Editing The History of Pittsylvania County, Virginia

== Summary ==

Book written by Maud Carter Clement which includes details from 1700s Halifax County. It was first published in 1929 and should be corroborated by primary sources.

== Notable excerpts ==

=== Page 73 ===

{{Quote|
Captain Robert Wade's company of Halifax Militia took a range along the frontier in the summer of 1758. John Echols, <sup>[27]</sup> a member of the company, was probably detailed to keep a record of the expedition, for in his journal we read that in the month of August, "Capt. Robert Wade march't from Mayo Fort with 35 men in order to take a range to the New River in search of our enemy Indians. We marcht about three miles that day to a Plantation where Peter Rentfro formerly lived and took up camp. Next morning we marcht along to a place called Gobling Town where we Eat our Brakefast, and so continued our march and took up our camp that night at the Foot of the Blew Ledge (Blue Ridge).

Next Day we crossed the Blew Ledge and marched to Francis Eason's Plantation and continued there that night. Our hunters brought in a plentiful supply of venison. Next morning being Tuesday the 15th we marcht down to Richard Ratcliff's plantation on Meadow Creek where we continued that night. Next morning sent out Spyes and hunters to Spy for emeny signs and hunt for provisions."

Echols told how they spent several days there, and then one day five Indians came very unexpectedly upon them. He said the Indians "stood in amaise and Reason they had, for I suppose there were twenty guns presented at them. They said they were Cherokees. I made signs to them to shew me their Pass But they had none. They had with them five head of horse and Skelps that appeared to be whitemen. Four of the horses appeared as tho' they had been recetnly taken, the other was vary poor."

There was a hunter with them named Abraham Dunkleberry who said the Indians were Cherokees, but that they evidently were rogues. The Captain was doubtful of what he should do, but finally allowed the Indians to depart, which greatly displeased the men who said there was no use in ranging if the enemy were to be allowed to go after catching them. So after the hunter Dunkleberry had packed up his skins and gone the Captain appointed twelve men to go after the Indians, and over-taking them in an Orchard they killed four and wounded the other. Then finding so many Indian signs about and their ammunition running low, they decided to return home.

On Tuesday the 22nd they ate dinner on Blackwater Creek and spent the night at Robert Jones' Plantation at the head of Pigg River. The following day "myself and four more left the company and went across by Gobling Town and came to Mayo Fort that night. The Captain and the rest of the men tells us that they came to Hickey's Fort that night and the next day to Mayo Fort. I remember no more worth making a Remark of, so courteous Reader, I Rem

Yrs. etc.

John Echols."
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Source: [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/214765/?offset=1#page=86&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q= FamilySearch]