American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-01-17
VOL: YO[]I[. \. /: 3. !. !. No No 50. ~.
A REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENT.


could not follow their beloved com
mander, was truly distressing bjeet
tothe every day insults of cruel and
oppressive foes--bound to pay obedi-
'encet to laws, predicated on the momen-
tary power Of q proud and yindictiye
commander it can be better pictured
than described. 10 obtain the common
necessaries of life, (particularly Aour,)
they had to 60 as far as Bristol "a
distance of Is or 20 miles-and even
this indulgence was not granted them,
until q pass was procured from Lord
Hove, Us guards were placed along
Vine street, extending from the Della
ware to the Schuylkill, forming a com
plete barrier beyond these, through
the woods, extending as far as Frank
ford, were stationed piquet guards
thus rendering is, in q manner impos-
,sible to reach the Bristol mills, unless
first obtaining a pass! IS adsi.6al .
The Commander in Chief Of the
American forces was then iencampedat
Valley Forge, suffering from cold,
hunger, and tho inclemency of the
season. Il e safgapu n.,...
The British rolled in plenty, and
spent their days in feasting, and their
nights in balls, riots and dissipation
thus resting in security, while the A
'merican chieftain was laying plans for
their final extirpation. a
A poor woman with six small chill
dren, whose husband was at Valley
Forge, had made frequent application
for pass. Engagements rendered it
impossible for her cruel tormentors to
give her one. Rendered desperate
from disappointments, and the cries Of
her children, she started alone without
a pass, and by good luck eluded the
guards and reached Bristol. g,3ll
twill be remembered by many now
living, that six brothers by the name
of Doale or Dale, about this time, com
,mitted many acts of heroic bravery, but
more in the character os marauders
than soldiers. They we're men full six
feet-high, stout and active, and always
succeeded in making their, escape.
A marked partiaiity to the Amcri-
cans rendered them obnoxious to the
British, and always welcome to the for
mer, to whom they conveyed all the
information they could CLEAN in their
adventures. sm ,a,H
Our adventurous female, having pro-
cured some flour in pillow case, hold
ingabout twenty pounds, was returning
home with q light heart to her lonely
and anxious babes. She had passed
the piquet guards at Frankford, and
was just entering the woods little this
side, when tall, stout man stepped
from behind tree, and putting letter
in her hand told her to read it. She
grasped, with eager joy, the letter
bearing the character Of her husbands
hand writing. After a pause he said: (:
"Your husband is well, madam, and
requested me to say that he would be
with you in short time; money is
scarce among us--Imean among them,
but on account Of your husbands fdel-
ity to the cause of liberty, | am willing
to become his banker" fFfZy1
So saying he handed her purse of
money. ?" My means are adequate or
I would not be thus lavish seeing
she was about torefuse it.
"You said, sir, my husband would
see me shortly. How do you know that
which seems SO impossible? And how
do you know me, who never" 1a.,
Hush. madam, we are now ap.
preaching the British guard: suffice it
TO say, that the American commander
has thatin head, which like an. earth
quake will shake the whole American
continent, and expunge these miscre-
ants. But bark take the left road /,
farewell. ;"
SO saying he departed. She gave
one look, but vacancy filled the spot
where he had stood. With slow and
cautious step she approached Vine
street. Already her fire burned be-
meath her bread, when tho awful word
''halt!" struck her to the soul. She
started, and found herself in the custo-
dy of British sentinel.
" Your pass, woman J" s'i
"I have none, sir. My children
are"
.," DIN the rebel crew, why do you
breed enemies to your king--this -four
is mine--.off, woman and die with your
babes"
A groan was her only answer. The
ruffiain was about departing, when the
former messenger approached; his
whole demeanor was changed; humble
simplicity marked his gait; he APP
preached the guard with aseeming fear