The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-02-20
Revolutionary Remlnisceuce.

From some sketches Of Valley Forge.
we take the following account Of The army
in It's winter quarters -
"Hsving decided on the winter quar-.
ters being here. Washington arrived with
the army at Valley Forge on the 10Th oi
December, 1777. The voice Of prayer
and praise was heard throughout the camp
the next day, in accordance with the ap-
pointment OF Congress for day OF thanks
giving and praise. Il was glorious iri.
umpk of patriotism over suffering and
want Of principle, over neglect Of virtue.
over starvation, TO exhibit such spec
tscle on the border Of winter forest,
whose SHOWS were stained with their blood
tracked march.
Next day they began to build their huts.
the marks of which are still visible 10 one
or two places. Those most visible are by
the side Of the road towards the river, half.
way from Valley Forge to Port Kennedy
Each regiment was divided into parties o.
twelve, and each party was TO build log
but ID feet By l8. and Ct high, the sides
made tight with clay, and the roof 10 be
formed Of split slabs. or anything thai
would serve as substitute. Gen Wash
ington offered dollar to each man of the
party which completed the first and best
hut. and one hundred dollars to the man
who would substitute better and more
available roofing than slabs.
Out Of 1000 men who arrived here.
5000 were upft Tor duty. Groups OF so
and 100 were to be seen here and there
in their nakedness, budding around fires
to keep from freezing. Others were sick
from exposure and sadly pressging theil
fate.
Happily the trees were felled. TIC
bring the logs to their places men har
messed themselves 10 them like beasts o
burden. Hut afier hut rose ill there were
over thousand, al in sight OF Washing.
toms tent. These buts ranged in parallel
rows. with spaces between. ike the streets
OF the town. Those of the same State
were together. The huts OF the Off GERS
were 10 the rear OF the soldiers. one to
each OF the superior officers. The in.
trenchments were outside OF the whole.
In these huts were placed bed OF straw
on the ground and these Sons OF Liberty
as Col. Barre called them in the English
Parliament.o .orept 10 to suffer and to starve,
and die. The farmers around were many
OF them Tories. whom large offers TO pay.
and threats. were alike powerless to move,
Washington, acting under q resolution
from Congress ordered them to thresh out
one-half their grain for seventy miles
around. by the first Of February. and the
otEer half by the first Of March, under
penalty OF its being seized as straw. But
they refused and while some fought
With desperation, others burned their grain.
About this time the whole army passed q
week withou; pound of meat in the camp.
They had but one commissary TO purchase
provisions in the camp, and he reported
not hoof to slaughter. and not more than
twenty-five barrels oil -four. In commu.
nicating this fact to Congress. Washington
said. From my soul I pity those miseries,
which il is neither in my possr TO relieve
or prevent
"Mrs. Washington Joined her husband
in February and not only shared his pri
vstions, but did all in her power to miti.
gate the sufferings Of the soldiers"