The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-07-03


for food
Every week vegetables. poultry, mutton, etc,
were brought to Valley Forge by the generals
own people. either from his farm eight lciles
from Morristown N. J., or from the LivngstoDz
manor house, for our heroes Of the Revolution
had TO supply their own rations, and this one in
particular, who raised regiment and equipped
It at his own expense was never repaid for food
or services, by an ungratefu1 country.
Daily Lady Kitty would sally to the camp with
a basket filled with goodies on her arm, followed
by servant laden with clothing for the soldiers
It was long. cold walk from her home to the
camp, but the young girl braved It in spite OF
snow and storm. The doors Of hut after hut
would be gently knocked at and the inmates ques
toned as to their most pressing needs. No one
can imagine what blessing these visits were to
the suffering men. There was hardly one who
was not afflicted with frostbites, and for these
Lady Kitty had sovereign cure learned from the
old sQuaw. This, with other remedies drawn
from the handy reticule, were lavishiy given with
many CHEEKY word or laugh at the travelling
drug shop The baskets containing delcacies for
the very sick were soon emptied and besides
many mans heart was made glad by the gift
Of warm worsted comforter for his neck or a
pair of knitted stockings mittens. Then there
we're underclothes made from the fleece of the
sheep raised the Jersey hills, the wool having
been spun In tenants houses and woven on the
looms that groaned and creaked increasingly.
This was the work of the women who stayed at
home while the men folk struggled with the
horrors Of army life.
The fingers Of the women Of the day were
never idle. We are told on page AIT Of Mr..
Irvings Life of General Washington that his
wife, 'set an example to lady visitors by diligent
~ plying her needles knitting stockings for poor,
destitute soldiers" And indeed. -women's busy
needles clicked far into the night, even when
frugal housewives only permitted the blaze Of
the fire to light the rooms, for candles we're uxu-
ries In those days, although they were home
made. and these self-sacrihcing women denied
themselves every comfort they could, in hopes Of
being able to relieve the needs Of the soldiers,
and many candle that had been made in the
family kitchen and perhaps from bayberries
picked by delicate fingers, found its way to the
huts OF the men. Most Of these were illiterate
fellows who had obeyed the call to arms, leaving
their families in distant parts Of the country.
Lady Comforter" as she was called by the men.
would ask each one about his life and suggest
that she would write letters to his home-bound
family or friends Pen. ink and paper would be
whipped from the great reticule hanging by her
side, and a dictation taken down, which must
have given pleasure and hope at many desolate
Preside. The ladies were cheered in their benevo
lent work In the camp by the concentrations OF
the cornmanderin-chief who could not be sum
GENTLY grateful for these ministrations
The young aide-de-camp James Monroe (who
was recruiting his strength after severe wound
received during late batte) was detailed to
accompany the young lady on her daily rounds.
to report officially on the condition OF the men,
This duty was not uncongenial to the young Vir
ginian and the one bright spot in the dark days
OF suffering for the men in camp was watching
the courtship OF their future president. and his
engagement to Miss Nanny Browne was soon
duly announced and hurried arrangements made
for wedding IN the spring at the home OF her
aunt. Mrs. Van Horne. She could not have asked