 proudly we hail from New York City where the American stage begins here is another program with a cast of outstanding players and featuring Miriam Wolf as Lydia Darrow public service time has been made available by this station for your army and your Air Force to bring you this story as proudly we hail Lydia Darrow heroine of the American Revolution our story is entitled a message for the general and is based on an incident in the life of Lydia Darrow heroine of the American Revolution this is the story of a woman caught between her religious teachings and her desire to save her country in an hour of need after this important message our first act curtain will rise before this exciting story begins a story about a courageous American woman of the past here are a few words about the American women of the present women who are now serving their country in the United States Army and United States Air Force they are helping to write new pages in America's history during one of the country's most critical periods you can join these women by volunteering in the WAC women's Army Corps or in the WAF women in the Air Force do your part in keeping America strong visit your local United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station today and now with Miriam Wolf in the role of Lydia Darrow your army and your Air Force present the proudly we hail production a message for the general not that war is evil in the sight of God but a woman must do what she can to help when her country is in danger and Lydia Darrow's country than 13 colonies struggling to win independence was in danger our story opens in December 1777 in Philadelphia which was occupied by skill professional troops under General Sir William Howe General George Washington's army ill fed ill clothed and largely ignorant of the skills of war was encamped in the snow at White Marsh eight miles from William Penn city of brotherly love for the colonies the picture looked dark and among the peace-loving Quaker people of Philadelphia hearts were strained with torn loyalties who managed to feed us well in spite of the occupation I never ceased to thank God that he gave me the wit to see your cleverness as well as your pretty face he gave you a ready tongue surely you would have me thinking I'm still as young and pretty as the day we wed and these three great boys to shame me of such thoughts instead I must be thinking of all the work there is to be done this day now have you a word for the children before you leave for the shop be thankful for each new day sons and fill it to the brim with industry and loving kindness David do your work in your horn book I have father I can spell the lesson backwards be aware of pride my son it is a sin that leads to anger if you know the lesson perfectly then help Timothy yes father Jonathan you have grieved me and your mother playing at soldier games have you anything to say no except father may I go and join General Washington's army my son Jonathan you know it is against the friends beliefs to fight one must not resist evil with even though you are the eldest you're not yet 15 war is not for little boys my son little boys mother that's enough my son that will do I'll get to your chores and when you are finished carry your mother's basket to market for her if you do all your duties you'll have no time to think of war but no buts my son yes father may I come to the print shop this afternoon and help you set time yes that you may do now let us ask God's blessing on this day and later that same day Lydia Dara escorted by her son Jonathan joined her neighbors and friends in the marketplace good morning mr. Grace and good morning to you mr. Stara I'm glad I had a plump turkey left for you who a general house aide cleaned out my entire stall yesterday if I had not kept this bird at home he wouldn't be here now there are two hessians coming cover the basket Jonathan I think that is all now apples chestnuts salted fish I thank you and good day Jonathan we must go to the mill for flour thank you but my son is escorting me and I'm perfectly safe in the streets of Philadelphia gentlemen gentlemen mr. Stara is a respected Quaker lady do you not see her gray bonnet and down surely you don't want to have trouble with the adjutant the friends are known for their peacefulness and the general has given orders that towns people are not to be disturbed no one addressed you I am sure that this lady can appreciate advantages of masculine company in these car to the muddy streets there Friedrich perhaps is right let's go don't you see the adjutant general's courage mr. Stara the adjutant general's compliments madam well yes I'm mr. Stara I was told I might find you here the adjutant would like to see you madam will you accompany me to his quarters yes certainly come Jonathan allow me madam very well wait for me outside Jonathan while I speak with the general yes mother be seated thank you was that your son madam yes my eldest what is it you wish sir I am told you belong to the society of friends and as such you and your family take no part in this uprising is that true madam it is true friends do not believe in war and do not take up arms in violence it is well for our cause that your William Penn settled here you quite misunderstand what his intention was oh well no matter no matter understand you have a commodious house mr. Stara with a private chamber to let yes pray may I beg the use of it this evening I require a meeting place with absolute quiet and privacy I suppose I may let it to you oh what are the terms a pound for the evening fire and candles to be ready at seven o'clock your family must all retire to their beds and the utmost silence must be kept about my visit no one must know can you keep these terms I give you my word that no one but me will see you enter or depart that's extremely important if I see or hear anything of any other member of the family the bargain is dissolved and no money will be paid everything will be ready as you ask at seven mother yes my son what did he want the adjutant general yes well I cannot tell you Jonathan it is a private matter but mother surely you've not made a bargain with a fat-faced red coat Jonathan Jonathan do you forget your father's words and mine we are not at war we we are friends the British are children of God the same as we well then why are they taking our cities I'm at war and I will be as long as general Washington has an army hold the candle so I can see your face madam is everything in readiness as I promised you then show us to the chamber please come in I beg you gentlemen be quiet my husband is in thank you now give me the key to the chamber madam and please retire to your own room you're to remain within your chamber until I knock at your door before departing I will let the others in myself very well John I I'm very tired it's been an eventful day will you pardon me to retire to my room well yes my dear it has been a trying day my two will retire very soon first I'm looking on the boys good night John good night my dear I had managed to quiet all my family but I cannot quiet the trembling doubts in my own heart this must be a meeting of fearful consequence to require such secrecy come what may I must try to learn what it means I suppose I could take off my shoes and down a night robe and pretend sleepwalking if I'm discovered listening at their door and find my door without one here's the keyhole now if I can but here over the pounding of my own heart gentlemen now that we're all here at last gentlemen we will end this period of inaction I've received confidential orders from general howl all troops out to march tomorrow evening to white marsh there we will attack general Washington's army and break the backbone general Washington won't have a chance if he isn't war someone must warn him I dare not trust the secret to anyone I must think of a plan must go to bed and pretend to be mr. Stara open the door have you finished with your friends you must have been very soundly asleep better yes we finished now we must leave come on I will show you the way as your key madam and one pound in gold thank you for your courtesy and sleep well no general I will not sleep this night until I think of a way to warn general Washington and so the curtain falls on the first act of our proudly we hail production featuring Miriam Wolfe as Lydia Dara after an important message will be back with the second act of a message for the general down through the years women have always shared the burden of defense today more than ever before women are needed to help defend the cause of freedom more than ever before the United States Army and United States Air Force need young women in its expanding forces you will enjoy the same pay allowances medical care vacations and opportunities for travel as the men in the services so go to your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station today have a talk with a recruiting sergeant he will help you decide how you can best serve your country volunteer for service in the WAC women's Army Corps or the WAC women in the Air Force do it now you are listening to proudly we hail and now with Miriam Wolfe in the role of Lydia Dara we present the second act of a message for the general early Lydia is anything wrong Jenna I just been to the storeroom to find we're out of flower and I must bake today I'll have to go to the mill and get some right away but the mill is it frank for it outside the line yes yes I must just get a pass if you must go today take Jonathan with you and wrap up in your warmest cloak the snow is deep and the wind is blowing heavily no I've looked in the boys room and Jonathan isn't there I thought he must be milking I've seen neither hide nor hair of him the boy is moody lately let me go to the mill Lydia instead of you it's a nasty looking day no John I want to go it's my fault not paying better attention to the stores now don't you go getting moody to Lydia where's your sunny smile that's always with you please please try to understand John this is something I must do myself it's important to me alright Lydia I know when your mind is made up there's no stopping you mistress Lydia Dara I have a pass to go to the miller at Frankfurt to get some flour all right madam my compliments it's a hard day to be out in the weather here is my sack will you have it filled when I return that I will mistress Dara you're not walking further in this weather I have a friend whose life is hanging in the balance I must go and see him before it is too late God go with you yes yes you wish to see someone your sentry back there told me I would find the officer in charge here Lieutenant Colonel Craig mistress yes will you tell him mistress Dara Philadelphia is here I would like to have a word with him certainly mistress excuse me Colonel Craig sir yes why mistress Lydia please come inside thank you you must be near freezing with the cold corporal fetch mistress Dara cup of tea from the campfire I suspect I know why you've come mistress Lydia I'm sorry you had to make such a hard trip you know why I've come Colonel what do you aren't you looking for Jonathan John is the child here he arrived only a few minutes ago he told me he had your permission to volunteer I thought the lad looked as if he'd run away his father and I have been at our wits end to know what to do with him would you like to see him oh yes no I'm forgetting Colonel I came on another matter I must think of Jonathan later this is a matter of utmost urgency would you give me your most solemn pledge of secrecy why yes I have an important message for General Washington you must give it to him yourself yes the adjutant general borrowed one of my chambers for a conference with his officers last night while they were meeting I I was curious because of his extreme secrecy and I listened at the door I heard him say he had an order from General Howe for tonight all British troops are to march out tonight to attack General Washington's army a surprise attack yes I cannot tell you mistress Lydia what a great thing you've done I must get this news to the general without delay what about Jonathan would you like to see him yes of course I would like to see him but his father and I have done our best and failed somehow now I must leave him to God tell the boy for me that I sent him my oh no no don't tell him no one must know that I have come I must go home quickly before this the British suspect anything God bless you for your courage mistress Lydia I'll do my best to take care of Jonathan what kept you so long Lydia it's nearly dark oh John my heart is heavy in me please do not press me for explanations and excuses why my dear is there something wrong that you cannot share with me Jonathan Jonathan I haven't seen the boy all day I know I I received word that he's gone to join the army what the army yes oh no yes John my heart breaks to think of his danger but I have decided not to try to stop him oh my dear it's hard it's especially hard for you no matter what we think John we cannot go against the boys own conscience yes I suppose that's right but he's so young in some ways John I think he is older than we are children start building from the highest point their parents have achieved this look look there out the window why the troops are moving troops oh excuse me John I must get the supper ready and start my we are on our way general howl yes the men do not know where they are heading but they all understand the need for quiet and secrecy good we are fortunate not to be on foot in this snowy road yes the ruts and drips are deep the snow will serve as well except for it the night is black I would prefer total blackness to cover our March but Washington will never expect us on a night like this he probably thinks is asleep in Philadelphia yeah we must be nearly there wait I think I see a scout approach general howl general howl turn back sir turn back turn back why what do you mean man out with it we've been betrayed General Washington's troops are armed to a man and on the watch the cannon are mounted and they're ready at every point to meet an attack now by all heaven you blundering fool I told you to preserve the utmost secrecy on our planet I did sir I'm sorry sir I I cannot imagine what we're sorry idiot all our trouble has been in vain order the troops to turn back yes sir Fox again has outwitted the hounds yes good morning mr. Stara the edges in general would like to see you all right I'll go with you let me fetch my cloak David tell your father I have an errand in the town what is it mother may I go with you no son tell your father as I told you and mind you be good to Timothy while I'm gone I'm ready wish to use my house again sir I must make sure we aren't over her come over with a window mr. Stara you look tired I am tired sir or I have had family trouble since I spoke with you last my regrets madam it's about your family that I wanted to inquire yes that night in your chamber mr. Stara I didn't tell you then but that was an important meeting with the officers of the army are you quite certain no member of your family was about while we were there we all retired early as you requested strange very strange tell me once again I know you to be a God-fearing woman that you would not lie no no I tell you truly my husband and three boys and I retired to our own chambers I said good night to all of them at eight o'clock I know that you were asleep for I had to knock three times before you hurt me yet it is certain that we were betrayed I'm marching out to surprise general Washington at white Marsh we found him prepared at every point to meet a tech and we were compelled to march back like a parcel of fools I'm tired and lost to explain it nor can I explain it general will you have need of my house again what no no thank you lieutenant lieutenant escort mistress Dara home good day madam Lydia Lydia my dear what is it are you all right yes yes John I'm all right except my heart is heavy for Jonathan I cannot help thinking that he he must be cold well then rejoice my dear what he's drinking tea and warming his feet in the kitchen this very minute come and see for yourself my son yes mother the general sent me general Washington but why and how did you get through the line I sneaked through last night no one challenged me the red coats must have been at home in bed the general sent you a letter mother I don't know what it says but he told me to tell you that he was proud to be able to return your message fittingly return your message Lydia Jonathan give the letter to your father would you read it John headquarters white marsh December 4 17 77 to mistress Lydia Dara at Philadelphia dear madam for the many lives you have saved tonight I am glad to be able to give back one to you the boy has the courage of his mother when he is older if God has not yet granted us victory I will welcome him as a volunteer if it were in my power to give you the highest decoration madam I would do so but I know that a mother's son is the most precious jewel she could have you have earned my thanks madam and the gratitude of all the troops for your bravery in warning us of general house intention a surprise attack at this time could have ruined us and lost forever the independence for which we fight for this act the name of Lydia Dara will be remembered as long as these colonies endure I am madam you're grateful and obedient servant gee Washington you're you're you're wonderful Lydia Lydia indeed it was brave of you but I I never thought you could deceive us so and to take part in war I thought your faith would prevent you from such a deal John my dear I I saw it not violence to put a stop to violence I doubt not that war is evil in the sight of God but when evil is at work how can one remain idle I know your thoughts and they were mine until I had to choose between acting or letting the army be destroyed oh the woman must do what she can to help when her country is in danger thank you Miriam Wolf for a very stirring portrayal and now here is an important message to the young women of America you have just heard an interesting story about one of America's gallant women in the past if you are between 18 and 34 and a high school graduate join the gallant women of the present you will find the job opportunities in the WAC women's Army Corps and in the WAF women in the Air Force are now virtually unlimited visit your local recruiting headquarters and learn about the more than 100 different assignments now offered the young women of America talk to your recruiting sergeant get the facts and enlist today this has been another program on proudly we hail presenter transcribed in cooperation with this station by the United States Army and United States Air Force Recruiting Service this program featured Miriam Wolf as Lydia Darrell this is Kenneth Banghart speaking and inviting you to tune in the same station next week for another interesting story on proudly