
 
 Wippermann, Carl 180 
 
 Wirth, B. William 18 
 
 Wise, Henry A 37 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yorktown Centennial 158 
 
 Young Men of the German-American Association 163 
 
 Z. 
 
 Zimmermann, William H 177