The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-19
R4YDE OFYE TARLETON.


RATDE or re TARLETON.
Important Part Played by Dish OF ff'eo
Chicken in the Revolution
:, "a said there is a tradition IN inc
WAGER family in Virginia thae an mn
,,or,ar, crisis in the American revolution
wa safety passed by the help OF n ulsn
NJ fried chicken. The story Is that IN
IN the virginia Legislature adJournsh
from Richmond 10 CharlottesVllle. Inc
xritlsh Colonel Tarleton started 10 cap
ture IL, with a large force OF caVairy anu
infantry. lie stopped for breakfast AT tae
plantation Of Or. Joseph walker twenty
miles from Charlottesville Rdtiohs were
distributed among the men, and the honse
cook FASTENED TO prepare real Virginia
breakfast for the Colonel and his stan.
Meantime. a messenger rode on in not
haste TO warn the Legislature, ana
Thomas jefferson. then Governor or VIZ
ginia. who was at his home in Monticello,
outside OF Charlottesville. Twice the COOK
prepared a delicious dish OF fried chicken
and cream gravy. and twice when her
back was turned, some or the hungry
British soldiers dashed into the Kitchen
ana carried IL on. Tarleton was also
hungry. and angry at the delay, which
the most explained. and said the rest OF
the metal could be served II desired, but
IT he wished fried chicken, he must set
corporars guard to protect the cook.
Tarleton was a glutton. He hesitated
moment, then said II will wait for the
chicken. Adjutant. set a guard on those
rascally thieves" The guard was set
and the chicken cooked and eaten: but
the delay enabled the messenger TO reach
charlottesville and give the alarm JEFF
rersOn and the Legislature escaped before
Tarleton and his troops entered the town.
Tneir cap.urs would have been a stun
ming blow 10 the fortunes OF the young
republic.
II was we dawne OF 81.
In Revolution dayes,
wnen marched we doughty Tarleton,
prepared for mighty frayes.
HIS troops by Richmond towne dyd lye,
whose governors had ned.
10 Charlottesville. with bewe and crye,
By prudent fOrethought led.
Tom Jefferson. we chief. was there,
Ye House Of Burgess. too.
But 1arleton fiercely dyd declare.
I'm capture We whole crewe."
So on he started Myth hys force,
At early breake or daye,
Some men on foote and some on horse,
All eager for ye fraye.
But when he came by Walkers house,
OF leagues full fifteen passed.
Its friendly locke dyd much enhance
Ye need to break hys fast.
so gave he orders to hys men
TO eat ye morning meal,
An order gladly welcomed there
SO hungry dyd they feel
Ye colonel and hys body guard
On Oman dyd depend.
Ne SABLE Kitchen wench. Twas hard,
But dared she not onend.
Her oredred he, Myth sterne beheste.
A breakfaste 10 prepare
or chycKen fryed. and rolls the beste,
Wen fyt tor royal fare.
Meantime ye messenger had fiowne,
SO taste as horse could 80.
10 Charlottesville. 10 make It knowne,
Ye coming OF ye foe.
That 1arleton. by CORVALLIS sent,
Had started on ye run,
10 capture all ye government,
Fen Chieftaine Jefferson.
Now oman had received we hynt,
TO make no parte in haste,
And never I'm We least to stynte
TO suit We colonel's taste.
&
Ye preakfaste soon was well set out,
As tyne as one could wishe,
But soldiers lurking therea bout.
In dashed and seized we dIshe.
Again black Dinah turned her handle
10 get one other meal,
but hardly done, than came a bande
And every crumbe dyd steal.
Poor Oman. feignine sore DISTRESS,
TO Tarleton make her wave,
Her injured feelings 10 express.
Ana thus 70 him dyd save:
Dem t1evin' sogers ober dar,
Done bust my kitchen do,
Ana pom my honor. 1 declar',
stole all de chycken. sho'l
But kernel. ef yo' IS in haste,
Deres oder vlttles cooked,
Dat can be mkt 20 suit yo' taste,
Dem rufiins IS not hookedw
fe colonel then began 70 rave,
Ana swore by all their eyes,
That cnycKen fryed he sure would have,
80 sure as fryes are fryes"
DE corporaIs guard. den. must he sent"
said Oman. with n locke
or innocence and Difference bent,
Fer 10 perfect de cook"
Here, adjutant," we colonel cryed,
Go get guard. and see
mat when again ye fowles are fryed,
Ye rogues 90 not cheate nler'
Inen Dinan dyd her worke renewe,
And duly set ye boarde
wyth chycken fryed. and creamy steve
Evolved from bounteous horde
wyth gusto. Tarleton and hys stan,
Enjoyed we feaste, iliumed
wytn frequent well-tymed jest and laugh
And then ye march resumed.
But when they reached ye Charlottesville,
Ye legislative halle
was vacant. closed ana very still,
No members there at all.
In haste ye colonel hurried on
10 Monticello shade,
| Fun sure TO capture Jefferson
Cnier Obfeft Of We raVde