The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-08-26
THG RACERS ADVENTURE.
AN INCIDENT oF TIE REVOLUTION.

In the autumn of l777, when Lord
Howe had possession of Philadelphia the
situation of the Am ericans, who could
not follow their commander, was truly
distressing. To obtain the common
necessarics of life, particularly flour,
they had to go as far as Bristol, a dis
tauce Of eighteen or twenty miles, and
even this indulgence was not granted
them until a pass was procured from
Lord Howe, as guards were placed along
Vine street, extending from the Della
ware to the Schuylkill, forming com
plete barrier; beyond these, through
the woods, extending as far as Frank
ford, were stationed the piquet guards,
thus rendering it in a manner impossible
to reach Bristol mills unless first Obtain
ing one.
The Commandcr-in-ch and the
American forces were then encamped at
Valley Forge, suffering from cold, hun
ger, aud the inclemency of the season.
The British reveled in plenty, and spent
their days in feasting, their nights in
balls, riots, and dissipation; thus resting
in supposed security, while the Ameri-
can chieftain was planning mode for
final determination. A poor woman with
six small children, whose husband was
at Valley Forge, had made frequent ap-
plications for pass. Engagement rem
dered it impossible for her cruel tormen-
tors to give her one. Rendered desper-
ate from disappointment and the cries
of her children, she started alone with
out a pass, and by good luck eluded the
guard and reached Bristol.
Among those who fought on the Amer
lean side were six brothers, by tho name
of Doale, who about this time committed
many acts Of heroic bravery, but more
in the character of marauders than
soldiers. They were men six feet high,
stout and active; a fearless intrepidity
characterized their deeds, and they al
ways succeeded in making their escape.
Our adventurous female having pro-
cured her -four in . pillowcase, holding
about twenty pounds, was returning with
q light heart to her anxious and lonely
babes. She had just passed the piquet
guards at Frankford, and was just en-
tering the woods little this side, when
tall, stout man stepped from behind
tree, and putting letter in her hand,
said, your sband is well, madam, and
requested me to say that in a short time
he will be with you; money is scarce
article among us-I mean them; but on
account of your husbands partiality to
the cause of liberty, am willing to be-
come bis banker" So saying, he hand
ed her purse cf money. "My means,
madam, are adequate, or I would not
thus lavish" seeing she was about to
refuse it.
"You said, sir, my husband would see
me shortly; how do you know that which
seems so impossible on account of the
British holding possession of the city !
And how did you kno:f me, who never
"Hush, madam, we are now approach
ing the British guard; farewell. " So
saying he departed. She gave one look,
but vacanc1 filled the spot where he
stood. With slow, cautious step, she
appr oached Vine street. She had near
ly reached her home, when the awful
word haiti struck her to the soul
She started, and found herself in the
custody of British sentinel. your
pass, woman 1 have none, sir; my
children are No matter about
them, why do you breed enemies to your
King? This -four is mine-of, woman
and die with your bal es." .z4s1gsas7T +.
A groan was her only answer. The
rufian was about parting, when the for
mer messenger appeared-bis whole de-.
meanor was changed-humble simplicity
marked his gait-he approached the
guard with seeming fearfulness, and
begged him in a suppliant voice to give
the poor womm her -four. 'Fool idi-
OF l'' exclaimed the guard. 'Who are
you? See yonder guard house if you
interfere here, you soon shall be its in
mate" "May be SO, sir; but won't you
give the poor woman the means of sup
porting her family one week longer?-
Recollect the distance she has walked
the weight of the bag, and recollect-"
"Why bid me recollect, Sirrah? You
plead in vain-begone, or I'll seize you
as spy"
"You won't give the poor woman her
-four ?"
"Nol''
"Then, by my country's faith and
hopes of freedom. you shall; and with
a powerful a, m he seized the guard by /
the throat and hurled him tothe ground
run madam, run-sce, the guard house |
is alive-seize your -four, pass Vine ST.,
and you are safe" Twas done. The
guard made an attempt to raise, when
the stranger drew pistol and shot him
dead Then seizing the dead mans
musket, he started. ''Shoot him down