Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-11-18
HANNAH ERWIN ISRAEL.

HAN N "A II fLIG w in lOhAbIl
Israel Israel, the husband of this lady, |
was one of the Committee of Safety. |
His residence was near Wilmington,
Delaware. On visit TO his mothers |
dwelling, he found it in possession of
several soldiers quartered on the family.
While the family were seated at supper
the house was surrounded and Israel
take prisoner as a rebel. He convinced
them of their error by saying it was his
brother Joseph this was done merely to
gain time.
Having bid adieu to his family, Mr.
Israel set forth on his journey homeward.
He arrived only to be made a prisoner.
The loyalist who had given him the coun-
tersign, had betrayed the secret of his ex-
pedition. He and his wife's brother
were Immediately seized and carried on
board the frigate Roebuck, lying in the
Delaware, few miles from the then
borough of Wilmington, and directly op-
posite his farm, in order to be tried as
spies.
Being one of the Committee of Safety,
the position of Mr.. Israel, under such an
accusation was extremely critical. On
board the ship he was treated with the
utmost severity. His watch, silver shoe
buckles, and various articles of clothing
were taken from him; his bed was coil
of ropes on deck, without covering from
the bitter cold of the night air and to all
appearances his fate was already decided.
The testimony of his Tory neighbors
was strong against him. Several were
ready to swear to the fact, that while the
loyal population of the country willingly
furnished their share of the provisions
needed by the ships of war, he had been
heard to say repeatedly, that he a0ouJd
sooner drive has cattle as a present to
General Washington, than reeeive thou
sands of dollars in British gold for Them
On being informed of this speech, the
commander gave orders that detacb-
mems of soldiers should proceed to drive
the rebels cattle then grazing in mead.
ow in full view, down to the river, and
slaughter them in the face of the prison
ers.
What, meanwhile, must have been the
feelings of the young wife, herself abou
to become mother, when her husband
and brother were led away in her very
sight? The farm was mile or more
from the river but there was nothing t.
Il intercept the view, the ground from th'
meadow sloping down to the water
Mrs. Israel was at this period about nine
teen years of age, and is described as 0
, middle hight, and slight but Symmetrical
y figure of fair complexion, with clea
blue eyes and dark hair; her manner
modest and retiring. She was devoted t
;, her family and her domestic concerns
1t needed the trying scenes by which sh
i was surrounded, to develop the heroisr
, which in times more peaceful, might hav
+ been unmarked by those who knew he
10 most intimately.
e From her position on the look-on
she saw the soldiers land from the ship
in shoulder arms, and advance towards th
.. meadow. In an instant she OWNED the
q purpose, and her resolution was take
N With boy eight years old, whom 81
70 babe follow her at his utmost speed, 81
10 started off, determined to battle the enem
n and save the cattle at the peril of her lif
Il Down went the bars, and followed
ne the little boy, she ran to drive the hei
81 to the open lot. The soldiers called o
er repeatedly to her to desist, and threate
III ed if she did not to fire on her.
ed 9 Fire away = cried the heroic woma
ed They fired The balls few thick
n around her. The frightened cattle RI
lis in every direction over the field.
II This way" " she called to the be
nn nothing daunted "this way, 30