Michael Rudolph
Encyclopedia
Michael Rudolph was an officer in the United States Army
who served as acting Adjutant General and acting Inspector General of the U.S. Army in 1793.
Rudolph was born in Elkton, Maryland
of parents of German descent, and received no formal education. In April, 1778, at around the age of sixteen, he enlisted in Lee's Legion
, where he served for the duration of the American Revolutionary War
. He was commissioned a lieutenant in July, 1779 and in September, 1779 was brevetted
a captain for his actions in the Battle of Paulus Hook
. He was discharged at the conclusion of the war and returned to civilian life.
He returned to the Army in June, 1790 as a captain in the 1st U. S. Infantry. He was promoted to major
commanding the Squadron of Light Dragoons in March, 1792. In February, 1793 he was made acting Adjutant General and acting Inspector General of the U.S. Army. Shortly afterward, he was given command of Fort Hamilton, Ohio
. There, he refused to postpone the execution of several soldiers for desertion
even though he knew an appeal of their case was pending. Moments after the execution was carried out, a messenger arrived with orders reprieving some of the executed men. The execution infuriated Rudolph's commander, General Anthony Wayne
, who ordered Rudolph's resignation in July, 1793. Accounts say he returned home to find his wife had been unfaithful, and went to sea to seek his fortune, where he was captured and killed by pirates.
A legend which circulated in the mid-19th century had Rudolph making his way to France where he became the military commander Michel Ney
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
who served as acting Adjutant General and acting Inspector General of the U.S. Army in 1793.
Rudolph was born in Elkton, Maryland
Elkton, Maryland
The town of Elkton is the county seat of Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,893 as of the 2000 census and 14,842 according to current July 2008 census estimates. It is the county seat of Cecil County...
of parents of German descent, and received no formal education. In April, 1778, at around the age of sixteen, he enlisted in Lee's Legion
Lee's Legion
Lee's Legion was a military unit within the Continental Army during the American Revolution. It primarily served in the Southern Theater of Operations, and gained a reputation for efficiency and bravery on the battlefield.The original unit was raised June 8, 1776, at Williamsburg, Virginia, under...
, where he served for the duration of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. He was commissioned a lieutenant in July, 1779 and in September, 1779 was brevetted
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
a captain for his actions in the Battle of Paulus Hook
Battle of Paulus Hook
The Battle of Paulus Hook was fought on August 19, 1779 between Continental Army and British forces in the American Revolutionary War. The Patriots were led by Major Light Horse Harry Lee, and launched a nighttime raid on the British-controlled fort in what is today downtown Jersey City. They...
. He was discharged at the conclusion of the war and returned to civilian life.
He returned to the Army in June, 1790 as a captain in the 1st U. S. Infantry. He was promoted to major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
commanding the Squadron of Light Dragoons in March, 1792. In February, 1793 he was made acting Adjutant General and acting Inspector General of the U.S. Army. Shortly afterward, he was given command of Fort Hamilton, Ohio
Hamilton, Ohio
Hamilton is a city in Butler County, southwestern Ohio, United States. The population was 62,447 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Butler County. The city is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area....
. There, he refused to postpone the execution of several soldiers for desertion
Desertion
In military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a "duty" or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning...
even though he knew an appeal of their case was pending. Moments after the execution was carried out, a messenger arrived with orders reprieving some of the executed men. The execution infuriated Rudolph's commander, General Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
, who ordered Rudolph's resignation in July, 1793. Accounts say he returned home to find his wife had been unfaithful, and went to sea to seek his fortune, where he was captured and killed by pirates.
A legend which circulated in the mid-19th century had Rudolph making his way to France where he became the military commander Michel Ney
Michel Ney
Michel Ney , 1st Duc d'Elchingen, 1st Prince de la Moskowa was a French soldier and military commander during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. He was one of the original 18 Marshals of France created by Napoleon I...
.