The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1926-06-24


banks Of fleecy clouds. A
breeze scented with dogwood
stirs the tops of naples that break the
long stretch OF farmlands, carpeted In
green and dotted with daisies. Sun
shine and the song OF birds and far
In the distance the sound of the on
coming bus bringing another expect
ant group of prosperous visitors to
that shrine of American patriotism
the headquarters of Washington In
Revolutionary days.
Valley Forge In January, ITS
White fields stretch unbroken back
from the frozen SchuylkIll Smoke Is
curling on the frosty air from the log
huts of the American army. Blood
stained tracks lead from these huts
to the commissary's shack, well-nlgh
destitute Of the provisions which are
needed for hungry men From the
two-story stone farmhouse of Isaac
Potts, General Washington energies,
talks minute with two of his officers,
and then mounts his horse for his
usual morning ride His face Is calm
and serene, for In spite Of the serious
condition of his little army, he is con-
fident that the summer Will bring them
success.
How familiar II all seems-thls
story of Washington Mt Valley Forge.
Historians and noyellsts and painters
have caused this part of our historical
inheritance to stand out In bold re-
lief 1t was a happy Idea to have this
scene ylsualized on canvas for pos
terity by Edwin Austin Abbey and
hung In the hall of representatives Of
the state capitol at Harrisburg, where
hosts of Americans making pilgrim
age to Washington could stay their
Journey an hour or two and view 1t.
Whore Patriots Suffered.
Few of us without rereadlng our his
tory could tell that Philadelphia fell
into the hands of the British after the
battle Of Germantown; that congress
had fed from Philadelphia to York;
that the campaign In New York state
had been successful Schuyler and
Gates with less than 5000 men de-
feating Burgoyne's army of 10000
But most of us could tell of the hard
ships of the winter OF 1777-7s, when
1900 harefooted and half-clothed men
endured cold and hunger ut Valley
Forge.
II was not a winter of ldleness, al
though but little time was spent on
training In the art of war until Baron
Won steuben arrived from France late
In February and set to drill the troops
10 the manual of arms and the sim
plest evolutions. On their immediate
arrival at Valley Forge, the men had
lived In tents, but the increasing cold
made the building of warmer quarters
imperative. Each hut accommodated
IL men, SO In gangs of u they worked
together laying the logs and pointing
them with clay. Washington offered
reward for the one finished hrst
and In the best manner Other re-
wards We're given for cheaper and
more quickly made roof than boards
and for the best substitute for shoes
made of rawhlde Not until all the
men were installed in their log huts,
Nuuku NsNHtiul NushihkNNh AhNNN iAN'''
his marquee into the small stone farm
house, where he maintained his head
quarters until they broke camp on
June lS. the day the British evacu-
ated Philadelphia.
Shows Old Way OF Living.
Since 1879, when this farmhouse
was purchased by the Continental
Memorial Association of Valley Forge,
II has been the center of attraction.
Here the public may get a glimpse
of the old way Of living, A feature
of the log kitchen. hung with ladies',
skillets, and griddles. was the chin
ney placed at the outside angle of
the ell. On the large platform built
across the chimney corner all the boil
Ing and baking Of the household was
done-laundry, culinary, and autumn
killing.
Another rallying point In this his