Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-07-03


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
jured, and the setting for hove 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
are neglecting of the two houses at Valley
Forge that are historically noteworthy, and for
puerile reason unworthy of 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 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 Washington's
most trusted general as Is proved by the numer-
GUS letters still preserved in the New York His
torical 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 spen, n the swindswept
valley the outskirts of civilization as bravely
as any soldier officer or general
To these heroines of Valley Forge history
points, no cenotaphs are raised, even their deeds
only traditional and crystallized in the memo
ries of few lovers of bravery, self-sacrifce and
feminine devotion.
1t was 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 en-
treating her to join him there, his duties de-
tanned him with his men, but he had been prom
ised comfortable quarters, and he had no idea Of
the smallness Of the house and its numerous dis
For II a great demand to make
OF the delicately nurtured women, who had been
reared at the luxurious Livingston manor house,
on the Hudson river, or in Mr.. Lvingston's 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
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. It was the,
farthest 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 capability
Of splendid housewives, the ladies coped with
the situation and made the house ready for win
teri They filed long flannel bags with earth and
placed them against the door sills and the loose
ly fitting sashes to keep out the wind, 30 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 Baskingridge for many loads Of
hickory wood before the roads became choked
with snow, for fuel was scarce, and the soldiers
requistioned 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 viii 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 well 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.
Christmas passed sadly with little merrymaking
or good cheer, and daily the sufferings of the i'll
clad badly-housed soldiers we're forced en- the
attention of the women, for the reports Of the
medical men became more and 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 salyes and remedies
made from herbs or sirnples, mot 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
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 organized sani-
tary commission or red cross association. Quiet
Iy and unostentatiously the three ladies divided
the work among them to do what was possible
to alleviate the increasing horrors about them.
To Lady Kitty was assigned daily visit to the
camp while the delicate Miss Nanny sewed or