The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-10-31


There are many here who have
nothing to wear but blankets with
armholes. belted by q length of rope
There are hundreds who have nc
blankets to cover them at night. They
have to take turns sitting by the fire
while others are asleep. For them a
nights rest Is impossible. Let this let
ter be read to the people OF Albany
and may they not lie down to sleep
until they have stirred themselves In
our behalf. and II any man dares to
pray to God to help us until he has
given of his abundance to that emo
and besought his nefshbors to do the
same. l could wish that his praying
would choke him. Arr we worthy to
be saved-that Is the question l.
we expect God to furnish the flannel
and the shoe leather, we are not That
Is our part of the great task. Are we
going to shirk IL and fail?
I'VE are making real army. The
men who are able to work are being
carefully trained by the crusty old
Baron Steuben and number Of
French officers"
That they did not fail was probably
due to the fact that there were men
in the army like this one who seemed
TO have some little understanding Of
the will Of God and the duty of man.
This letter and others like 1t, Travelled
far and wide and more than a million
hands began to work for the army.
The Schuylkill was on one side of
the camp and wooded ridges, protected
by entertainments, on the other. Trees
were felled and log huts constructed
10 by IA feet In size. Twelve privates
were quartered In each hut.
The Gates propaganda was again be
ing pushed. Anonymous letters COM
planning that Washington was not pro-
tecting the people of Pennsylvania and
New Jersey from depredations were
appearing In sundry newspapers. BY
and by a committee of investigation
arrived from congress. They left sat
isfied that Washington had done well
to keep his army alive, and that he
must have help or a large part of 1t
would die OF cold and hunger.
1t was on a severe day In March
that Washington sent for Jack Irons.
The scout found the general sitting
alone by the Preside in his office which
vas part OF a small farmhouse. He
was eating a cold luncheon of baked
BEANS and bread without butter. Jack
had just returned from Philadelphia
where he had risked his life as a spy,
" which adventure no details are re-
'orded
The general arose and went to his
lesk and returned with sealed letters
n his hand and said:
Colonel, l have a task for you
ould give it to no man in whom l had
ot the utmost confidence. You have
armed q respite from the hardships
nd perils of this army. Here is a
urse and two letters. With them |
fish you to make your way to France
s soon as possible and turn over the
stters to Franklin. The doctor is
iuch Is need of help. Put your serv-
,es at his disposal. A ship will be
,aving Boston on the 14th. A good
orse has been provided; your route
mapped. You will need to start
fter the noon mess. For the first
me In ten days there Will be fresh
EFF on, the tables. Two hundred
ankets have arrived and more are
'ming. After they have eaten, give
lie men farewell talk and put them
good heart, If you can. We are go
& to celebrate the winters end which
Innot be long delayed. When you
i've left the table. Hamilton will talk
the boys In his witty and inspiring
shlon."
Soon after one o'clock on the 18th OF
arch, 1878. Colonel Irons bade Solo
on good-by and set out on his long
urney.
al