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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us March 1, 2006 Food & History Two generals and the dog they shared Jeff Cheek At first, the class-conscious English did not take the American commander seriously. Only gentlemen were capable of commanding an army, and he was not a gentleman. He was a commoner. His great grandfather, John Washington, was a sailor on HMS “Sea Horse,” a Plymouth-based ketch engaged in trade between England and her colonies. When his ship was damaged in a squall off Virginia in 1657, John spent several weeks ashore with a tobacco farmer named Pope while the vessel was under repair. Instead of sailing home, Washington married Anne Pope and settled down as a Virginia planter. His opponent, General Sir William Howe, fifth Viscount Howe, was a true gentleman, raised in the royal court, a war hero and one of England's best soldiers. Washington soon earned Lord Howe’s respect. His adversary might be a despised colonial and a commoner, but Howe said “he conducted himself like a gentleman.” He based this evaluation on several incidents. In every engagement Washington scrupulously obeyed the rules of war that a man could be taken prisoner and all government property seized, but his personal property must be returned. When Colonial troops occupied a British encampment they found a packet of letters left by a high ranking officer in Howe's command. Washington read them, searching for information of intelligence value. There was none, just an indication of some personal indiscretions by the officer. Under a flag of truce, Washington sent the letters to Howe to deliver to the officer. He added a personal note to Lord Howe, asking him to pass the letters along without reading them. Soon after the American commander received a personal note thanking him for his courtesy and assuring him the letters had been passed along, unread. Another exchange took place after the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777. After initial success, the American attack failed. Somehow, a small white dog ended up with the retreating soldiers. When they halted they examined his collar.They had lost the battle but captured Lord Howe’s pet fox terrier! His staff wanted Washington to keep the puppy as a mascot. He refused. The dog was personal property. While the captive was been fed and combed, he dictated a note to his aide, Alexander Hamilton. “General Washington's compliments to General Howe, does himself the pleasure to return to him a Dog, which accidentally fell into his hands, and by the inscription on the collar, appears to belong to General Howe.” Washington then ordered one of his men to backtrack 25 miles, carrying the terrier in one hand and a white flag in the other. The missing puppy was safely returned to his master. One of Howe’s staff officers describes the reunion: “The General seemed most pleased at the return of the dog. He took him upon his lap, semingly uncaring that the mud from the dog’s feet soiled his tunic. Whilst he stroked the dog, he discovered a tightly folded message that had been secreted under the dog’s wide collar. The General read the message, which seemed to have a good effect upon him. Although I know not what it said, it is likely to have been penned by the commander of the rebellion.” Neither commander ever disclosed the contents of this second, personal note. However, we know Howe appreciated the gesture. He referred to the exchange many times as “an honorable act of a gentleman.” And, two weeks later, he resigned his post as commander of the British army in America, “I hope that I may be relieved of this very painful service.” The request was granted and Lord Howe returned to England. If you like hot dogs, you will love these. Deluxe Salsa Dogs 6 jumbo hot dogs 6 hot dog buns, warmed Thin slices medium Cheddar cheese Fresh salsa Split sausages halfway through, lengthwise. Stuff with slivers of cheese, broil until trench opens and cheese is melted. Place on bun, cover with salsa and serve. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams