The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-11-11
Ancctiote OF Lafayette md General Wa yn,

An anccdoie of the revolution has been
recently related to me which | think NAV
prove interesting to your readers, both as
connected with that era in cur history,
and as conterng honor on a worthy son
of the Old Dominion now no more. Its
interest is enhanced from the beautiful it,
lnstratlon which it gives, in the case of
Gen. Lafayette, of that circumstance so
often noticed and dwelt on by metaphysi-
cal speculators-the peculiarly permanent
impression which trividl circumstances
occurring in youth, make upon the mind.
+ 1t was in the summer of 1881, when
CORVALLIS was invading Virginia, and in
pursuit OF the Marquis de Lafayette lin
which memorable retreat Lafayette was so
em'nenty successful attempting to pre-
vent him from communicating with Gen.
Anthony Wayne of the Pennsylvania line,
and reaching the military stores at Abe
marie Old Court House, the MARQUIS
found his stores indSpensablc-and in
Older TO obtain them he thought it ex-
tremely probable that he should have to
hazard battle. Such was the disparity
OF force that it would have been the HEIGHT
Of rashness TO do so without a reinforce
ment--and this reinforcement was expec,-
ed IN the forces under the command of
General Wayne.
For the purposcspf eifecting the propo.
sed junction. he determined to send des-
patches 10 Wayne, disclosing his plan of
operations, and ordering to do all in his
power to unite his detachment with the
main body Of the army. lie selected as
the bcarear of these dispatches, young
ald-de-camp, by name Richard Anderson,
native of Virginia. He gave Anderson
the following additional instructions: to
remain with Wayno's detachment, and to
send courier every hour, informing him
OF Wayne's progress and locality.
Ensign Anderson Immediately mounted
his horse and rode to Wayne's camp. On
his arrival, he was conducted into the
presence of "Mad Anthony" las General
Wayne was called to whom he delivered
his dispatches. Having likewise COM
munlcated his instructions to the General,
he demanded courier, and asked WAYNE
what he should write: "Tell him | will
come" was the Iaconic reply. With this
answer the courier was despatched. The
tents were Immediately struck, and the
army was soon on its march. At the
lapse oil an hour, another courier was de-
manded and obtained. "What shall
write General" asked Anderson: "Tell
him will come" was the second reply,
and the courier was SEM OFF. The third
courier was brought forward at the com
mencement of the third hour. "What
shall d say To the Marquis" asked A.
"TeIl him | will be I'D if | don't
come" was the enthusiastic reply OF
"Mad Anthony" with which the third
courier was despatched.
Wayne effected a junction with tic
Marquis--they marched round Corvallis
during the night, and obtained possession
Of the stores,
Lord CORVALLIS, without hazarding q
battle, commenced ar ut to the lowe,
country; the conclupa ich was, his
taking refuge iats 'swu, whittier
Lalayef'e follow him. ihesgt en'
opna.is Is we'll Known
u hai ,ovu gheF iaaycaa "a
10 ihis cu11if met Cotton
t td on 81 tms Al teais
~ NM ~