The Portland daily press., 1882-03-02
A Little Heroine.
How a Yankee Rebel Captured Lord Corn,
wallis's Buckles.
Tst. Nicholas.1

wallis's Buckles.
| [St. Nieholas.l
I am not quite sure of dates, but 1t was late
in the fall, think, of 1777 that foraging
party from the British camp in Philadelphia
made descent upon the farm of Major Ru-
dolph, south of that city, at Darby. Having
supplied themselves well with provender, they
were about to begin their return march, when
one of the soldiers happened to espy valuable
! COW, which at that moment unfortunately
made her appearance in the lane leading to
the barnyard, and poor Sakey was Immediately
confscated for the use of the company.
Now, this unfortunate COW happened to be
the pride Of the farm, ana was claimed as the
| exclusive property Of Miss Anne Rudolph
the daughter of tho house-aged twelve years.
OF course no other animal on tho estate was so
important as this particular COW, and her con-
fiscation by the soldiers could not be tolerated
for a moment SO Miss Anne made an impet-
uous dash for her recovery, but finding the
| men deaf TO her eatreaties, aud the sergeant
proof against the storms OF her indignation, the
high-spirited child rushed over to the stables
saddled her pony, aud was soon gallopping off
toward the city, determined to appeal to the
commauder-in-chief of the British army, If
nothing less would save the life of her favor
ito.
Meanwhile, poor sRkey trudged along, her
reluctant steps quiekened now and then by a
gentle prick with the point of a bayonet in her
well-ronnded side.
To reach the city before the foraging party
A. a., IS 4 oI,s
went pounding 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 replied:
81 must see the general immediately"
"But the general cannot be disturbed for
every trihe. Tell me your business, and if i'm
portant it will be reported to him"
'fIt is of great Importance, and cannot stop
to talk to you. Please let go my pony, and tell
me where to find the generalP'
"But, my little girl, / cannot let you pass
until you tell me whence you come and what
Your business is within these lines"
81 come from Darby, and my business is TO
see the general Immediately. No one else can
tell him what have to say"
The excitement Of the child, together with
her persistence, had its influence upon the
officer. General Washington was in the neigh
borhood with his ragged regiments, patiently
watching his opportunity TO strike another
blow Tor the liberty of the colonies The Off
Ger well knew that valuable information of the
movements of the rebels frequently reached
the British commander through families re-
siding in the country and still in secret friend
ly to the Crown. Here might be such a case,
and this consideration determined the soldier
to send the child forward TO headquarters. So,
summoning an orderly, he directed chin to es-
cort the girl to the general.
1t was late in the afternoon By this time, and
CORVALLIS was at dinner with number of
British officers, when "a little girl from the
country witha message for the general, was
announced.
''Let her come in at once" said the general,
and few moments later Miss Anne rudolph
entered the great tent.
For moment the gisl hesitated, overcome,
perhaps, by the unexpected brilliancy OF the
scene. Then the spirit of her "Redwofp an
cestors asserted itself, and to her CORVALLIS,
in full dinner costume, surrounded by his bril-
liant companies, represented only the power
that could save her fayorite from the butchers
knife.
"Well, my little girl, am General Cornwall
lis" said that gentleman, kindly, "what have
you to say to me?"
II want my COW"
Profound silence reigned for moment, then
came simultaneous burst OF upruarious laugh
ter from all the gentlemen around the table.
The girls face reddened, but she held her
ground, and her set features and flashing eyes
convinced the general that the child before
him was of no ordinary spirit.
A few words of encouragement, pleasantly
sDoken, quickly restored the equanimity of the
girl. Then with ready tact, the general soon
drew from her concise narration OF her grleY-
ance.
sWhy did not your father attend to this for
yoa?"
''My father is not at home, now."
And have You no brothers for such an er-
rasaa. f4stsad sf cenaine yourself into q British
"Both Of my brothers are away. But, Gener-
al Cornwallis," /" cried she, impatiently, while
you keep me here talking they will kill my
cowr'
"So-your brothers also are away from home
Now, tell me, child, where can they be
found?"
"My oldest brother, Captain John Rudolph,
is with General Gates. -
"And your other brother, where is he?"
"Captain Michael Rudolph is with Harry
Lee" The girls eyes fairly blazed as she spoke
the name of gallant Lighthouse Harry Lee"
Then she exclaimed: But General, my
cowl
@Ah. ali! 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 pr1s-
oner, now"
$50, 50. Father and brothers all in the Conti-
mental army think, then, you must be lit
tie rebel"
''Yes, sir, if you please-I am little rebel.
But want my cow!"
wen! 1Ou are pIaFe, stIaiSHSAOA 81 ~
tie girl, and you shall have your COW and some
thing more, too" Then, STOPPING forward, nc
detached from his garters a pair of brilliant
knee-buckles, which he laid in the child's
hands, "Take these" he said, "and keep them
as a souvenir of this interview, and believe that
Lord CORVALLIS can appreciate courage and
truth, even in a 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, to detail man
to drive her home again. So Miss Anne re-
turned in triumph with her cow. And those
sparkling knee-buckles are still treasured by
her descendants as q memento of CORVALLIS
and the Revolution.