Gloucester County Democrat., 1906-02-01
( DAME VH|IALL. u
A story in Rhyme About Woman Of
the Revolution.

ware river, in the County Of Gloucester,
New Jersey, by detachment of Hessian
troops, numbering $500, portion Of Gen.
Howe's British army, then occupying Phil
adelphia and it's immediate surroundings.
The event is oftenest known in histories as
the battle Of Red Bank, from the reddish
collor Of the river shore. The Notifications
consisted Of earthen ramparts, fronteuzby
deep bitches, and an outer line OF thick
abatis The little garrison, consisting Of
400 Continentals, under command Of
Christopher Greene. of Rhode Island, had
made all preparations for the coming of the
Hessians, and were ready and waiting for
them when they came late in the afternoon
Their commander, Count Dunop, in the
name Of the King (George) ordered the
garrison to Surrender. or receive no quar-
Ter. 2 The reply of Greene was shat he
intended to hold the works against an
attack. The result of the assault was to
the Hessians a complete disaster. Their
loss was over 300 men, while that Of the
defenders was only 80. Count Dunop and
f 13 of his officers were wounded, the Count
mortally.
When the assault began the wife Of Job
Whitall a Quaker living in nearby farm
house, was spinning, when cannon ball
came crashing by her side. Undismayed,
she took her wheel into the cellar and went
on with her work, though other random
shots struck her house. When the battle
was over many Of the wounded Hessians
were brought into her house, and to them
in mstherly kindness she ministered and
gave every help in her power.
The Soldiers Of Count Dunop were sub
jects of the Princes OF Hesse Cassel, Hesse
Darmstadt and Hesse Homburg, three
prineipalities Of Germany, and had been
hired by those princes for pittance day
to help the armies Of the British King to
resist the efforts OF the American colonists
to achieve their independence Of British
oppression.
Count Karl Dunop was an officer Of rank
and education. ana after the battle, in his
few remaining hours for reflection, he
greatly deplored, as did his wounded men,
that adverse fate had compelled them to
cross the ocean to battle against people
who were SO justly contending for their
rights.
The dying words of Dunop were: I
have shown in gay courts Of Europe now
/ am to die in the house Of an obscure
Quaker
Many the story and ofttimes told
OF worthy DANES in the days OF old,
When the bugle's call and the drums wild beat
Echo'd through every village street
And the cry was heard-ho, men, to armsl
Come up from cities and towns and farmsl
The red coats are swarming our shores
They camp and muster about our doors
Leave We the sickle and plow and forge
To meet the armies OF Royal Georgel
Our story is OF Quaker dame,
OF worthy lineage but unknown to fame;
Plain of speech, modest and good
The very light OF her neighborhood.
Busiest she was in all good deeds,
And works to compass the common needs,
In houshold duties excelled by none
For raiment she deftly wove and spun.
She it was, who spun in her hall,
When there came the crash OF cannon ball,
Shattering her window and splintering her door
And shaking the ancient mansion floor.
She heard the rafting of a drum,
And she knew the Hessian army had come.
Since daybreak they had been marching down,
From the British camp at Camden town,
She saw from her window horseman ride.
And the drummer was marching at his side.
And the foemen were pressing in fierce array,
With music playing and banners gay,
Then into the cellar she took her wheel.
And went on spinning in her zeal,
In the little fortress on the hill
By their trusty guns our men1ay still,
Four hundred only, but brave and true,
AS any had fought the long war through.
All was ready and their powder dry,
For the storm that was coming by and by.
The horseman rode till he came where the guard
or the outer works kept watch and word;
And he summoned to parley with naughty word
AS he drew from his sheath his glittering sword.
sHot rebels. ho hear vel bring
The mandates Of the English King'
He bids you yield longer stand
For he is sovereign Of the lanei'
ITO hold this fort is what meant.
So spoke the gallant Colonel Greene.
Expect no quarter, then, this dayi
With that the horsemen rode away.
How the battle began, and when it was done
Who were the vanquishd d. and who had won
No need to tell in my story here
But the nsws of the day was full OF cheer,
IN the sti.rro ling patriots of that gloomy year;