On the subject of water, keep in mind that 18th century Europeans would not have boiled water for drinking, because germs hadn't been discovered and sanitation wasn't in the vocabulary. Also, the phrase "never tasted water" could be figurative, meaning "I never knew how good water could taste until ....." As for "don't drink the water" -- When I was in Ssouthern Europe in the 60's, that was quite true -- in some areas the sewer pipes & water pipes were laid side by side -- by the Romans (maybe a slight exaggeration) -- and leakage was not uncommon. In some places the taps actually ran gritty, with block spots that I don't like to think about. Americans who drank the water often got hepatitis, not to mention dysentery, while the natives built up an immunity from birth (or died young). In addition to problems with drinking water, the American military were told how to wash produce in a solution of bleach & water, because irrigation & fertilizers used were not exactly to American health standards. As for bathing -- Even in some of the larger cities, water was not plentiful, and I knew of one American young man who was tossed from his rooming house (pension) because he took a shower a day and the owners thought that indicated a dreadful skin disease. They may additionally have been concerned about the expense. But, back to Augusta County -- This land with its lush foliage, plentiful streams and free wildlife must have looked like paradise.