The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-06-14
The Surrender Of Cornwaliis.
ny LIEUT.. cHup.

CSle-
hrate the memorable event of the surrender ol
CORVALLIS, by going through mock perfor.
nance representing that important fact in ouI
couniry's history.
The little town of Waterford, situated upon
the banks Of the broad and majestic "Crooked
River" resolved not to be behind hand in SO
great an affair. Accordingly a meeting was
called al the old town-house on the hill, to make
the necessary arrangements. Deacon Moses
Jones, as he was called, was chosen to enact
the character Of Washington, and Squire 'Bi.
Jer Wood the character of CORVALLIS. The
under officers, soldiers, &C., were to be select
ed by the selectmen, whose duty it was to
furnish uniforms and pay such other expenses
as the affair should require.
Now, as Messrs. Jones and Wood are the
principal heroes ofthis sketch, short descrip-
ton of their characters may not be out of place.
Deacon Jones was a wealthy farmer, proud
and religious (at least he thought he was,) and
was on the whole a very worthy man. The
worst thing about him was bad habit Of TAX
ing ga drop too much," but then this was mol
thought great deal of, for everybody in
them days took suthin occasionally.
Squire Wood was the village lawyer, very
arstocratic, but withal very clever man,
The Squire imagined that he knew cosidera-
hle more than what his neighbors gave him
credit for. This may be safely set down az
his greatest fault. Both the Squire and the
Deacon were proud of their position in this
great affair, and both meant 10 do their best.
The morning Of the great day dawned beau.
tifully. The Deacon, dressed as Gen. WASH
ington, and mounted on his "iron gray" retired
with his men, dressed as "ContineuiaIs rue,"
at an early hour, TO grove near the village,
where the ceremony was to take place.
Cornwaliis (pro tenn. was also up and
I'D hafo ltgh nd sfati podh ;th
his men dressed as Britishers, behind the
"Hills."
The programme of the days performance
was as follows: The two companies were to
meet in front of the tavern, on the common, ex
change shots, skirmish little-in which Corn
wallis was to be most essentially whipped, and
then ingloriously surrender.
AT early dawn thousands poured into the
little village, to see the fun and celebrate the
great day. Punch, m.fp and gingerbread
were in great demand. At 9 O'Clock the two
companies marched into the village and ar
rayed themselves into fighting position, remind
ing the spectator of the time when
"Brsve Wolfe drew up his men
In style most pretty,
On the plains OF Abraham,
Before the city"
The two commanders were greatly excited
and Washington, | regret to saw, was in any,
thing but fit condition to act out the great
part he was to perform. He had been drinking
freely all the m morning, and now, when the in.
teresting ceremony was about to commence,
was so tight or rather loose, that it was with
difficulty he could sit in his saddle. He how
ever, cid not know but what he was all right.
nor did his men. CORVALLIS was not intoxi-
Gated, but a little agitated, or rather eIated.
Everything being ready, the company ex-
changed shots. Bang whang !! bang !! went
the guns, while the two commanders yelled
like SO many stuck pigs.
"That's it, thic) my brave boys! give it to
'em, the owdacious red coats!" beloved
Washington.
ION, Romans" yelled the excited Corn
wallis, who had seen a theatrical exhibition
once, and who remembered the heroic appeals
of the T Thespian bcllgeren,s; "breathes there
a man 40 dead that won't fight like thunderi"
"Go it, Con,inentals down with taxation
on tea" beloved Washington in a very pat.
riotic voice, and narrowly escaped cutting his
horses ear off with the flourish Of his sword.
The fighting now ceased, the companies were
drawn up in a straight line, and CORVALLIS
disnounted and presented his sword TO Wash
ing,on.,, -,
cufed his horses ears with his cooked hat
'what'n thunder do you want?'
seen. George Washington" replied Con
wallis. 81 surrender up to you myself sword
and mem"
You do, do YET" sneerngly replied the
General.
'.Yes, General" said CORVALLIS, "the Brit
ish Lion prostraites himself at the foot of the
American Eagle?"
Eagle! EAGLE" yelled Washington, rolling
of his horse and hitting the Briiton a tremen,
dous blow on the head with the fiat ofhis
sword; 'do we call me an eagle? Take that
and that! and that" yelled the the nfuriated
Washington: "prehaps you'll call me an eagle
again, you mean, sneaking cuss."
CORVALLIS was dOwa, but only for moment,
for he jumped up and shook himself, and then,
with an entirely unlocked for recuperation on
the part of fallen foe, and in direct defiance
ofhistorical history he pitched into Washington
like thousand ofbrick, and in spite of the ef-
forts of the men of both mati0ns, succeeded in
giving the Immortal tremendous licking.
So the day that commenced SO gioriously most
an-gloriously ended.
For many years after the "Surrender" there
was GOODNESS between the Deacon and Squire,
but as time rolled on and their locks became
frosted o'er with white, they learned to call it u
''ioke." Both are living now, and whenever
they meet they smoke their pipes and talk
about ''ihat ar scrape." like couple of good,
jolly old men, as they are.