The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-07-03

EA#AANV are left unrecognized There are
no public records Of them even
ahnfr quarters that had been the shelter OF the
noady. the stage of the Conway cabal THAT was
@ne OF the remarkable and dramatic incidents of
The war;, the cradle of the first aid to the in
1ured. 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,
20 che shame and dishonor Of the guardians who
arc neglecting of the two houses at Valley
Forge that are historically noteworthy, and for
puerfle reason unworthy of a great common
wealth.
This little farmers house was the headquarters
81 Major General Lord Stirling, one OF the most
gallant and loyal American soldiers. Born and
2rod In New York, he had inherited title from
his Scotch ancestors. just at the breaking out Of
ahe Revolution. He had served as major and aide
aoeamp to General Shirley at the time OF Gen
oral Braddock's defeat. He had been In every
battle fought against the British in New York
and New Jersey and was General Washingtons
most trusted general. is proved by the numer-
~us letters still preserved in the New York His
a0r1cal 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 coEtended with the discomforts and trials
~ the celebrated winter spent In the wind-swept
rs any soldier, officer or general
To these heroines of Valley Forge no history
points. no cenotaphs are raised even their deeds
arc only traditional and crystallized in the memo
TSes OF few lovers of bravery, self-sacrince and
feminine devotion
n was early In the season when 1t decided
10 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-
RHsned him with his men, but he had been prom
bOa comfortable quarters, and he had no Idea of
aA0 smallness of the house and its numerous dis
eOmforts. For 1t was great demand to make
81 the delicately nurtured women who had been
reared at the luxurious Livingston manor house,
On The Hudson river, or in Mr. Livingston's com
1Srtable house in New York But Lady Stirling
wisely determined that her place was by her
husbands side, so with full staff of servants
tAor 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
Svsr the Jersey hills to Pennsylvania
When they reached their destination they found
n email farmers cottage had been assigned to
lsord Stirling for his quarters 1t was the
zarthest house from General Washington's head
quarters under hillside and creek. It
wRs damp and lonely spot, and quite inadequate
FOR the accommodation of family and servants
Bul with unfailing good humor and the capabillty
VI splendid housewives, the ladies' COPIED with
The situation and made the house ready for win
Der. They filled long flannel bags with earth and
placed them against the door stills and the loose
b hitting 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
Ghey sent to Baskingridge for many loads of
hickory wood before the roads became choked
,uv9Hh for fttol ~
reQuisitioned all that there to be found in
8ho neighborhood
General Washington welcomed them gladly and
a4 once requested that they would assist him to
nntertain the various people who daily visited
mo camp, either for political purposes, business
or curiosity.
Lady Strings household was composed of her
husband and his aide Dr. Enoch Edwards whose
name win be recognized by many of his descend
1nlB in Philadelphia today. Then there was
lady Kitty and her friend Miss Nanny Browne
mo orphaned granddaughter of Governor Brock
A0igt, and these DANES may well be called the
A1roines of Valley Forge although their minister
ahgs and sufferings found recognition in the
nmn-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 were forced on the
attention of the women, for the reports of the
medical men became more and more distressing
TAere comfortable hospitals, trained
nurses even necessary clothing, bandages and
Mnf for the poor fellows. Lady Stirling and her
daughter were strangers to the sick room;
10th were capable nurses and had learned from
an old Indian woman many salves and remedies
made from herbs simples, not the least Of
winch was the celebrated Seneca OIL, St Johns
wort lotion and rattlesnake grease, all OF which
gRDy had provided themselves with before leaving
home. Without hesitation these brave women
arranged division of work among them, for it
a6n entirely on their individual efforts, since the
whole country was overburdened and there was
10 relief to be obtained from an organized SAM
cary commission or red cross association. Quiet
" and unostentatiously the three ladies divided
mo work among them to do what was possible
% alleviate the increasing horrors about them.
10 Lady Kitty was assigned daily visit to the
mFsp while the delicate Miss Nanny sewed or