The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-08-03
INCIDENT OF TUE REVOLUTION,


While General Howe, with bis British army,
held possession of Philadelphia, and General
Washington, with few balf-starved troops
under his immediate command, was encamped
at place called White Marsh, few miles
distant from the city, an incident occurred,
though seemingly trihing in itself, may have
had an important bearing upon the destiny of
the whole country.
Lieut.. Col. Craig, commanding detaeh-
ment of light horse, was ordered to approach
| the enemys lines and hover near them, in the
capacity Of videttes, to pick up any intelli-
| ligence that might be of value to the army.
| While engaged in this important duty, one
cold, raw day in December, an orderly called
his attention to q woman who was coming up
| the road.
The officer watched her as she assembled the
hill, and when he perceived, by her stopping
| and looking frightened, that she had discover
cd his command, he rode forward, and called
out in re-assuring tone,
advance, msdam--yeu have nothing to
| fear from true soldiers !"
The lady, who was we'll wrapped upin plain,
warm garments, with hood that quite con-
| cealed her features at a short distance, now
came forward, without hesitation, to meet the
colonel, as if satisfied from his language and
appearance she had nothing to fear. When
near enough for him to distinguish the fea-
lures that were turned full upon him, he ex-
| claimed, in tone of surprise
"Mrs. Darrah, as l livel Why, what on
earth can have brought you, all alone and un-
protected, into this dangerous locality p
"Thee knows, friend" she replied in the
Quaker style, az have son in the American
army-who is, like thyself, an officer under
George Washington-and a mothers heart
yearns towards her offspring, even though he
has departed from the ways of his fathers
"You we're going then to seek him2"
al was; but perhaps thee wouli carry a
message for me, and let me turn back to the
city?" said the lady, but still with a cautious,
hesitating air.
at will afford me great pleasure to oblige
Lydia Darrah in any way T bowed the gallant
colonel.
"Thank thee, friend-thee is very kind. If
thee will dismount then, and walk with me a
little way l think l will tell thee what i have
to say, which is a secret / would not like to
have any other person hear"
The colonel assented, and, riding back to his
men, gave his horse in charge of one of them,
and ordered them to keep in sight of him, but
not to approach near enough to overhear an or
dinary conversation. He then returned to the
lady, and they began their walk down the road
in an opposite direction to that which she had
come. For short time she maintained deer
silence, with her face averted, and, as the off.
Ger fancied, with her whole frame trembling
with some secret emotion.
"Friend Craig" she at length began, with
something like sigh, and speaking in the "a
rapid, earnest manner of enc communicating
some startling fact, +" thee must hasten at oncs
to George Washington, and tell him thee ha
certain information that, on tomorrow night
large body of British soldiers will secretly
] march out of the city, for the purpose of sur.
prising and capturing him and all his men,
Not to mystify thee, friend, and that thee may
attach all due importance to this information
/ will now inform thee that /, Lydia Darrah
overheard an order read between two higl
officers, to the effect of what have stated
Thee must also know that the man called Gen
eral Howe has come to abide in the house op
poste my husbands and that for some reason
to us unknown, two men, one of them is sup
posed to be called the adjutant-general, hav
| come over to William Darrah's several times
and held private conferences in one of tn
back rooms of our dwelling. Last night thes
two men came again, and one of them told N
he wanted my family to go to bed early, an
n that when they should get ready to leav'
which might be late, they would call me to Il
them out.
GWen, Friend Craig, sent the whole fan
lily early to bed, as requested to do, but my
self felt very anxious TO know what was goin
on of SO much Importance, and so l did whi
l never did before, took off my shoes, wake
on tip-toe TO the door of the room where thes
men were, put my ear to the key-hole, and lis
eneG, and heared what have informed tn,
Of"
"God bless you, Lydia Darrah, for mob
8, womanl" said the colonel, with excite
warmth, "perhsps you have saved our countl
who knows for had this plan succeede
which we will now defeat, and General Was
ington been taken prisoner, / much fear Of
cause would have been hopeless"
". al viii make haste to finish my story, +
nd thee must ride fast to George Washingto
After hearing what have said 1 stole back
s nv room, trembling st the importakce of VIII
I had heard. When the men, soon aft
knocked on my door for me to get up and
them out, pretended to be asleep, and th'
al, had to knock three times. Then came Of
rubbing my eyes, and saw them off. But
slept none that night, for thinking what oug
to do; and did not dare to tell my husbaI
- for fear the secret might get out. wanted
get the information to George Washingtt
and save great many lives, but for some til
re. / could not see my way clear te do it. At
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