Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-06-25
Valley Forge.

June IL l3u0s uldIhtu tAS oi-S -
and twenty fifth anniversary OF tne
evacuation Of Valley Forge by George
washington and his army of patriots
and the day was celebrated in way be
fitting the significance Of the spot ana
the occasion. 1t was at Valley forge
that the devoted band of Americans
passed six months of terrible suffering
in the hard winter of 1777-7s, and it was
at Valley Forge, although no battle was
fought. that the colonials demonstrated
by their endurance in the face OF hun
ger and disease their ability to main
tain the war for independence. June lo,
ITS. the British evacuated Pn1ladeI-
ptia and retreated to New York, and
the following day saw General WASH
ington abandon the now memorable
headquarters and start on the campaign
that was to end only with the liberation
Of the American people from British
thrall. Small wonder, then, that for
this century and a quarter anniversary
a program had been prepared which IN
sured one Of the most patriotic celebra-
tiohs in the history Of the country.
At least 200, 900 people attended the
exercises, and this fact alone was snfh-
cient to make the demonstration more
noteworthy than any Of its predecessors
az the historic ground The celebra-
ton lasted throughout the day, begin
ming in the morning with grand mil
itary review and an address by President
Roosevelt After luncheon speech
making was the principal feature, Sen
ator Henry Cabot Lodge delivering the
grafton Of the day on the encampnent
at Valley Forge Other prominent men
Of affairs also made address,. Among
representative bodies participating in
the function was large force OF Tn
tied States troops, militia from many
States Of the Union, Pennsylvania Nat
ional Guardsmen and delegations OF
patriotic societies from oyer the conn
try.
The arrangements were in the hands
Of the Valley Forge Anniversary ALSO
citation, ably seconded by the Daughters
Of the Americas Revolution.
Undoubtedly the great majority of
those who make the journey to valley
Forge, even today but quaint little
Pennsylvania village some % miles
| from Philadelphia. passed at least part
Of their time in rambling over the fields
and hills on which the encampment
was located and in visiting the interest
| ing landmarks that have been preserved
since the revolution. Chief among
these H. Of course the Potts farmhouse
which Washington made his headquar-
tera. Thanks to the patriotism Of
Pennsylvanians. it Islands to-day in al
most the came condition AZ during
those weary months when the first
President paced up and down its narrow
confines and gazed anGiously through
the old fashioned windows at the huts
wherein so many OF his soldiers were
slowly wasting 10 death.
Little has been changed, even the
locks and bolts Of the doo-s being the
locks and bolts that guarded the priva
cy Of the great warrior statesman.
Floors, windows, and saehes are those
which Warrington knew. In one room
II window seat with a cavity that he
followed ont in order TO conceal his
papers. II was covered with cushion
and no one would guegs that his most
valuable documents were hidden there.
which Washington built to serve "a y
dining room. and In this cabin il a well
known an "Washington's well" which |
yields clear cold, water. OF especial !
interest to women visitors are the pri
vate apartments of Martha Washington |
which have been fitted up by the |
Daughters Of the American Revolution |
on the came plan ~ the gleeping room |
ahe occupied ut Mount Vernon.
Anniversary pilgrims also found tbs |
headquarters of several Of WaBhington's |
generals standing in much the same |
order ag in 1777-7s. Like their leader |
the generals established themselves IN |
farinhouses, some Of which are far from |
the beaten track Of the average visitor |
to Valley Forge. but all Of which, from |
the memories they held, are well worth |
seeking out The old forge itself, from
which the place derived its name, was !
burned down few years ago, but the
visitor. has no difficulty in learning
where Ii was located.
The farfnhouses which have won uu-
dying fame from their associations with
the encampment are scattered over Il
territory several miles in extent The
farmhonsee occupied by the famous
Pennsylvania general, eterMuhlenberg.
better known 10 10 the inhabitants cf
the section by the name Of "Moore's
place, and similarly the headquarters
Of General Lafayette, are more easily /
located IL one asks ~ be directed to the
Mrs. Wilson farm.
Not far from the site Of the noted
Star rcdonbt on the Port Kennedy or
River road stands tins house occupied
by General Varnum, whose Rhode H.
land troops were encamped on the north
side Of the road. east of the Star re
doubt. About / of a mile from Wash
ington redoubt ii the old place that was
used az the headquarters Of General
Knox. Another interesting spot ~ TO
be found on the north side of the road
leading from Centeryille 10 Valley
Forge where the Sons Of the Revolution
have erected marker 10 guide tourists
to the headquarters Of General Wayne,
still standing with it's mysterious ''Hes
gian" closets and like secret receptacles.
The visitor finds much ~ impress
him IN the remains of the earthworks
by which the famous encanpmcat was
surrounded. A. they stand today they
they are from Eiz 10 eight feet high and
several miles In length. while the sites
Of the old forts. Washington and Hunt
ingdon. are still plainly marked.