Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-04-17

MEMORY OF Col, BrGELow.-valley Forge is on
the west side of the Schuylkill, twenty miles from
Philadelphia, and this is where Col Bigelow spent
the winter of 77-7S with his regiment, and here is
where the soldiers of freedom suffered most intense
ly. The British general had derived no other fruit
from all his recent victories than of having procured
excellent winter quarters for his army in Phiadel-
phia Here they spent the winter within the SPLEEN
did mansions OF that city, easting upon the best the
country afforded; while the American army were
suffering within their mud huts, half clothed, with
famine staring them in the face. Many OF the sol
ders seen to drop dead with cold and hunger;
others had their bare feet cut by the ice, and left
| their tracks in blood. The American army exhibit
ed in their quarters at Valley Forge such examples
of consistency and resignation never parallel
ed before. In such pressing danger of famine and
the dissolution of the army mutiny appeared almost
inevitable, At this alarming crisis Col. Bigeow had
party of officers and soldiers convene at his head
quarters one eyening,-such party as we should
call in these days surprise party,-when the subject
| OF abandoning the cause was fully discussed. Col.
Bigelow heard all that was to be said on the subject
| Some of his men argued that Congress could not
clothe or feed them and they did not feel it to be
their duty to abandon their families and homes, to
starve in that cold climate. When all had been
Col Bigelow arose and said;-"Gentlemen, have
heard all the remarks of discomfort offered here this
evening, but as Tor me have long since to the
! CONCLUSION to stand by the American cause, come
what will have enlisted for life. Ihaye cheerful
ly left my home and family. All the friends have
are the friends OF my country. l expect TO suffer
with hunger, with cold, and with iaugue, and, ii
need be expect to lay down my life 1or the liberty
of these cooniesn such remarks as these couid not
fail of having the desired effect
About this time large herd of cattle were driven
into the camp from New Jersey and Connecticut.
Worcester had sent Col. Bigelows regiment sixty
two sets OF shirts, Shoes and stockings as their pro-
portion for the army. Other towns aid their part,
Worcester sent f78 in lawful money, which was
taken up at the Ola South church amer divine SER
vice. Now the Marquis de La Fayette, with his
money and with the f1ench troops, had arrived
now Count d Estaing, with his powerful feet were
in the American waters; now Gen. oates, with the
remainder OF the northern army, had arrived IL
join the army OF Washington. spring comesi and
the day that the English abandon fhiiadephla, the
American army leaves Valley orge to watch theii
movements They cross the Delaware at Coryeil's
Ferry and take post at Hopewell they do not ven.
ture to cross the karitan. The English reach Allen
town; Gen Lee occupies Englishtown; Washington
encamped at Cranberry; Morgan and Col Bigeiow
are iniesting the right flank of the English. Tho
British now upon the heights of Freehold pass all
their baggage to the hills Of Middleown for safety
and then comes the battle of Monmouth