(American Revolution.org) The husband of Rebecca Biddle, Colonel Clement Biddle, was among the first of those to take an active part on the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, resolved to sacrifice everything 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 the 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 subject to similar discipline.
Rebecca 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. She formed a last friendship with Mrs. Greene and Mrs. Knox, who were also in the army. 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 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 ordered to leave the camp. Mrs. Biddle, who didn't include herself 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 refreshments. He assured her she might remain in safety, but 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 dispatched her servant through the neighborhood to collect provisions; and all the food cooked in the camp that day was procured by her.
The enemy, informed by spies of a movement against them, made a hasty retreat. At a late hour the fatiguing troops returned after a fatiguing march. Mrs. Biddle had the pleasure of giving the dinner she had provided to at least one hundred officers, each remarking as they entered, "Madam, we hear that you feed the army to-day", which she did till not a crust remained. Among her guests on that occassion was the gallant LaFayette, who on his last visit paid his respects to her in Philadelphia. Mrs. Biddle was a gracious hostess who played her role in feeding the troops during the American Revolutionary War. She had a special attachment to General Washington and his family. It continued throughout her life. During their residence in Philadelphia, she and Colonel Biddle were always honored guests at the Washington's table. She survived her husband several years after he had passed away. She lived around seventy years. She loved to dwell on the signal display of the hand of Providence in the contest with the mother country. 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."
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