XXXIX.
“When the British were about landing on James river, and Yorktown
was peculiarly exposed, General Nelson, then in arms against
them, was obliged to send Mrs. Nelson, with an infant three weeks
old, to the upper country. When near Williamsburg, she met a company
of youths, some of them mere boys, armed with their guns, and
marching down to fire at the enemy. On meeting the well-known
old English coach, they halted and presented arms to Mrs. Nelson,
wishing to show her all honor. She received their salutation very
courteously, but perceiving among them two of her own sons, mere
boys at the preparatory school, she directed the coachman to stop,
and, opening the door, requested them to enter the carriage. Mortifying
as it must have been to them, they were too much accustomed
to obey to think of refusing. Taking them with her, she sent them
to Philadelphia, to complete their education, placing them under the
care of Mr. Rittenhouse.”
Bishop Meade's “Old Churches of Vir
ginia.”
