Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-10-04
AN INCIDENT OF
THE REVOLUTION.

No'ooial matrons and maids took part
In occurred during the Revolution
but while General Howe, with his
British army, held possession of Phil
adelphla, and General Washington.
with the Few half starved troops under
ms immediate command, was encarnn-
ea at place called White Marsh. a
few miles distant from the city. an
incident IN which woman plaved
the leading part, happened, which,
though seemingly trifiing in itself.
may have had an important bearing
upon the destiny of the whole coun-
tTy.
Lieutenant Colonel Craig. COM
mandrng detachment of light horse.
was ordered to approach the enemy's
lines and hover near them. i'm the ca
pacity of yidettes, to pick up any in
telligence that might be of value to
the army. While engaged in this i'm
portant duty one cold, raw dav i'm
December, an orderly called his at
tention to IA woman Who was coming
up the road.
The officer watched her a. she aS
cended the hill, ana hen he percpi,
ed, 10y her stopping and looking
frightened, that she had discovered
his command, he rode forward and
called out. IN reasSuriug tone
Advance, madam YOU have moth
ing to fear fron true soldiers
The lady, who was we'll wrapped
up IN plain. warm garments, with a
hood that quite concealed her feat
ures 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 features
that were turned full upon him. he
exclaimed, IN Il tone of surprise:
Mrs. Darrah. as live. Why.
what ou earth can have brought YOU,
ali alone and unprotected. into this
dangerous locaity:"
"Thee knows, friend" she replied.
In the Quaker style. Il have son
In the American armv-who Is. like
thysef, an officer under George
Washington and "a mothers heart
yearns toward her offspring, though
he has departed from the WAYS of his
fathers"
"(ou were going then To seek him
Il was: hut perhaps thee would
carry message for me, and let me
turn back to the city:" said the lady,
but still with cautious, hesitating
air.
"It ~ill afford me great pleasure to
obher Lydia Darrah in any way"
bowed tbr gallant Colonel.
"Thank thee, friend thee i very
kind. # thee will dismouut then and
walk with mc a Hltle way think |
will tell thee what have TO say. which
Is a secret would not like to have
any othc' persons hear"
The coiourI asserted, and. riding
back 20 his men. gave his horse in
charge of one of them and ordered
them to keep III sight of him; but not
to approach near enough 10 overhear
an ordinary conversation. He then
returned to 'hr lady aud they began
their Wa!N down the road, in AN op
pOsite direction to that which she had
come. For short time she main
tained = deep silence, with her face
averted, and, as the officer fancied,
with her whole frame trembling with
secret emotion.
''Friend Craig she at length he
gam, with something like "a sigh, and
speaking IA the rapid earnest manner
of one communicating some startling
fact, thee must hasten at once to
George Washington and tell him thee
has certain information that. on to
morrow night, Il large body of British
soldiers will secretly march out of
the city for the purpose of surprising
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 in.
form thee that /. Lydia Darrah, over
heard an order read between two high
officers to the effect of what have
stated. Thee must also know that