The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-11
4fit llll0 ljulllur.
The Surrender Of Cornwallis.
BY LIEUT.. CHUB.

BY LIEUT.. CLUB.
Many years ago it WIS Il custom in the
State of Maine, in most OF the towns, to &C.
lcbratc the memorable event of the surrcn-
der Of Corvallis, by going through mock
performance representing that important
fact in our country'S history.
The little town of Waterford, situated
upon the banks of the broad and majestic
"Crookcd River" resolved not to be behind
hand in so great an affair Accordingly Il
meeting was called at the old tOwn-housc on
the hill, to make the necessary arrangements.
Deacon Moses Jones' rs he was called, was
chosen to enact the character of Washing
ton, and Squire Bier Wood the character
of Corvallis. The under officers. soldiers,
&c, were to be selected by the selcctmcn,
whose duty it was to furnish uniforms and
pay such other expenses rs the affair should
require.
Now, rs Mcssrs. Jones and Wood are the
principal heroes of this sketch, Il short drs-
crlPtion of their characters may not be out
Of place. Deacon Jones was a wealthy far
mer, proud and religious, (at least he thought
he was,) and was on the whole Il very wor-
thy man. The worst thing s6out him was
n bad habit of taking "a drop too mach" but
even this was not thoughta great deal Of
for everybody in them days took sOmc,hin
occasionally.
Squire Wood was the village lawyer, very
=, l,,t Il
The Squire imagined that he knew consider
able more than what his ncighbors gave him
credit for. This may BE- safely set down as
his greatest fault. Both the Squire and the
Deacon were proud Of their positions in this
great affair, and both meant to do their best.
The morning Of the great day dawncd
beautifully. The Deacon, dressed as Gen.
Washington, and mounted on his Z" iron
grey" retired with his men, dressed as "Con-
tincntals true" at an early hour, to a grove
near the village, where the ceremony was to
take place.
CORVALLIS (prO. tem.) was also up and
dressed before light, and stationed himself
with his men dressed as Britshers, behind
the Hills"
The programme Of the days performance
was rs follows: The two companies were to
meet IN front ofthc tavern, on the common,
exchange shots, 81 irmish lttle-in which
CORVALLIS was to be most essentially whip
ped, and then ngloriOusly surrender.
At early dawn thousands poured into the
rill 10, e.
the great day. Punch, rum-nip, and ginger
bread were in great demand. At 8 O'Clock
the two companies marched into the village
and arrayed themselves into fighting position,
reminding the spectators of the time when
"Brave Wolf drew up his men
In style most pretty,
On the plains of Abraham,
Before the city."
The two commanders were greatly excit-
cd, and Washington, | regret to say, was in
anything but fit condition to act out the
great part he was TO perform. He had been
drinking freely all the morning, and now,
when the interesting ceremony was about to
commence, was so tight or rather loose, that
twas with difficulty he could sit in his sad
die. He, however, did not know but what
he was all right, nor did his men. Corn
wallis was not intoxicated, but n little agita-
ted, or rather elated.
Everything being ready, the company cx-
changed Shots Bang! wang!! bang -!
went the guns, while the two commanders
yelled like so many stuck pigs.
"Thats it, (hic) my brave boys! give it to
'em, the owdaciuus red coats ~ beloved
Washington.
"On, Romans" yelled the excited Corn
wallis, who had seen theatrical exhibition
once, and who remembered the heroic ap-
peals of the Thespian belligerents, "brcathes
there n man so dead that won't fight like
thunderr
"Go 1t, Continentials !-down with taxa
ton on tear beloved Washington in