Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1860-09-01


line of march, and otherwise disconcerting
the movement. At eariy dawn the troops
we're eucamped within three miles OF the
American right wing, their advance parties
extending over the WEitemarsh valley, and
using every endeavor to decoy Washington
from his impregnable position. Some militia
companies under General Irvine, we're sent
forward to skirmsh, but as usual with these
dangerous individuals, nothing was affected
beyond q speedy retreat within the protect
ing shelter of the American lines their
officer was wounded and taken prisoner, the
men possessing too much regard for personal
comfort to sscI ifice themselves in an attempt
at rescue.
During the days intervening between the
4th and 7tb, General Howe was occupied in
reconnoitering the Americans, and laborng
to draw them into q general action, which
W asbing:on, however, as adroitly evaded.-
Aware Of the strength Of his position, and
knowing too, the many advantages OF dis
cipline and numbers possessed by the enemy,
! he felt no desire to hazard an engagement,
the consequences of which could not have
been otherwise than disastrous.
The 7th of December arrived, and the
enemy had now advanced within mile Of the
Americans. Numerous skirmishes ensued,
some OF which were attended with loss.--
Every movement now indicated that general
action might be expected, aud Washington
| always calm and dgni6ed, addressed his men
in inspiring language, as he gazed wistfully
| toward the approaching enemy. The morn
ing passed away into noon, the noon to even
ing, night folded her mantle over the dark
bills, and yetsuo attack was made. The nfxt.
day came, an the enemy we're observed
manGuvering about their position they then
advanced toward the right, and again halted !;
thus the day glided by, and another night
was at hand. On its approach, huge watch
ires were kiudled, and their vivid glare shed
wild lustre over the wiItry plains behind
these, the British ANONYMOUSLY retreated,
and were in full, though silent march toward
Philadelphia, before Washing ton discovered
their pusillanimous design. Too far away TO,
be overtaken, they were allowed to continue
oD unmolested, and without-unlike Caesar
even laurel TO cover their badness, re-
entered the city.
During these memorable and anxious days,
the conduct Of Washington was marked By
the same prudence and foresight which
characterized all bis actions. Unwilling to
relinquish his invulnerable position, and thus
place himself directly in ths power OF General
Howe, he remained upon the heights, and
thus enjoyed all the honors of victory with
bat little OF its bloodshed. And yet for this
he was abused a handle was made Of his
behavior on this occasion for renewed calum.
ny, and the policy displsyed--so worthy Of
laudation--was dsrisivey scorned.
Three days had now elapsed since General
Howe's retreat aud deep snow covered the
woods and fields with its dreary mantle !;
chilling gales .roared among the leafess
forests, where hugs icicles swano -erac kinr In |,
the frosty air, every object testified the pres
ence of winter iu all it's rigor and severity
The American troops were without clothing
and almost entirely destitute Of provisions
their sufierings we're hourly increasing, and it
became absolutely necessary for Washington
TO seek winter quarters for bis ragged and
starving army. Tents afforded no adequate
protection against the snow.frsugbt blasts
which swept in wild murmurs over the bleak
hills of hitemarsh, aud the commander felt
the imperative necessity for more sheltered
habtatons. So, on the third day succeed
ing the anticipated battle, Washington broke
up his encampmeut, and began the weary
march toward Valley Forge, whether he ex-
pected to locate his winter quarters, The
snow was some feet in depth when the army
started, and its whirling drifts were impeled
full in the faces of the exhausted soldiers,
who yet grasped their muskets more firmly,
aud with heads bowed before the storm,
moved steadily onward over a track where
many footprint left ts bloody impress
Nothing but that inborn sentiment Of devo-
tion to country and fireside, could have sus-
tanned these noble hearted men through the
increasing horrors Of that toilsome march:
with no shoes to cover their frosted and
bleeding feet, the lattered remnants Of a uni.
form or hunting shirt folded closely about
their semi nude persons, aud but sparsely
provided with hats as protection, in part,
from the cold fury Of the gale, we observe
these godlike spirits tramping that dreary
distance, without a cheering hope in the
gloomy future to inspire their melancholy
way. No martial music was there to enliven
the advance of gaily comparisoued legions,
but broodng silence reigned over the sor.
rowful companies. only broken at times by
al occasional word of command while still
on over the whitened plains the troops un-
murmingly marched, and on the 18th Of
December halted upon the hill.slopes Of
Valley Forge.
Valley Forge the very name watts US in
imag back to the scenes of those
mournfnl yet glorious periods with IL we
see the solitary camp fire and the shivering
forms as they cover about it its pallid CLEAN
with it We hear the wild sighiugs Of the
wn,ry wind, driving shrilly over the barren
hillsides and through the deserted forest
with it we mark the devoted self sacrifice,
the heroic disregard of mere personal suffer.
ing, which marked the conduct OF those i'm
mortal soldiers who had fought with IN.
flinching bravery the battles Of the Revolu-
tion, and were now compelled TO war with
far more insdious enemies cold and hunger
each in turn exerted its sway over the almost
heart brokeu patriots, as the disconsolately
trod the frozen snow Of Valley Forge and
yet with a heroism which has rendered their
very names types of the souls truest nobility,
they resisted the cravings Of appetite, and
dragged on a suffering existence to product
that land whose manifold blessings their de-
sceDdants now so happily enjoy.
On the 18th OF December, one day subse-
quent to their arrival, Washington issued
orders, directing that trees should be feled
and huts erected for the srmy's accommoda-
tiou throughout the tempestuous winter
whose stormy attendants had so early been
mustered. Aud here we should pause for
moment in order to describe the locality
Of Valley Forge, and the respective situa.
tions Of the various brisades, then passed
over this hallowed ground.
| Valley Forge is, at this time, little vii.
lage on the West side OF the Schuylkili. about
Z miles above Norristown, aud is built 10 o
hollow glade, traversed by . small creek
which courses placidly among it's sequestsred
delle. Near the mouth Of this little stream,
Washiuplan's haadonarfa.a nara ot.tional