Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-02-21


gloom. Ibis name vass Albigence
Waldo, 4 surgeon. and IN addition to
his odScial duties he kept a diary.
which, after a hundred years. is
strangely interesting. This diary
came TO light in 1861 in the old Penn
syipHnia Magazine, and read through
from the first entry on Nov. 10 1t in
6Ncstes, as nothing else could the
wearing effect of the times and cir
cumstances On Dec. IL the hardships
of Valley Forge have begun to tell on
this surgeon To the continental army.
He writes:
II am prodigious sick and cannot get
anything comfortable. What in the
name of providence can l do with
fit OF sickness in this place, where
nothing appears pleasant TO the sick
ened eye and nauseating stomach?
But | doubt not providence will find
a way for my relief. only ] cannot eat
beef if l starve; for my stomach posi-.
lively refuses such company, and how
can / help that?"
Next day he Is worse, and in a worss
nlOOu ne ScTlDDl6Ss
Dec 12.--Sunset We are ordered
70 march over the river. II SHOWS
I'm sich-eat rothing-no whisky-no
baggage ord-Lord-Lord
Twelve days later he begins with
I tribute 10 the endurance and pa.
-ience of the soldiery, followed with
loud protestings for himself and his
condition, and winds up his memo.
randa by taking ii all back:
Dec 24.-Prisoners and deserters
are continually coming in. The army,
who have been surprisingly healthy
hitherto have now begun TO grow
sickly from the continued fatigues
they have suffered in this campaign
Yet they still show spirit and alacrity
and contentment not to be expected
from so young troops. Why are we
sent here to starve and freeze? What
sweet facilities have | left at home
a charming wife, pretty children, good
beds, good food. good cooking-all
agreeable-all harmonious. Here all
confusion--coid, smoke, hunger, and
filthiness. Here comes a bowl of soup
full of burnt leaves and dirt Away
with il. boys-Ill live like a chameleon
upon air!
"'Poh, poh,' cries Patience within
me: you talk like fool! Your be-
ing sick covers your mind with a mel
ancholic gloom, which makes every
thing about you appear gloomy. See
the poor soldier when in health-with
what cheerfulness he meets his foes
and encounters every hardship. II
barefoot. he labors through the mud
and cold with a song in his mouth.
extolling war and Washington
But hesrken, Patience, a moment.
There comes a soldier. His bare feet
are seen through his WORKOUT shoes;
his legs nearly naked from the tat
tered remains of an only pair Of stock
ings-his shirt hanging in strings
his hair disheveled-his face meager
his whole appearance picturing a
person forsaken and discouraged. He
comes and cries with an air OF wretch
edness: L am sick-my feet lame-my
legs are sore-my clothes worn out
my constitution BROKEN fail fast--I
shall soon be no more! And all the
reward shall get will he: Poor
Will is no more.
Humor in Some Entries.
That Surgeon Waldo was q humorist |
in no mean degree is shown by an ex.
tract following one in which he gives
dissertation on "fire-cake" as an arti |
Gle of steady diet He writes:
Dec. Clay excessive cold and !
uncomfortable last night. Ny eyes |
are started out from their orbits like |
rabbits eyes, occasioned by a great |
cold-and smoke!
what have you for breakfast
lads?
Fire-cake and water, Sir
The Lord send that our commits.
sary OF purchases may live on fire.
cake and water TIL their glutted stom.
achs are turned TO pasteboard!"
To THIS comprehensive mcture OF
life at Valley Forge is that memorable
winter. Surgeon Waldo added as one
Of his last memoranda little tribute
of his own TO the general who had
come with them so far sfiel6.
so much talk about the officers"
he writes. and so many discharged.
that his E3--y lately expressed
fears of being left alone with the sol
diers only. Strange that our country
will not exert themselves for his sup.
port and save so good-so great-a
man from entertaining the least anx.
Ious doubt of their virtue and perse.
in supporting a cause of such
unparalleled importance"
But when May came the army was
'eger TO meet the British in their 70 |
treat from PStladeiphia 4,