The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-01-20
Visit IL valley Forge. sel!

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90 Visit to Valley Forge. .soai1l b :es'
About sixfetb miles up the Shuy XIII from Phhadel
phia shsaf s.ream leaves the rich aud tea1tifi vxi
ley of Chester and winds its way through deep ravine
between two MOUNTAINS and euipes s clef water into
the river. The mountains filled with iron ore, and
as the stream afforded power, the old inhabitants
OF the colony erected at it's muh mill and forge and
roandsthem few houses and the place known as
the Valley Forge $50 Fl Gen = rsYe I'd tas sbst
It Was after the disastrous results Of the bauesof
Brandy ywihe and Germantown, in which the AieIrcans
lost 2Ooo soldiers whom in their already reduced state
they couldso po"rly spare that Washington forced
TO give up Philadelphia to the enemy, and lead his
drospng aud discouraged army to- this secluded spot
which the suerings Of that little band while lay aud
shlvrcd there during the memorable winter Of 6 has
made immortal ~ F av os5,1T3a aTfxs' esa lis Ye
We approached the old encampment by aroad lead
ing down narrow de6le which forms the bed of the
stream, and ascended the summit where the army
lay, by rugged pathway which is still TO be traced
'mnng the rocks apl were shown by guide, as we
passed the different spots, where'he cannon had been
painted to guard tie entrance. When we rearhed the
summit we found i partially covered with trees and
underwood yet eighty years had not been able 10 de-
siroy the efforts that feeble band had put forth for self
protection There was still td be seen ditch and en
bankmet which at present is about three feet high
Extending more than two, miles around the top of ahe
mountain. stf..s... g f.
1T the open and unprotected points are still to
ne seen five different forts Of different forms more or
less perfect They were probably built principally of
logs but they have long since decayed and their forms
1T present to- be traced only BY piles of dirt watch
had had. been thrown up to strengthen them. The most
perfect at present is still about ten feet high and
probably one hundred feet square, with dividing ridge
running dagonaly from corner to the other fernl
ing Of equal size, with hut vnc narrow
snraace 1t all remains quite perfect and the walls
h1f rs ls
wcr made Of poles which seem to have twelve o fifteen
feet long built in the form of pen with dirt thrown
up on the,outsde to keep out the Storm r4heir re-
maus are still to be seen situated in little groups here
and there over the inclosure: While down near the
old Forge We were shown old stone house. about 20
by 30 feet which served headquarters, IN which
Washington lived, surrounded by bis staff during tue
winter. sea sys g46s ss az psrue-f -s '-Fg N.voTls
We entered the venerable building with feelings of
the deepest emotion, and examined the room which
served the iustridus chief as bedroom and audience
chamber 1t is very pan and the furniture a,uch as
he had left hts a SMALL r'ugh boxin a. deep window
I'LL was pointed out as having eonsaped his papers and
writing material The house IS, occupied BY a family
who take pleasure ip showing to visitors tue different
items Of interest The OH cedar shinged roof which
protected thec Father Of his wears ~ *
had still sheltered the old headquarters until year or
two ago. when was removed, aud its PLACE occupied
by tin. lar
The graves of the soldiers are Still 10 Be seen IN d;.
tinct clusters over tie ground bdt are most huDerous
in the northeast dxisisau herc the regiments from
the Souhwsre euartered d@t having roted most fear.
fully amSng thsm they gbeipg less able To- endure the
scverilies of Northern winter. - :. ,slsiij
= Ii was during their encampnent here that tie tracks
Of the soldiers ceuldbe traced bytber Blood as they
gathered who'd to warm neir miserable hfsngs ns}sr
i And it is here that WasAegtoa is sail TO- have shed
tears like father While beholding their suerinss,
while they gathered round him and plead for bread and
clothing, and he badh the eafs 6 furnish them,i
Yet, although every thing seeed ssiscourssug itwas
near hereahat the Friend seut sieae surprised and
exclauipg, thsAmericans. will conquer yet The
woods and looked and saw their chief upon Ills knees,
and he wss asking God to help then, a. ssat 81
1t may be.gseat'toisui pawerfaI army victory
but surely II greater ID preserve the shattered REM
pants Of discouraged bap tege,ber when the enemy
xas tramplng over them, when their Congress could do
nothing Ter them, wheh sarvig families at home were
Weeping for their return, and when there seemed no
prospect before theni bnt sraerable dufsatgaaa.
Numerous graves have recently been opened and the
bodies Of many Of the officers lave been removed by
heir friends TO other buryng grounds III their native
States But the poor and obscure soldiers whostit re-
main, have monumeassmose beautiful than art form
erected 'hea, for naurs has planted hundrsas Of oe
lars as silent tribune to their memory, which have
'een watered by the pure da generous tears f night
md they gforaiup living wfeths Of cvergrens
bose their graves ---0As &sse ~tesr~al - feilia
as cess s es--7-----e.'-- = 1--7sinnnasa y -
RErURNING ANswERA--Elear the story Of the child
which went forth into the mountain rayiue. Wheuthe
child wandered there, he called aloud TO break the lone
mess, and heard voice which called to him in the
same tone. He called again, aud, as he Thought the
voceagain mocked him. Flashed with anger he rushed
% find the boy who had insutel him, but could find
,one He then called to him, in anger, and with
busive epithets, all Of which were faithfully returned
o lim Choking with rage the child ran t6 iss