The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1895-03-22
AT VALLEY FORGE.
WHERE WAS HtNoToWs ARMY
SUFFERED IN i7T7.
Desperate Condition Of the Army that
Wrcsted n Nntion From the British
How the Historic Ground looks To-
day wa.hinston's Headquarters

uuti inc tOlu anu lowering December
ky the rugged, ragged rebels against
monarchica oppression trudgel
YEARLY toward thcir winters home,
where naught Of cheer awaited them.
and whore no hab.tatiun got existed
for their rest and comfort. where for
aught they knew the wolf OF hunger
and the sting oi iros, might ond their
days as surely as tho hum OF British
lead or the thrust OF British stool,
So II was that Washington and his
mon marched TO that place known In
song and story "a Valley Forge. Ar
rivlng there on December IL. i771, the
wcaricd, iamishcd troops were forced
10 brave the wintry blasts In tents I'M
I'll they could fell the trccs from which
10 construct the rudc log huts In
which they were 10 spend tho wintor
months. This season had opened
with unusual severity. Tho ground
was covered with lee and snow. and
the line Of march was marked by
blood stains from tho foot Of many a
gallant fellow whose shoes had been
worn out on other folds while striv-
ing 20 long and earnestly for tho
cause Of liberty. Hlatloss, coatlcss,
hungry. and cold, this immortal bsnd
set 20 work TO provide shelter for
themselves. Not man ninchod. not
one shirkcd his duty.
The sick and soroly wounded found
temporary shelter a. bost they might
among the farmers In the ncighbor-
hood A city OF log huts sprang up
along the hillside. In each Of those
rude dwellings. fourteen feet b. six
teen, scarcely high enough 10 permit
one 20 stand upright, clay-daubod and
filled, with roof Of slabs and fireplace
OF logs and mortar, twelve soldiers or
non-commissionod officers were quar-
tered. A brigadiar or other general
officer enjoyed the luxury OF whole
hut 20 himself, and the same was al
lowed 10 the stat OF each brigade and
regiment. Tho huts Of rank and ilo
frontcd ON streets. while the onlcors'
quarters formed line In the rear.
the general arrangement being not
unlike tho modern camp OF our militia.
Scarcely had the men begun their
work when, December. ~. couricrs
brought news that the enemy had made
n sortio toward Chester with the evil
dent intention Of plundcring the
granarles, cellars and hen-roosts OF
the farmers thcreabout. IL was 10
prevent Just such attempts that the
patriotic army had fingered near tho
city instead Of seeking creator com.
fort and immunity from service by
retiring 10 tho interior. The rumor,
fortunately, proved 10 DO unfoundod;
but the desperate condition Of tho
troops was forcibly reflected In the re-
plios OF the two generals. Hunting,
ton and Varnum, whom the com.
mandor ordered 10 march against the
enemy. Fighting will DO far pro.
ferablc 20 starving" writes Hunting
ton. my brigade are out OF pro-
visions, nor can the commissary OBJ
tain any meat at Is n very pleas
ing circumstance 10 tho division under
my command" writes Varnum. that
there Is a probability Of their march,
ing. Two days we have boon entirely
without meat"
This was Valley Forge at Christ
mas, l777. Such was the extremity
20 which was reduced, at that time,
the army which eventually wrcstcd
this mighty nation OF ours from the
grasp OF a merccnary, soulless mon
arch.
Whom / visited the forge, says
writer In Blue and Gray-although
Noyembor-tho ground was yet COW
erod by her rich green robes and q
few leaves still fingered on tho troos
around as II unwilling TO give up their
rule TO winters winds.
Passing Port Kennedy, little log
hut comes into sight, whore 1t Is said
Baron Stcuben lived. Looking over
and beyond this as we approach tho
headquarters is steep cone.shaped
hill which was known rs the "Siar
Redoubt.n This commands tho river
crossing and marks the place today,
by no efforts OF the government, OBJ
ligated so immeasurably 10 that
patriot band Of starving heroes who
were quartered there, but by the
providence Of imperishable nature.
Immediately opposite this point stood
an orchard, under the shade Of which
tradition says, many graves were
made. Today II Is gone and thore
romans no sign 10 mark the spot
where our fallen heroes sleep was
told that rs recently as ten years ago
bones were turned up by the plow-
share, which has takon possession OF
all but the grounds Immediately sur
rounding General Washlngton's head
quarters.
The headquarters, surrounded by
about two acres, Is enclosed by com
mon slab fence. Approaching from
tho west or main entrance, immedi-
ately before the door Is an old iron
cannon captured from the British.
which bears tho royal coat-of-arms
and the monogram initials OF George
III. Entering, is u wide hall. about
eight feet across, into which tho
doors from both sides OF tho house
open. The gun leaning up against
the wall Is an old and rusty llintlock,
yet In a good state OF preservation.
It was presented 10 the association
which bought the building by r. G.
Hess Of Philadelphia, and is said TO
have been carried through tho entire
war by a volunteer named Mcl.athery.