The Cavaliers of Virginia, vol. 2 of 2: or, The Recluse of Jamestown; An historical romance of the Old DominionCaruthers, William Alexander
History
The Cavaliers of Virginia, vol. 2 of 2: or, The Recluse of Jamestown; An historical romance of the Old Dominion
Caruthers, William Alexander
Virginia -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 -- Fiction
The present military and Cavalier assemblages in the capital were,
however, of a very different political character, and brought together
with very different motives from those which had preceded them. They
were not less in numbers, spirit and appointments; but their object was
not to cope with the savage--it was to measure arms in deadly strife
with their own countrymen and fellow-citizens. The army now assembling,
was intended by the Governor to suppress what he called the rebellion,
and his purpose was, as soon as his forces should all arrive, to march
at once to the Falls of the Powhatan, and while the popular army were
engaged in front with the savage enemies of their country, to fall upon
their rear, and either cut them in pieces, or compel them to surrender
as rebels found bearing arms against his majesty's authority in the
colony.
Seldom have political parties of any country presented so strange an
aspect as did those of Virginia at this period. First, the people of the
city had been divided between the Cavaliers and Roundheads. The latter
were no sooner brought into complete subjection, than a new
amalgamation took place, by which their distinctive character was lost.
Then, growing out of the puerile obstinacy of Sir William Berkley, in
refusing to repel the incursions of the Indians merely because he had at
first maintained that there was no danger to be apprehended from their
hostility, the popular or conservative party sprang into existence.
Against these were now arrayed the loyalist faction, and most of those
descended from noble ancestors or bearing titles, headed by the Governor
himself.
In a very few days this latter party had assembled their whole military
force in the city, and the most active preparations were made to march
against Bacon and his followers who were carrying fire and sword into
the very heart of the country occupied by the real enemies of the
colony.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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