El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-07-08
Woman Saves Army
Lydia Durrah Hears British Plot
To Attack Washington and
Warns Anne ricam
Commander.
BY MADISO-- c. PETERS.
Copyright 1916 by Madison c.
Peters)

spelled Darrachj one Of the many
- heroines Of the American revolu-
ton. was nurse Her husband. VIII
lam Darrah, was school teacher.
They were both members of the Society
Of Friends. Their house on Second
street and Dock. Philadelphia, was
Immediately opposite the Cadwallader
house. occupied by the British Gen.
Howe. who had then fun possession Of
the city during the winter of 1777-7S.
Iarrah's house was chosen for private
conferences presumably selected on ac-
count of the unobtrusive character Of
its inmates. The British adjutant gen
eral had frequently held private con-
1ereuces with his superior Officers IT.
a back room of the Darrah home.
On December .. 1777. late in the af-
ternoon, the adiutant general called at
the Darrah house and save Lydia the
order 10 have the back room upstairs,
prepared that evening for himself and
his friends. who were TO meet there at
eight o'clock and remain late, and that
they wished the family to retire early
10 bed and when the guests were
ready to leave the officer would him
self. give the notice TO Lydia TO let
them out. Lydia made ready for the
reception. but the injunction 10 retire
early was so emphatic that her curios-
ity was excited. She felt sure that
Overhesrs rBitish Plan
The officers came. her family were
all in bed. and having admitted the
guests. she retired to her room and
without undressing threw herself up
on the bed. Her uneasineSs threw her
into terror. and unable longer TO re-
sist the impulse. not of curiosity but
Of higher feeling. she slid from the
bed. and taking off her shoes. stole
uOiselessly along the hall 10 the room
where the officers were assembled and
applied her ear 10 the key hole She
overheard an order read. amid pro-
found silence. for the British troops
were TO march out. late on the evening
OF the fourth and secretly attack Gen
WashinEtou's army. then encamped at
White Marsh.
she retreated softly to her room. her I
heart uhrobbiug with emotion 10 which
speech could not give utterance- soon
there was loud knocking on the
door Lydia knew what the signal /
meant Pretending 10 be asleep after !
the third knocking. she answered the
summons with a yawn and opened the l
door. The officers were ready TO 90. I
Lydia let them out and returned to her 7
room. but not 10 sleep
What should she do with this infor- I
nation Inform her husband and pun 4
him in peril by making him partaker
of the secret No. he might be i'm
prudent. She will risk all alone The (
american cause and army were eN-
posed. thousands Of lives might be sac
7
be captured. Quickly she must make
her way TO the American OurpOsts.
When she awakened her husband she
informed him that. as they Were-our or !
flour she would 20 TO Frankford for
some Her husband insisted that she (
must take someone with her for the
burden Of carrying bag OF flour
through the cold and snow was TOO
much for her She peremptorily de
lined help. Her husband. a teacher.
vent off 70 his school Lydia started
IF with her flour sack and stopped
irst at headquarters, obtained access
% Gen. Howe. and secured his written
sermission TO pass the British lines. I
IL was a hazardous enterprise reqir-
ne as much courage as was ever
-hown upon the field OF battle. amid p
he glitter of cold shell and the rattle
Il musketry.
Gets Word TO Washington.
Reaching frankfort. nearly five Z
niles distant, leaving her bag AT the 4
mill. she pressed forward towards the Z
,utposts Of the American army. 70 ap- Z
Prise Gen Washington of his danger. (
IN her way she met Col Craig, with 4
some Of his men, who had been Sc
ected by Gen Washington TO gain in !
.ormation regarding the movements
II the army The colonel recognizing
ne Quakeress, inquired where she was
going She answered: IN quest OF I
~ son, who. YOU know. is an officer
n the American army" Then she !
lsked the colonel 10 dismount and I
.
is men 10 keep safe guard.
She disclosed her secret. after SOL
'mnly promising not to betray her as
might bring injury to her family. | ;
fastening back 10 the mill she pro-
ured the bag of flour. which served {
IS the ostenible object Of her journey
eaching home in good time. without
-roUsing any suspicion
W no would have suspected the quiet
qua lteress of having snatched from the
eritish their anticipated capture Of
j. asnington2 The officer FASTENED to ( .
us commandments, acQuaintine him
with the Information he had secured
rom lydia Darrah. Preparations were
promptly made for battling the medi-
ated surprise.
Lydia stood in her window and ( {
gatched and waited TO see the British
rmy march off 10 the secret expedf- y
ION The night OF the fourth came
ne British soldiers fell silently into
Inc and the dark column faded avyav .
y the gloom On the morning OF the
nth the drums beating at Edge Hin : 5
nd the sound OF cannon came roaring s
yer the snow to PHILADELPHIA telling S
.ydla that the troops were IN action. q
hree days later the British army. 4
cary and worn. disguised and dis q
0ura EEQ. marched harL- 20 rhnf- 4 e