ANNE AND HER COW | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 11, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 10.

ANNE AND HER COW.

HAVE you heard how little Anne Rudolph recovered her cow from Lord Cornwallis, a long time ago? This is the way Our Dumb Animals tells the story:—

It was late in the fall of 1777, that a foraging party from the British camp in Philadelphia made a descent upon the farm of Major 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 confiscated.

Now this cow happened to be the pride of the farm, and was claimed as the exclusive property of Miss Anne Rudolph, aged twelve years. Of course no other animal on the estate was so important as this cow, and her confiscation by the soldiers could not be tolerated. So Miss Anne made an impetuous dash for her recovery, but finding the men deaf to her entreaties and the sergeant proof against her indignation, the spirited child rushed to the stables, saddled her pony, and was soon galloping toward the city, determined to appeal to the commander-in-chief of the British army.

Meanwhile, poor Sukey trudged along, her reluctant steps quickened now and then by a gentle prick with the point of a bayonet in her well-rounded side.

To reach the city before the foraging party was the one thought of the child, as her pony 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 haste was demanded. The child replied:—

"I must see the general immediately."

"But the general cannot be disturbed for every trifle. Tell me your business, and, if important, it will be reported to him."

"It is of great importance, and I cannot stop to talk to you. Please let go my pony, and tell me where to find the general."

"But, my little girl, I cannot let you pass until you tell me whence you came and what your business is within these lines."

"I came 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 with her persistence, had its influence. General Washington was in the neighborhood, with his ragged army, watching the opportunity to strike another blow for the liberty of the colonies. The officer well knew that valuable information of the movements of the rebels frequently reached the British commander through families residing in the country. Here might be such a case, and this consideration determined the soldier to send the child to headquarters. So, summoning an orderly, he directed him to escort the girl to the general.

It was late in the afternoon by this time, and Cornwallis was at dinner with a number of British officers, when "a little girl from the country with a message for the general" was announced.

"Let her come in at once," said the general, and a few moments later Miss Anne Rudolph entered the great tent.

"Well, my little girl, I am General Cornwallis," said that gentleman kindly. "What have you to say to me?"

"I want my cow!"

Profound silence reigned for a moment; then came a burst of laughter from all the gentlemen around the table. The girl's face reddened, but she held her ground, and her set features and flashing eyes convinced the general that the child before him was one of no ordinary spirit.

With ready tact, the general drew from her a narration of her grievance. "Why did not your father come?" 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 will kill my cow!"

"So—your brothers also are away. Now, tell me, child, where are they?"

"My oldest brother is with General Gates."

"And your other brother, where is he?" inquired the general.

"Is with Harry Lee."

The girl's eyes fairly blazed as she spoke the name of gallant "Light Horse Harry Lee." "But, General, I want my cow!"

"Ah, ha! one brother with Gates and one with Lee. Now," said the general severely, "where is your father?"

"He was with General Washington," answered the little maiden; "but he is a prisoner now."

"So, so. Father and brothers all in the Continental Army! I think, then, you must be a little rebel."

"Yes, sir, if you please. But I want my cow!"

"Well, you are a brave little girl, and you shall have your cow and something more, too." Then, stooping forward, he 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 to remember that Lord Cornwallis can appreciate courage and truth, even in a young 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 a man to drive her home again. So Miss Anne returned home in triumph with her cow. And those sparkling knee buckles are still treasured by her descendants as a memento of Cornwallis and the Revolution.