Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1874-01-15
VALLEY FORGE

H. 't't'c"'" nee at sNc a'rCScnt Time.
A writer in the Philadelphia "To-
day says of Valley Forge: "The con-
formation of tho ground presents the
same appearance Mt Valley Forge to-
day rs it did in ITS, except thnt the
woods, which were all cut down for
building tho huts aud making fires,
have grown again on the summit Of the
hills where the blcastworks we're thrown
up. These breastworks still remain, be.
ginning on the high bluff jntting out on
the S%chuylkill, and following the spu,
Of hills to where they meet tho Valley
Creek. Bat in several places tho old
rarthworks are very inlistinct and hard
to find. The most interesting object
about tho camp ground, anil the one
most accessible to tho tourist, is the
old stone house of Isaac Potts, occu
pied by Washington rs his %headQuar-
ttrs. This ancient mansion has been
i'll thep"ssession Of the family Of James
Jones for upwards of half Il century.
Nathan Jones and his sister, Mrs. Og-
den. arc the present occupants. The
writer was shown IL very correct map of
the encampmcnt, drawn by the late
| ~ olANNe WV 'ON u HtJttlil IIIGtI-
est in the antiquities and history of the
place.
Washington's room is in precisely the
same condition in which he kept it. In
enc OF the deep window.seats is discov-
cred Il secret depository, which he
used for his private papers. Several
old cannon-balls were rolled ont on
the. floor by the young lady who showed
MS the room, with the explanation that
they were only samples Of many more
which had been ploughed up in the
fields. Photographs OF the ho,ise can
be purchased there, Mt a small price,
and IL book is provided to register the
names of visitors. Although Mr.. Jones'
family is a private one, and they are
under no obligations to admit visitors,
yet they take pleasure in showing the
room where the father of his country
passed such Il trying ordeal.
From Washingtou's headquarters
the ground gradually rises toward the
south, and by gentle swells spreads
out for over a mile, forming the camp
ing grounds where the log-ba1racks
were erected. Surrounding these roll
ing meadows, on tho southwest, are
high bluffs, upon which was posted the
main portion of the army.
Some Of the views from the heights
are remarkably tine. One could profit
ably spend q whole day here, wander
Ing over the hills and through the
woods. The principal wagon road
running through the valley is the Nor.
ristown road, which strikes out on the
left from the village street and contin-
ues down the old camp ground
toward Port Kennedy. This road pass
es through an old redoubt, now over.
grown with thick underbrush. The
river side of Valley Forge is covered
by a high, steep bluff, extending from
the railroad station, near Washington's
headquarters, to the promontory at the
southeastern limit of the camp-grounds.
Into this bluff, high above the river,
the railway has cut a passage. One can
readily see, by a glance at the steep
bank, that this side Of the encampment
could have been successfully defended,
under ordinary circumstances, from
any attack. Pickets posted along the
bank could easily discern the APP
proach Of the enemy from their high
position.
The little village of Valley Forge is
just what it was fifty years ago. 4 few
mills give employment to such of the
inhabitants as are not engaged in farm
ing. Everything about tie place has
an air Of antiquity. The woods are
delightfully."- shady and airy, and Of
late We ars have become apopular resort
picnic parties.
A great many very wonderful and
blood curdling traditions have been
repeated for years in the nelglbor-
hood, and handed down from grand
mothers to grandchildren. and from
sire to son, Of headless soldiers who
are seen walking about in the woods at
anu Of mysterious cannon balls
which are heard rolling, in tne dusk,
over the floors Of the old houses in the
village; bnt no genuine traditions can
be gathered from any of the present
inhabitants. The real history of the
place, however, is exciting enough to
compensate for the absence of vague
and fabulous stories.