Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-03-02

memory OF many now living, but was
nally replaced by more modern build
lgs better SUI ed Tor mouern uses. W .Ieth-
I the barracks owned the LoXley
louise at tie time OF The revolution or
.hetheN like ST. Paul they We're merely
living III their own hired house, seems
be point upon Which no one Is quail
lied to- speak with authority. At the
ate the occupying English failed to
cave them in undiSturbed possession
their home quarters and a portion of
lie house was appropriated for u.s. as
fflces for the Adjutant General OF the
invading army.
1t. Was Oh December that that offi-
ial gave orders to his Quaker IandIady
o have Il room in readiness for a meet
ng he wished TO hold that evening, add
ne IN a tone Of authority, and be sure
,ydia, that all your family are in bed
an early hour" MIS-. Darrach had
o choice but TO obey, and the meet
ing came off as scheduled and under
lie conditions as prescribed. But, while
he mad faithfully seen that all other
LENDERS OF her family We're duly abed
nd presumably asleep, she herself ut
ely failed to fall in with the spirit
t the arrangement. After a period of
estieSSneSs, she rose and stole softly
o the door OF the room in Which the
.uJutant avs holding his council of
VIZ. There she heard plans made fol-
on lil1Cr
White Marsh
The news was naturally far from
greeable and the latter end OF that
light, SO far as sleeping was concerned,
was worse than its beginning. Lydia
Darrach WAS distinctly capable woman
ven though she is described by those
tho knew her as being physically small
nd trail; and what to 4 woman Of this
art Of the nineteenth century would
ave seemed all but impossible Mrs
,arrach undertook without a. word OF
confidence to an.ne. The barracks
,ere evidently not burdened with an
Verplus Of this worlds goods, for it
recorded that Lydia followed Il profess
ion OF her own, and rendered services
nurse whenever needed.
SO 1t was entirely in keeping with
er social and financial position that
4ydla should, Oh the morning of De-
ember 3, obtain from Lord Howe a
ass allowing her to proceed beyond the
British lines, and start on foot to Frank
ORD for the ostensibIe purpose OF pur-
haslng flour for family use. There was
snow OF the ground; but the little VO-
IAN trudged all these weary miles With
ut 2 thought Of hesitating, left her
az 1T the Frankfort mill and hurried
Il toward White Marsh to warn Gen
raj Washington Of his danger.
Before she reached the camp, she met
American officer, Colonel Craig; and
moving and trusting him as a friend
he delivered to him the secret that I'M
e1ed her to the Journey ana started
uomeWard. Carrying 1ler twenty-five
ONE on South Second street, she saved
ppearances and was never suspected
f having put the Americans OH their
guard against Lord Howe's plans. The
British troops marched away at night
all OF December I, and it was not until
he Sth that they came back, sore and
disguised, having found Washington
repaired at every point. Their intend
d attack On the 9th had proved a tiz
Zle and thGI little Edge Hill military
arce was over,
The Adjutant examined Lydia Oar
ach closely as TO the movements Of the
lembers Of her household Oh the even
ng of his meeting, but never thought
f suspecting her, because he had had
pparent difficulty in rOusing her after
he meeting was over. The Illustration
his plans remained a mystery to him;
nd it was probably the necessity for
reserving her secret from him that kept
the story Of Lydia barracks heroiSm.
rom being better known.
Just what elements go to make up
case of genuine herois1n is a curious
Ort Of study. In this case there was
one side an uncomfortable curiosity
but what might have been very justly
Considered none Of her business; a clear
ase Of eavesdropping, and Il certain
mount OF JesuiticaI reasoning us to the
justification OF the means by the end,
nd the llWfulness Of mental reserva-
ion. But the love of country, and the
tactical patriotism shown in her sac
itice Of personal comfort, and the bray
ng Of personal danger seem to outweigh
Ii these in the general esteem, for that
1ydil Darrach was a true heroine. and
an unusually modest type at that
ew who know her story would think
f denying