The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-14
VALLEY FORGE Is FOR SALE.
WIN Congress Purchase Weshington's
Historic Camping Ground?
FFom he Philadelphia Nesrs.

Historic Camping Grouud9
From the Philadelphia Nesus.
The historic hills of Valley Forge, famous
as the coign Of vantage Of Gen. Washington
and his army during their eneampment in
the winter OF I777-7S, comprising some 100
acres, are at present lying unattended by
the least interest on the part of patriotic
Americans, waiting to be purchased Dy
either the government or a syndicate de-
sirous of converting the grounds into
summer resort in COMMUNICATION OF the
part the valley contributed towards the
making of American history.
The grounds, from historical view, are
well worth governmental attention, and a
bill may be presented to congress by some
aspiring representative to have an apprO-
priation made to purchase the land, with
the view of preserving the many revolu-
tionary relics that are still intact on the
interesting domain.
1t may be safely said that Valley Forge
was the key to the country as Washing
ton, in taking refuge in those friendly hills,
saved his army from complete humiliation
after the disastrous battles Of Wayne, Paoi
and Chadd's Ford.
The British, when finding the worthy
general safely ensconced. retreated to their
headquarters in Philadelphia, burning on
their route the VALLEY FORGE" from which
name.
The "valley forge" one Of the earliest
rolling mills in the colonies, was situated
near the mouth of the East Valley creek,
and is supposed to have been erected some
time prior to 1857 by Stephen Evans. 1t
was rebuilt at the close of the war by
David and Isaac Potts. The remnant of
the old mill dam can still be seen when the
creek is ut low water.
The remains OF Fort Washington, which
possess considerable historic value, are well
preserved, the walls being about ten feet
high. The earthworAs and Entertainments
of the beseged soldiers are also intact for
the distance of over half mile. The
site Of Washington's original headquarters,
his tent, called the Marquee" and the il
lustrious generals spring where he is sup
posed to have performed his matutinal
additions, are also within the grounds. The
sites of the winter headquarters of Gems.
Knox and Lafayette and also Washing
toms headquarters at the Potts residence
are adjoining. The latter building, as is
well known, was recently purchased and
repaired by the Order of the Patriotic Sons
of America and converted into a national
museum.
The old mansion was restored to its origi-
nal style of architecture and some of
the old furniture of the Washington resi-
dence at Mount Vernon placed within it.
The museum also contains a small arsenal
of armorial relics of the revolutionary war
The village of Valley Forge covered the
site Of the artifcerS' headquarters and gun
shops.
An attempt was made at the last session
of congress by Senator Daniel Voorhees,,
of Indiana, to have an appropriation of
100000 made to purchase the grounds
from James B. Carter, the owner, we'll
known Philadelphia hardware merchant, il
whose family the historical tract has been
for nearly ninety years. The bill was never
acted upon Mr. Carter, who is a man of
wide patriotic instincts, but too far advanced
in years to attempt big enterprise, was
interviewed upon the matter by reporter
yesterday. He said he was prepared to sell
the ground either to the government or TO
parties who might desire to tranform it
into park and erect summer hotel, as long
as the sanctity Of its historical value was
presarvad