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BY CHARLES MORRIS

The Knights of the Golden Horseshoe

Historical Tales 2 American: Story 9 of 34

34 Historical Tales
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Objective: The goal of the expedition was to explore the land beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains, an area known as Orange County, which was largely mysterious and unknown to the settlers.

The Golden Horseshoe: Governor Spotswood commemorated the journey by creating the Order of the Golden Horseshoe. He had small golden horseshoes made in England, each inscribed with "Sic juvat transcendere montes" (Thus it is a pleasure to cross the mountains), which he presented to the members of the expedition.

A good book we like, we explorers. That is our best amusement, and our best time killer

- Roald Amundsen, Explorer

The Adventure of Governor Spotswood and the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe

Dive into the heart of the 18th-century wilderness, where the unknown beckoned the brave and curious. This tale, rich in historical and adventurous undertones, explores a daring expedition led by the enterprising Governor Alexander Spotswood. Under his leadership, a gallant group ventured into the mysterious Orange County, Virginia, a land cloaked in rumors of lush forests, towering mountains, fertile valleys, and enchanting rivers. The Golden Horseshoe expedition, as it came to be known, is a testament to mankind's unending quest for discovery. Immerse yourself in this thrilling journey and uncover the secrets of the wilderness beyond.

The Enigmatic Governor Alexander Spotswood

The American history, one name stands out for his adventurous spirit and enterprising nature, Governor Alexander Spotswood. Known for his active involvement in the development of Virginia, Spotswood's contributions were manifold. From the establishment of the first iron-furnaces, to opening the doors of the college of William and Mary to the sons of the remaining indigenous tribes, and the construction of a uniquely shaped powder-magazine, his endeavors were as varied as they were impactful.

Spotswood was not just a man of action, but also a leader with a thirst for exploration. Despite Virginia being settled for more than a century, its western frontier remained a mystery, a land beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains, filled with tales of grand forests, towering mountains, fertile valleys, and picturesque rivers. It was this unknown wilderness that beckoned Spotswood, setting the stage for an adventure that would go down in history.

A Holiday Excursion Turned Adventure

The journey began as a casual holiday excursion. Governor Spotswood invited the planters to join him on this adventurous journey, adding a sense of camaraderie and excitement to the expedition. The group, well-equipped with provisions and other necessary supplies, embarked on their journey, unaware of the incredible experiences that awaited them.

The expedition was not just about exploration, but also about experiencing the beauty and freshness of the untouched wilderness. As the group rode through the unknown regions, they reveled in the delightful vistas and the crisp forest air. It was a journey that would redefine their understanding of the land they called home.

Germanna: The First Pitstop and Birth of 'Golden Horseshoe'

The group made their first stop at Germanna, a place of significance for Governor Spotswood. Here, he had established his iron-furnaces and a summer residence. But more than being a pitstop, Germanna served as the birthplace of the expedition's name, "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe".

At Germanna, the explorers realized the necessity of horseshoes for the rocky mountain paths that lay ahead. As blacksmiths worked tirelessly to craft the required horseshoes, the group was christened the "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe", a title that would forever symbolize their adventurous spirit and determination.

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The Magnificent Journey through the Wilderness

The journey taken by Governor Spotswood and his companions is a tale of adventure and discovery that resonates even today. The group, which was well equipped with provisions and stores, embarked on a journey through unfamiliar territories, relishing the stunning views and the invigorating air of the forest. They found themselves in the heart of the wilderness, a place that was at once captivating and mysterious. An uncharted territory filled with great forests, high mountains, fertile valleys, and beautiful rivers - Orange County was a sight to behold. The experience of these brave explorers serves as a reminder of the thrill and excitement that comes with venturing into the unknown.

The Naming of Mount George and Mount Alexander

As part of their expedition, the group reached the summit of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In honor of George I and Governor Spotswood, two peaks were named - "Mount George" and "Mount Alexander" respectively. This not only served as a tribute to the individuals themselves but also signified the conquering of new frontiers. The naming of these peaks was a significant event, marking the explorers' triumph over the challenging mountain terrain. Their journey into the Shenandoah valley provided them with a serene environment to relax and unwind before their homebound journey.

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The Golden Horseshoe: A Symbol of the Expedition

The Golden Horseshoe became a significant symbol for this expedition. A small golden horseshoe, etched with a Latin inscription that translates to "Thus we swear to cross the mountains", was given to each member of the group by Governor Spotswood. This token not only served as a memento of their remarkable journey but also as a symbol of their commitment to exploration and discovery. When word of their expedition reached the king, he honored Governor Spotswood with a knighthood. However, the governor's self-adopted title, "Sir Knight of the Golden Horseshoe", was arguably a more fitting tribute to his adventurous spirit and leadership during this expedition.

Conclusion

In American history, the Golden Horseshoe expedition stands as a testament to human courage and curiosity. Led by the daring Governor Spotswood, the journey into the unchartered wilderness of Orange County, Virginia, was one of discovery and camaraderie. The legacy of the expedition continues to inspire, symbolized by the Golden Horseshoes awarded to each member, marked with the promise to conquer every mountain that stands in our path. This tale, marked by the grandeur of the wilderness and human spirit, lives on, a beacon of Virginia's rich history and unwavering spirit of exploration.

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[STORY] The Knights of the Golden Horseshoe

On a fine day in the pleasant month of August of the year 1714 a large party of horsemen rode along Duke of Gloucester Street, in the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, while the men, women, and children of the place flocked to the doors of the houses cheering and waving their handkerchiefs as the gallant cavaliers passed by.

They were gayly dressed, in the showy costumes worn by the gentlemen of that time, and at their head was a handsome and vigorous man, with the erect bearing and manly attitude of one who had served in the wars. They were all mounted on spirited horses and carried their guns on their saddles, prepared to hunt or perhaps to defend themselves if attacked. Behind them followed a string of mules, carrying the packs of the horsemen and in charge of mounted servants.

Thus equipped, the showy cavalcade passed through the main streets of the small town, which had succeeded Jamestown as the Virginian capital, and rode away over the westward-leading road. On they went, mile after mile, others joining them, as they passed onward, the party steadily increasing in numbers until it reached a place called Germanna, on the Rapid Ann—now the Rapidan—River, on the edge of the Spotsylvania Wilderness.

No doubt you will wish to know who these men were and what was the object of their journey. It was a romantic one, as you will learn,—a journey of adventure into the unknown wilderness. At that time Virginia had been settled more than a hundred years, yet its people knew very little about it beyond the seaboard plain. West of this rose the Blue Ridge Mountains, behind which lay a great mysterious land, almost as unknown as the mountains of the moon. There were people as late as that who thought that the Mississippi River rose in these mountains.

The Virginians had given this land of mystery a name. They called it Orange County. There were rumors that it was filled with great forests and lofty mountains, that it held fertile valleys watered by beautiful rivers, that it was a realm of strange and wonderful scenes. The Indians, who had been driven from the east, were still numerous there, and wild animals peopled the forests plentifully, but few of the whites had ventured within its confines. Now and then a daring hunter had crossed the Blue Ridge into this country and brought back surprising tales of what was to be seen there, but nothing that could be trusted was known about the land beyond the hills.

All this was of great interest to Alexander Spotswood, who was then governor of Virginia. He was a man whose life had been one of adventure and who had distinguished himself as a soldier at the famous battle of Blenheim, and he was still young and fond of adventure when the king chose him to be governor of the oldest American colony.

We do not propose to tell the whole story of Governor Spotswood; but as he was a very active and enterprising man, some of the things he did may be of interest. He had an oddly shaped powder-magazine built at Williamsburg, which still stands in that old town, and he opened the college of William and Mary free to the sons of the few Indians who remained in the settled part of Virginia.

Then he built iron-furnaces and began to smelt iron for the use of the people. Those were the first iron-furnaces in the colonies, and the people called him the "Tubal Cain of Virginia," after a famous worker in iron mentioned in the Bible. His furnaces were at the settlement of Germanna, where the expedition made its first stop. This name came from a colony of Germans whom he had brought there to work his iron-mines and forges.

After what has been told it may not be difficult to guess the purpose of the expedition. Governor Spotswood was practical enough to wish to explore the mysterious land beyond the blue-peaked hills, and romantic enough to desire to do this himself, instead of sending out a party of pioneers. So he sent word to the planters that he proposed to make a holiday excursion over the mountains, and would gladly welcome any of them who wished to join.

We may be sure that there were plenty, especially among the younger men, who were glad to accept his invitation, and on the appointed day many of them came riding in, with their servants and pack-mules, well laden with provisions and stores, for they looked on the excursion as a picnic on a large scale.

One thing they had forgotten—a very necessary one. At that time iron was scarce and costly in Virginia, and as the roads were soft and sandy, as they still are in the seaboard country, it was the custom to ride horses barefooted, there being no need for iron shoes. But now they were about to ride up rocky mountain-paths and over the stony summits, and it was suddenly discovered that their horses must be shod. So all the smiths available were put actively at work making horseshoes and nailing them on the horses' feet. It was this incident that gave rise to the name of the "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe," as will appear farther on.

At Germanna Governor Spotswood had a summer residence, to which he retired when the weather grew sultry in the lower country. Colonel William Byrd, a planter on the James River, has told us all about this summer house of the governor. One of his stories is, that when he visited there a tame deer, frightened at seeing him, leaped against a large mirror in the drawing-room, thinking that it was a window, and smashed it into splinters. It is not likely the governor thanked his visitor for that.

After leaving Germanna the explorers soon entered a region quite unknown to them. They were in high spirits, for everything about them was new and delightful. The woods were in their full August foliage, the streams gurgling, the birds warbling, beautiful views on every hand, and the charm of nature's domain on all sides. At mid-day they would stop in some green forest glade to rest and pasture their horses, and enjoy the contents of their packs with a keen appetite given by the fresh forest air.

To these repasts the hunters of the party added their share, disappearing at intervals in the woods and returning with pheasant, wild turkey, or mayhap a fat deer, to add to the woodland feast. At night they would hobble their horses and leave them to graze, would eat heartily of their own food with the grass for table-cloth and a fresh appetite for sauce, then, wrapping their cloaks around them, would sleep as soundly as if in their own beds at home. The story of the ride has been written by one of the party, and it goes in much the way here described.

The mountains were reached at length, and up their rugged sides the party rode, seeking the easiest paths they could find. No one knows just where this was, but it is thought that it was near Rockfish Gap, through which the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad now passes. There are some who say that they crossed the valley beyond the Blue Ridge and rode over the Alleghany Mountains also, but this is not at all likely.

When they reached the summit of the range and looked out to the west, they saw before them a wild but lovely landscape, a broad valley through whose midst ran a beautiful river, the Shenandoah, an Indian name that means "daughter of the stars." To the right and left the mountain-range extended as far as the eye could reach, the hill summits and sides covered everywhere with verdant forest-trees. In front, far off across the valley, rose the long blue line of the Alleghanies, concealing new mysteries beyond.

The party gazed around in delight, and carved their names on the rocks to mark the spot. A peak near at hand they named Mount George, in honor of George I., who had just been made king, and a second one Mount Alexander, in honor of the governor, and they drank the health of both. Then they rode down the western slope into the lovely valley they had gazed upon. Here they had no warlike or romantic adventures, fights with Indians or wild beasts, but they had a very enjoyable time. After a delightful ride through the valley they recrossed the mountains, and rode joyously homeward to tell the people of the plain the story of what they had seen.

We have said nothing yet of the Golden Horseshoe. That was a fanciful idea of Governor Spotswood. He thought the excursion and the fine valley it had explored were worthy to be remembered by making them the basis of an order of knighthood. He was somewhat puzzled to think of a good name for it, but at length he remembered the shoeing of the horses at Williamsburg, so he decided to call it the Order of the Golden Horseshoe, and sent to England for a number of small golden horseshoes, one of which he gave to each of his late companions. There was a Latin inscription on them signifying, "Thus we swear to cross the mountains." When the king heard of the expedition, he made the governor a knight, under the title of Sir Alexander Spotswood, but we think a better title for him was that he won for himself,—Sir Knight of the Golden Horseshoe.

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