The Arvada enterprise., 1914-07-02

"
k0Ny are left unrecognized. There
public records OF them,
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 war;, the cradle Of the first aid to the In
5ured. and the setting for a love affair Of one OF
the frst 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
arc negecting one OF the two houses Mt Valley
Forge that are historically noteworthy, and for
puerile reason unworthy OF a great common
wealth.
This little farmers house the headquarters
of Major General Lord Stirling. 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 ma1or and aide
decamp to General Shirley at the time OF Gen
erai Braddocks defeat. He had been in every
battle fought against the British In New York
and New Jersey. and was General Washingtons
most trusted general. as is proved by the numer-
ous letters still preserved in the New York His
torcal 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
men contended with the discomforts and trials
Of the celebrated winter spent in the wind4wept
valley on the outskirts Of civilization a. bravely
To these heroines OF Valley Forge no history
points. no cenotaphs are raised even their deeds
are only traditional and crystallized In the
ries Of few lovers Of bravery selfsacrihce and
feminine devotion.
II was early In the season when II was decided
70 camp near Philadelphia. and the army under
General Warrington was collected at Valley
Forge. when Lord Stirling wrote to his wife
treating her to Join him there. his duties de-
tained him with his men. but he had been prom
ised comfortable quarters. and he had idea Of
tho smallness Of the house and its numerous dis
comforts. For II was a great demand to make
os the delicately nurtured women. Swho had been
reared at the luxurious Livingston manor house,
on the Hudson river or in Mr.. Livingstone COM
Portable house In New York. But Lady Stirling
wisely determined that her place was by her
husbands side. 40 with a full staif 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
over the Jersey hills to Pennsylvania.
When they reached their destination they found
= small farmers cottage had been assigned to
Lord Stirling for his quarters II was the
fArthest house from General Washington's head
quarters, under a hillside and creek. II
was damp and lonely spot, and quite inadequate
for tho accommodation Of family and servants.
Isut with unfailing good humor and the capability
Of splendid housewives. the ladies coped with
tho situation and made the house ready for win
tor They filled long flannel bags with earth and
PLACED them against the door sills and the loose
~ hitting snshes to keep out the wind 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 Baskngrdge for many Ioads OF
hickory wood before the roads became chokcd
With snow. for fuel was scarce and the soldiers
reQuisitioned all that there to be found In
the neighborhood.
U.uu
at once requested that they would assist him to
entertain the various people who daily visited
tho 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 he 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 well be called the
hefoines Of Valley Forge although their minister
lnxs and suRerings found no recognition in the
u,an-writtsn chronicles of that fcarsnme winter.
Christmas passed sadly with little merrymaking
or good cheer. and daily the suferngs OF the III.
clad. badly y.housed soldiers were forced on the
attant3on Of the women for the reports OF the
medical mon became more and more distressing.
Thsro were no comfortable hospitals. trained
uuSuss or even necessary clothing bandages and
mt for the poor fellows. Lady Stirling and her
laughter were no strangers To the sick room:
both were capable nurscs and had learned from
a old Indian woman many salves md remedies
made from herbs or simples not the least OF
which was the celebrated Seneca oil. St Johns
wort lotion and rAttissnake grease. nli OF which
they had provided themselves with before leaving
home. without hesitation these bravo women
arranged . division Of work among them. for Il
tell entirely on their individual efforts. since tho
whole country was overburdsned and there was
10 relief TO b obtained from IN organised san
tssy commission or red cross association Quiet
b ana unostsatatiousiy the three ladies divided
Dc work among them 70 DO what was possible
- sIlsviats the Increasing horrors about them
No LADY Kitty was assigned daily visit TO the
eanp. vhiie the delicate Miss Nanny sswed or