Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-01-22
A Ludicrous Incident.

IL was customary some years ago in many of the In
land towns of New England to celebrate the Anniver-
sary OF American independence by small fight intend
ed to represent some of the Revolutionary battles and
OF course victories one portion of the people of the
town representing the Red Coats and another the Fed
era forces Below give the rich end of an account
which we find in exchange of one of the celebrations
little town had resolved to perform the surrender o
CORVALLIS. Deacon Moses Jones, a wealthy proud
farmer was chosen to enact Washington and Squire
Biger Wook, arstOcratic lawyer to represent Corn
wallis; but let the writer tell his own story:
The two companies to meet in front of the tay.
ern, on the common exchange Shots skirmish little
In which Cornwals to be most essentially whipped
and then most ingloriously surrender.
At nine o'clock, the two companies marched into the
village and arrayed themselves into fighting positions
reminding the spectators of the time when
Brave Wolf drew up his men
On the plains of Abraham,
Before the city.
The two commanders were greatly excited and Wash
ngton regret to say, in anything but fit cond-
ton to act out the great part he was to perform
He had been drinking freely all the morning, and
now. when the interesting ceremony about to COM
mence, SO ight or rather loose that it was with
great difficulty that he could sit in his saddle he how
ever, did not know but what he was all right nor did
his men.
Cornwallis was not intoxicated but was little agi,
tated or rather elated.
Everything being ready, the companies exchanged
shots Bang whang bang went the guns while the
two commanders yelled like stuck pigs.
That's it, (hc) my brave boys give it to them, the
owdacious Red Coats!' beloved Washington.
"On Romans yelled the excited Cornwals, who
had seen theatrical exhibition once and remembered
the heroic appeals of the Thespan belgerents breathes
there man so dead that won't fight like thunder?"
Go it, Continentals! Down with taxation on tea p
beloved Washington, in very patriotic voice, and
narrowly escaping cutting his horses ear off with the
flourish of his sword.
The fighting now ceased, the companies were drawn
up in straight lne and Cornwallis dismounted and
presented his sword to Washington.
"Well, old boy.' said the immortal as he cuffcd his
horses with his cooked hat, what in thunder do
you want with me p
General Washington" replied Cornwallis, "I sar-
render to you myself, sword and men,
"You do, do your" sneeringly replied the General
Yes General, the British Lion prostratcs himself at
the foot of the American Eagle
"Eagic! Eagler' yelled the General, rolling off his
horse and hitting the Bron tremendous blow on the
head with the fat of his sword do you call me an
eagle you sneaking cuss "
Cornwallis was down only for moment, for he Jump
ed up and shook himself with an entirely unlocked fol
recuperaon, the part of the fallen, and in direct de
ance of historical TRUTH he pitched into Washington
like thousand of bricks, and in spite of the men o
both nations, succeeded in giving the immortal ire
mendous licking. So the day that commenced SO glor
Gus, ended ingIoriously.
For many years after the surrender there was cold
ness between the Deacon and the Squire but as time
rolled on and their locks became frosted with white they
learned to call it joke.
Both are now living and whenever they meet, they
smoke and talk about that arr like couple of go0t
Jolly old men, as they arc.