The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-08-06
Hannah Erwin Israel.

Hannah Erwin Israel.
About the close Of the year 1777, while the
commander chief of the British forces was in
possession of Philadelphia, foot-passenger
might have been seen on the road leading from
Wilmington to that city. He was young man
of tall figure and powerful frame, giving evi-
dence of great muscular strength, to which a
walk of over thirty miles, under ordinary cir
cumstances, would be tride. But the fea-
lures of the traveller were darkened by anxiety
and apprehension; and twas more the oyertask-
ing of the mind than the body which occasion
ed the WEAKNESS and lassitude under which he
was plainly laboring. His dress was that of a
simple citizen, and he was enveloped in a large
cloak, afording ample protection against the
severity of the weather, as we'll as serving to
conceal sundry parcels Of provisions and bag
of money, with which he was laden It was
long after dark before he reached the ferry, but
renewed hope and confidence filled his heart as
he approached the termination of his Journey.
Sir William Howe, it will be remembered,
had entered the capital towards the end of Sep
tember, after much manauvring and several
battles-W Washington having made Intellectual
efforts to preventive accomplishment of his OBJ
parenty cordial, by the ti1nid .orinterested cit
zens. His first care was to reduce the fortif-
cations on the Delaware, and remove the OBJ
structions prepared by the Americans to pre-
vent the British fleet from ascending the river.
While fort Mff1in at Mud island, and fort Mer-
Ger at Red Bank, were occupied by their gar
risons, he could have no communication with
his fleet, and was in danger Of being speedily
compelled to eyacuate the city. Count Donop,
detached with the Hessian troops to take pos
session of the fort at Red bank, was repulsed
and mortally wounded. The invaders fortune,
however, triumphed, and the Americans were
finally driven from their posts. Their water
force was compelled to retire from the fire of
the batteries, and the British at length gained
free communication, by way of the Delaware,
between their army and the shipping. Thus
the reverses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
not be altogether dispelled even by the brilliant
victories of Saratoga and the capture of Bur
goyne and his army. The condition of the
American army, when it retired into winter
quarters atValley Forge, was deplorable enough
to change hope into despair, and presented
truly spectacle unparalleled in history. CAB
solute destitution held high court, and never
was the chivalric Reroism of patriotic suffering
more tangibly manifested than by the patriot
band within those frail log huts that barely COW
cred them from the falling snow, or sheltered
them from the keen wintry blasts" This priva-
ton of necessary food and clothing during one
of the most rigorous winters ever experienced
in the country-this misery-the detail ofwhich
is too familiar to need repetition, was endured
by the continental soldiers, at the same time
that the English in the metropolis were reveling
in unrestrained luxury and indulgence. Many
whig families, meanwhile, who remained in
Philadelphia, plundered and insulted by the
soldiers, wanted the comforts of life, and re-
ceved assistance clandestinely from their friends
/ at distance.
10 return to our narrative. When the trav-
eler arrived at the ferry, he was promptly hail
ed by the sentinel, with "who goes there?'
"a FRIEND" was the reply.
'sThe countersi gn! !''='sz ....
The countersign for the night was promptly
given.
"Pass, friend!' said the soldier, and the 9th
er went on quickly.
Israel was a native of Pennsylvania. He
had left America at twenty-one, for the island
of Barbados, and by nine Or ten years of pa
tient industry had amassed considerable prop
erty. He returned RICH to his native country
but in few months after his marriage the wal
broke out, and his whole fortune was lost OF
sacrificed by agents. He had resolved, with
his brother, at the commencement of the strug'
gle, to take up arms in the cause of freedom
But the necessity was imperative that one should
remain for the protection of the helpless females
of the family; and their entreaties not to be left
exposed to merciless enemy without a broth
er's aid, at last prevailed. Israel and Joseph
drew lots to determine which should become q
soldier. The lot fell upon the younger and un
married one. At this period the residence o.
Israel was on a small farm near Wilmington
Delaware. His mother had removed with he,
family to Philadelphia, her house at Newcastle
being thought too much exposed in the vicissi
tudes of war. After the occupation of the cap.
ital by the British, they endured severe hard
ships, sometimes suffering the want of actual
necessaries. Israel watched over their welfare
with incessant anxiety.
The knowledge that his beloved ones were
in want of supplies, aud that his presence was
needed, determined him to enter the city at this
time, notwithstanding the personal hazard it in.
volved. One of bis tory neighbors, who pro-
fessed the deepest sympathy for his feelings
procured for him the countersign for the night
He had thus been enabled to elude the vigi.
| lance of the sentinel.
When arrived at his mothers dwelling, Mr.
Israel found that it was in the possession Of fsev-
eral soldiers, quartered upon the family
Among them was a savage-looking Hessian.
with aspect ofitsef quite enough to terrfy tinlid
women. But all annoyances, and the fatigues
Of his long walk, were forgotten in the joyful
meeting. A still more pleasing surprise was
reserved for him; his younger brother, Joseph
was that very hour on secret visit to his fam
/ lily. For some hours of the evening the house
hold circle was once more complete.
But such happiness, in those times of peril,
was doomed to be short-lived. At ! l O'Clock,
while the family was seated at supper. the
tramp Of horses was heard without, and the
rough voices of soldiers clamored at the door
Within all was confusion, and the terrified wo-
men entreated the brothersto fly. They follow
ed the younger with frantic haste up the stairs,
where he left his uniform, and made his escape
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