Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1901-07-13
RO0 H1LE General Howe, with his

washington, with the few half-Starved
troops under his immediate command
was encamped at q place called White
Marsh few miles distant from the
city, an incident occurred, which,
though seemingly trifing in itself, may
have had an important bearing upon
the destiny of the whole country.
Lieutenant Colonel Craig, command
Ing detachment of light horse, was
ordered to approach the enemys 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
derby called his attention to a woman
who was coming up the road.
The officer watched her as she as
cended the hill, and when he perceived,
by her stopping and looking frightened,
that she had discovered his command,
he rode forward and called out, in re-
assuring tone:
Advance, madam-you have nothing
W LNtl IIOIl True SOlbltISs
The lady, who was well wrapped up
In plain, warm garments, with a hood
that quite concealed her features at
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 distin-
guish the features that were turned full
upon him, he exclaimed, in tone of
surprise:
Mrs. Darrah, as live! Why, what
on earth can have brought you, all
alone and unprotected, into this dan
gerous localityY'
"Thee knows, friend" she replied, In
the Quaker style, II have son in the
American army-who Is, like myself,
an officer under George Washington
and mothers heart yearns toward her
offspring, even though he has depart
ed from the ways Of his fathers"
You were going then to seek him"
Il was; but perhaps thee would carry
a message for me, and let me turn back
to the cityY' said the lady, but still
with a cautious, hesitating mir.
at will afford me great pleasure to
oblige Lydia Darrah in any wayw
bowed the gallant colonel
Thank thee, friend-thee is very
kind. If thee will dismouht then and
walk with me little way l think
will tell thee what have to say, which
Is a secret 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 Oyerhear an ordinary
conversation. He then returned to the
lady and they began their walk down
the road, in an opposite direction to that
which she had come. For a short time
she maintained deep silence, with her
face averted, and, as the officer fan
cied, with her whole frame trembling
with secret emotion.
Friend Craig" she at length began,
with something like 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, a large body of British soldiers
will secretly march out of the city for
the purpose of surprising and captur-
Ing him and all Of his men. Not to
mystrfy thee, friend, and that thee may
attach all due Importance to this infor-
nation, will now inform thee that l.,
Lydia Darrah, overheard an order read
between two high officers to the effect
know that the man called General
Howe has come to abide In the house
opposite my husbands, and that for
some reason, to us unknown, two men,
one Of whom is supposed to be called
the adjutant general, have come over
to William Darrah's several times, and
held private conferences In one of the
back rooms of our dwelling. Last night
these two men came again and one Of
them told me he wanted all my family
to go to bed early, and that when they
should get ready to leave, which might
be late, they would call me to let them
out.
"Well, Friend Craig, sent the whole
family early to bed, as requested to do,
but / myself felt very anxious to know
what was going on Of so much import
ance, and SO did what never did be-
fore-took off my shoes, walked on tip
toe to the door of the room where these
men were, put my ear to the key-hoIe,
and listened, and heard what have In
formed thee Of"