Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1860-09-01
Distotteal gkettb.
prepared Cor the Germantown Telegraph)
THE ARMY AT VALLEY FORGE

On pursuing the history of those events
succeeding the battle of Germantown, il is
with sentiments OF Indignation aud astonish-
ment that We observe persistent desire on
the part OF many distinguished members Of
the Continental Congress, as also--to their
everlasting shame be il recorded, the feeling
actuatng officers of .he army, such as Gates
and Conway, in a vain endeavor to depreciate
the military qualification Of their great com
mander. HIS private character-irreproach
able as it was ever known to have been-was
likewise assaed and base insinuatons, dero.
gatory Of all his actions, slanderously thrown
oat. A degree Of jealousy was entertained,
which needed but an opportunity to burst
forth, and if possible destroy the noble cause
by these contemplate Vaccinations. Gen.
Gates, fresh from boasted contests in the
north, luxursting under the nom de guerrs of
the ''hero of Saratoga" and Inflated with
greater vanity than was even ordinarily his
won't, dared to utter aspersions, unfounded
and dishonorable, against him, the execution
Of whose plans. alone succeeded 10 bringing
the northern battle fields to 80 favorable q
conclusion. w ashinR ton, in the solitude of
bis camp, had formed those able schemes Of
attack, which it required but ordinary militia
ry capacity to successfully mature and yet
we find the very man TO whom these were en-
trusted, engaged in wilfully perverting every
act Of bis commander, as we'll as arrogoting
to himself the sole credit attached to Bur
goyue's defeat aud surrender. or Conway,
little need be said although undeterred by
the ancient motto, "de mortus nil nisi
bonum," yet it is the writer's opinion that
where no redeemng trait in mans charac
tor can be afforded n the extenuation OF his
acts, far better is it that nothing should be
taA ha
thor of the infamous ''cabal" descended to
his grave with the perpetual stain Of envy,
hypocrasy and deceit resting upon his memo.
ry.
Shortly after the accounts received Of the
success OF the northern army under General
Gates, it was the eager desire OF many Ame-
rican officers to Immediately attack Philadel-
phia, and then deprive the British command.
er OF his most important stronghold. 1t had
been the misfortune Of Washington, unprovi-
ded with sufficient punber OF men and with.
out those aids calculated to insure victory, to
suffer several successive defeats, which had
dampened the ardor Of many timid adberents,
and caused them to turn their glancss toward
the fortunate Gates, whose northern success
had placed him foremost in the vulgar
opinion. DESTROYS Of restoring confidence,
at the same time, unwilling that even this
should be accomplished by needless expendi-
| ture of blood, Washington invoked council
| OF his officers 10 order TO learn their senti-
ments concerning the suggested attack upon
Sir William Howe. The majority, among
| whom was himself, considered that the
| attempt would involve immense losses, and
might possibly be productive, at such cost,
of no permanent utility. Respecting more
the veal OF his country than the ephemral
Hnla Of ha h.
ington refused to comply with the wishes Of
those who advised decent upon Philadelphia
The affair was therefore abandoned, and
Washington repaired to Whitemarsh, about
fourteen miles from the Delaware, strongly
sutreDchlng himself among its wooded hills.
The Legislature of Pennsylvania expressed
themselves keenly desirous for some great
achievement which would rebound to the
glory of our arms, yet they lent but trivial aid
toward promoting its accomplishment. The
battle Of Saratoga had excited the minds Of
these worthy lawgivers, aud they desired that
! a similar performance should be executed
within their own borders. Congress, notwith'
standing the earnest remonstrances OF Wash.
iugton, had elevated Conway to the rank oil
Major General, and also. in various ways,
testified their disapprobation OF the CON-
msndeI's conduct even his courage was I'M
| pugned, and sneerlDg illusions were con
stantly made to his frequent defeats, compsr-
| ing them with the brilliant campaign under
Gates. Thus surrounded by treachery, with
the remnant of his army alone true we note
the noble devotion to his coantry's cause
which ever distinguished the sentiments OF
Washington he made no reproaches, de-
scended to no censures, but continuing in the
direct, straightforward paths be had ever
chosen disdained to publicly notice those
vivihcations, which rebounded with ten. fold
power upon their malignant authors. The
attempts Of these traducers were alike ren.
dered abortive, and even . more dangerous
suggestion Of supplanliug Washington and
substituting Gates In command. was similarly
unavailing.
On the 4th Of December, l777, II was the
intention Of General Howe to attack Wash.
iDgton's position at Whitemarsh, and there
accomplish threst Uttered some time pre-
vious. Of "driving him beyond the mountains
; Through the vigilance Of McLane, gallant
captain in the American army, this intention
was detected and Washington, dspatchiat
the oficer with company to reconnoitre, pre-
pared for the ensmys approach, About mid
night, MeIaue met 'br Ffihsh advance ul