To Disturb the Assembly; Tarleton's Charlottesville Raid and the British Invasion of Virginia, 1781 by John Maass

When Tarleton returned to England in 1782, he was very much a darling of the moment, treated to a hero's welcome. The newspapers of the day often printed poems sent in by readers or fragments of poetry dedicated to famous individuals. Tarleton drew his fair share of these amateur efforts, and even earned a broadsheet or two. There are several already spread around on the site, but with the addition of a new long poem, the list has outgrown the Trivia page and so is moving over here.

This snippet appeared in The Morning Post on August 12, 1782. It takes notice of his growing enthusiasm for the London nightlife:

Colonel Tarleton
And though he draws a fatal sword in battle,
And kindles warm in the pursuit of fame,
Pleasures subdues him quite; the sparkling eye
And gen'rous bowl bear down his graver mind,
While fiery spirits dance along his veins,
And keep a constant revel in his heart.

On November 5, 1782, the Post ran another poem fragment which took more notice of his military efforts:

Colonel T-----
I have seen him fight against a troop of Rebels
In your defence, as if he lov'd to bleed!
--- When he has been all over blood,
And hack'd with wounds that seem'd to mouth his praises,
I have seen him smile as he push'd death from him,
And with his actions rally distant fate!³

Tarleton also drew longer poetic efforts, including "Hudibrastic Epistle to Col. Tarleton" by "T.R.", which ran in The Scots Magazine in April 1781, and Mary Robinson's gushing Ode to Valour. Inscribed to Colonel Banastre Tarleton", first published in 1791.

After his return to England, another long tribute was published in Liverpool as a broadsheet. Since a tune is listed, it classes as a song rather than a poem. Its most interesting line, for me, is the snipe at William Harcourt, claiming he had stolen the glory in the capture of Charles Lee which rightfully belonged to Tarleton. Aside from Ban's own letter home to his mother, this is the only contemporary mention I'm aware of which emphasizes the importance of his participation.

An Ode On
Colonel TARLETON'S Return to his Native Country.

Tune, "Thursday in the Morn."

Behold our dauntless youth with laurels crown'd,
Whose name remotest time with pleasure shall repeat;
Re-visits now with joy this spot of ground.
Which gave another WOLFE to Britain's state.
           Oh! welcome daring soul,
           Let ev'ry voice proclaim,
           Let parties all unite.
           And sing a Tarleton's fame.
To you, ye kind protecting powers,
           We shou'd raise, songs of praise,
For, oh! the gallant Hero still is ours.

What tongue but can relate his martial deeds,
What honest British soul but views with joy his face;
What tho' at vict'ry's heels defeat succeeds,
Yet he exempted stands from all disgrace.
           Oh! welcome veteran soul,
           In youthful clay confin'd,
           To praise his guardian saints
           Let ev'ry voice be join'd.
For, oh! at last with glory crown'd,
           Mighty pow'rs, he is ours,
And spreads an universal joy around:

Tho' Harcourt took the praise, the deed was thine*
A Charles-Town loudly speaks, a Camden swells thy fame;
Catawba's Fords, and Guildford, all combine,
To hand with glory down thy mighty name.
           Hark! hark! the Gen'ral voice
           Their grateful feelings own,
           Thy wounds and hair-breadth 'scapes
           Are not to them unknown.
Yes, Yes, to you protecting powers,
           Songs of praise, we shou'd raise,
For, oh! the gallant Hero still is ours.

When with the clang of arms encircled round,
No tygress rob'd of whelps, cou'd spread such dire dismay;
Yet, hen at distance from the martial sound,
The gentlest manners round his person play.
           Oh! welcome dauntless soul,
           Let ev'ry voice proclaim,
           Let parties all unite,
           And sing thy matchless fame.
Thanks, thanks, ye kind protecting powers,
           From each ill, guard him still,
And may th' intrepid Hero long be ours.

           * Alluding to the capture of Gen. LEE.

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Odes to Colonel Tarleton

Contemporary Newspaper and Broadsheet Tributes

An Ode On Colonel TARLETON'S Return to his Native Country.

An Ode On
Colonel TARLETON'S Return to his Native Country.