Rudolph, Michael
Rudolph, Michael
RUDOLPH, MICHAEL. (1754?–1794). Continental officer of Lee's Legion. Maryland. Born in Maryland, perhas in 1754, Michael Rudolph and his brother, John, joined General Henry Lee's Legion in April 1778. Michael began with the rank of sergeant major, and on 1 April 1779 was made regimental quartermaster. Three months later he was promoted to lieutenant, and in a resolution of the Continental Congress on 24 September 1779 he and Archibald McAllister were brevetted as captains for their heroism in leading their forces in the successful surprise attack against the British position at Paulus Hook, New Jersey, on 19 August of that year. On 1 November 1779 he was confirmed in the rank of captain. In the Southern campaigns of General Nathanael Greene, Captain Rudolph performed gallantly and effectively with the infantry of Lee's Legion, being mentioned particularly in connection with the actions at Guilford, North Carolina, and Ninety Six and Eutaw Springs, both in South Carolina.
Serving to the end of the war, Rudolph settled at Savannah, Georgia, as a farmer and collector of taxes. He was commissioned a captain of the First U.S. Infantry on 3 June 1790 and as a major of light dragoons on 5 March 1792. On 22 February 1793 he was named adjutant and given the post of Inspector of the Army. Resigning on 17 July of that year he entered the West Indies trade. Two years later he vanished at sea.
SEE ALSO Lee's Legion; McAllister, Archibald; Paulus Hook, New Jersey.
revised by Michael Bellesiles