Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-08-08
A Philadelphia Heroine.

When the British army held possess
sion of philadelphia Gen. Howe's
headquarters were 10 Second street, the
fourth door below Spruce, in n house
which was before occupied by Gen.
Cadwallader. Directly opposite resident
William and lydia Durrah, members OF
the Society of Friends. A superior
officer Of the British army, believed to
be the adjutant general, fixed upon one
of their chambers. a back room, for
private conference, and two Of them
frequently met there, with fire and can
dies, 10 close consultation. About the
I'd of December the adjutant-general
told I.y dia that they would be in the
room at I clock and remain late, and
that they wished the family TO retire
early 10 bed adding that when they
were going he would call her to let
them out and extnguish their fire and
candles. She accordingly sent all the
family 10 bed; but, as the officer had
been so particular, her curiousity was
excited. She took off her shoes and
put her ear to the keyhOle of the con-
clave, aud overheard an order read for
all the British tro ops to march out late
IN the evening Of the 4th aud attack
Gen. Washington army, then encamp-
ed at " bite Marsh. On hearing this
she returned 10 her chamber and lay
down.
Soon after the officers knocked at the
door, but she rose only at the third sum-
mons, having feigned herself asleep
Her mind was so much agitated that
from this moment she could neither
eat nor sleep, supposing it TO be in her
power to save the lives of thousands
of her .countrymen, but not
knowing how she was to convey the
information to Gen. Washington, not
daring TO confide it to her husband.-
The time left, however, was short. She
quickly determined to make her way
as soon as possible TO the American
outposts. She informed her family that
as she was in want OF flour, she would
60 TO Frankford for some; her husband
insisted that she should take the SER
want maid with her, but to his surprise
she positively refused. She got access
10 Gen. Howe and solicited, what he
readily granted, a pass through the
British troops on the lines. Leaving
her bag at the mill, she fastened to-
ward the American lines and encoun-
tered on the way ali American lieuten-
ant colonel (Craig) of the Light Horse
who. with some of bis men. was on the
lookout for information. He knew her,
and inquired where she was going. She
answered in Ques. of her son, an officer
10 the American army, and prayed to
the colonel to alight and walk with
her. lie did 50, ordering his troops to
keep in sight. To him she disclosed
her secret, after having obtained from
him a solemn promise never to betrAy
her individually, as her life might be at
stake with the British.
He conducted her to house near at
hand. directed something for her to
eat. and FASTENED to headquarters,
when he made General Washington
acquainted with what be had heard
Washington made, Of course, all pre-
paratlon for battling the mediiated sur
prise. LYDIA returned home with her
flour; sat up alone to watch the move
n,ents Of the British troops; heard their
footsteps; but when they returned, IN a
few days after, did not dare to ask a
question, though sOicitious to learn the
event. The next evening the adJutant
general came in and requested her TO
walk up to his room as he wished 10 put
some questions. She followed him in
terror; but when he locked the door
AMI begged her with an air of mystery
10 be seated, she was sure that she vas
either suspected or had been betrayed.
He inquired earnestly whether any OF
her family we're up the last night he and
the ether Officer met; she told him That
they all retired at 8 o'clock, lie OBJ
served: L know you were asleep ior
| knocked at your chamber door three
times before YOU heard me. l am en-
tirely at a loss 10 imagine who gave
Gen. Washington Information OF o Ut
intended attack, unless the walls OF the
house could speak. When we arrive al
White Marsh we found all their cam
non mounted and the troops prepared
to receive us, and we marched back
like parcel of FOOLS