Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-02-14
\ 81 krtf j..
LYDIA DARRAH THE QUAKER Ess.

w Deu tnt DTltisH iciu po"'SSSS'~
adelphia, Gen. Howe's head quarters were
in Second street, the forth door pelow
Spruce, in house which was before occu-
pied by Gen. Cadwallader. Directly oppo-
site, resided William and Lydia Darrah,
members of the Society of Friends. A su-
perior officer in the British army, believed
10 be the Adjulant General, fixed upon one
of the chambers, a back room, for private
conference two of them frequently met
there. with fire and candles, in close consul
taton About the 2d of December, the Ad-
iutant General told Lydia that they would
he in the room at O'Clock, and remain
late and that wished to retire early to bed,
adding, that when they were going away,
they would call her 10 let 'hem out, and ex-
tinpnish their fire and candles. She accord
snglv sent all the family 10 bed but, as the
officer had been so particular, her curiosity
was excited She took off her SHOES, and
put her ear to the key hole of the conclave'
She overheard an order read for the British
troops to march ont, late in the evening oi the
fourth, and attack General Washington's ar
rny, 4aen encamped at White Marsh. On
hearing this, she returned 10 her room and
aaid herself down. Soon after, the officer
knocked at her door, but che arose only at
the third summons, having feigned TO be
asleep. Her mind was SO agitated that from
this moment, she could neither eat nor sleep;
supposing it TO be in her power to save the
lives Of thousands of her countrymen, but
not knowing how she vas TO convey the
necessary Information to Gen. Washington,
nor daring 10 confde it ever to her husband.
The time left, however was short she
eaickiy determined TO make her way.
quickly 10 lhe American ontposts. She in
formed her family that, as they we're in
want of flour, she would go 10 Frankiord for
some her husband insisted that she should
take with her the servant maid but, 10 his
surprise, she positively refused. She got
access ts General Howe, and solicited
what he granied--a pass through the British
troops on the lines.
Leaving her bag at the mill, she fastened
towards the American lines, and encounter
SU du fiuiGt SOiViC' N'e'e57 Va 'N'O
light horse, who with some men, was on the
lookout for information. He knew her, and
inquired whittier she was going. She an
swered, in quest of her son, an officer in the
American army /; and prayed the Col. 10
aiight and walk with her, He did SO, order
ing his troops 10 keep in sight. To him
she disclosed her momentous secret, afteI
having obtained from him the most solemn
promise never to beiTay her individually
since her life might be at stake with the
British. He conducted her 10 house nea
at hand, directed female in il 10 get he
something to eat, and speeded for heao
quarters, where he made General Washing
ton acquainted with what he had heard
Washington made, of course: all prepara
lions for battling the mediiated surprise
Lydia returned home with her flour sa
up alone 10 watch the movements OF tn
British troops but when they returned in
few DAYS after, did not dare 10 ask ques
ton, though solicilous TO learn the event :
The next evening, the Adjutant Genera
came in, and requested her to walk up I
his room, as he wished 10 pnt some ques
tions She followed him up in terror, an
when he locked the door, and begged he
with an air of misery, 10 be seated, she wa
sure that she was either suspected or ha
been betrayed. He enqured earnestly wht
ther any of the family were up the night h
and the officers met ;-she told him thu
they had all retired al 10 o'clock. He ol
served-'I know you were asleep, for
Knocked at your chamber three time befoI
YOU heard me am entirely at loss
know who gave General Washington info
nation OF our intended attack, unless II
house could speak. When we arrive
near White Marsh we found all their cann'
mounted, and the troops prepared 10 recei
us: and we have marched back like pa
Gel Of fools"
BrrrEa late ripe, and bear, than blosso