The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-11-08
Incident of the Revolution.

There isa little incident connected
with the history of the Revolution
which occurred in the year l1IS, at
Valley Forge. to which there has not
been as much publicity given as 1t
Justly merits. We ere all familiar
with the terrible suffering endured
bv our army at Valley Forge during
that severe winter, one of the coldest
experienced for many years. 1t was
through the most intense suffering
this winter was passed by that band
of patriots who risked all that we
might be free. Brave heroes OF lib
ertv The recollection OF their deeds
will echo through every hill and
valley over our land until time shall
end in eternity. Their suiierlngs
were great and endured with pa
tience. Yet there was no prospect
of things growing better, but con-
stantly worse. There was no hope
for tomorrow, and each tomorrow
was ushered in with greater distress.
The hopes of the brave began to
falter, the feet of the strongest to
grow weaker. Overcome with sick
ress and fatigue, the bravest saw
that their only refuge was In death,
and many in despair cried out, Save
us. Lord, or we perish"
Over rock and hillside, down
through hill, valley and ravine the
/ feeble sound was echoed. On a
day when the sun shone brightly
no the clear blue background, more
beautiful than usual, there appeared
upon the horizon bright space like
a cloud, which appeared to have
come to dim the beauty of that clear
wintersky. The sick dragged them
selves to watch while the keener
observers noticed that the cloud
moved, not away from that suffering
band. but nearer, and shaped itself
into a small caravan as onward II
came-on on and over the snowy
frosty road. Presently they heard
the creaking sound of wheels, when,
10 to their eager gaze appeared ten
wagons filled with food and clothing,
each drawn by two oxen, and driv-
en- by women. On they came, slow
lly over the frosty road, patiently
plodding to save their loved ones,
the soldiers Of Valley Forge. The
women of Philadelphia had, out of
their own incomes, filled these way
ons with supplies among which were
bundles of their own hand work.
These consisted of two thousand
shirts. cut out and made by their
their own delicate fingers. Other
things were in proportion, all done
by these noble, patient women, to
save their liberators. The poor sol
diers had nearly lost all hope; death
appeared inevitable, when, 10 ! could
il be possible, relief was coming To
them so far away upon those bleak
hills. Yes, those ten wagons were
driven by noble, self sacrificed wo-
men, who came To save them from
starvation.
The sick dragged themselves to
the doors of their miserable huts to
look out through the cold frosty air
at their deliverers. Tears rolled
down their cheeks, and the sick and
suffering all joined in loud shout
of Joy, exclaiming, God bless our
dellyerers, the women of Philadel-
phial" Over hills and down through
the valleys the sound went ringing.
On through time, on until eternity
will the sound of praise echo in
memory of that noble band who
saved the army at Valley Forge.
Those women who asked no reward
nor solicited any praise. 1t was on
an errand of mercy, for their hearts
were tender ard their love was
strong. We still have reason to cry
out, God bless the women of Phila-
delphiaw and all over the land, for
their good works, the noble enter
prises in which they are constantly
engaged. There are many noble
workers who are willing to-day to
make personal sacrifices for the good
of humanity. The same blood
courses through their veins. actuated
by the same spirit that inspired that
noble band who saved from starva-
ton the heroes of the noble Revolu-
ton, the army of Valley Forge.
Time will record their good act. 1t
will be written upon the pages of
eternity. Long after the traces of
those bleak hills of Valley Forge
should be blotted out, and not a
trace of the foundations fort or tent
left, will it be fresh and green in the
halls of memory.-That generation
which has passed away has left its
record sacred in the hearts Of all -
Their bodies have long since mcld-
cred to dust but their spirits have
ascended, and they have been crown
ed in glory by Him who has record
ed their good deeds and pronounced
their work toeH done.