Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-07-03

EXkM kWH starving and clothed the naked,
EsEkkN&aAy& are left unrecognized. There are
~1h-@sasAs4@HS public records of them, even
their quarters that had been the shelter. of the
needy, the stage of the Conway cabal chat
one of the remarkable and dramatic incidents of
the war;, the cradle of the first aid to the in
jured, and the setting for love affair of one of
the first presidents of the United States, was
not 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
negecting one of the two houses at Valley
Forge that are historically noteworthy, and for q
puerile reason unworthy of a great common
wealth
This little farmers house was the headquarters
Of Major General Lord Stirling, of the most
gallant and loyal American soldiers. Born and
bred in New York, he had inherited a title from
his Scotch ancestors just at the breaking out Of
the Revolution. He had served as major and aide
de-camp to General Shirley at the time Of Gen.
eral Braddocks defeat He had been in every
battle fought against the British in New York
and New Jersey, and was General Washngton's
most trusted general as is proved by the numer-
letters still preserved in the New York His
torical society. The headquarters Of this gentle
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
contended with the discomforts and trials
of the celebrated winter spent In the wind-swept
valley on the outskirts of civilization as bravey
any soldier officer or general.
To these heroines Of Valley Forge history
points, cenotaphs are raised. even their deeds
are only traditional and crystallized in the memo
ries of few lovers of bravery, se1f-sacrifce and
feminine devotion.
1t early in the season when It was decided
to camp near Philadelphia, and the army under
General Washington was collected at Valley
Forge, when Lord Stirling wrote to his wife
treating her to join him there, as his duties de-
tanned him with his men, but he had been prom
ised comfortable quarters, and he had idea of
the smallness of the house and its numerous dis
comforts For It was a great demand to make
of the delicately nurtured women, who had been
reared at the luxurious Livingston manor house.
the Hudson river, in Mr.. Livngstons COM
Portable house in New York. But Lady Stirling
wisely determined that her place was by her
husbands SIDE so with full staff Of servants
(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
the Jersey hills to Pennsylvania.
When they reached their destination they found
small farmers cottage had been assigned to
Lord Stirling for his quarters 1t was the
farthest house from General Washingtons head
quarters under hillside and near a creek. 1t
was a damp and lonely spot, and quite inadequate
for the accommodation of family and servants.
But with unfailing good humor and the capability
of splendid housewives the ladies COPIED with
the situation and made the house ready for win
ter They filled long flannel bags with earth and
placed them against the door stills and the loose
ly fitting sashes to keep out the wind, so the
house could be more readily kept warm. They
pasted muslin the walls and hung curtains
before the windows for the same purpose. Then
they sent to Baskingrdge for many loads Of
hickory wood before the roads became choked
with snow, for fuel scarce, and the soldiers
requisitioned all that there was to be found in
the neighborhood
General Washington welcomed the2 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-curiosty.
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
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
man-written chronicles of that fearsome winter. 4,
Christmas passed sadly with little merrymaking
or good cheer and daily the sufferings of the i'll
clad badly-housed soldiers forced on the
attention Of the women, for the reports of the
medical men became more and more distressing.
| There were 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
10th were capable nurses and had learned from
an old Indian many salves ard remedies
made from herbs smples, not the least OF
which was the celebrated Seneca OIL St Johns
wort lotion and rattlesnake grease, 'all of which
they had provided themselves with before leaving
home Without hesitation these brave women
ls,,ses 80
fell entirely on their individual efforts, since the
whole country overburdened and there was
no relief to be obtained from an organized sani-
tary commission or red cross association. Quiet
ly and unosentatiousy the three ladies divided
the work among them to do what vas possible
to alleviate the increasing horrors ahout them.
| To Lady Kitty was assigned daily visit to the
camp while the delicate Miss Nanny sewed or