The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-07-04

s. EX the women who shared the dan
AwANIHaaE gers and suffering with them, who
$500 n ! Wdzsa nobIy nursed the sick, fed the
gkJ kEs starving and clothed the Naked
NS SEs4kN%s are left unrecognized There are
Nzzzzzzzzzz4z22 no public records of them even
Gheir quarters that had been the shelter of the
needy the stage of the Conway caba1 Chat was
one of the remarkable and dramatic incidents of
the war;, the cradle of the first aid to the In
Iured and the setting for love affair of OF
the first presidents of the United States, was
not included in the state reservation and taken
under It's protection is fast falling into decay
the shame and dishonor of the guardians who
are negIecting of the two houses at Valley
Forge that are historically noteworthy and for
puerile reason unworthy Of a great common
ygeaIth
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
Che Revolution. He had served as major and aide
1ecamp to General Shirley at the time of Cen
eral Braddocks defeat He had been in every
battle fought against the British in New York
and New Jersey and General Washington's
most trusted general, as is proved by the numer-
letters still preserved in the New York His
GorfcaI society. The headquarters of this gentle
was shared by his brave wife and daughter,
<Eho abandoned their beautiful home at Basking-
ridge the hills of New Jersey. and with the
men commended with the discomforts and trials
OF the celebrated winter speA> the wind-swept
any soldier officer general.
To these herolnes Of Valley Forge history
points no cenotaphs are raised even their deeds
are only traditional and crystallized in the memo
F1es of few lovers of bravery, seIf-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-
creating her to join him there, as his duties de-
tanned him with his men, but he had been prom
fSed comfortable quarters, and he had idea of
Che smallness Of the house and its numerous dis
comforts. For 1t great demand to make
OF the delicately nurtured women, who had been
reared at the luxurious Livingston manor house,
the Hudson river. in Mr.. Livingston's com
portable house in New York. But Lady Stirling
wisely determined that her place by her
husbands side. with full staff of servants
& Tor she foresaw the demands that would be
made her hospitality she and her daughter,
Catherine. started in the great family coach,
drawn by four gray horses, for the long drive
I0Ver the Jersey hills to Pennsylvania.
When they reached their destination they found
q small farmers cottage had been assigned to
Lord Stirling for his quarters. 1t was the
farthest house from General Washingtops head
quarters, under hillside and near creek. 1t
was a damp and lonely spot, and quite inadequate
Ter the accommodation of family and servants.
Tzant with unfailng good humor and the capability
: or splendid housewives, the ladies COPIED with
the situation and made the house ready for win
Asr- They filled long flannel bags with earth and
placed them against the door stills and the loose
~ Atfing sashes to keep out the wind 60 the
hOuse could be readily kept warm. They
pasted muslin the walls and hung curtains
EsHROre the windows for the same purpose. Then
1hey sent to Baskingridge for many loads OF
hickory wood before the roads became choked
With snow, for fuel scarce and the soldiers
Feuuisitioned all that there to be found In
She neighborhood.
General Washington welcomed them gladly and
al once requested that they would assist him to
~%k04. Tho Tho
the camp, either for political purposes, business
s7r 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 we'll be called the
heroines of Valley Forge, although their minister
7ugs and sufferings found recognition in the
xnAn-written chronicles of that fearsome winter.
Christmas passed sadly with little merrymaking
or good cheer. and daily the suneripgs OF the III
clad. bady-housed soldiers forced on the
attention Of the women, for the reports of the
medical men became more and more distressing
There comfortable hospitals, trained
nurses or even necessary clothing, bandages and
Tint for the poor fellows Lady Stirling and her
daughter were strangers to the sick room;
both were capable nurses and had learned from
an old Indian woman many saves and remedies
made from herbs or simples, not the least Of
which was the celebrated Seneca oil, st. Johns
wort lotion and rattesnake grease all of which
ehey had provided themselves with before leaving
home. Without hesitation these brave women
arranged q division Of work among them, for 1t
EeH entirely on their individual efforts, since the
whole country was overburdened and there was
no relief to be obtained from organized sani-
Eary commission red cross association. Quiet
~ and unostentatiOusly the three ladies divided
the work among them to do what was possible
Eof alleviate the increasing horrors about them
TO Lady Kitty was assigned daily visit to the
caE1p while the delicate Miss Nanny sewed or