Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-08-06
The Surrender of CORVALLIS,
BY LIEUT.. CHUR.


BY LIEUT.. cHUB.
Many years ago it vas a custom in the
State of Maine, in most of the towns to
celebrate the memorable event of the sur
render OF CORVALLIS, by going through a
mock performance representing that I'M
portant tact IN our country's history.
The little town Of Waterford, situated
upon the banks of the broad and majestic
Crooked River resolved not to be be-
hind i'll so great an affair. Accordingly a
meeting was called TO the old iown-house
on the hill, TO make the necessary arrange
menls. Deacon Moses Jones, as he was
called, was chosen 10 enact the character
OF Washington, and Squire Bier Wood
the character Of Corvallis The under
officers, soldiers, &c, were to be selected
by the selectmen, whose duty it was TO
furnish uniforms and pay such other ex-
penses as the affair should require.
Now, as Messrs. Jones and Wood are
the principal heroes of this sketch, a short
description of their characters may not be
out OF place. Deacon Jones was veal
thy farmer, proud and religious, lat least
he thought he was,) and was on the whole
very worthy man. The worst thing
about him was bad habit of taking a
drap too much but then this was not
thought great deal of, for everybody in
those days took sulhin' occasionally.
Squire Wood was the village lawyer,
very aristocratlc, but with all very clever
man. The Squire imagined that he knew
considerable more than what his neigh
bors gave him credit for. This NAV 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 dawned
beautifully, The Deacon, dressed as Gen,
Washington, and mounted on his iron
gray retired with his men, dressed as
'ConInentals true at an early hour, TO a
grove near the village, where the ceremony
was to take place,
CornwallIs pro tenn was also up and
dressed before day light, and stationed
himself, with his men dressed as British
ers, behind the Hills
The programme of the days perform
ance was as follows: The two compa-
MES were to meet in front Of the tavern,
on the common, exchange shots, skIrmish
a litle-in which Cornwallis was to be
most essentially whipped, and then inglo-
riously surrender.
At early dawn thousands poured into
the little village, 10 see the fun and cee-
brae the great day. Punch, rum-fip and
gingerbread were In great demand. AT 9
o'clock the two companies marched into
the village and arrayed themselves into
lighting 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 ex
cited, and Washington, | regret to say,
was in anything but iit 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 so loose, that it was with difficulty
he could sit in his saddle. He, however,
did not know but that he was all right,
nor did his men. Cornwalis was not liz
toxicated, but little agitated, Or rather
elated
Everything being ready, the company
exchanged shots. Bang whang bang
went the guns, while the two command
ers yelled like as many stuck pigs.
That's it, (hic) my brave boys! give
it to 'em, the owdacious red coats = bel
lowed Washington.
'On Romans = yelled the excited Corn
wallis, who had seen theatrical exhibit
ton once, and who remembered the hero
ic appeals of the Thespian belligerants;
brealhes there a man so dead that
wont fight like thunder 2
Go it, Continentals down with tax
alton on teal beloved Washington in
very patriotic voice, and narrowly escaped
cutting his horses ear off with the -four
ishng of his sword. The fighting now
ceased, the companies were drawn up IN
straight line, and Cornwallis dlsmounted
and presented his sword to Washington.
well old boy said the immortal, as
he culfed his horse's ears with his cooked
hat: what n thunder do you want :
Gen. George Washington = replied
CORVALLIS, Il surrender up to you my
self, sword and men !!
You do, do ye!' sneeringly ly replied the
General,