Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-12-30
MISCELLANEOUS.

MlcCCLLANEOOG.
REVOLUTIONARY ANEcDoTE.- When
the British army held possession ofPhi-
ladclphia, Gen. Howe's head quarters
were in second street, the fourth door
below Spruce, in house occupied by
Gen. Cadwaller. Directly opposite re-
sided William and Lydia Darah. mem,
bers of the society of Friends. A supe-
ror officer of the British army believed
to be the adJutant general, fixed upon
one Of their chambers fora private con,
ference, and two ofihe officers frequent,
y met there, with fiji, and with candles,
in close consultation. About the I'd of
December the Adjutant general told
Lydia, that they would be in the room,
at seven o'clock and remain till late ;
and they wished the family to retire
ea'ly to bed; adding that when they
were going away they would call her, to
let them out and extinguish the fire and
candles. She accordingly sent all the
family to bed; but as the officer had
been so particular, her curiosity was ex-
cited; she took Oft her shoes, put her
ear close to the keyhole of the conclave,
and overheard an order read for all the
British troops TO march out late in the
evening Of the 4ih, and attack the Ame-
rican army then encampcd at White
marsh.
On hearing this she returned to her
chamber, and lay down. Soon after the
officer knocked at the door and she
arose only at the third summons, feign.
ing herself asleep. Her mind was so
much agita,ed by what she had heard,
that she could neither cat nor sleep, sup.
posing it 10 be in her power to save the
lives of thousands of her fellow country
men; but not knowing how to convey
the information to Gen. Washington not
daring to confde it to her husband. The
time left, however was short. She
quickly determined to make her way as
soon as possible to the American out
posts.
She Informed her family that, as she
was in want of flour, she would go to
Frankfort for some. Her husband insis-
ted that she should take her servant
maid with her but to his surprise, she
positis2ly refused. She got access to
Gen. Howe, and solicited, what he rea-
dily granted, pass through the British
troops on the line. Leaving the bag at
the mill, she fastened towards the Ame.
rican lines, and encountered on her way
an American lieutenant colonel of the
light horse, who. with some of bis men.
was on the lookout for information. He
knew her. and inquired where she was
going. She answered in quest of her
son, Gan officer in tile American armv,)
and PRAYED him to alight and walk with
her. He did SO, ordering his troops TO
keep in sight. To him she disclosed her
secret, after obtaining solemn promise
hat he would not betray her individu.
ally, as her life might be at stake with
he British.
He conducted her to house near at
land, ordered some refreshment for her.
md FASTENED TO head quarters, TO ac-
quaint Gen. Washington with what he
lad heard. Washington of course, made
VI necessary arrangements for battling
he meditated surprise. Lydia returned
lome with the -four, sat up alone to
watch the movements of the British
roops, heard their footsteps as they mo-
red out Of the city; but when they re-
urned, in a few days after, she did not
lare to ask question. though anxious to
earn the event.-The next morning the
djutant general came in. and requested
lcr to walk up into his room, as he
Wished TO put some questions to her.
She followed in terror, and when with
N air Of mystery,he requested her 10 be
Gated, she was sure she was either sus-
'ected or betrayed.
He Inquired earnestly whether any
+ her family was up The last night, I,
shen he and the other officers met.