Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-12-24
No 5atrifite Of lprintiples.


still very anxious heart. She passed the mills
on her way where leaving her bag she hasten
ed on towards the camp of Washington, en-
countcring as she approached the lines, lieut.
enant Of light horse, who recognized her, and
inquired where she was going. She told him
that she was in quest of her son and desired
him to accompany her to the tent Of the Gen
eral
lie at once accceded to her request; and in
few moments she was standing in the pres
ence of Washington, whom she found alone,
busily occupied with some dispatches, which
he had but few moments before received,
while spread out upon the ground before bin
lay maps of different sections of the country.
introducing her to the General, the lieutenant
left the tent to rejoin his companions, while
Lydia proceeded to deliver herself of the in
teligence which she had so happily gained
from the lips of the adjutant general
The surprise of Washington may well be
conceived when he heard all the good woman
had to say, though, from the usual calmness
Of his features, it was oftentimes difficult to
trace in the expression of bis countenance any
emotion, either Of pain or pleasure. Always
careful to be correctly informed himself and
cautious about receiving as truths every ru-
NOR that was uttered by busy tongues, or fell
1pon the public ear he questioned Mrs. Hanah
most particularly regarding what she had
heard, and why in the FIRST place she had been
tempted to listen; then, and being well salts
led that what she said could be depended up
on, he offered TO reward her for her faithful
ness, which she declined with delicacy that
forbade him to be mportunate upon the SUBJ
ject
"At any rate" said he with smile, ''allow
me, in The name of the army and of the coun-
! ty, to thank you for this excellent service !;
and, at the same time, permit me 10 say that
| if wise Providence ordans that / shall a.
gain held my quarters in your good city,
shall take occasion TO thank you more partic,
ularly in person at your own residence. In
the meantime, must bill you a good day
| for, as our friends, the British intend paying
us visit 10 morrow, we must neglect nolhi
ing 10 give them reception worthy Of such
distinguished guess.
Bowing Lydia out of his tent, he ordered
the sergeant ofthe guard to escort her to The
out-posts, from whence she fastened back to
the mill, and with her small grst of meal re-
passed the British lines, and returned to the
city-ganng her own house without inter
ruption or suspicion.
Now, in the camp of Washington, III wa
hustle. Pickets were placed, the guard wa:
doubled, and strict orders given that no per
son should be allowed TO go into, or from tht
camp, without an especial passport from tht
Commander Cannon were mounted, anC
t troops were paraded and drilled. But to al
r the officers the sudden change from inactv
ty to life was mystery, though some wert
shrewed enough to surmise that the General
: from some cause well founded in his owl
, reason, had determined to attack the British il
: their quarters in Philadelphia, and by com
pellng them TO eyacuate, establish himself il
r the city for the winter-a position much NOR
! desirable than the cold and cherries situation
: already cont mplated, Valley Forge. How
S ever, all their surmises failed to account 70
the present condition. of affairs; and Wash
s ington considered the secret of so much i'm
d portance that he deemed i imprudent to re
= veal it until the last moment
Well the evening of the 4th came and ou
: from the guarded and senlineled city, march
ed t British troops. The air was not col
e for the season; and the sky was somewhs
! over asst and misty, affordng fine opportu
Il nifty fer the maneverng of Gen. Howe
scheme On they marched, as silently as po;
i sble, but as confident as Hercu es, until the
= had approached within half mile Of the A
n mer cln pckets, when halt was commandel
b and scouts were sent to reconnoitre.
{ 1t was now a moment of inlolerablc anxi
! ETY. to the British officers. They had reache
; the neighborhoodso soi Ch, nut Hill and off,
d Ipile distant, in the valley below lay in con
n plete silence, the American Army.
The adjutant was out few rods in advance
J. accompanied only by an aide, and with h
night glass sought the lines of the rebel Ell
r campment; but the darkness and the mist ha
II grown more impenetrable, and nothing coul
d be discerned to indicate that the enemy wei
o at all suspicious Of danger. Not even cam
n fire could be seen, nor the challenge Of tn
r sentry heard; the silence was omlnous, an
S 50 thought the adjatant, who remarked to b
r aid
g 'In the face of all the precautions whic
J. we have taken to secure secrecy in this move
e ment, can scarcely think it probable tbs
e Washington is aware of our inten tons, an
e has laid his plans to surprise us; but this ur
/ wonted sileuce is so oppressive; the darken'
'l in the direction of the camp is so impenelri
y bic, that have my suspicious"
=, "You will note, sir" replied the aid, "tha
't the damp and foggy state Of the atmospher
J. is not favorable to the transmission of sounc
II and sights"
% "True, indeed. But one might expect
IS catch some whisper in the neighborhood {
d an encamped army, even in such night
h murmur, even, however indistinct but the S
ence here is too intense, and must have
of meaning in it."
d "True; but perhaps your anxiety for ii
10 success of our expedition leads you to gis
l. more Importance to these appearances tina
n they deserve"
'e "Well, perhaps it IS so. Let us ride in an
J. then send to me sergeant Marshall"
II The two officers joined again the main bod
l. The aid left the general; and in few m
'e ments the latter was joined by short musc
N lar man whose frame indicated the utmo
!. hardihood, and whose face betokened almo
1t ferocious courage.
y Marshall" said the adjutant, addressr
~ 4 NJ 4. L.