Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-10-07

II was customary some years ago 10
many OF the inland towns Of New Eng.
land, to celebrate tho anniversary Of
American Independence, BY . sham fight
intended TO represent some OF the Revo.
lutionsry, battles, and OF oourse-vi vic.
tories; one portion OF the town people
representing the Red Costs, aud another
the Federal forces. Below we find 10 On
exchange, ono OF the celebrations. A
little town had resolved to perform The
surrender Of CORVALLIS. Deacon Moe
% Jones, a proud, wealthy farmer, was
chosen to enact Washington, and Squire
Bigler Wood, an aristocrstio lawyer, to
represent CORVALLIS; but lot the writer
tell his own story.
The two companies were to meet in
front OF tho tavern, on the common, OK
change shots, skirmish . little-in which
Oornwsllis ives to DO essentially whip
ped and then most iugloriously surrcn.
der.
At nine O'Clock the companies marched
into the village, and srrsysd Themselves
in fighting positions, reminding tho
spectator OF the time when.
Brave Wolf drew up his men
In a stylo most pretty,
On the rlAins OF Abraham,
Before thc city
The two commanders were greatly OK.
cited, and Washington, regret to cay,
was in nything but q fit condition to
act out the part be wac to perform.
lie had been drinking freely oil tho
morning, and now, when tho interesting
ceremonies wero about to commence,
was 90 eight" or rather ''loose' that it
IVES with great difficulty that he could
sit on bic saddle; he, however did not
know but what be was al right, nor did
bis mon.
Cornwsllis Was not intoxicated, but
was little sgitatsd or Yssher elated.
Everything being ready, tho companies
exchanged shots. Bang! whsng! bang |!
went the guns two companies yelled like
struox picks,
"That's il; (hic) my brave boys: give
it to them owdscious Red Goats !"-bel.
lowed Washington.
"On Romsns!" yelled the excited
CORVALLIS, who had seen q theatric 81
exhibition once, and remembered tho
heroic appesls Of tho Tbespisn bslliger-
ents-sbresshes there . mao % dead,
that won't fight like thunder !"
"Oo it Continental! down with taxa
tion on teas" belloed Warrington in .
very patriotic voice, and narrowly e.
capped cutting his horses ear OF with
the flourish OF his sword.
Tho lighting now ceased, the compan'
ice were drawn up in q straight line, and
CORVALLIS d!sm ounted and presented
his sword to Washington.
"We!l, old boy" said the immortal,
a. he cuffed his horses ears with bic
cooked hat, "what in the thunder DO you
want OF me 20
"Genersl Washington, ;" replied Corn
wsllis, surrender to you, mysslf, sword
and men,"
"You do, do you?" sneeringly replied
the General.
"Yes, General, the British Lion pros.
trssss himself at the foot Of the Ameri.
can Esgle."
Eagle! Eagle! yelled The General
rolling Of HE horse, and hitting tha
Briton tremendous blow on the head
with the Ast OF HE sword; do you
call mo On eagle, you snesking euss?
Cornwsllis wss down only for . mo-
ment for be jumped up and shook him
self with an entirely unlocked for rscu
psration. on the part Of the fallen, and
10 direct defiance Of historical truth
pitched into Washington like thousand
OF brick, and in spite OF tho men Of both
nations, succeeded in giving the Sim
mortal . tremendous licking. So thu
day that commenced % glorious ended
in.glorious.
For many years after the surrender,
there was coldness between the dec
con and the Squire, but - time rolled
on. and their looks became frosted ovel
with white, they learned to call It q
joke.
Both arc now living, and whenever
they meet they smoke and talk sbou
that ar like couple Of good jolly Oh
men, % they are.