Greenbrier County was formed in 1778 from Botetourt and Montgomery and was named for the river that drains it. The county had many pioneer forts and saw many bloody Indian battles. It is also home to the world-famed White Sulphur and other mineral springs. Monroe County was formed in 1799 from Greenbrier and was named for President James Monroe. In this county lived Col. Andrew S. Rowan, who in 1898 carried news of American intervention to General Y Iniguez Garcia, leader of the Cubans.