Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-17
PERllOUS RIDE FOR A cow.
Anne Rudolph Made an Appeal to GEN.
CORVALLIS.

Anne huoolpn Made an Appeal to GEN.
CORVALLIS.
1t was late in the fall of 1777 that a
foraging party from the British camp
in Philadelphia made a descent upon
the farm of Maj. Rudolph, south of
that city. Having supplied themselves
well with provender one of the soldiers
happened to espy a valuable cow in
the lane leading to the barn-yard, and
poor Sukey was Immediately confsca-
ted.
This cow happened to be the pride
of the farm, and was claimed as the
exclusive property of Miss Annie Ru-
dolph, aged II years. Of course no
other animal on the estate was so i'm
portant as this COW, and her contisca-
ton by the soldiers could not be toler-
ated. So Miss Anne made an impetu-
Gus dash for her recovery. But find
ing the men deaf to her entreaties and
lhe sergeant proof against her indig-
nation, the spirited child rushed to the
stables, saddled her pony, and was
soon galloping toward the city, de-
termined to appeal to the commander
in-chief of the British army.
Meanwhile poor Sukey was trudg-
ing along, her reluctant steps quick
ened now and then by a gentle prick
with the point of the bayonet in her
well-rounded side.
To reach the city before the foraging
party was the one thought of the child.
as the pony went pounding along the
old Chester road at pace that soon
brought her within the British lines.
She was halted at the first outpost by
the guard. and the occasion of her
haste demanded. The child replied:
81 must see the general Immediate
lyr
"But the general cannot be disturb
ed for every little triHe. Tell me your
business, and, if important, it will be
reported to him."
at is of great Importance, and l
cannot stop 70 talk to you. Please let
60 my pony, and tell me where to find
the general"
''But, my little girl, cannot let you
pass until you tell me whence you
came and whatyour business is within
these lines"
81 came from Darby, and my bust
ness is to see the general Immediately.
No one else can tell him what have
to say"
The excitement of the child, togeth-
er with her persistence, had its in
| huence. Gen. Washington was in the
ne;ghborhood with his ragged army
watching the opportunity to strike an-
other blow for the liberty of the colo
MES. The officer we'll knew that valua-
BILE information of the movements of
the rebels frequently reached the
British commander through the fami-
lies residing in the country. Here
might be such a case, and this consid-
Grafton determined the soldier to send
the child to headquarters. So, sum-
moning an orderly, he directed him to
escort the girl to the general.
1t was late in the afternoon by this
time, and CORVALLIS was at dinner
with a number of British officers, when
"a little girl from the country with
message for the general was an
nounced.
''Let her come in at once" said the
| general, and few minutes later Miss
Anne Rudolph entered the great tent.
:; ''Well, my little girl, am General
Corvallis" said that gentleman kind
: ~. "What have you to say to mep''
II want my cow!"
Profound silence reigned for mo-
ment, then came a burst of laughter
from all the gentlemen around the ta-
bic. The girls face Redeemed, but she
held her ground, and her set features
and flashing eyes convinced the gen.
eral that the child before him was one
of no ordinary spirit.
With ready tact the general drew
! from her narration of her grievance.
"Why did not your father Gomez" he
asked.
MY father is not at home"
''And have you no brothers?"
Both of my brothers are away. But
| general cried she, impatiently,' 'while
you keep me here talking they may
kill my cow!"
''So-your brothers are also away.
Now, tell me, child, where are theyP',
my oldest brother is with General
Gates"
"And your other brother, where is
hep" inquired the general.
''1s with Harry Lee.'
The girls eyes fairly blazed as she
spoke the name of the gallant Light
Horse Harry Lee. but general, /
want my cowI'
! ALL HI! Que DfOGleF WITH 1dLeS
and one with Lee. Now" said the gen.
eral, severely, ''where is your father?"
He is with Gen. Washin gton," an
swered the little maiden, "but he is
prisoner now"
$50, so, Father and brother all in
the continental army! l think. then,
that you must be little rebel"
Eyes, sir, if you please. But l want
my cow!'
"Well, you are brave little girl, and
| you shall have your COW and some
thing more, too" Then STOPPING for
ward, he detached from his carriers a
| pair of brilliant knee-buckles, which he
laid in the child's hands. Take
these he said, land keep them to re-
member that Lord CORVALLIS can ap-
preciate courage and truth, even in a
young rebel" Then. calling an order
ly, he instructed him to go with the
child in search of the COW, and, when
she should find the animal, to detail
man to drive herhome again. So Miss
Anne returned home in triumph with
her cow. And those sparkling knee
buckles are still treasured by her de-
scendants as a memento of CORVALLIS
! and the revolution.