Gloucester County Democrat., 1908-10-01
HISTORICAL SOCIETY II
( OF GLOUCESTER CO
Pilgrimage to valley Forge,

Notwithstanding the gloomy morn
ing and threatening weather. but
placing confidence in the weather
man, about two hundred people took
in the trip to Valley Forge which the
/ Gloucester County Historical Society
had arranged for on Saturday last
The train left the Reading Tel1nin-
al at 1890, the party having the ex-
lclusive use of three coaches attached
Ito the regular express, the railroad
company stopping the train at Valley
Forge for this occasion.
a forty-five minute run landed them
at the place where ample coach accom-
modations were in waiting Wash
! ington's Headquarters was first visit
ed, then a mile ride to the Memoir
ial Chapel where a picnic lunch was
INDUCED in, the free use Of the chapel
annex and grounds, and generous
supply of hot coffee being given by
1 the Rev. w. Herbert Burk, a former
Gloucester Countian and the present
rector at Norristown, and also at this
chapel
After lunch a meeting of the So
ciety was held in the chapel. Presi-
| dent John G. Whittall in the chair. The
lroutine business was omitted.
w H. Liyermore, in brief eulogy,
gave notice of the death of Col w.
/ H Snowden, a one time resident of
Mullica Hill, but later of Alexandria.
! Va, an active, earnest and valued
member of this society and moved
that a committee be appointed to
draft a set of resolutions and that
! a page of the records be devoted to an
expression OF our esteem.
I Messrs w H. Liyermore, Geo. w.
| Hughes, Capt E. L. Stratton Geo. E.
Pierson and John G. Whittall were
named the committee. Rev. W.Herbert
Burk then delivered the address OF the
day and told about Valley Forge and
Its Historical Importance, in which he
| Earnestly and eloquentiy portrayed the
jevents that transpired during that
1 leventful winter of .1T77 and 177S. and
Ispoke about the suffering, hardships
land privations which our revolutionary
patriots endured. He also graphically
described the trying situation in which
Washington was placed where he was
surrounded by Tories or those who had
given UP the fight and thought the
war was ended and who preferred to
were holding high rayeIry in Phila-
ldelphia, to sharing with their starving
lneighbors and countrymen who were
| in camp at Valley Forge. He also
showed the growing discomfort that
tine soldiers were having and the tend
lency to desertion and the poor encour-
agement from outside, even from Con-
gress.
Washington, placing all his trust IN
/ an all-wise Providence and following
His guidance, did not lose faith, DuI
kept steadily on. encouraging his men,
| shared .neir trials and dlscomforls,
gave them military instruction, and IN
the spring, after losing by death some
three thousand men, went out with
scarcely any greater number than this
| and beginning at Monmouth success
| fully marched on to Yorktown and VIC
situation and deserves all the recogni-
tory. Valley Forge was the key to the
tion that has been given it.
After the meeting the party again
occupied the coaches and were driven
about eight miles passing the different
objects of interest which as they pass
ed Mr.. Burk described significantly and
Interestingly.
The State of Pennsylvania now owns
about 400 acres of land and is max
ling great efforts to preserve the old
Hand marks, which after a lapse OF
l131. years are in a fair state of preser-
yation. even the entrenehments being
plainly observable The drives are
splendid. and as they wind around the
hills beautiful scenery is observed on
Eall sides.
Laurel and dogwood grow in profu-
sion and at this season the turning
foliage of the dogwood with a profu-
sion of the red berries makes the view
gorgeous. This spot is worth visit
at anytime and all citizens of this re-
public should both visit and study
about its Importance to our National
existence.
In consideration of his splendid en-
ltertainment and on account Of the
great respect in which he is held by
/ lGloucester County people and TO re-
tain him as one of their number, Mr.
Burk was unanimously elected an hon
orary member of the Society.
/ The party left Valley Forge at 5.sl
reaching Woodbury. at 7.S0, and the
4 day was unanimously voted a success.
and no accident occurred to mar the
pleasure.