The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-13
The Dark Winter.
FROM SCENES OF THE REVOLT.
TJnN

TON.
once knew soldier of ths Revolution
His head was white, as iftcovcred with snow
He filled responsible rank in society, and
was beloved for kindness Of heart and piety.
He was gratifed that asked for tales ofother
days. and he told me the following story of
the winter at Morristown.
Early i'll the month of November, I779,
said he, our army under Gen. Washington,
left the vicinity of Hudson River, and the
White Plains, to go TO winter quarters. Snow
had already fallen, so that we had the pros
| pect ofa dreary season. The roads were in a
most uncomfortable state from rain and mel
ting SHOWS and we marched for four days
with feet and limbs continually wet and cold.
! Wcreached Morristown weary and wayworn
and were permitted the first night to sleep in
the houses and barns ofthe inhabitants. The
next morning early, we were ordered two
miles northward, to thick dense forest, to
/ cut down trees and build huns to shelter us
during the winter. Almost every day the
snow fell, and the cold was extreme. We
| slept OH the frozen ground wrapt in single
blanket We worked hard TO complete our
novels oflogs. In about week they were
ready TO admit their tenants.
! We took possession of their darkness with
more Joy and satisfaction than king enters
his palace, for we better knew the value of
shelter from storm. We now hoped to pass
| in quietude the dreary months, till spring
should call tbs forth 10 the service ofour coun-
! try. But greater trials awaited us Ere long
the provisions began to fail. The severe cold
had frozen much earlier than usual the waters
ofthe Hudson and Delaware, SO that no supply
could arrive by boats. New Jersey was nor
able, for any length oftime, TO provide, from
her own resources, for such multitude. Our
Hill, ILL. IL.
then one fourth. Only four ounces ofbread
and four ofmeat, were served TO each man
for "a hours. The cravings of hunger were
intense. Still the affecting scarcity grew
More severe-this pittance at length only
dealt out in two days. But the suffering was
borne with astonishing patience. The half
furnished soldiers sustained themselves with
the love of their country, and the hopes of
better times. Some even strove, by amusing
and playful conversation, to keep the spirits
Of their comrades up. Yet deeper trial was
reserved for us. Four bitter winter days aud
nights not a morsel of food was given out.
The strongest men became weak, and the
voice ofthe more feeble grew so weak as
scarcely to be audible. There was no mar
nruring. We felt tito be the poverty of our
beloved country we were sharing, and believ-
ed that in Gods time relief would come.
After this dreadful abstinence of four days,
some wheat was obtained. One gill ofraw
wheat was the portion of each soldier. We
fastened TO boil and eat it, drinking also the
water in which it had been boiled. .-. 40.
While we We're devouring this food n gun
was heard within the encampment. A lean
miserable dog had wandered thither the poor
animal was immediately shot and cooked for
some of the officers, who were so reduced by
famine as to be thankful for such repust.
Il
more painful by the extreme cold, which
threatened to turn every thing into ice.
On the fifth morning, before the sun arose, !
a majestic man was seen, with the bride of
his horse round his arm. He affectiouately /
asked each soldier how he Jared. Ii was
WASHINGTON. Tears escaped from his eyes,
at the sight ofour sorrows Only the night
before had he learned their full extent. Ere
the dawn he fastened, notwithstanding the |
terrible cold, to visit us. His countenance
aud words revealed the deepest sympathy.
AT the sight of his distress, many a cheerful
voice ACKNOWLEDGMENT, we do not COM
plain, we can bear this longer lift is the will
of Heaven. We are ready to defend our
country whenever you call us to the field!
This patience and patriotism affected Wash
ington still more keeny. He could scarcely
command his voice, as he thanked and bless
ed them. He assured them that if it were in
his power, relief should be sent them before
the close ofthe day. u 5rmasafaa
A little past noon the Stewards call was
heard through the camp. We rushed to the
spot. To each of us was weighed out four
ounces of beef as free from bone as possible.
Overcome by the fierceness ofappetite, some
swallowed it raw as il reached their hands,
On the following day, we received four oun- I
res of bread, and much in the same manner;
1nr food continued to be regular, though {
,cantily distributed, until winter was passed, I
and spring recalled us to our trials and per- q
is. Yet scarcity of provisions was not the I
only cause ofour suffering at Morristown.- I
The weather was fearfiilIy severe and our
,lothing old and Insufficient. Snow for long I
lime covered the ground to the depth of three {
Or four feet. During more than six weeks "
rot the least thawing was perceived, even in \
sun. No water could be OBJ v
aimed by the soldiers but melted ice or snow; r
hey were generally destitute ofshoes; so that c