|The husband of this lady, Colonel Clement Biddle, was among the
first of those who took an active part on the breaking out of the war,
resolved to sacrifice every thing in the cause. Both he and his wife
were members of the Society of Friends, and as a consequence of his
taking up arms he was "read out of meeting" by that peace-loving
community; while Mrs. Biddle, as ardent a patriot--expressing her
approval of the war, and encouraging her husband in his course--was
subjected to similar discipline.
Mrs. Biddle gave up the comforts of home to join the army with her
husband, and was with the camp during the greater part of the war. With
Mrs. Greene and Mrs. Knox, who were also with the army, she formed
a lasting friendship, and was intimate with Mrs. Washington--being
moreover on terms of personal friendship with the Commander-in-chief,
for whom she entertained the highest respect and admiration. His letters
to her husband, with whom a correspondence was kept up during his life,
are still in the possession of her children. This intimacy, with the
unusual facilities she enjoyed for observing the events of the war,
and the characters of the distinguished men engaged in it, render it
a matter of regret that the spirited anecdotes and graphic details, so
well worthy of being embodied in history, with which her conversation
abounded in after life, should not have been recorded as they fell from
her lips. One or two of these, however, received from a member of her
family, may illustrate her character.
When the American army was encamped near the Brandywine, Mrs. Biddle was
informed by an aid of Washington, that a large British foraging party
was within the distance of a few miles; that orders had been issued
for a party to start before day for the purpose of cutting off their
retreat, and that, as an engagement might be expected, the women were
directed to leave the camp. Mrs. Biddle, not willing to consider herself
included in the order, told General Washington, when an opportunity of
addressing him occurred, that as the officers would return hungry
and fatigued from the expedition, she would, if allowed to stay, make
provision for their refreshment. He assured her she might remain in
safety, but recommended that she should hold herself in readiness to
remove at a moment's warning, promising, in the event of any disaster,
to send her timely information. She immediately despatched her servant
through the neighborhood to collect provisions; and all the food cooked
that day in the camp was thus procured by her. The enemy, informed by
spies of the movement against them, made a hasty retreat, and at a late
hour the American troops returned after a fatiguing march. Mrs. Biddle
had the pleasure of giving the dinner she had provided to at least a
hundred officers; each remarking, as he entered, "Madam, we hear
that you feed the army to-day," which she really did till not a crust
remained.
Among her guests on that occasion was the gallant La Fayette, who on
his last visit paid his respects to her in Philadelphia. One of the
Revolutionary reminiscences which they talked over in the presence of
her deeply interested children and friends, was that entertainment, to
which the General alluded with marked satisfaction. He also recalled
to Mrs. Biddle's memory the suffering condition of the army at Valley
Forge, where the want of provisions was at one time providentially
supplied by a flight of wild pigeons in such vast numbers, and so
near the ground, that they were killed with clubs and poles. Even the
officers were at that time so destitute of decent clothing, that it was
jocosely remarked, that a single suit of dress uniform served them all
for dining in, when invited by turns to head-quarters, where the repast
consisted of pigeons prepared in as many ways as the cook could devise.
In no instance did the enthusiasm and patriotic spirit which animated
the heroines of that day, shine more brightly than in this high-minded
woman. The purest and most disinterested love of country induced a
cheerful submission, on her part, to all the inconveniences, hardships,
and losses rendered inevitable by a protracted war; and often, in
subsequent years, did her detail of those difficulties serve for the
amusement of her family circle. Her attachment to General Washington
and his family continued through life; and during their residence in
Philadelphia, she and Colonel Biddle were always honored guests at
their table. She survived her husband many years, living till upwards of
seventy, and to the last retaining in all their strength and freshness,
the faculties and feelings of her prime. She ever loved to dwell on the
signal display of the hand of Providence in the contest with the mother
country, and whenever allusion was made to the Revolutionary war, it was
a source of new delight to her children to hear her "fight her battles
o'er again."
_Mrs. Graydon_ has been made known to us in her son's "Memoirs" of his
own life and times. She was the eldest of four daughters; was born in
the island of Barbadoes, and when but seven years old came with her
family to Philadelphia. Her father was a German who had been engaged in
trade in Barbadoes--her mother a native of Glasgow; but notwithstanding
the want of national affinity, and the still greater differences of
dialect and religion, there was no lack of harmony in their judgment
with respect to the training of their children, who were brought up in
strict principles, and after good example in both parents. The mother
died before the commencement of hostilities, and it is not ascertained
at what time the subject of this notice married Mr. Graydon. She was
pronounced by one of her acquaintances (Dr. Baird), who has transmitted
the record to posterity, to be "the finest girl in Philadelphia,
having the manners of a lady bred at court." Her house was the seat of
hospitality, and the resort of numerous guests of distinction, including
officers of the British army. The Baron de Kalb was often there; and
among persons of rank from the mother country, were Lady Moore, the
wife of Sir Henry Moore, and her daughter; Lady Susan O'Brien and her
husband; Major George Etherington, and others. Sir William Draper, who
attained the rank of general in the British army, and, in 1779, was
appointed Lieutenant Governor of Minorca, was also a frequent guest.
The account of Mrs. Graydon's visit to her son Alexander, who had
been taken prisoner at the battle of Fort Washington, has interest as
exhibiting the strength of her maternal affection, with a fortitude and
patriotic spirit worthy of an American matron. After having addressed
a letter to General Washington, who could do nothing to accomplish
the release of her son, she resolved on going herself to New York,
notwithstanding the opposition of her friends on account of the
difficulties of travelling, for the purpose of soliciting his freedom
on parole, from the British commander. She accordingly purchased a horse
and chair, and set out for Philadelphia, her residence being then at
Reading. On her arrival in the city, one Fisher, a distant relative,
was officious in tendering his service to drive her to New York, and
the offer was accepted; but when they had nearly reached Princeton, they
were overtaken, to their great astonishment, by a detachment of American
cavalry--Fisher, it seems, being a loyalist. The lady found in such evil
company was taken also into custody, and after some delay, was obliged
to retrace her road to Philadelphia, under an escort of horse. When they
reached Bristol on their return, means were found for the prisoner to
go on without the chair, and Mrs. Graydon was accompanied by Colonel
M'Ilvaine, an old friend, to the head-quarters of the American army,
where proper measures could be taken for her proceeding within the
British lines. After being conducted to the lines, she was committed to
the courtesy of some Hessian officers. It happened, during the ceremony
of the flag, that a gun was somewhere discharged on the American side.
This infringement of military etiquette was furiously resented by
the German officers; and their vehement gestures, and expressions of
indignation, but imperfectly understood by the lady, alarmed her not
a little. She supported herself as well as she could, under this
inauspicious introduction into the hostile territory, and had her horse
led to the quarters of the general who commanded in Brunswick, where she
alighted, and was shown into a parlor. Weary and faint from fatigue and
agitation, she partook of some refreshment offered her, and then went to
deliver a letter of introduction she had received from Mr. Vanhorne of
Boundbrook to a gentleman in Brunswick. Five of the Misses Vanhorne,
his nieces, were staying at the house, and with them Mrs. Graydon became
well acquainted, as they avowed whig principles. Their uncle had been
compelled to leave Flatbush on account of his attachment to the American
cause; but was permitted not long afterwards to return to his house
there, accompanied by Mrs. Vanhorne and her daughters.
After a detention of a week or more at Brunswick, Mrs. Graydon embarked
in a sloop or shallop for New York. The vessel was fired upon from the
shore, but no one was injured, and she reached in safety the destined
port. Mr. Bache allowed Mrs. Graydon to occupy his part of Mr. Suydam's
house during her stay at Flatbush. Here, in the society of her son, her
accustomed flow of good spirits returned: she even gave one or two tea
drinkings to the "rebel clan," and "learned from Major Williams the art
of making Johnny cakes in the true Maryland fashion." These recreations
did not interfere with the object of her expedition, nor could her son
dissuade her from her purpose of proving the result of an application.
When she called in New York on Mr. Galloway, who was supposed to have
much influence at head-quarters, he advised her to apply to Sir William
Howe by memorial, and offered to draw up one for her. In a few minutes
he produced what accorded with his ideas on the subject, and read to her
what he had written, commencing with--"Whereas Mrs. Graydon has always
been a true and faithful subject of His Majesty George the Third; and
whereas her son, an inexperienced youth, has been deluded by the arts of
designing men-"
"Oh, sir,"--cried the mother--"that will never do! my son cannot obtain
his release on those terms."
"Then, madam"--replied the officer, somewhat peevishly, "I can do
nothing for you!" Though depressed by her first disappointment, Mrs.
Graydon would not relinquish her object; but continued to advise with
every one she thought able or willing to assist her. In accordance with
the counsel received from a friend, she at length resolved upon a direct
application to General Howe.
After several weeks of delay, anxiety and disappointment, through which
her perseverance was unwearied, the design was put in execution. Without
having informed her son of what she meant to do, lest he might prevent
her, through his fear of improper concessions on her part, she went one
morning to New York, and boldly waited upon Sir William Howe. She was
shown into a parlor, and had a few moments to consider how she should
address him who possessed the power to grant her request, or to destroy
her hopes. He entered the room, and was near her, before she perceived
him.
"Sir William Howe--I presume?" said Mrs. Graydon, rising. He bowed; she
made known her business--a mother's feelings doubtless giving eloquence
to her speech--and entreated permission for her son to go home with her
on parole.
"And then immediately to take up arms against us, I suppose!" said the
General.
"By no means, sir; I solicit his release upon parole; that will restrain
him until exchanged; but on my own part I will go further, and say that
if I have any influence over him, he shall never take up arms again."
"Here," says Graydon, "the feelings of the patriot were wholly lost in
those of the 'wardetesting' mother." The General seemed to hesitate; but
on the earnest renewal of her suit, gave the desired permission.
The mother's joy at her success was the prelude to a welcome summons
to the prisoners, to repair to New York for the purpose of being
transported in a flag-vessel to Elizabethtown. The captives having-been
kept in the dark on subjects concerning which they most desired
information--the state of the army and public affairs--one of those left
behind furnished Graydon with a kind of cypher, by which intelligence
could be conveyed to him. The disguise consisted in the substitution of
one piece of information for another; for instance--a lady named, was to
signify the army; if that was prosperous, the fact was to be indicated
by announcing the health and charming looks of the belle in question;
there being a scale in the key, by which intelligence might be
graduated.
After some adventures, the travellers reached Philadelphia, where they
dined at President Hancock's. He had opposed Mrs. Graydon's scheme of
going to New York; and though apparently pleased with her success, could
not be supposed cordially gratified by an event which might give to the
adverse cause any reputation for clemency. Such is the policy of war,
and so stern a thing is patriotism!