Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-11-26
TWO THANkSGIVINGS.

James Parton in Youth, Companion.
The most Joyous Thanksgiving record
ed in American annals occurred in May,
l77S, when the news arrived that France
had concluded treaty of friendship
and alliance with the thirteen States of
the American Union. 1t followed the
winter of want and narrowing anxiety
which General Washington and his army
passed at Valley Forge, on the banks of
the Schuylkin,:twenty miles above Phil
adelphia.
Five months before, there had been a
Thanksgiving which was far indeed
from being a festival in Washington's
camp.
Philadelphia had fallen into the hands
of the enemy. and, when winter ap-
preached, the American general knew
not what to do with his shivering troops.
| There was no room for them in the
country towns of Pennsylvania, which
were filled to overflowing with the refu-
gees from the captured capital. Gener-
al Washington, after much reflection,
made up his mind to remain where he
was, and create little town of his own.
So, in his Thanksgiving proclamation
of December II, 1777, he announced this
intention, saying that, with activity
and diligence, huts may be erected that
will be warm and dry" in which the
troops "will be more secure against sur
prises and at hand 10 protect the coun
try" But. first of all, the army must
comply with the call of the Honorable
Congress to render thanks for the bril-
liant successes of the recent campaign,
which had resulted in the surrender of
Burgoyne and his army.
The general directs that the army re-
main in its present quarters, and that
the chaplains perform divine service
with their several corps and brigades,
and earnestly exborts all officers and
soldiers, whose absence is not indispen-
SADLY necessary, to attend with rever-
ence the solemnitieS of the day"
All of which was punctually observed
by the army on the 18th of December.
Washington never exhibited his emf
nent qualities in more striking light
than he did daring the winter at Valley
Forge. He was then wholly the great
man. The patient endurance of the men
was due in great part to his presence, to
his manifest sympathy with them, and
his known activity on their behalf. The
measures which ended the famine, and
brought in abundant supplies of cloth
/ ing and food, were directly due to his
foresight and energy.
at having pleased the Almighty Ruler
of the Universe to defend the cause of
the United American States, and finally
to raise US up powerful friend among
the princes of the earth, to establish our
liberty and independence upon lasting
! foundation, it becomes US to set apart a
day for gratefully acknowledging the
| Divine Goodness, and celebrating the
important event which we owe to His
| Divine InterpositiOn. The several bri-
gades are to be assembled for this pur-
pose at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning,
when their chaplains will communicate
the intelligence contained in the Post
script of the Pennsylvania Gazette of
the I'd instant, and offer up thanksgiv-
ing, and deliver discourse suitable to
the occasion.
"At half-past 10 o'clock cannon will
be fired, which is to be signal for the
men to be under arms; the brigade in
spectors will then inspect their dress
and arms, and form the battalions ac-
cording to the instructions given them,
and announce to the commanding Off
GERS of the brigade that the battalions
are formed.
"The commanders of bridgades will
then appoint field-officers to the battal-
ions, after which each battalion will be
ordered to load and ground their arms.
At half-past II a second cannon will be
fired at a signal for the match, upon
which the several brigades will begin
their march by wheeling to the right of
platoons, and proceed by the nearest way
to the left of the ground by the new po-
sition; this will be pointed out by the
brigade inspectors.
"a third signal will then be given on
which there will be a discharge of thir-
teen cannon, after which running fire
of the infantry will begin on the right of
Woodford's, and will continue through
out the front line; it will then be taken
upon the left of the second line, and
continue to the right. Upon signal
given, the whole army will huzza:
"'Long live the King of Francer
"The artillery then begins again, and
fires thirteen rounds; this will be sue
ceeded by second general discharge of
the musketry in a running fire, and
huzza:
Long live the friendly European
PowersI
1.-The last discharge of thirteen pieces
of artillery will be given. followed by a
general running fire, and huzza:
1.-The American StatesI'
This program was executed with pre-
cision, and the effect was brilliant and
picturesqe in the extreme. A bright
May sun was shining overhead, new col
ors were flying, and many of the soldiers
were attired in new uniforms. Lafay-
cite and other French officers were pres
ent.
In the afternoon General Washington
invited the officers and guests to ban
quet, which was greatly celebrated at
the time. An eye witness reports to
one cf the newspapers that the officers
marched to the amphitheater thirteen
abreast, and arm-in-arm.
Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Greene, Lady
Stirling and her daughter, with many
ladies of the neighborhood, graced the
scene. Lafayette was in the highest
spirits, and triumphant joy shone in ev-
cry countenance. All over the land, as