The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-03
AT VALLEY FORGE.

DOCUMENT WHICH ADDS TO THE TESTIMONY
OF wAsHINGToSs RELIGIOUS FoITirUDE
AND FAITH AT TIE DARKEST HOUR OF THE
REVOLUTION.
Iron tho Norristown PA Herald, Dec "a
In connection with tho movement loot TO pro-
pare for celebration OF tbe loosh anniversary ofthe
occupation OF Valley Forge by General Washington
and tho Continental army during tho years i7s7 and
l57s the following document wi, be found sntores,-
ing II was preserved tor many years among the
papers Of DIR. AIbigence Waldo, who was surgeon In
washington's army at that time, ana who handed IL
down to HIS descendants. IL is only recently that
was made pubIic;-
ORDERS HEApouARrKns AT tina GrLr.l
Dec. AZ, ava
Tho Comm ander Chief With the nighes q satsiac.
ton. expresses his thanks the officers ard soldiers
for the iorliiade aud patience with which thoy have
sustained The iatlgaes 81 ths campaign Although NO
have IN some instances unfortunately Jailed, yet.
the whole, Eelvcn has smiled upon our arms AID
crowned them with sgnal success; ana w. may, upon
the beat ground, conclude tnat 10y spirited coutna-
ance OF the measures necessary Tor our defence wo
shall finally obtain the cLd OF weiiarc-inacpen-
ssSss Ssy S1s p'Is . are sss
exercised, would have nothing % dread iroa
wholly upon our own ground France yields every
ASK and there reasons ~ bciscve the period
IL not lar distant when che viii thSc actiye
part by declaring war against the Brilssh crown.
Every motive, therefore, irresistiby urges. nay con-
Inands u to "A manly perseverance IN our opposition
to civil oppressors, 10 sgnt difficulties. 10 endure
hardships ana conlemn eyniy uanger. Tho General
ardsniy wishes II was Ia his power TO conduct tho
troops into the best winter quarters, but whore
they 10 be iounaf shouid &C. retire 90 tho exterior
parl OF the state we SHOULD hnd them crowded with
viruous ctzons. VINO. sacrificing Their all have lcft
Philadelphia and nod thor protection. To their
distress humanity iorbids Us TO add
This Is not all We should leave vast extent OF
fertile country TO DO despoilcd and rayagcd ny the
enemy. from which they would draw supplies
aud where many our arm TRENDS would he exposed
to all tho mlsercs OF the most Insulting and waDton
depredntIons TRAIN oil csiis might be enumerated,
but these may sufce These considerations make "a
indispensab.y necessary Tor Tue army TO take sucA
position as will cuabe u most ciccsaily o. prevent
distress ana to give the extensive security and
IN this position wo must make ourselves he bsst
genco huts may be erected that xlll Dc warm
aud dry. In those the troops viii be
cure against surprise thaa divided stale, aad a.
hand to protect the country. The co.eDt ro4ssns
have determined the General % take poet "a the
ncighborhood of The camp. and, lnfscnccs ~ them,
he persuades himscif that tue officers and soaisrs
with one heart and one mad will every ain
Profession aud The sacred cause VA snicn they
gagged He himself VIII share IN the har1shits aa4
partakc OF every inconvenience Tomorrow bclng TIE
day SGT apart ny tue honorable Congress for rutle
thanksgiving aud praise, aud daly csiiinE 10
press our grateful acknowledgements 20 Goa fpF thc
manifold blessings ho has grahted u, the GcaoGal
directs that tine army remain ~ pfsscnt quart
and that tho cbap.ains porlorm eIytne sersics
their several corps aud trisadcs and earnestly
horts all officers and soldiers whose sisence N
inGispensabiy necessary TO aitens with The
sVloninity OF tho day. GEORGE WASHINGTON