The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-08-03
4 W omans's Curiosity.

When the British army held posses
sion of Philadelphia, Gen. Howard's
headquarters were on Second street the
Fourth door below Spruce, in a house
which was before occupied by Gen.
Cadwallader. Directly opposite resided
William and Lydia Darrah. members of
the society of Friends. \ superior Of
ficer OF the British army, believed TO be
the Adjutant- General, fixed upon one
OF their chambers, back room, fer
private conference, and two OF them
frequently met there with ere and can
dies, in close consultation. About the
third of December they told Lydia that
they would be in the room about Z
o'clock, and remain late, and that they
wished the family to retire early to bed
adding that when they were going away
they would cali her to let them out, and
eXtinguish their fire and candles. She
accordingly sent all the family 20 bed ;
but as the officer had been SO particular,
her curiosity was excited. She took off
her shoes, and put her ear to the key
hole of the conclave. She overheard an
order read for all the British troops to
march out late in the evening of the 4'h
and attack Gen. Washington's army,
then encamped mt White Marsh. On
hearing this, she returned to her cham
her, and laid herself down. Soon after
the officers knocked at her door, but she
arose only at the third summons, having
feigned sleep.
Her mind was so much agitated that
from this moment she could neither eat
nor sleep, supposing it to be in her powN
er TO save the iives Of her countrymen,
but not knowing how she was to convey
the necessary intelligence TO Gen.
Washington, nor daring to confide in
her husband. The time left was, how
ever, short. She quickly determined to
make her way as soon as possible to the
American outposts. She informed her
family that, as they were in want of
-four, she would go to Frankford for
some. Her husband insisted that she
should take with her a servant maid,
but 10 his surprise she positively re-
fused. She got across to Gen. Howe
and solicited what he readily granted
Q pass through the British troops on the
lines. Leaving her bag at the mill, she
fastened towards the American lines
and encountered on her way an Ameri-
can Lieutenant-C Colonel Craig of the
Light Horse, who, with some of his
men, was on the lookout for Informal
tion. He knew her and inquired whith-
or she was going. She answered in
quest Of her son an officer in the Amer
icsn army, and prayed the Colonel 10
alight and walk with her. He did so,
ordering his troops to keep in sight.
To him she disclosed her momentous
secret, after having obtained from him
the most solemn promise never TO betray
her individually, since her life might be
at stake with the British. He conduct
ed her TO house near at hand, direct
ed female to give her something 10
eat, and speeded for headquarters,
where ne acquainted General Washing
ton with ths important information.
Washington made, of course, all pre-
paIati0ns for battling the intended sur
prise. Lydia returned with her flour
sat mp alone to watch the movement OF
the British troops heard their foot
steps, but when they returned. in a few
days after, did not dare ask question,
though solicitnus to learn the event.
The next evening the Adjutant, General
came in, and requested her walk up to
her room, as he wished to put some
questions. She followed him iE terror,
and when he locked the door, and begg.
ed her, with an air of mystery, TO be
seated. she was sure she wac either sus-
pected, or had been betrayed. He in
quired earnestly whether any of her
family were up the last night he and
the other officers met. She told him
that they all retired at eight o'clock.
He observed
4 know yolt were alseep, for l knock
ed at your chamber door three times be-
fore you heard me. | am entirely at a
loss TO imagine who gave Gen. Wash
:ngtOn information OF our intended at
tack, unless the walls of the house could
speak. When we arrived near White
Marsh we found all their cannon mount
ed and the troops prepared to receive US,
and we have marched back like parcel
Of fools.