The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-03-06
Valley Forge To-Day.

The conformation of the ground pre-
sents the same appearance at Valley
Forge to day it did in l778, except that
the woods, which were all cut down for
building the huts and making fires, have
grown up. The breastworks still re-
main, beginning on the high bluff jut-
ting ont the Schuylkill, and following
the spur of hills to where they meet the
Valley Creek. But in several places the
old earthworks are very indistinct and
hard TO find. The most interesting
object about the camp ground, and the
one most accessible to the tourist, Is the
old stone house of Isaac. Potts, occupied
BY Washington as his head quarters
This ancient mansion has been in the
possession of the family of James Jones
for upwards of half a century. Nathan
Jones and his sister, Ogden, are the
present occupants. The writer was
shown a very correct map of the en-
campment, drawn by the late Caleb
Jones, who took special interest in the
antiquities and history of the place.
Washirfeton's room is preserved in
precisely the condition in which he kept
it, In one of the deep window-seats is
discovered a secret depository, from which
old cannon balls were rolled out on the
floor by the young lady who showed us
the room, with the explanation that
o. they were only samples of many more
which had been ploughed mp in the
fields. Photographs Of the house can
be purchased there, at small price, and
a book is provided to register the names
of visitors. Although Mr.. Jones' fami-
ly is private one, and they are under
no obligations to admit visitors, yet
they take pleasure in showing persons
the room where the father of his coun-
try passed such trying ordeal.
From Washington's headquarters the
ground gradually rises toward the south,
and by gentle swells spreads out for over
a mile, forming the camping-grounds
where the long barracks were erected.
tACSC AOAAAAiS AhCoAV"o OAA
the south west are high bluffs, upon
which was posted the main portion of
the army.
Some of the views from the heights
are remarkably fine. One could profta-
bly, spend whole day here, wandering
over the hills and through the woods
SEHa ra-s,nosVDn1 rood ,nr
through the valley is the Norristown
road, which strikes out on the left from
the village street and continues down the
old camp toward Port Kennedy. This
road passes through an old redoubt, now
overgrown with thick underbrush. The
riverside of Valley Forge is covered by
high, steep bluffs, 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
railroad has cut a passage. One can
readily see, by glance at the steep
bank, that this side of the encampment
could have been successfully defended
from any attack. Pickets posted along
the bank could easily discern the ap-
proach of the enemy from their high
position.
The little village of Valley Forge is
just what it was fifty years ago. A few
mills gave employment to such of the
inhabitants as are not engaged in farm
ing. Everything about the place has an
air of antiquity. The woods are de-
lightfully shady and airy, and of late
years have become popular resort fol
picnic parties.