The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1874-03-05
VALLEY FORGE.
E,s Appearance q, the Pre.cn, Time.

A correspondent writes from Valley Forge:
The conformation of the ground presents the
same appearance at Valley Forge to day as it did
| in l77o, except that the woods, which were all
cut down for building the huts and making fires,
have grown again the summit of the hills
where the breastworks were thrown up. These
breastworks still remain, beginning on the bluff
jutting out on the Schuylkil and following the
spur of hills to where they meet the Valley
creek. But in several places the old enrtbwOrks
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 Wash
ington his headquarters. This ancient man.
sion has been in the possession of the family
of James Jones for upwards Of half century
Nathan Joues and his sister, Mrs. Ogden, are the
present occupants. The writer was shown a
very correct map of the encampmert, drawn by
the late Caleb Jones', who took special interest
IN the antiquities and history of the place.
WashingtHn's room is preserved in precisely
the same condition in which he kept it. In
of the deep window seats is discovered a 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 us the room,
with the explanation that they were only sam
pies of many more which had been Flowed up
in the fields. Photographs of the house can be
purchased there, at a small price, and a book is
provided to register the names of visitors. Al
though Mr. Jones family is private one, and
they are under no obligations to admit visitors,
yet they take pleasure in showing persons the
room whero the father of his country pastred
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 log barracks were
erected. Surrounding these rolling meadows,
on the southwest, are high bluffs, upon which
was posted the main portion of the army.
Some of the views from the heights are re-
marka6ly fine. One could profitably spend a
whole day here, wandeIing over the hills and
through the woods. The principle wagon road
running through the valley is the Norristown
road, which strikes ont on the left from the viii
lage street, and continues down the old camp
ground toward Port Kennedy. This road passes
through an old redoubt, now oyergrown with
thick undorbrush. The river side of Valley
Forge is covered by high, steep bluff, extending
from the railroad station, near Washingtons
headquarters, to the promontory at the south |
eastern 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 spcamp-
ment conld have been successfully defended un- |
der ordinary circumstances from any attack. |
cern the approach of the enemy FROM their high |
position.
The little village of Valley Forge is lust what |
it was fifty years ago. A few mills give employ
nent to snch of the inhabitants as are not en-
gagged in farming. Every thing about the place
bas an air Of antiquity. The woods ars delight
FULLY shady and airy, and of late years have be-
,one popular resort for picnic parties.
A great many very wonderful and blood -curd-
ing traditions have been repeated for years In
he neighborbood, and banded down from grand.
mothers to grand children, aud from sire 10 son.
II headless soldiers who are seen walking about
n the woods at night, and of mysterious cannon
,alls which are heard rolling in the duck, over
ne noors OF the old houses in the valley; but no
Genuine traditions can be gathered from any of
he present inhabitants. The real history of the
place, however, is exciting enough to compensate
or the abseuce of vague aid fabulous stories.