anwich in
1768, as one of the commissioners from the colony of Virginia, to
treat, in conjunction with commissioners from the eastern colonies,
with the Six Nations, the Governor of New York remarked "that the earth
seemed to tremble under his tread."

When the war of the revolution commenced, and General [56] Washington
was commissioned commander in chief, he is said to have expressed a
wish, that the appointment had been given to Gen. Lewis. Be this as it
may, it is certain that he accepted the commission of Brigadier
General at the solicitation of Washington; and when, from wounded
pride[11] and a shattered constitution, he was induced to express an
intention of resigning, Gen. Washington wrote him, entreating that he
would not do so, and assuring him that justice should be done, as
regarded his rank. Gen. Lewis, however, had become much reduced by
disease, and did not think himself able, longer to endure the
hardships of a soldier's life--he resigned his commission in 1780, and
died in the county of Bedford, on the way to his home in Botetourt on
Roanoke river.

When Major Grant, (who had been sent with a detachment for the purpose
of reconnoitering the country about Fort du Quesne,) arrived in view
of it, he resolved on attempting its reduction. Major Lewis
remonstrated with him, on the propriety of that course, and endeavored
to dissuade him from the attempt. Grant deemed it practicable to
surprise the garrison and effect an easy conquest, and was unwilling
that the provincial troops should divide with his Highland regulars
the glory of the achievment--he therefore ordered Major Lewis two
miles into the rear, with that part of the Virginia regiment then
under his command.

Soon after the action had commenced, Lewis discovered by the
retreating fire, that Grant was in an unpleasant situation, and
leaving Capt. Bullet with fifty men to guard the baggage, hastened to
his relief. On arriving at the battle ground, and finding Grant and
his detachment surrounded by the Indians, who had passed his rear
under covert of the banks of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers,
Major Lewis commenced a brisk fire and made so vigorous an attack on
the Indians as to open a passage through which Grant and some few of
his men effected an escape. Lewis and his brave provincials became
enclosed within the Indian lines and suffered dreadfully. Out of eight
officers five were killed, a sixth wounded and a seventh taken
prisoner. Capt.