The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1914-06-25

- "a gers and suffering with them, VINO
AlAW nobly nursed the sick, fed the
MIkw starving and clothed the naked,
" Isl IN are left unrecognized. There are
no public records Of them, even
their quarters that had been the shelter OF the
NEEDY, the stage Of the Conway cabal THAT was
one of the remarkable and dramatic incidents Of
the waE), the cradle OF the first aid to the In
IJured and the setting for love affair Of one Of
the first presidents of the United States was
mot included in the state reservation and taken
under its protection but is fast falling into decay
TO the shame and dishonor Of the guardians who
are negIecting one of the two houses at Valley
Forge that are historically noteworthy, and for
Ipuerile reason unworthy of a great common
wealth
This little farmers house was the headquarters
lof Major General Lord Stirling, one of the most
gallant and loyal American soldiers Born and
bred in New York, he had inherited title from
his Scotch ancestors. just at the breaking out of
& the Revolution He had served as major and aide
fde-camp to General Shirley at the time Of Cen
teral Braddock's defeat. He had been In every
battle fought against the British in New York
and New Jersey. and was General Washington's
most trusted general as is proved by the numer
.lous letters still preserved in the New York His
Itorcal society. The Headquarters Of this gentle
man was shared by his brave wife and daughter,
who abandoned their beautiful home at Basking
ridge on the hills Of New Jersey, and with the
of the celebrated winter spen> n the Wind-swept
valley on the outskirts of civilization as braveIy
las any soldier, officer or general
To these heroines of Valley Forge no history
points, no cenotaphs are raised even their deeds
ARE only traditional and crystallized in the memo
lries of few lovers OF bravery, selfsacrifce and
feminine devotion.
1T was early in the season when it was decided
ITO camp near Philadelphia, and the army under
General Washington was collected at Valley
Forge when Lord Stirling wrote to his wife en-
treating her to join him there, as his duties de-
rtained him with his men, but he had been prom
fsed comfortable quarters, and he had-no idea Of
the smalIness of the house and its numerous dis
comforts For it was great demand to make
OF the delicateIy nurtured women, who had been
reared at the luxurious Livingston manor house,
on the Hudson river, or In Mr.. Livingstone COM
lfoTtable house in New York. But Lady Stirling
wisely determined that her place was by her
husbands side so with full staff Of servants
I(for she foresaw the demands that would be
made on her hospitality she and her daughter,
catherine started in the great family coach,
drawn by four gray horses for the long drive
over the Jersey hills to Pennsylvania.
When they reached their destination they found
a small farmers cottage had been assigned to
Lord Stirling for his quarters. 1t was the
Ifarthest house from General Washington's head
quarters, under a hillside and near creek. It
was damp and lonely spot, and quite inadequate
for the accommodation of family and servants.
but with unfailing good humor and the capabiiity
of splendid housewives, the ladies COPIED Win
the situation and made the house ready for win
ter. They filed long flannel bags with earth and
placed them against the door sills and the loose
liz fitting sashes to keep out the wind, SO the
house could be more readily kept warm. They
pasted muslin on the walls and hung curtains
before the windows for the same purpose Then
they sent to Baskngridge for many loads OF
hickory wood before the roads became choked
with snow for fuel was scarce, and the soldiers
requisitioned all that there was to be found in
the neighborhood
General Washington welcomed them gladly and
at once requested that they would assist him to
entertain the various people who daily visited
the camp, either for political purposes, business
or curiosity.
Lady Strings household was composed Of her
husband and his aide DR.. Enoch Edwards whose
name will be recognized by many Of his descend
ants In Philadelphia today. Then there was
Lady Kitty and her friend, Miss Nanny Browne,
the orphaned granddaughter of Governor Brock
hoist, and these danes may we'll be called the
heroines of Valley Forge, although their minister
ings and sufferings found no recognition IN the
1nan-written chronicles of that fearsome winter
Christmas passed sadly with little merrymaking
or good cheer and daily the suffeTings OF the il-
clad badly-housed soldiers were forced on the
attention Of the women, for the reports OF the
medical men became more ana more distressing.
There were no comfortable hospitals trained
nurses or even necessary clothing bandages and
lint for the poor fellows. Lady Stirling and. her
daughter were no strangers to the sick room;
both were capable nurses and had learned from
an old Indian woman many salves and remedies
made from herbs or simples, not the least5of
which was the celebrated Seneca oil, st. Johns
wort lotion and rattlesnake grease, al.of which
they had provided themselves with before leaving
home Without hesitation these brave women
arranged division Of work among them. for it
fell entirely on their individual efforts, since the
whole country was overburdened and there was
no relief to be obtained from an organized sani-
tary commission or red cross association Quiet
~ and unostentatious1y the three ladies divided
the work among them to do what was possible
Is alleviate the increasing horrors about them.
10 Lady Kitty was assigned a daily visit to the
pamu. uaiIe the delicate Miss Nanny sewed or