The state herald., 1914-07-03

the famishing soldiers who called at the house
for food.
Every week vegetables, poultry mutton ETC.
were brought to Valley Forge by the generals
own people. either from his farm eight miles
from Morrtstown. ~ j.. or from the Livingston
manor house. for our heroes OF the Revolution
mad to supply their own ratons. and this one in
particular who raised n regiment and equipped
IL at MS own expense, was never repaid for food
or services. by an ungrateful country.
Daily Lady Kitty would sally to the camp with
basket flled with goodies on her arm followed
by servant laden with clothing for the soldiers
It was long. cold walk from her home to the
camp. but the young girl braved II in spite OF
snow and storm. The doors OF hut after hut
would be gently knocked at and the inmates cues
toned as to their most pressing needs No one
can imagine what blessing these visits were to
the suffering men. There was hardly one who
was not afflicted with frostbites and for these
Lady Kitty had n sovereign cure learned from the
old squaw. This, with other remedies drawn
from the handy reticule. were iavishiy given with
many CHEEKY word laugh at the travelling
drug shop. The baskets containing deiicacies for
the very sick were soon emptied and besides
many mans heart was made glad by the Gift
OF warm worsted comforter for his neck or n
pair OF knitted stockings or mittens Then there
were underclothes made from the fleece OF the
sheep raised on the Jersey hills the wool having
been spun in tenants houses and woven on the
"
This was the work OF the women who STAYED at
home, while the men folk struggled with tho
horrors OF army life
Tho fingers OF the women OF the day were
never idle We are told on page %IT OF Mr.
frvng's Life OF General Washington" that his
wife. set example TO lady visitors by diligent-
~ plying her needles knitting stockings for poor.
destitute soldiers" And. indeed, women's busy
needles clicked far into the night. even when
frugal housewives only permitted the blaze OF
the ire TO light the rooms, for candles luxu.
rics In those days. although they were home.
made, and these seifsacrincing women denied
themselves every comfort they could In hopes ~
being able to relieve tho needs of the soldiers
and many candle that had been made In the
family kitchen. and perhaps from bayberries
picked by delicate fingers. found It's way TO tho
huts OF the men Most OF these were illiterat.
fellows who had obeyed the call to arms. leaving
their families In distant parts OF the country.
Lady Comforter" M she wns called by the men.
would ask each one about his life, and suggest
that she would write letters 10 his home. bound
family or friends. Pen. ink and paper would be
whipped from the great rcticuc hanging by her
side, and n dic,ntion taken down. which must
have given pleasure and hopo nt many n dcuolnto
nrcSide. The ladies' were chcercd in their bcncvo-
lent work In tho camp by tho Communications OF
the oommandcr.in chief who could not be sum.
cientiy grateful for these ministrntions
Tho young aidcdccamp. Jamcs Monroe (who
was recruiting his Etrcngfh AFTER = severe wound
rcccivcd during iate battie) was detailed 10
accompany the young lady on hcr daily rounds
to report ofYicisiiy on the condition Of the mon
This duty was not unoooseniai 70 tho young vir
ginian and the ono bright spot In tho dark days
Of suffering for the mon IN camp was watching
ths courtship Of their future president and his
engagement 10 Miss Nanny Browne was soon
duly announced md hurried arrangements made
for wedding In the spring At tho bome Of her
aunt. Mrs. Van Horne. ghe could not have asked