The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-02-05
A VISIT TO VALLEY FORGE.

+ through deep ravine between two mountains
and empties its clear waters into the rlVer-
/; The mountains are filled with ron-ore, and as
the stream affords water power. the old lnhabI-
! tants of the colonies erected at lis mouth mil
and around them few houses, and the place
was known as the "ValIy Forge"
1t was after the disastrous results ot the bat
ties Of Brandywine and Germantown, IN which
the Americans lost 1000 soldiers, whom in their
already reduced state they could to poorly spare,
/ that Washington was forced TO give up PhIla-
drlphia to the enemy, and lead his dropping
and discouraged army TO this secluded spot,
which the suferings of that little band, while
il lay and shivered there during the memora-
bic winter of '76, has made immortal.
We approached the old eucampUrrnt by
: road leading down narrow dpiil- which forms
! the bed of the stream, and ascend1d to the sum-
NIT where the army lay, by rugged pathway
which is still to be traced among the rocks, and
were shown by our guide as We passed the dit
ferent spots. where the cannon had been plant
ed to guard the entrance. When we reached
the summit we found it partially covered with
trees and underwood, yet eighty years had not
been able to destroy the etforS that feeble band
had put forth for self-protecion. There was
is at present about three feet blgh, extending
more than two miles around thFSigP el the
nountain. Nj
At the more open and unprotected points are
still to be seen FIVE different forts Of different
forms, more or less perfect. They were, ,Flpb-
ably built principally Of clogs, but theyt bave
long since decayed, and sthelr ioImS at present
are to be traced only by piles OF dirt which had
been thrown up 10 strengthen thrm, The most
perfect one at present is still about ten feet high,
and probably one hundred feet square. with
dividing ridge running dagonally from one
corner to the other, forming two apartments OF
equal size, but with one narrow entrance. 1t
all remains quite perfect and tn" walls or banks
are covered with trees. The tents of the SOL
dierS were made of pooles, which seem to have
been twelve or fifteen feet long. built in the
form of pen, with dirt thrown up on the out
side TO keep out the storm. Their remains are
still to be seen, situated in little groups over The
enclosure. While down near the Old Forge
we were shown stone house, about 20 by 80
feet, which served as head quarters, in which
Washington lived surrounded by his staff during
the winter.
We entered the venerable building with feel
ings of the deepest emotion, and examined the
room which served the llust rlous chief as bed
room and audience chamber. 1t is very plain,
and the furniture much ,as-hp left it. A small
rough box in deep windaw sill, was pointed
out as having containeda6FSsrapers and writing
material. The house isF!occuprd BY a family
who take pleasure in SHOWING to visitors the dif
ferent items of interesf&> The old cedar shin
gIed roofwhch protected the "Fathrr OF his
country" eighty years ago, bad still sheltered
the old head quarters until year or two ago,
when it was removed, and its plac" occupied
by tin.
The graves of the soldiers are still to hr seen
IN distant clusters over the ground, but are most
numerous IN the northeast division, where the
regiments from the South were quartered, death
having rioted most fearfully among them, they
being less able to endure the severities ola NoI-
thern winter.
1t was during their encampment here that
the tracks ofthe soldiers could be- traced by
their blood, as they gathered wood TO warm
their miserable hutS.
And 1t is here that Washington is said TO
have shed tears like father, while heholding
their sutferngs, while they gathered around
him and plead for bread and clothing, and he
had not the means to furnish them. Yet al
though every thing seemed sodlscouragine, it was
near here that the ''Friepd' went home sur
prlsed, and exclaimng, '1he Americans will
conquer yet, the Americans will conquer vet,
for heard whisper in the woods, and look
ed and saw their chief upon his knees, aud be
was asking God TO help them
1t may be great to lead powerful army on
to victory, but surely it greater to preserve
the shattered remnants ola discouraged band to-
OF haF tIpba h,N
them, when their Congress could do nothing
for them, when starving families at home were
weeping for their return, and when their seem
ed no prospect before them bot miserable de-
feat,
Numerous graves have recently been opened,
and the bodies of many of the officers have been
removed by their friends to o,her bury;ng-
grounds in their native States. But the poor
and obscure soldiers who still remain, have
monuments more beautiful than art can form
erected over them, for nature has planted hun
dredS OF cedars as a silent tribute to their mem
ory, which have been waterrd by the pure and
generous tears of night, and they are now form
ing living wreaths of evergreens over their
graves.
U5-A man who can have his corns mashed
without grumbling, is undoubtedly possessed OF
a tolerably good disposition. One man being
once al political meeting, said, in pleasant
manner to big burly fellow who was standing
upon his toe, any dear sir, are YOU not mil
ler!'' ''No sir; why do you ask2" "Why, sir,
the fact is, thought you were miller, and
very honest one, too, because you have been
grinding my corn this half hour without Ia
king TOLL"
u How much more difficult is it to gel a
woman out on wet Sunday than week day