Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-07-06
An Incident Of the Revolution.

~ llSldClh VI NiiS 'ASHN'NN'O'''
Many romantic minor episodes that
Colonial matrons and maids took part
in occurred during the Revolution, but
while General Howe, with his British
army, held possession Of Philadelphia,
and General Washington, with the few
half starved troops under his immedi
ate command, was encamped at place
called White Marsh, few miles dis
tant from the city, an incident in
which woman played the leading
part, happened, which, though seem
ingly triAing in itself, may have had
an important bearing upon the destiny
of the whole country.
Lieutenant-Colonel Craig, command
ing a detachment of light horse, was
ordered to approach the enemy's lines
and hover near them, in the capacity
of videttes, to pick up any intelligence
that might be of value to the army.
While engaged in this important duty
one cold, raw day in December, an or
derly called his attention to woman
who was coming up the road.
The officer watched her as she as
cended the hill, and when he perceiv-
ed, by her stopping and looking fright
ened, that she had discovered his COM
mand, he rode forward and called out,
in reassuring tone:
advance, madam-you have moth
ing to fear from true soldiers
The lady, who was well wrapped up
in plain, warm garments, with a hood
that quite concealed her features at a
short distance, now came forward,
without hesitation, to meet the Colon
el, as if satisfied from his language and
appearance she had nothing to fear.
When near enough for him to distin-
guish the features that were turned full
upon him, he exclaimed, in a tone Of
surprise:
Mrs. Darrah, as live Why, what
on earth can have brought you, all "a
lone and unprotected, into this dan
gerous locality"
Thee knows, friend, she replied,
in the Quaker style. II have son in
the American army-who is, like thy
self, an officer under George Washing
ton-and mothers heart yearns to-
ward her offspring, though he has de-
parted from the ways of his fathers
you were going then to seek him.
"I was; but perhaps thee would
carry message for me, and let me
turn back to the city," said the lady,
but still with cautious, hesitating air.
at will afford me great pleasure to
oblige Lydia Darrah in any way y
bowed the gallant Colonel.
Thank thee, friend-thee is very
kind. If thee will dismount then and
walk with me little way think I will
tell thee what have to say, which is a
secret I would not like to have any
other persons 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 ordinary conversation. He then
to the lady and they began
their walk down the road, in an oPpo-
site direction to that which she had
come. For short time she maintained
a deep silence, with her face averted,
and, as the officer fancied, with her
whole frame trembling with secret
emotion.
Friend Craig, she at length began,
with something like a sigh, and speak
ing in the rapid, earnest manner Of one
communicating some startling fact,
"thee must hasten at once to George
Washington and tell him thee has GER
tain information that, on tomorrow
night, large body of British soldiers
will secretly march out of the city for
the purpose of surprising and caPtur-
ing him and all his men. Not to mys-
tify thee, friend, and that thee may
attach all due importance to this IN
formation, l Will now inform thee that
I, lydia Darrah, overheard an order
read between two high officers to the
effect of what l have stated. Thee
must also know that the man called
General Howe has come to abide in the
house opposite my husbands, s, and that
for some reason, to US unknown, two
men, one of whom is supposed to be