The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-01-27


but during the campaigns of the Cont
mental army in no and l,16, there did moi
exist a single troop of cavalry, and th'
great want OF such an efficient arm of ser
vice was manifest. Washington hmsel
keenly felt the Inconvenience and grca
danger arising from this eyigency, anC
upon his calling the attention of Congress:
10 it as an absolute requisite, Lee, i'll sep
TENDER, lI'I, with his company of cavalry
was taken into the service OF the ninn
and joined the main army. Here he wa,
under the immediate eye of Washington
and soon exhibited the wondrous qualities
of courage and capacity peculiar TO him,
and he gained the entire confidence of the
commander in chief. a test of merit unques.
TONED by Americans. His troops were re-
markable for promptness and efficiency. all
owing to Lees vigorous attention 10 the
equipment of his men and horses As we'll
as to his strict discipline in the corps, hence
when called upon, as it was so frequently
in the field, in procuring information, as a
toraging party, and i'll attacking light par
ties of the enemy, it was enabled at once
to act, and thus ever rendered most effec-
tual service and is it to be wondered at,
when we find Lee selecting such captains
as john and Michael Rudulph and Eggle-
ston, all of Maryland.
Congress soon 117Sl. at the instance Of
Washington, raised Lee to the rank Of
major, with the command of an independ-
ent corps Of two troops of horse, and after
wards to three troops and body Of intan-
try, which is described as the finest corps
of Americans that appeared during the
Revolution.
The first event of great moment after
the corps was thus constituted as the
LEGION" was its capture of the British gar
lison at Powles Hook now Jersey Ci,yl,
on the 18th of August, 11s9. Lee vas
ordered by Washington 10 take that garri-
son. With about three hundred men, Cap
tain John Rudolph at the head, he com
pIetcly surprised the British, taking 100
prisoners, and with the loss Of but two
men. His great prudence, bravery and
address on this occasion, in view of the
late British cruelties, warranting severe
retaliation, challenged the admiration and
commentator of the commander in chief
as we'll as Congress, and the latter voted
Lee thanks and a gold medal, which was
struck and presented as follows: One side
containing a bust of Lee with the words,
- iIenrico Lee, Lcgionis Equt, Prae fecto,
Comtia Americana. That is: The
American Congress to Henry Lee, Colonel
of Cavalry" On the other side, in Latin
also, is as follows: " Notwithstanding rv-
erS and intrenchmcnts, he, with a small
band, conquered the foe by warlike skill and
prowess, and firmly bound by his human
ity those who had been conquered by his
arms. In memory of the conflict at Powles
Hook, August 10, l,19.''
The legion was soon to make it's mark
memorabiy in the South, even more de
cided than it had every where at the North.
The American army at the South, during
1873 and 1880 bad been particularly un-
fortunate. North Carolina was filled with
Bitishers, ana South Carolina ana Georgia
were almost entirely in their hands. Con.
gress resolved, therefore, to send the Mary
land and Delaware lines to reinforce the
southern department, and in May, 1880
all that were left of tile brgades that had
fought at White Plains, Fort Washington
Harlem Heights, and on Long Island or
rather through five campaigns. passed
through their native State Of Maryland
without revisiting their homes or seeing
friends, intent upon securing the South.
many never to return to their homes and
friends, then so near at hand as they passed
General Gates, though thus reinforced,
through the faitering of the Virginia and
North Carolina troops, lost the battle OF
Camden, when Congress resolved to super
sede him with General Nathaniel Greene.
but the only reinforcement General Wash
ington oOuld then spare Greene was Lees
legion then composed of three companies
each OF cavalry and infantry, OF about $50
men.
\ writer in the Sovtbern Literary HeS
senger, in January, 1S4., in the endeavor
to establish the Identity of Michael Rudulph
and Michael Ney, though crroneou>!y at
tributipg all the Rudulph heroism to Cap.
tain Michael gives undoubtedly a most
true narrative, if We substitute the name Of
Major John for Captain Mike Rudulpa ~
moss of the daring deeds recorded, and
which tossing, in his Field Cook of the
Rev0luti0n," gives John the credit for.
The Messenger writer says. In January
1850, Lees legion reached the Pedee in
excellent condition, and was Immediately
dispatched to form junction with Marion.
then preparing TO make a descent upon
Georgetown, South Carolina. The descent
vas made by the united forces of Marion
and Lee, John Rudolph being entrusted
with the command of one of the attacking
parties. Rudulph was entirely successful
though the expedition was so only in part
The British commandment of the place was
taken in his bed, and many of his troops
were Slain, but the idcH Of Gthclent CO.
operation ba.,ied the full desirea of the
assalants. The part here played by Ru-
dulph was true TO his weil-known Skill
courage and activity"
To pursue the active and spirited career
of Lees legion would be only to trace that
of Major John or Captain Nike Rudolph
as conspicuous among aud over all his Off
GERS. Lieutenant GARDEN, in the same com
mand, writes: There was not an officer of
the same craze in All the Southern army
whose activity and daring spirit produced
such essential advantages to the service,
yet in the page of history he is scarcely
named" This, unfortunately, is not ex.
actly true. Rudolph is, perhaps, quite as
frequently mentioned in our domestic his
tory as we ordinarily find persons of his
rank.
Iossing, at this date, ly4I, has; not yet
published his iieid Book iof 1850, from