The Cecil Whig., 1877-02-03
THE LIONS OF THE LEGION.
by z. TANUM HANK.
THE HEROES, JOHN AND MICHAEL RUDULrH.
OF MARYLAND

From the Baitinorc Sunday telegram.
Next, at the battle of Eutaw Springs,
September Sth, 1881, we find Lees Legion
doing its heroic work. Losing says: The
British army under Stuart was drawn up
in "A line extending from Eutaw Creek, north
of the Congaree or Charleston road, near
Mr.. Sinkler' mansion. across that highway,
and the road leading to Roche's plantation,
an eighth of mile southwark. The Irish
Bluffs (fhird Regiment formed the right,
Lieutenant Colonel Cruger's LoyaliSts the
center, and the Sixty-thlrd and Sixty-fourth
veteran regiments the left. Near the creek
was a flank battalion of grenadIers and in
fantry under Major Maioribanks. These
were partially covered and concealed by a
thicket on the banks Of the stream. To
the cavalry of Captain Coffin and detach-
ment of infantry held in reserve in the rear
were assigned the support of the left. The
artillery was distributed along the front Of
the line. About 5 o clock, when the Ameri-
cans were within four miles of Eutaw, Lee
fell in with Captain Coffin, vino was acting
as an escort for a foraging party of about
400 men. Ignorant OF the proximity of the
main body of Green's army, Coffin attacked
Armstrong, who led Lees advance. Arm
strong fell back: Lee and Henderson re-
ceivcd the assault with spirit. A severe
Skirmish ensued, when Lees cavalry nn-
der Major Eggleston, gained Cotfn's flank
drew out the foragiug party into the road,
when the whole fled precipitately. pressed
by Lees dragons. Many Of Coffir's in
fantry were killed and the Captain and forty
men were made prisoners. Some of the
cavalry We're also slain aud many of the
foraging party were captured. This little
success inSpirited the Americans, and they
pushed forward with vigor. Within mile
of the British camp they encountered an
other detachment Of the enemy whom Stu
art had sent out to aid Coffin and the for
ayers. 1t was a surprise for both. While
the enemy fell back a little, Green quickly
prepared for battle, and pressing forward
the active command with spirit in the road
and fields. The enemys cannon swept the
road with destructive fire. until Colonel
Otho II. Williams, of the Maryland line,
brought up the artillery of Gaines in full
gallop and returned their fire with severe
effect. In the meanwhile Lees Legion,
infantry, were warmly engaged with the
veteran SiXty-third regiment of the enemy,
Ia 4
of the center and fell furiously upon Nal
meadry and his corps, and they soon yielded
to the pressure, and the enemy's left push
ing forward. Now the corps under Hen
derson sustained not only the fire of the
British right. but also of the flank battal-
ion under Majoribanks. At this moment
one of the British field pieces was disabled.
and both of Gaines three Founders were
supported by the artillery, fought with all
the skill and bravery of veterans. They
faced the storm of grape shot and bullets
until they had fired seventeen rounds, when
the Sixty fourth and center, who had borne
down Malreadry, pressed SO powerfully upon
inferior numbers that the militia gave way.
while Lee and Henderson continued fight
ing manfully upon the wings of the retir
ing patriots. Green now ordered up the
second line. under General Sumner, to fill
the space occupied by the militia. At the
same time the British reserved infantry
were brought into action, and these fresh
troops fought each other desperately
Colonel Henderson received Il wound that
disabled him, and temporary confusion ell
Sued. But order was soon restored by
Wade Hampton, Polk and Middleton. sum.
neTs brigade. which was chiefly of recruits
from the militia, gave way before the fire
of superior numbers and retreated in much
confusion. The British pressed so eagerly
that their ranks became disordered The
vigiant eyes of Green perceived this, and
he instantly issued the order, Let Will
Iiams advance aud sweep the field with
bayonets' Like full-winged storm, preg
nant with destruction, the Marylanders and
Nirginans advanced, led by Colonels vii
liams and Campbell. When within forty
yards OF the British these Continentals de
livered their fire, and the whole second line
Of the Americans rushed forward with
trailed arms and loud shouts to a bayOner
charge. The confusion Of the British was
increased by this blow, and us the smoke
rolled away and exposed their broken lines
Major John Rudulph, of Lees Legion
wheeled upon its flank and swept down
many with an enfiiading fire. In the mean
while corps of Marylauders, under Colo
mel John Eager Howard, were close con
tending with the Irish Bluffs, so closely that
some of the combatants were mutually
transiixed with bayonets. The Maryland
ers. under Otho II. Williams, with the Yir-
ginians, now pressed upon the British right
and center so furiously that the line gave
way and they retreated in confusion. Loud
arose the shout of victory from the Ameri-
cans, but there was. at the same time, occa.
sion for a voice of wall. In the shock
which scattered the British line, Colonel
| Campbell fell mortally wounded, and when
informed Of the rout of the enemy, died
| excaiming, | die contented''
| During the retreat the Americans cap
! tured more than three hundred prisoners
and two pieces of cannon. Upon one Of
/ these field pieces Lieutenant Duval, of
Maryland, who fought so bravely at the
! Star redoubt of Fort Nincty-s six, leaped,
/ and taking off his hat, gave three hearty
| cheers. \ bullet from q retreating Brit
/ isher brought him to the ground and he
expired within half au hour after, and here
ends our record of the Rudulphs. so far as
relates to Major John, for he died soon
after at Camden, Just about the close of the
war. General Mcdonald, late merchant
in Baltimore, certified in 1919 that he, then
a private in the army, had joined in firing
the salute Of honor over his grave.
We have constantly given credit to Cap
tain, afterwards Major John Rudulph, in
all the heroic deeds mentioned, because,
according to Losing and other authorities.
II uraS be who did Them. I,ut Il uriu,r y II ,h i