Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-04-11
A Little Heroine.
HOW YANKEE REBEL CAPTURED
CORVALLIS BUCKLES,

; HOW YANKEE REBEL CAPTURE,
CORVALLIS BUCKLES.
am not quite sure of dates, but |
was late in the fall of 1777 that forap
ing party from the British camp il
Philadelphia, made descent upon tn
farm of Major Rudolph, south of th
city, at Darby. Having supplied them
selves well with prOvender. they wer
about to begin their return march, whel
one of the soldiers happened to espy
valuable COW, which at that momen
unfortunately made her appearance il
the lane leading to the barnyard, ant
poor Sukey was Immediately confiscat
ed for the use of the company.
Now, this unfortunate COW happened
to be the pride of the farm, and wa
claimed as the exclusive property o.
Miss Anne Rudolph-the daughter O
the house, aged twelve years. Ofcourse
no other animal on the estate was so i'm
portapt as this particular COW. and he
cOnfiscatiOn by the soldiers could not b,
tolerated for moment. So Miss Anne
made an impetuOus dash for her recov.
cry, but finding the men deaf to her en-
treaties, and the sergeant proof against
the storms of her Indignation. the high
spirited child rushed over to the stables
saddled her pony, and was soon gallop
ing off toward the city, determined to
appeal to the commander-in in chief of the
British army, if nothing less would save
the life of her favorite.
Meanwhile, poor Sukey trudged
along, her reluctant steps .quickened
now and then by gentle prick with
the point ofa bayOnet in her we'll round.
ed side.
To reach the city before the foraging
party was the one thought of the child,
as her pony went bounding along the
old Chester road at a pace that soon
brought her within the British lines.-
She was halted at the first outpost by
the guard, and the occasion of her hot
haste was demanded. The child re-
piled:
II must see the general Immediate
ly!n
"But the general cannot be disturbed
for every trif1e. Tell me your business,
and. if important, it will be reported to
him"
1T is of great importance, and ( can.
not stop to talk to you. Please let go
my pony. and tell me where to find the
ReQeT8l!'
"But, my little girl, cannot let you
pass until you tell me whence YOU come
and what your business is within these
lines"
II come from Darby, and my business
is to see the general Immediately. No
one else can tell him what I have to
say"
The excitement Of the child, together
mi h hnR a
upon the officer. General Washington
ged regiments, patiently watching his
opportunity to strike another blow for
the liberty Of the colonies. The officer
we'll knew that valuable information of
the movements OF the rebels frequently
reached the British commander through
families residing 10 the country and still
in secret. friendly to the Crown. Here
might be such case, and this consid-
GRAFTON determined the soldier to send
the child forward to headquarters So,
summoning an orderly he directed him
to escort the girl to the general.
1t was late in the afternoon by this
time, and CornWalliS was at dinner with
a number Of the British officers, when
"a little girl from the country with a
message for the general" was announc.
ed.
Let her come in at once" said the
general and few moments later Miss
Anne Rudolph entered the great tent,
For moment the girl hesitste6, over,
come, perhaps, by the unexpected bril-
liancy of the scene. Then the spirit of
hes 'tRedwolf" ancestors reasserted it,
| SELF and to her CORVALLIS in full din.
ner costume, surrounded by his brilliant
companions, represented only the pow-
er that could save her favorite from the
butchers knife.
"Well. my little girl, 1 am General
Cornwallis," said that gentleman, kind
II. "What have you to say to meW
II want my coww
Profound silence reigned for 6 mo-
ment, then came simultaneous burst
of uproarious laughter from all the gen
tlemen around the table The girls f ce
redeemed, but she held her ground, and
her set features and her flashing ewes
convinced the general that the child be
fore him was one of no ordinary spirit.
A few words of encouragement, pleas
antly spoken, quickly restored the
equanimity of the girl. Then, with
ready tact, the general soon drew from
her concise narration of her griev-
ance, '''''
;'Why did not your father attend to
this for you?"
my father is not at home. now"
"And have you no brothers for such
an errand, instead of coming yourself
into British camp ?"
"Both OF my brothers ays away, But,
General CarnWailis,p cried she, impa-
| tieniiy, 'swhile you keep me here talk
ling, they will kill my,cow!"
"So-your brothers also are away from
they be found?"
my oldest brother, Captain John
Rudolph, is with General Gates.
"And your other BROTHER, where is
Captain Michael Rudolph is with
Harry Lee" The girls eyes fairly
blazed as she spoke the name of gallant
Light horse Harry Lee.n Then she
exclaimed: But, general, nv cow!"
| "Ah. ma! one brother with Gates and
one with Lee. Now" said the general,
severely, "Where is your father?"
"He was with General Washington, -
frankly answered the little maiden
'but he is prisoner"
$50. so, father and brothers all in the
Continental army 1 think, then, YOU
must be little rebel" H'''
Eyes, sir, if you piease-I am little
retel. But wantfmy coww
well, you are brave. straight for
ward little girl, and you shall have your
COW and something more. too" Then,
STOPPING forward, he detached from his
garters pair of brilliant knee buck les
which he laid in the chiid's hands,
''Take these" ha said, land keep them
as sosvspir of this Interview, and be-
iiisye that Lord CORVALLIS can appre
ciate courage and truth, even in little
rebel" Then, calling an orderly, he
INSTRUCTED him to go with the child
Through the camp in search of the COW,
and when he should find the animal. tc
detail man to drive her home again
So Miss Anne returned in triumph with
her cow. And those sparkling knee
buckles are stiii treasured by her de
sqsnqants as q memento of Cosnwallis
and the revolution.-Ss. Nicolas fo,
February,
A Washington correspondent saws
that very good story of back pay Il
told by Representative Harris, O
Virginia, Il voted against the BILL
said he, "hut took the money. Wher