The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-03-03
For the Portage Sentinel
A Visit to Valley Forge.

Who has not heard of Valley Forge T.
and whose heart does not thrill at the very
mention Of that sacred spot doubly sacred
to US, the inheritors Of the blessings gained
by the anxious hearts who suffered there
From boyhood, it had always been the de.
sire OF my heart to visit the camp ground OF
Washington, at Valley Forge; but was new
er able to accomplish the wish until during
the past autumn, when business calling me
to the vicinity, went up from Norristown
with friend (who was we'll acquainted with
the locality to ramble over the halowed
ground.
We took the early afternoon train, and in
few minutes time arrived at the "Valley
Station" Ths village of Valley Forge is
on the left bank Of the Schuylkill River, "a
miles above Philsdelphis, and miles above
Norristown. The Reading Railroad passes
through the village, following the windings
Of the river. Leaving the station, we pro-
ceeded at once to the house occupied BY
Washington as his "Head Quarters" and
where his patriotic wife came in the Febru.
ury of 1878, cheering his drooping spirits by
her presence. The family residing in the
house were very courteous 10 US, kindly
showing US through the house and grounds.
The back room was the one occupied by
Washington, and from its window he com.
handed view of the camp, which lay on the
side hill not far distant. The house is oil
stone, where the heavy sashes of the win.
dows, the thickness of the walls, and the
wood work Of the parlors, are witnesses oil
it's antiquity. From the thickness of the
wells, the windows are deeply recessed, and
afford sufficient breadth for q comfortable
seat. In one Of these there is cavity di.
vided into two compartments, in which be
is said to have kept his papers. How many
anxious, plying looks were cast by him oui
of these very windows; and how many doubts
and heavy fears assailed his sad heart, laden.
ed with fearful forebodlngs as he watched
his famished soldiers treading over that icey
ground in hapless famine, and nearly desti.
tute of shelter and clothing. But they en-
dured oil without murmur, though they
could be tracked by the blood from their
frozen feet. How did he keep up his cour.
age, blamed as he was, by some for that
very want OF food, clothing, powder, and the
inactivity of the army.
About half mile south, are still TO be
seen line of breast-works, which extend
from the river up 10 the brow Of the hill; nnd
about ten rods in advance is the walls of o
fort. 1t is about seventy feet square, built
of earth, with diagonal embankmen.
thrown across from opposite corners. This
fort commanded the valley beyond, with an.
other fort of like dimensions, one.half mile
to the west, across the valley. The en-
bankment and forts are now overgrown with
trees. In the field, about one.fourth mile
south.eas of the fort, is the grave of John
Waterman, Commissary General of the
army, who died while the army was encamp-
ed at Valley Forge. Washington assisted
at his burial. Two rough sand stones mark
his grave. On the headstone are the initials
]. w., 1878. This is on the farm of Mr..
VIM. Henry, who extended to me many
courtesies then and afterwards; among 9TH
ers, he presented me with number Of old
relics found by himself on the old camp
ground. Nearly opposite the fort is where
the army crossed the river when they pur.
sued the British to the plains Of Monmouth.
All traces Of the. bridge are gone; but y