Class £r "^ 3 4^ Bnnic ^' ^ M- Gop}TiglitN° COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT Digitized by tine Internet Archive in 2010 witii funding from Tine Library of Congress Iittp://www.arcliive.org/details/valleyforgechron04tayl National Memorial Arch in honor of George Washington Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army of the Revo- lution and his Officers, located upon the outer line Boulevard near the intersection of Gulf Road. Designed by Paul P. Cret. Cost $100,000. Dimensions, fifty feet high and forty feet wide at base. Material, granite. General George Washington Commander-in-Chief Painted by Col. TrunibuU from studies probably made at Valley Forge SECOND AND REVISED EDITION VALLEY FORGE A Chronicle of American Heroism FRANK H. TAYLOR Author and Illustrator JAMES W. NAGLE Publisher Issued under the direction of The Valley Forge Park Commission COPIES IN PAPER OR CLOTH May be had at Valley Forge Headquarters, from Philadelphia Book Stores and from Frank H. Taylor, or A. M. Slocum Co., 718 Arch St. Philadelphia Copyright, 1911 By FRANK H. TAYLOR INDEX PACK How to Reach Valley Forge I Important Features to be Seen at Valley Forge Park I Preface 5 The Valley Forge Park Commission and Its Work 6 The Song of Valley Forge 8 Chapter I — Valley Forge in 1777 — Movements in the Campaign of 1777 — Lord Howe's Advance on Philadelphia, 1777 9 Chapter II — -Impulse of the Valley Forge Centennial 13 Chapter III — The British Army in Philadelphia 16 Chapter IV — Occupation of Valley Forge — Washington's Military Family — The Headquarters Building \^ Chapter V — The Commander-in-Chief's Life Guard — Formation of the Second or Continental Army 24 Chapter VI— A Word Picture of the Camp 28 Chapter VII — Routine of the Camp 33 Chapter VIII— The Cry of Distress 36 Chapter IX — Washington's Ot)timism — The Conway Cabal 39 Chapter X — The Coming of Baron Steuben 43 Chapter XI — The French Alliance ^ 49 Chapter XII— The Marquis de Lafayett*e \.\ S3 Chapter XIII — Departure of the Army from Valley Forge 57 Chapter XIV — Valley Forge in After Years — The Tribute of a British Officer — Soldiers of the Several States — The Hessian Mercenaries — The LoyaHsts. 58 Notes and Citations 64 Roster of Troops at Valley Forge 89 ©CIA28B90G PREFACE t; I HE notations employed in this chronicle are selected from the Wayne Orderly Book, which is deposited in the collec- tion of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and from the Weedon Orderly Book, which was, in 1839, presented by a descendant of General Weedon to the Library of the American Philosophical Society, in Philadelphia, where it still reposes. Other publications and manuscripts consulted and quoted are, especially, the files of the Pennsylvania Magazine, the original roster of many of the regiments present at the evacuation of the Valley Forge camp (in possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania), Watson's Annals, Godfrey's The Commander- in-Chief's Guard, Stedman's History of the American War, London, 1794; address of Henry Armitt Brown, Esq.; address by Peter Boyd, Esq., at the dedication of the monument at John Waterman's grave, Oct. 19, 1901 ; Sabine's American Loyalists and a series of British regimental histories in the collection of Mr. Reginald L. Hart. The illustrations, mainly from photographs by the author, alst) include many from photographs taken by Miss L. A. Sampson, of Berwyn, Pa. ; Mr. S. R. Fisher, of Norristown, Pa. ; Mr. J. W. Kennedy and others. Countless pens have been busy with the story of Valley Forge. The testimony of many who were participants in or witnesses of its events, pathetic, thrilling and inspiring, has been preserved for the study of those who seek to again sketch the vivid picture of which the place, as it exists to-day, is but the frame. It only remains, therefore, to so rehearse the tale and arrange its corroborative evidence in some show of order that it may be convenient for those who are disposed to read these pages. The present edition includes many newly stated facts which have come to the author from readers in various parts of the country and from England. F. H. T. Drive, up the Hill from Washington's Headqi'arters THE VALLEY FORGE PARK COMMISSION AND ITS WORK "To acquire, maintain and preserve forever The Revolutionary CAMP GROUND at Valley Forge, for the free enjoyment of the people of the State." The Valley Forge Park Commission, created by the State Legislature upon May 30th, 1893, met for organization upon June nth following. The historic property thus far acquired and improved aggregates 472 acres and lies in an irregular form in both Montgomery and Chester counties. The State appropriations for this purpose to January ist, 1910, were $139,802.12. The Commissioners, in the expenditure of the sums thus far provided by successive legislatures, have created a magnificent memorial park traversed by perfect road- ways ; have restored and preserved redoubts and entrenchments, erected massive markers of military positions ; have seen placed upon its appropriate site a superb equestrian bronze of Major-General Anthony Wayne; have erected upon Mount Joy a lofty observatory, and finally, having purchased the Washington Headquarters building from the patriotic association which had preserved it, have made it free to the many thousands who annually visit this sacred spot. It is expected that further lands identified with the records of the Revolutionary Encampment will eventually be added to the present park and that all of the original States whose sons suffered here will erect dignified memorials upon their respective camping sites. The present Commissioners are : W. H. Sayen, President, 1414 South Penn Square, Philadelphia, Pa.; J. P. Nicholson, Vice-President, Flanders Building, Philadelphia, Pa.; Samuel S. Hartranft, Treasurer, Norristown, Pa.; J. P. Hale Jenkins, Norristown, Pa.; M. G. Brumbaugh, Philadelphia, Pa.; W. A. Patton, Radnor, Pa. ; Richmond L.^Jones, Reading, Pa. ; John W. Jordan, Philadelphia, Pa. ; John T. Windrim, Philadelphia, Pa. ; A. H. Bowen, Secretary. The city office of the Commission is at 1414 South Penn Square. , THE SONG OF VALLEY FORGE 'We go with the axe our huts to raise, And then to creep to the camp-fire's blaze. And talk, as our heartstrings closer twine, Of comrades lost at Brandywine. "We will know what famine means, and wish For the nook of home and the smoking dish ; And our aching limbs as they shrink with cold Will feel how scant is the garment's fold. 'The foe will lodge in the city gay. And Howe and his troops keep cares away. And the feast and dance will loudly tell How St. George's sons hold carnival. "But we in the rude-built huts will wait For a brighter day and a nobler fate ; And as clings to the sire the trusting son We will nestle close to our Washington." — Lyrics of the Revolution. The Foundations of the Forge Dam CHAPTER I. VALLEY FORGE IN SEVENTEEN SEVENTY-SEVEN See Note upon page 65. NINETEEN miles in a direct line northwest from the centre of Philadelphia a small stream, having its rise in the fertile bottoms of the Chester Valley, pours northward through a deep and shadowy defile ' into the Schuylkill River. Midway up this ravine, distant half a mile from the river, a small iron-working industry called the Mountjoy Forge had been in operation many years prior to the Revolutionary War. This forge was reputed to have been the first one built in the province. One report refers to its sale by the original owner in 1719, but Mr. Howard M. Jenkins, after a painstaking search of the records, states that it was built by Stephen Evans, Daniel Walker and Joseph Williams in 1742, and was sold wholly or in part to John Potts in 1757. He also concludes that it was situated upon the northeastern side of the stream. It was also known as the valley forge. Further down the stream were a saw mill and a grist mill. Nearby, with an outlook upon the river, was the stone residence which, at the opening of the Revolutionary War, was the home of Isaac Potts, grandson of John Potts, who operated the saw and grist mills. Dating from "^ITh the forge was owned by William Dewees, Jr., a colonel of militia. Information having reached the British officers that a quantity of ordnance stores and flour intended for the Continental Army was stored here, the enemy burned the lower mills during the march of the British column through this section in September, The Present Mill and \'allev Road 1777. The forge was not burned. It was from this forge that many a camp-oven was provided with iron plates taken by the soldiers. The heights were covered by the primeval forest, but the arable land in the vicinity in both Montgomery and Chester Counties was farmed by the thrifty Quaker and Welsh elements which had long been settled here. To the neighborhood of this retired spot came the Continental Army, upon December 19, 1777, seventy-six days after the disastrous battle of Germantown. General Washington brought to this refuge from his camps in the vicinity of White Marsh, a place twelve miles from the city, a force of about 11,000 men. His army remained in its quarters upon these bleak hills six months, and during that period suffered hardships, which have made the name of Valley Forge the synonym of all that is heroic and faithful in the fame of the men who served in the patriot army and finally secured to us the liberties under which this nation has ever since existed, prospered and multiplied. When the soldiers of the Continental regiments moved away from Valley Forge upon the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British they left, either in unmarked graves or in the hospitals scattered through the eastern part of the State, between three and four thousands of their comrades, who had surrendered to privations greater than which no army in ancient or modern times has been called upon to endure. Nothing could perhaps more significantly emphasize the misery of the time than the fact that no accurate or even approximate record of deaths at Valley Forge has been found, nor is it known with certainty where the common burial place is located. Of all the hapless victims of the camp but one of the multitude buried here sleeps in an identified grave. For a century the scene of this encampment remained without dedication to the sacred memory of these heroes. This reproach has now been removed by the State of Pennsylvania. MOVEMENTS IN THE CAMPAIGN OF 1777, ENDING WITH THE OCCUPATION OF VALLEY FORGE AS A WINTER REFUGE BY WASHINGTON'S ARMY See Notes upon pages 64, 65 and 66. May Sir William Howe's forces, comprising 18,000 effective troops in position at New Brunswick and Amboy. Washington, with about 6000, conti- nentals, exclusive of cavalry and artillery and of 500 New Jersey militia, (a total according to Bryant, of 7,300 men) broke winter camp at Morrist'own and advanced to Middlebrook Heights, ten miles from New Brunswick. June British army moved to Staten Island, American force still at Middlebrook. ^ July 23d, British fleet under Lord Howe sailed from New York with entire British army in command of his brother Sir William Howe, appearing briefly a week later at the capes of the Delaware. Washington encamped on Neshaminy creek, 20 miles north of Philadelphia. ^Aug. 20th the enemy appeared in Chesapeake Bay. On the 23d Washing- ton's army marched through Philadelphia and to Wilmington. The enemy disembarked upon the 2Sth at the Elk river, 54 miles southwest from Philadelphia. Septj nth, Battlq of Brandywine. Retreat of Americans to Chester, Phila- delphia and Germantown. Americans then numbered about 11,000 men, exclusive of Gates' command in the North. On the 15th, Washington advanced to Warren Tavern, on the Lancaster Pike, a heavy storm ruined the ammunition and led to a retreat to Yellow Springs and thence across the Schuylkill river near Phoenixville. Llowe advanced at his leisure, covering a wide stretch of rich country. Upon the night of Sept. 19th, a body of Wayne's men, detached to operate in the rear of the British left flank, was surprised at Paoli, many being bayonetted. Sept. 2ist, Howe's columns reached the Schuylkill river in force, crossing at several points above and below Valley Forge. Upon the 26th they marched into Philadelphia, leaving a strong force in Germantown. October 4th. Battle of Germantown, retreat of Americans to White Marsh about six miles north from Chestnut Hill. November loth. Lord Howe's ships invested Fort Mifilin and Fort Mercer below the city. An incident of this movement was the Battle of Red Bank, N. J., ni which Count Donop, the Hessian commander, was mortally wounded. Dec. 19th. After an exhausting march from White Marsh via Gulf Mills, Washington's troops arrived upon the hills at Valley Forge. Four days later nearly 3000 men of this force were sick or too nearly naked to do duty. Lord Howe's Advance on Philadelphia, 1777 From the Diary of a British Sergeant hitherto unpublished. Aug. 25. Army landed at Elk Ferry, ist under Cornwallis at Elk Ferry, 2d under Kuyphausen at Cecil Court House. Aug. 28. Army marched, arrived at Head of Elk. Aug. 31. Cornwallis and Grant marched 4 or 5 miles to a small place called "Iron Works," returned to camp. Sept. 3. Troops reached Pencador 4 miles east of Elk on road to Christiana Bridge. Americans made a stand at the bridge, but retreated to main body by Iron Hills. Headquarters of Gen. Howe near Valley Forge IN September, 1777. Sept. 6. Gen. Grant from Elk, Avith his troops, joined the army. Sept. 8. Whole army marched from the left by Newark 6 miles and encamped in the township of Hokesson. The two armies, British and American, 4 miles apart. Sept. 9. One third of army marched toward New Market, Cornwallis with his Division to Hokesson Meeting House, others to Kennett Square. Sept. 10. All met this morning and moved toward Brandywine Creek. Sept. II. Battle of Brandywine. Sept. 12. Kuyphausen's men remained on Heights. Gen. Grant moved to Concord. Sept. 13. Cornwallis joined and proceeded to Ashton, 5 miles from Chester and encamped. 71st Regt. to Wilmington. Sept. 16. Army in 2 columns moved from Ashton toward Goshen Meeting House and Downingtown. Sept. 17. Early A. M. to Yellow Springs and at night to White Elorse, Cornwallis 2 miles beyond. Sept. 18. Army joined and marched to Tredyffryn. Light Infantry to Valley Forge. Sept. 20 Paoli affair. Sept. 21. Army at Valley Forge, line extended from Fatland Ford to French Creek. Moved to Pottsgrove. Sept. 22. Part of army crossed at Fatland Ford, others at Gordon's Ford. Sept. 23. Whole army encamped, left to Schuylkill and right on Manatawny road, with stony run in front. A force detached to Swede's Ford. Sept. 26. Force under Cornwallis took Philadelphia. CHAPTER II IMPULSE OF THE VALLEY FORGE CENTENNIAL Upon June 19th, 1878, the centennial of the withdrawal of the army from Valley Forge was celebrated by the presence of the Pennsylvania National Guards and by appropriate addresses by distinguished speakers. Through the patriotic impulse resulting from this event the Valley Forge Centennial Association was formed and money was raised to purchase the old Isaac Potts house and its grounds, occupied by General Wash- ington as his headquarters after the army had constructed its encampment. This was done, and the old mansion became a much visited place. Through persistent effort upon the part of the Association a Commission was appointed under an Act of the Legislature of May 30, 1893, to carry into effect its pur- pose to acquire, by the State of Pennsylvania, "a certain ground at Valley Forge for a public park." The general contour of the encampment plateau is rolling, the average elevation being about two hundred feet above tide, but rising to the westward into two rounded elevations, which are respectively 340 and 424 feet high, the Valley Creek flowing along their precipi- tous western bases. From these hills, and, in fact, from all parts of the camp-ground, a clear view is enjoyed of a far-reaching expanse of country, now largely farmed or occupied by splendid private estates. Far down the field of Valley Forge, nearly one mile eastward from the Hunting- don redoubt, stands the shaft marking the grave of John Waterman, of Rhode Island, Commissary in Varnum's brigade. This monument is erected upon ground which, with its approach, was presented for the purpose by Major and Mrs. I. Heston Todd to the Daughters of the Revolution who dedicated it upon October 19, 1901 ; Peter Boyd, Esq.. making the address. To the southward upon the elevation occu- pied by the Pennsylvanians, an equestrian statue of Major-Gcneral Anthony Wayne was dedicated upon June 20, 1908. One mile eastward is a modest marker erected by the State of Maine to the soldiers of that section serving with Massachusetts troops. Near by, The John Waterman Monument, "P°" ^''^ ^^™^ ^"^'^ 'S the new Massachu- West of the River Drive setts Memorial. 13 Bronze Mpcmorial of Major-Gkn. Anthony Wayne Upon Outer Line Boulevard in Front of the Site of the Cantonment of His Troops, Dedicated June 2oth, 1908 14 CHAPTER III THE BRITISH ARMY IN PHILADELPHIA See Notes upon pages 66, 68, 70 and 71 Upon October 19, 1777, Sir William Howe moved his forces into the city of Philadelphia. The nervous suspense of the inhabitants, sustained, already, for many weeks, culminated, upon that memorable day, when a squadron of dragoons galloped down Second Street through crowds of expectant onlookers, soon followed by a column of the grenadiers, brilliant in their red coats, red caps, fronted with silver shields, Lord Cornwallis and his staff in the lead. Riding with them, their faces doubtless reflecting their sense of triumph, were five civilians — Joseph Gallo- way, Enoch Story, Tench Coxe, Andrew Allen and William Allen, all bitter Tories, men whose names were to appear a few years later among those adjudged to be traitors and aliens. Behind the grenadiers came the hated Hessians, barbaric in their fierce moustaches, their uniforms of dark blue and towering brass headgear. The columns, artillery and baggage soon choked the central streets of the town, and staff officers were busy everywhere in securing buildings of suitable comfort as headquarters for their respective chiefs. With the adaptability of a trained and veteran force the army of British and mercenaries was later housed snugly and securely in the rear of their defenses for the coming period of comparative idleness. The streets were gay with brilliant groups, the taverns roaring with business, and pageantry of war everywhere rife. An entrenchment was run fromi a redoubt at a point now the intersection of Twenty-second and Chestnut Streets along the eastern side of the Schuylkill River to the elevation at Fairmount, which has, for nearly a century, been used as a basin of water supply. From a redoubt at this point the entrenchment was extended to the Delaware River along the ridge behind Hickory Lane (Coates Street, now Fairmount Avenue), and including the Bush Hill property. Behind this (see map) were aligned the regiments, just to the north of the present line of Callowhill Street. The old British Barracks at Camp- ingtown, Green Street, between Second and Third Streets, were used, and also the Bettering House and other large buildings. The several roads leading outward in the direction of the American camps were patrolled as follows : Ridge Road was watched by the Yagers. The light infantry of the line guarded Germantown Road. The light infantry of the guard patrolled Old York (or York Town) Road and the Queen's Rangers (provincials) watched the Frankford Road. These outer guards were, in turn, covered by bodies of cavalry, which operated, in fact, in all directions from the town in order to afford the country people, who were often hiding in the woods with their supplies, a safe conduct to market. This procedure continued through the winter attended by constant minor conflicts. Both armies foraged far. In February General Wayne detoured into South Jersey to obtain cattle, in which he was successful. Occasionally considerable expeditions of the British were sent out to forage, as in the case of the raid down the river to Salem, resulting in the massacre of patriot outposts upon Alloway's Creek at Quinton's Bridge and Hancock House. Within the town, where, with the soldiery, some sixty thousand people were living, the ordinary affairs of life proceeded much as usual. The general attitude of the British officers was conciliatory and there was little of malicious destruction. Money and the essentials of life were plenty, and some occupations flourished to an unusual degree. 16 Sir William Howe had long before formed a resolution to resign the command of the British forces. Moved, perhaps, by the gloom which overspread the Britons after the fall of Count Donop at Red Bank and the spectacular destruction of the frigate Augusta and the sloop Merlin, he wrote as follows, upon the twenty-eighth of October, 1777, to the Secretary of State of the American Department, Lord George Germaine : "From the little attention, my lord, given to my recommendations since the commencement of my command, I am led to hope that I may be relieved from this very painful service, wherein I have not the good fortune to enjoy the necessary confidence and support of my superiors, but which, I conclude, will be extended to Sir Henry Clinton, my presumptive successor. By the return of the packet I humbly request I may have his Majesty's permission to resign." It should be recorded that this peevish letter gave occasion for great astonish- ment to the home authorities which had diligently promoted the means for sustain- ing Howe and his army in the field. In Tory circles there was much of gaiety, this culminating in the early summer with the fete of the famous Meschianza. Howe's opera bouffe "last apearance" in Philadelphia at this historic fete, with its mediaeval follies and flamboyant, "Thy laurels are immortal," set all of Great Britain astir with sardonic laughter, followed, after his arrival home, by a stormy period of recrimination between the crown and its supporters upon the one hand and Gen. Howe and the opposition upon the other, the echoes of which reverberated to the beginning of another century. Thus ended the career in America of an officer who had proven himself, fortunately for the patriot army and cause, the most incompetent warrior in British history, a soldier of whom Stedman, the English historian of the Revolution, wrote sixteen years later, "None of his military exploits possessed either plan, object or decision, and the only fruit derived from the several victories of Sir William Howe, during the campaign of 1777, amounted to no more than the acquisition of good winter quarters for the British Army at Philadelphia." CHAPTER IV OCCUPATION OF VALLEY FORGE BY THE CONTINENTAL ARMY See Notes upon pages 72, 74 and 76 When the patriot army moved from White Marsh the matter of the winter location was apparently still undetermined. A wide diversity of opinion existed among the general officers, some favoring a general assault upon the city, others proposing Wilmington, Lancaster and Reading. The first objective of the creeping army, after turning its back upon Camp Hill, was the opposite shore of the Schuylkill River. The advance found, upon reaching Matson's Ford, a force of 3,000 British awaiting them upon the opposite side. That night the Americans moved up to Swede's Ford and built a bridge of wagons, over which a force was thrown and the hills occupied around the Gulph Mills. Gulph Mills is situated about one and a half miles inland from the Schuylkill River and six miles from Valley Forge. The army's baggage was long in crossing the river and much confused. The majority of the soldiers slept, the first two or three nights, upon the snow-clad ground. The coming of the army to Valley Forge was so unexpected by the neighboring residents that they were taken utterly by surprise. Within a short time a military town of probably one thousand huts of logs had arisen and a large 17 Ruin of the Old Gulph Mill Memorial Bowlder and Tablet at Gulph Mill i8 Thk Road from Gulph Mill to Valley Forge portion of the forest had already been sacrificed in the work of building and for fires. The stumps and brush were left along the declivity in front of the earthworks as a defense against storming parties. Later, when the redoubts were dug, a series of sharply-pointed pickets was planted between them. The redoubts were four feet high, with a ditch six feet wide. General Washington occupied his usual army tent and shared the out-of-door log fires of the soldiery during the work of building the huts, and it was probably upon Christmas Day that he accepted the invitation of Isaac Potts, the miller and the minister of Friends, and moved into his snug house at the foot of the hill. Upon this day he found time to write up his ledger, making the following entry : "To expenditures in the different and continual movements of the army from Germantown Sept. 15 till we hutted at Valley Forge the 25th of Dec. pr. mem., $1,037.00 or ijS.io." Washington's Military Family At the time of Washington's occupation of the Potts residence, his military family consisted of the following persons. Robert H. Harrison, Secretary, May 16, 1776, to March 25, 1782; Tench Tilghman, Volunteer Secretary and A. D. C., August 8, 1776, to December 23, 1783; Alexander Hamilton, A. D. C, March i, 1777) to December 23, 1783; Richard K. Meade, A. D. C., March 12, 1777, to December 23, 1783; Presley P. Thornton, A. D. C, September 6, 1777, to — ; John Laurens A. D. C., September 6, 1777, to August 27, 1782; Marquis de Lafayette; Captain Caleb Gibbs, Commander of the Life Guard. In May of the following year Dr. James McHenry became Secretary and John Fitzgerald replaced Thornton. The names of Matthew Clarkson and David S. Franks appear as aides-de-camp upon the Valley Forge oath list. 19 -^^ J^^!:^^'?^l^^ {::^^k^!^..,.^al /Z/7^ fi'^c/ 2/, ^ •^i-^-^^i-^^ <^?^^%e e^^Z'i-'S'yx^ ^^-ey^^ ^^^ "^ " /;>;^/' *.^ ^^^ ^h6 5^ ,yC-^i*^-^'7-y C<':>/C&^^'^-e^^?^^r.^-^ #j^. ^^-^^^ aCiX.-tt^^Cc^ ■/^ s- _ /55 ■ - /h /' Page in Washington's Ledger Including His Expenditures While at Valley Forge King of Prussia Tanekn With the exception of Captain Gibbs and Lafayette, these attaches were without military rank, but later, in the course of the war. Congress issued commissions of Lieutenant-Colonel to those who, at the time, filled these confidential positions. Young Laurens, the General's favorite among the staff, was destined to fall, after return from an important errand to France, upon his native Southern soil. Alexander Hamilton died many years afterward by the hand of one who was also an officer in this camp. Colonel Alexander Scammel, Adjutant-General, was doubtless considered a member of Washington's military family. It is said that Scammel was the only man in the army who could make Washington laugh. The Commander's Corps of Life Guards was quar- tered in buildings close at hand, ready for instant duty. Outposts watched every pathway of approach to the headquarters, and whenever Washington moved about the camp he was attended by a considerable escort for protection. The road in front and grounds around the house were constantly animated by officers and staffs, orderlies and others awaiting audience. No portion of the camp was too remote to escape the attention of the hard-working Commander-in-Chief. Dragoons Washington's Hkadquarters— The Hallway Washington's Headquarters— The Parlor Washington's Headquarters— The Office, Looking Toward Hallway i Washington's Headquarters Building The surroundings of this principal existing memento of the camp at Valley Forge have been greatly improved. It is open every day throughout the year. Its several rooms are lined with interesting relics and documents. A bronze tablet in the hall bears testimony to the patriotic work of the Centennial and Memorial Association of Valley Forge in preserving in its original condition with the aid of the Patriotic Order Sons of America this sacred structure until it passed into the custody of the state. The rear room is said to have been used as Washington's office, after a log cabin had been built in the rear for a dining-room. The box in which he kept his papers is to be seen between the windows. The wing building contained the kitchen, beneath which was a cellar, reached by stone steps. The bed-rooms upon the second floor have been furnished by the Valley Forge and Chester County Chapters, D. A. R., and the attic above by the Merion Chapter, D. A. R. Each article displayed has its own interesting story of the colonial and revolutionary periods. It is largely due to the efforts of patriotic ladies of Chester and Montgomery counties that not only has the headquarters building been so carefully preserved, but that the entire reser- vation has been made, under the direction of the Commissioners, the splendid object lesson as it now exists. To the effective interest of Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker is chiefly due the liberal sums devoted to the work. A Private of the Life Guard Washington's Headquarters — His Office CHAPTER V THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S LIFE GUARD See Notes upon pages 75, 76, and 83. Captain Caleb Gibbs was promoted Major and Henry Philip Livingston became Captain of the Life Guard in December, 1777. Captain Gibbs acted as disbursing officer for General Washington's military household, holding this relation to the General from June, 1776, to the end of 1780, as shown by the General's accounts. The Commander-in-Chief's Guard was formed, originally, under an order by Washington dated at Cambridge, March 11, 1776. For this purpose /A four men carefully selected from , , ^^, each regiment were detailed to this "~'" duty. Caleb Gibbs, of Massachu- sets, became Captain, and George Lewis, of Virginia, a nephew of General Washington, was appointed Lieutenant. The corps numbered sixty men exclusive of officers. While on duty in New York an attempt to poison the General was discovered, which involved several of the men, one of whom, an Irishman named Hickey, was hanged in consequence. The guard, as reorganized. May i, 1777, at Morristown, numbered fifty-six Flag of the Life Guard 24 Washington's Headquarters Attic Bedroom Washington's Headquarters The Rear, Showing Office Window and Reproduced Log Dining Room 25 men, exclusive of officers. This body was equipped as infantry, in addition to which a small force of horse was maintained, of which George Lewis was Captain. Special details from the cavalry regiments sometimes performed escort duty. The Southern troops, commanded by General Lachlin Mcintosh, of Georgia, occupied the hill to the left of Headquarters. General Mcintosh succeeded General Francis Nash, who died from wounds received at the Battle of Germantown. This Brigade was in close .touch with Headquarters. Along the Outer Line Boulevard Formation of the Second or Continental Army At the end of the year 1777 the original patriot army ceased to exist. By a resolution of Congress, September 16, 1766, eighty-eight battalions of eight companies each were to be enlisted for three years "or the war." In these new organizations the greater part of the one-year men re-enlisted. These new regiments were styled the Continental Line and were apportioned to the several States as follows : New Hampshire, three regiments ; Massachusetts, fifteen regiments ; Rhode Island, two regiments; Connecticut, eight regiments; New York, four regiments; New Jersey, four regiments ; Pennsylvania, twelve regiments ; Delaware, one regiment ; Maryland, eight regiments ; Virginia, fifteen regiments ; North Carolina, nine regiments ; South Carolina, six regiments ; Georgia, one regiment. As far as possible the organizations of each State were formed into divisions or sub-divisions, and were consecutively numbered. Although officially known by their numbers and States, they were more commonly designated by the name of their respective colonels. This practice is followed in the list of officers which subscribed to the oath at Valley Forge. In addition to these organizations four regiments of dragoons and four of artillery were established, and various bodies of rangers, scouts and similar independents were continued from the first army or recruited for the new one. The army list contains names of two Canadian regiments. In the spring of 1778 Congress authorized new regiments of sappers and miners. (See the general list of regiments and commanders upon pages 88, 89 and 90.) 26 General George Washington 27 The Star Redoubt, Guarded by Varnum's Rhode Islanders CHAPTER VI A WORD PICTURE OF THE CAMP See Notes upon pages 76, 78 and 79. Probably the most effective existing word picture of the scene, when the camp had been established, is to be found in the memorable address of that talented young Philadelphian, Henry Armitt Brown, Esq., delivered at the centennial celebration of the departure of the army from the camp. "These are the huts of Huntington's Brigade, of the Connecticut line ; next to it those of Pennsylvanians under Conway. This is the Irish-Frenchman, soon to disappear in a disgraceful intrigue. Here in the camp there are many who whisper that he is a mere adventurer, but in Congress they still think him a great military character. Down toward Headquarters are the Southerners, commanded by Lachlin Mcintosh, in his youth 'the handsomest man in Georgia.' Beyond Conway, on the hill, is Maxwell, a gallant Irishman, commissioned by New Jersey. Woodford, of Virginia, commands on the right of the second line, and in front of him the Virginian, Scott. The next brigade in order is of Pennsylvanians — many of them men whose homes are in this neighborhood — Chester county boys and Quakers from the Valley turned soldier for their country's sake. They are the children of three races; the hot Irish blood mixes with the cooler Dutch in their calm English veins, and some of them — their chief, for instance — are splendid fighters. There he is, at this moment, riding up the hill from his quarters in the valley. A man of medium height and strong frame, he sits his horse well and with a dashing air. His nose is prominent, his eye piercing, his complexion ruddy, his whole appearance that of a man of splendid health and flowing spirits. He is just the fellow to win by his headlong valor the nickname of 'The Mad.' But he is more than a mere fighter. Skillful, energetic, full of resources and presence of mind, quick to comprehend and prompt to act, of sound judgment and extraordinary courage, he has in him the qualities of a great general as he shall show many a time in his short life of one-and-fifty years. Pennsylvania, in her quiet fashion, may not make as much of his fame as it deserves, but impartial history will allow her none the less the honor of having given its most brilliant soldier to the Revolution in her Anthony Wayne. Poor, of New Hampshire, is encamped next, and then Glover, whose regiment of Marblehead sailors and fishermen manned the boats that saved the army on the night of the retreat from Long Island. Larned, Patterson and Weedon follow, and then, at the corner of the intrenchments by the river is the Virginia Brigade of Muhlenberg. Born at the Trappe close by and educated abroad, Muhlenberg was a clergyman in Virginia when the war came on, but he has doffed his parson's gown forever for the buff and blue of a 28 ^™- SHESrS=~— "''■ 29 Brig. Gen. Jed Huntington Connecticut 5rig. Gen. Lachlan McIntosh Georgia 5rig. Gen. Charles Scott Virginia Brig. Gen. George Weedon Virginia 30 Brig. Gen. J. Peter G. Muhlenberg Virginia Brig. Gen. Enoch Poor New Hampshire brigadier. His stalwart form and swarthy face are already as familiar to the enemy as they are to his own men, for the Hessians are said to have cried, 'Hier Kommt teufel Pete !' as they saw him lead a charge at Brandywine. The last brigade is stationed on the river bank, where Varnum and his Rhode Islanders, in sympathy with young Laurens, of Carolina, are busy with a scheme to raise and enlist regiments of negro troops. These are the commanders of brigades." The several Major and Brigadier-Generals occupied houses within short distances of their respective commands. Inspector-General Baron Steuben and Brigadier-Generals Conway, Smallwood, Armstrong, Furman and McDougall were quartered in large huts on the Maurice Stevens property, just north of the field in which lies the grave of John Waterman. As a rule, it is said, the officers who became, with their staffs, enforced members of the country families proved agreeable and considerate guests. It is known that long after the close of the Valley Forge encampment letters of a most friendly character were exchanged by some of the Generals and the Valley Forge families. Headquarters of Major Gen. Lord Stirling 31 3. €^ Brig. Gen. Louis L. Du Portail Engineer of the Defenses 32 House of Joseph Walker Headquarters of Gen. Anthony Wayne CHAPTER VII ROUTINE OF THE CAMP See Notes upon pages 80, 8i and 85 While the army was pushing the work of housing itself, the engineer corps was planning the earthworks which were to protect them. These defenses were doubtless worked slowly out of the frozen ground by details from the several brigades, and were not completed until spring. Upon March 27 following, the Commander-in-Chief refers to the unfinished condition of the "Interior Defenses," and again upon April 3 he complains of the poor work done upon the "new line defenses." Lieutenant-General Sir William Howe, in his defense of his conduct of the campaign in America, supplies indirect, but decisive, testimony regarding the wisdom of the selection of the Valley Forge heights for the American Army's hibernation and also the deterrent effect of the toilsome entrenchments created there, he says : "I did not attack the entrenched position at Valley Forge, a strong point, during the severe season, although everything was prepared with that intention, judging it imprudent until the season should afford a prospect of reaping the advantages that ought to have resulted in success in that measure ; but having good information in the spring that the enemy had strengthened his camp by additional works and being certain of moving him from thence when the campaign should open, I dropped all thoughts of attack." The structures which sheltered the army were built of logs and were fourteen by sixteen feet in dimensions. Wooden chimneys, lined with clay, were built against the rear sides. Twelve soldiers were housed in each hut. A quaint description of the scene during those early winter days at Valley Forge is that found in a letter written by Thomas Paine to Benjamin Franklin, who was in Paris. Washington offered a reward of twelve dollars in each regiment to the party doing the best and quickest work in building. 33 Old School House on Washington Lane Built in 1705 by Letitia, a daughter of William Penn. Tradition has it that the building was used as a hospital by the army surgeons. This interesting structure forms a convenient place of refuge for visitors in the vicinity in case of showers. It was only after painstaking research upon the part of ex-Governor Penny- packer and the Valley Forge Park Commissioners that the historic value of this quaint little relic of Colonial days was brought to light. It is located in the Valley to the south of Mount Joy, upon Washington Lane. Nearly opposite is the school house in which the children of the neighborhood are now instructed. The artillery was parked in this immediate vicinit}^ which was the centre of the cantonment. Interior of Old School House Arranged as a Typical Country School of Colonial Days 34 Reproduction of a Continental Army H.ut It is not to be supposed that having completed their log encampment, the army lapsed into idleness ; upon the contrary, there was much for the able-bodied to do in cutting wood for the fires, foraging for supplies (these scarce and already difficult to find), and, upon the part of the cavalry, a constant scouring of the country toward the city, with countless brushes with the outposts of the enemy. Drilling and the regulation routine were carried on daily. The Christmas holidays in this camp were anything but festive. Upon Christ- mas morning twelve men from each brigade were assembled upon the parade with ammunition and rations, who were dispatched with wagons to bring in supplies of flour, grain, cattle and pork. Unfortunately, shoals of loose joldiery had marauded the country ahead of them, abusing and robbing Tory and patriot alike. This license Washington took measures to stop. Just before the New Year a party of American soldiers at Wilmington captured a ship in the Delaware River coining from New York, which proved to contain much that was valuable to the patriot army, especially in clothing for officers. It would be interesting to trace the final disposition of these goods and discover what proportion the regimental officers finally got and to what extent the jobbing gentlemen around Congress, at York, were profited by the capture. At the end of the year many of the soldiers were still living in tents, but as fast as the huts were ready the tents were delivered to the Quartermasters to be cleaned and stored for use in the next campaign. The scarcity of side arms for the officers led to the order that those not having swords should cease carrying guns, which tended to distract their attention from their men, and to obtain half-pikes. The pikes, or Aspontons, were "to be six and a half feet in length, one and a half inch thick in the largest part, the iron part to be one foot long." There is evidence that some regiments fared much better than others and that the Pennsylvanians, especially many of the officers, were far from being destitute. Between December 22nd and January 28th Washington wrote five appeals to Congress for help. The last of this series of letters was a lengthy statement written for the use of a Congressional Committee then visiting the camp. This 35 Reproduction of an Army Hospital Committee was composed of Francis Dana, Joseph Reed, Nathaniel Folsom, John Harvie, Charles Carroll and Gouverneur Morris. The Committee remained here nearly three months, occupying a large house two miles west from the camp, known as "Moore Hall," which is still existent. CHAPTER VIII THE CRY OF DISTRESS See Notes upon pages 78, 79, 80 and 85 Whatever may have been the disposition of its individual members to afford effective relief to the suffering soldiers. Congress had not the initiative power to do more than make representations to the States in behalf of their respective brigades. As a matter of fact, the body at York was but the shadow of a government. Among the unwise measures to which its deliberations had given birth, that which detached the Commissary Department from the control of the commanding General was probably one of the most mischievous. The baleful mark of petty jobbery seems to stamp this procedure and the effect was seen in confusion and waste which were largely responsible for the misery of the Valley Forge winter. Fiske, the historian, cites testimony which alleges that hogsheads of shoes, stockings, hats and general clothing were left in the woods or by the roadside to waste because of a want of money and teams to get them into camp. So constant was the fear of Congress that the army would get beyond civil control, that John Adams proposed the annual election of generals in lieu of the issue of commissions. The spectre of Valley Forge did not weigh heavily upon the minds of the states- men at York. It was a gay winter in this temporary capital of the new nation. A member of the Congressional Commission reported with regard to the scenes in the camp, that "the men patiently yoke themselves together in little 36 carriages of their own making, using grapevines for ropes, or load their wood and provisions upon their backs." They seemed to the foreign officers to be devoid of all enthusiasm. Outposts and patrols were established across the country as far as Barren Hill, which is but ten miles from the centre of Philadelphia. Under the direction of General Sullivan a log bridge was constructed across the Schuylkill River at a point one mile below the mouth of the valley stream, its position now being marked by a marble stone inscribed with a record of the bloody footprints left by the shoeless soldiers who marched upon duty here. Long before the date of its migration from Camp Hill to Valley Forge the commands were very generally destitute of proper clothing, the uniforms and blankets being worn out with use. The resources of the country were inadequate to the problem, and as winter advanced the soldiers by hundreds covered their semi- nakedness and misery within their huts. In midwinter two thousand men were without shoes, sentries stood guard with feet in their hats. Before many weeks had passed a large proportion of the army had succumbed to cold and hunger combined, and those of the sufferers who had not perished were distributed in temporary hospitals through the country to the north and west. Upon February ist, 3,989 men were unfit for duty for want of clothes. Lieutenant John Marshall, afterward Chief Justice, wrote: "Although the total of the army exceeds 17,000 men, the present rank and file amounts to only 5012." On February 12, General Varnum wrote to General Greene and "in all human probability the army must dissolve. Many of the troops are destitute of meat and are several days in arrears. The horses are dying for want of forage. The country in vicinity of the camp is exhausted." On the i6th of February Washington wrote to Governor Clinton : "For some days past there has been little less than a famine in camp. A part of the army has been a week without any kind of flesh, and the rest three or four days. Naked and starved as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery that they have not been, ere this, excited by their sufferings to general mutiny and desertion." Upon the next day John Laurens wrote : "The unfortunate soldiers were in want of everything; they had neither coats, hats, shirts nor shoes ; their feet and legs froze till they became black, and it was often necessary to amputate them. From want of money they could neither obtam provisions nor any means of transport." One month after arrival at Valley Forge, Washington issued a proclamation requiring all farmers within seventy miles from his quarters to thresh one-half of all their grain before the first of March, in order to make sure of a supply of both grain and straw. Many details of soldiers were sent out to do the threshing. Mrs. Washington arrived at Valley Forge upon February 10. She records the fact that the General's apartment is small and that he has had built a log structure in which to take their meals. Food supplies continued to be gathered from the unwilling farmers by force payment being made in certificates, for the redemption of which Congress had made no provisions, whereas, those who succeeded in getting their grain and other foods to the British Commissaries were paid a good price in gold. The annals of the country-side tend to show that by far the larger part of the farming people, nearly all of whom had relatives in the patriot service, made constant sacrifices in order to provide help to the American Army. Bad roads and snows had much to do with the scarcity of food. 37 38 . '3^1'tf^ Inner Line Boulevard CHAPTER IX WASHINGTON'S OPTIMISM See Notes upon pages 80, 81 and 83 In February a systematic market scheme was inaugurated, by which the Quartermasters were able to meet the farmers at designated places and buy such meagre supplies as they were able to bring. The constant anxiety with which historians doubtless properly credit the Commander-in-Chief does not find expression in his routine orders. Upon the contrary, his proclamations were usually optimistic beyond those of any of his Generals. Matters in camp were at their worst in the beginning of March, but Washington issued the following as a tonic to the Army : "Weedon Orderly Book, March ist, 1778. "Thank Heaven our Country abounds with privisions and with prudent manage- ment we need not apprehend want for any length of time. Defects in the Commis- saries Department, Contingencies of Weather and other Temporary Empedements have subjected and may again subject us to deficiency for a few days. But Soldiers, American Soldiers, will despise the meanness of Repining at such trifling strockes of Adversity, Trifling indeed when compared with the Transcendent prize which will undoubtedly crown their patience and perseverence." That the commanders of the opposing armies were constantly informed; of all that took place in the rival camps to a degree not possible in modern armies seems 39 Brig. Gen. William Smallwood Maryland Brig. Gen. Henry Knox Artillery Massachusetts Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan Virginia ^ Brig. Gen. James M. Varnum Rhode Island 40 Home of Capt. John Davis, one of Wayne's Officers, now Owned BY the a. J. Cassatt Estate Headquarters of Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan 41 certain. Washington was especially annoyed with the intercourse between the members of the sect of "Friends." Upon March 20th, Washintgon wrote to General Lacey : "Sunday next being the time on which the Quakers hold one of their general meetings, a number of that society will probably be attempting to go into Philadelphia. This is an intercourse that we should by all means endeavor to interrupt, as the plans settled at these meetings are of the most pernicious tendency. I would therefore have you dispose of your parties in such a manner as will most probably fall in with these people." At this time patriotism was at a low ebb throughout the country, and the belief grew that it was only a question of time when the little army must dissolve and all who had taken part in the Revolutionary movement suffer punishment at the hands of the victorious British. -^ ^ acknowledge the UNITED STATES of A M E- RlCA, to be Free, ladependent and Sovereign States, and ck&larc that rhe people thereof owe no allegiance or obedi- ent' to George the Third, King of Great-Britain; and I re~ lioonce, refufe and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him ; aa4 I do ^^-^/^-v- -— — that I will to the utmofi: of my power, fupport, maintain and defend the faid Ufiitcd Staes, againft the faid King George the Third, his beir« and fttOceffors and- is is and their abettors, affiftant§ and adhgcnts, aiiA will fervc the faid United States in the office oi ■ -'M^ry^ .•^i^w.^/-*-!*.-^ - ——-"•- which I now hold with fidelity, ^-'aceordiog to the beft of my iWll and underllanding. /^^ -est J From Orginal of Oath of Allegiance Signed by Major Gen. Arthur St. Clair The "Conway Cabal" In his own camp, for a considerable time, unknown to Washington, a conspiracy, which history has designated as the "Conway Cabal," was fomented for the purpose of displacing the General in command with Gates, the captor of Burgoyne. In this cabal were General Conway, a French-Irish "soldier of fortune," together with Mifflin, Wilkinson, James Lovell, Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee, each of whom had some personal grudge against Washington. The movement failed, as it deserved to do, and the Father of his country continued to hold the love and admiration of his ragged and faithful army. It was due to the discovery of this treachery that the famous Valley Forge oath was required of all officers. The oath was administered under the direction of General Wayne. During the winter large numbers of prisoners were gathered at the camp and frequent flags of truce went to Philadelphia, to obtain such supplies for them as the enemy might choose to send them. 42 CHAPTER X THE COMING OF BARON STEUBEN See Notes upon pages 82 and 83. Washington's marked preference for the foreign officers certainly bred heart- burnings among his native brigadiers and, in fact, with the officers generally. Many of the Frenchmen assumed airs of superiority over their American comrades of equal rank. They also underrated the silent, stern determination of the Americans to achieve independence. Washington's attitude of diplomatic good-will toward the foreigners was, however, to finally justify his patience and good sense. Major Gen. Frederick William von Steuben When matters were at their worst, there came to Washington, with an offer of his services and sword, a veteran General of Prussia, Frederick William Von Steuben. This officer was made Inspector-General, a place previously filled by the impotent Conway. General Steuben was the son of an officer in the German Armj^ He had served upon the staff of Frederick the Great, had been grand marshal of the Prince 43 Headquarters of Brig. Gen. J. Peter G. Muhlenberg Hedquarters of Major Gen. Thomas Mifflin 44 The Path to Fort Washington Hohen-Zolleni-Hechingen, and was a traveler of distinction. At Paris lie had met Franklin and Beaumarchais, and thus became interested in the American cause. He had traveled from Boston to York, Pa., in sleighs in company with his military secretary, going thence to Valley Forge. This was the beginning of salvation. Within a few days Washington had found the work for the old disciplinarian. He was annnounced to the army as its new drill master. Baron Steuben is said to have been astounded by the condition of the army as he found it. His French cook, whom he had brought across the seas, abandoned his job in disgust and fled to the fatherland. In addition to the universal epidemic of colds, smallpox ravaged the camp, and the men, borne down by the awful weight of their sufferings, could hardly be dragged to their daily work. Deserters and spies were executed as an example, and the generals were busy with threats and entreaties. The great men who had less than a brief year and a half before so resolutely afaxed their signatures to the defiant Declaration of Independence, were now largely replaced in Congress by those of smaller calibre and less exalted ideals. Regarding them, Livingston wrote in this severe strain : "I am so discouraged by our public mismanagement, and the additional load of business thrown upon me by the villainy of those who pursue nothing but accumulating fortunes to the ruin of their country that I almost sink under it." Clearly, Congress was afraid of Washington and the shadow of his dominant figure in the field. It was urged by some that there should be thirteen armies, each to be responsible to and look out for its own State. Both in the civil service and the army there were many who at this time, impressed by the seeming invincibility of the enemy, were chiefly occupied with the question of their personal safety and the protection of their property when the national project came to its impending end. In one of his letters to Congress from Valley Forge Washington called! attention to the fact that within a half year not 45 The Site of the Star Redoubt (Where Carriage Stands) less than three hundred officers had resigned and gone home. These men were, doubtless, largely influenced in their action by the manifest inability of Congress to extend that efficient support to the army necessary to its existence. There were men holding high commissions in the service who engaged in private negotiations with the Peace Commission which, coming from the King, expended several ineffectual months in their efforts to undermine the army and purchase the representatives of the people. Notwithstanding the suffering, there was much boisterous fun in the camps, for the American soldier must laugh sometimes, and there seems to have been the popular rage for the lottery, which was then a government institution. Immediately after Steuben began his task he formed one picked company, as already stated, and drilled them as a model for the others, laboring under the great disadvantage of a lack of English words, but the soldiers cheered his savage German oaths, and he soon became popular with the whole rank and file. By consent of Congress and General Washington he introduced a modified form of Prussian tactics, and before the end of the period in camp he had created an army of disciplined soldiers and schooled officers fit to command them. The order-loving spirit of Steuben began also to be reflected in the proclama- tions made from headquarters and by the Brigade Commanders. There was an effective policing of the Camps. The deaths among the common soldiers were so constant that there was little pretense of ceremony, and it may have been to modify the contrast presented by the pageantry of the funerals of officers with those of the rank and file that Washington issued an order upon this subject. 46 Pillars Marking Left of the Pennsylvania Brigades Upon Outer Line Boulevard Washington continued to anticipate, day by day, definite news of a favorable nature from France. Anticipating possible delay or failure in this quarter, Wash- ington had already been authorized by Congress to requisition Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia for 5,000 militia. The welcome accorded to General Charles Lee upon his return to the Army by exchange, April 21st, was most spectacular and flattering to him. The Commander-in-Chief made him his personal guest. He at once gave him the command of the right wing of the Army. Lee's subsequent conduct proved him unworthy of the plaudits of his fellow-soldiers or of the confidence of Washington. Regarding Lee's reception, Elias Boudinot wrote upon the same day : "All of the principal officers of the Army were drawn up in two lines, advanced of the camp about 2 miles toward the Enemy. Then the Troops with the inferior officers formed a line quite to head-quarters — all the Music of the Army attended. The General with a great number of principal Officers and their Suites rode about four miles on the road toward Philadelphia, and waited until Gen'l Lee appeared. General Washington dismounted and rec'd Gen'l Lee as if he had been his Brother. He passed thro' the Lines of Officers and the Army who paid him the highest military Honors to Headquarters, where Mrs. Washington was and here he was entertained with an elegant Dinner and the music playing the whole time." By Washington's orders, April 22nd was observed in the Valley Forge Camps as "a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer." The answer of Divine Providence was already upon the seas, and borne by hard-riding couriers from sea-cost to the- inland hills it came to the knowledge of Washington upon May day. One week later he issued the following general order, which was the beginning of the end in a war destined to continue nearly three years longer before its objects were effected: 47 Headquarters of Maj. Gen. Marquis de Lafayette Headquarters of Brig. Gen. Thos. Bradford CHAPTER XI THE FRENCH ALLIANCE See Note upon page 8i "It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to defend the course of the United States, and finally raise up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish our Liberty and Independence upon a lasting foundation, it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the Divine goodness, and celebrating the important event which we owe to His Divine interposition. The several brigades are to assemble for this purpose at nine o'clock to-morrow morning, when their chaplains will communicate the information contained in the postcript of the Pennsylvania Gazette of the 2nd instant, and' offer up a thanksgiving and deliver a discourse suitable to the event. At half-past ten o'clock a cannon will be fired, which is to be the signal for the men to be under arms. The Brigade inspectors will then inspect their dress and arms, and form the battalions according to the instructions given them, and announce to the commanding officers of the brigade that the battalions are formed. The commanders of brigades will then appoint the field officers to the bat- talions , after which each battalion will be ordered to load and ground their arms. At half-past seven o'clock a second cannon will be fired as a signal for the march ; upon which the several brigades will begin their march by wheeling to the right by platoons, and proceed by the nearest way to the left of their ground by the new position. This will be pointed out by the Brigade-Inspectors. A third signal will then be given, on which there will be a discharge of thirteen cannon ; after which a running fire of the infantry will begin on the left of the second line and continue to the right. Upon a signal given, the whole army will huzza, 'Long Live the King of France.' The artillery then begins again and fires thirteen rounds ; this will be succeeded by a second general discharge of musketry, in a running fire, and huzza, 'Long Live the Friendly European Poivers.' The last discharge of thirteen pieces of artillery will be given, followed by a general running fire and huzza, 'The American States.' " The Commander-in-Chief and stafif were the guests of the New Jersey troops during the religious services of the day, after which the general officers of the command joined him at the Potts mansion, whereat was served one of those famous dinners for which Washington always manifested a fondness. The length and breadth of Washington's exuberance upon the arrival of the good news cannot be more effectively shown than in the fact that two soldiers awaiting execution in the camp were pardoned and restored to the ranks by him in testimony of his joy. When we consider how rarely the Commander-in-Chief modified or reversed the finding of his courts-martial and how vainly, at Newburgh, it was sought to save Andre, we may realize the meaning of this gift of life to men who, perhaps, did not deserve it. Benjamin Franklin To whose diplomatic skill was largel}' due the sending of French assistance to America 49 Official confirmation of the great fact that Benjamin Franklin and his associate Commissioners had succeeded in their mission to the French Court had arrived upon April 13th, when the French frigate La Sensible sailed into Falmouth (now Portland) Harbor, bringing, as bearer of dispatches, Simeon Deane, brother of Commissioner Silas Deane. The news reached Congress at York upon May 2d. One of the most difficult problems in the administration of this far scattered camp was that of the control of liquor. Most of the courts-martial had their origin in quarrels caused by drunkenness. The sutlers were held accountable, and all taverns, except a few under special license, within a wide territory around the Major Gen. Nathaniel Greene camp, were prohibited from selling anything drinkable. Occasionally, as upon January i, 1778, the Commander-in-Chief ordered grog for the whole army. Prices for liquor sold in the camp were determined by Boards of Officers. Spring found the camps still destitute of blankets and clothing, those best provided having come hfther from the Northern Army. There were sick in every hut, and a good bedding of straw was the best that most of the men could hope for. As the season advanced the mud was removed from between the 50 logs to afford ventilation, and details were paraded for bathing in Valley Stream and the river. One week before the camp was abandoned a portion of the army resumed its tents. The men were drilled hard and often under the watchful eye of Steuben. It is said of the old martinet that he was up at three o'clock, took a smoke, had his coffee and, before daylight, was about the camp watching the process of starting the day's routine according to every proper formality, and short-comings were not tolerated in either officer or man. Major Gen. Paul J. G. DeM. Lafayette Washington's spies warned him soon after the announcement of the French Alliance that there were evidences of activities upon the part of the enemy in the city. Upon May 8th, at a council of war held at Valley Forge, the Commander-in- Chief stated that upon that date the Continental force numbered iS,ooo, not including horse and artillery, and that of this number ii,8oo were at Valley Forge, the remainder being at Wilmington and on the North River. SI Washington Inn, A Portion of which was used as an Army Bakery, Originally THE Home of Col. Wm. Dewees. Headquarters of Brig. Gen. Jed Huntington 52 CHAPTER XII THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE See Notes upon pages 83 and 84 Eight days after the Alliance celebration the General issued an order, which began the active campaign of the year 1778. Major-General Lafayette, a youth of but twenty years, was placed in command of a picked force of 2,500 men, infantry, artillery and horse, to proceed in the direction of Philadelphia and observe the enemy. This young French nobleman had proven the sincerity of his admiration of America and advocacy of the struggle, by leaving behind him his young wife, a daughter of the Duke de Noailles, and coming to America at the head of a party of other foreigners, including Baron de Kalb and eleven other French, German and Polish officers. The leaky ship in which they ventured narrowly escaped wreck upon the South Carolina Coast. After a long journey through the Southern forests to Philadelphia, Lafayette and his associates were met with a cold rebuff from a consequential chairman of the Committee of Congress on Foreign Affairs (Lovell). Lafayette appealed directly to Washington, and upon July 31, i777. he was appointed by Congress a Major- General. Like Washington, he served without pay. Lafayette, while acting upon Washington's staff, was wounded at Brandywine. Later in the year, at White Marsh, he was given a command of a division whose Commander, General Adam Stephen, had been dismissed from the Army. It must have been inspiring to those who witnessed the "forward march" of the resolute column, which the dashing boy commander led down from the hills of Valley Forge. Barren Hill was reached upon the i8th of May. This expedition narrowly escaped capture upon the morning of the 20th, by a large force of British which approached from two directions. Lafayette succeeded, by almost a miracle, in regaining the west shore of the Schuylkill River, the army at Valley Forge pouring down tumultuously to help him. The column of 5,000 men under General Grant having marched all night from Philadelphia, had gained the rear of Lafayette's camp undiscovered at daybreak. When first observed they were ranged along the Matson's Ford road, the head of the column at the junction with the Ridge Road. The distance from this point to the ford is two miles. It is an equal distance southward to Barren Hill. A body of light cavalry discovered the Americans hastening in disorder across the fields and through the woods toward the ford, which was by this rough "short cut" three miles from Barren Hill. The British commander had only to advance his force down the hill in the direct course of his march to certainly intercept and capture the flying Americans, but once more Fate intervened to assist the cause of Freedom in the person of a thick-headed British general, who insisted upon guiding his sleepy and tired soldiers down the Ridge Road toward the Church at Barren Hill. Probably upon no event during the course of the war did the future history of America depend more truly than upon the decision made, that summer morning, at Harmonville crossroads, and seldom in the history of warfare has a commander been blessed with such unhoped-for "good luck" as attended Lafayette that same morning. Lieutenant John Marshall wrote from Valley Forge of the hard ride of Washington and a large party of officers to a point commanding a view, several miles distant, of the retreat of Lafayette's column at sunrise. 53 Brig. Gen. John Glover Massachusetts Major Gen. Lord Stirling (William Alexander) New Jersey Lieut. John Trumbull Soldier and Artist Pennsylvania Major Gen. Arthur St. Clair Pennsylvania 54 Bridge Over the Valley Stream Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, in command of the Queen's Rangers, led the column of General Grant which was sent out from Philadelphia to cut off the troops of Lafayette, and explains the failure to do so to a halt made due to an uncertainty regarding the proper road. Among the soldiery sent to the Valley Forge Camp from the Northern Army were a considerable party of Oneida Indians. These men were employed largely as scouts. The Oneidas were the only "Nation" of the famed Iroquois Confederation which took sides with the Colonists, the Five "Nations" to the westward, in New York State, having been under the influence of Butler and other Tories, declared for the British. In the ceaseless attrition of outposts and raiding parties these aborigines were doubtless the objects of much wholesome dread upon the part of the predatory enemy. General Greene had been appointed Quartermaster-General in March, much to the advantage of the service. With the preparations for the summer large quantities of new equipment were received and distributed. The army still remained a picturesque thing of patches, but there was an end to inefficiency in the commissary service. Washington's numerous spies in Philadelphia confirmed his own intuitions that the enemy was contemplating a move from a position rapidly becoming untenable. In the patriot camp the warm weather restored the spirits and energies of the soldiers who were constantly drilled, inspected and marched up and down the hills to fit them for battle or the pursuit of the enemy, as the case might require. 55 Headquarters of Brig. Gen. John Knox Headquarters of Major Gen. Baron de Kalb 56 Grave of an Unknown Soldier CHAPTER XIII DEPARTURE OF THE ARMY FROM VALLEY FORGE See Notes upon pages 85 and 86 The movement of the army from Valley Forge began upon June i8th, immediately upon the receipt of news brought by George Roberts that Clinton's forces were leaving Philadelphia, 18,000 strong. Maxwell's brigade was rushed across the country into New Jersey to burn bridges ahead of the slow moving column of the enemy, hampered as it was with many miles of wagons contaming all kinds of plunder and a large number of Tory followers. The army left Valley Forge with such haste that half-baked bread was left in the ovens and the country people found many forgotten implements in the huts. On the 2ist the main army crossed the Delaware River at Coryell's Ferry, and a week later came upon the flanks of the enemy. Then was fought the Battle of Monmouth. We may well imagine the fierce joy with which the Americans, now for the first time the pursuers, and with the memories of Paoli and the sufferings of Valley Forge fresh within them, threw themselves upon the great red serpent of the enemy now crawling painfully across the hot sands of New Jersey toward the sea and safety. It is said that about three thousand Tories left Philadelphia upon the British fleet. Clinton's column was heavily im- peded by not only baggage, but by additional Tory families and their possessions. Extending along the Jersey roads for Lieut. Coi.. Alexander Hamilton many miles it offered an easy mark for the 57 ■'ERT'^' i;iF- I •JulUiat E MAPi ILLUSTRA-TIONJ >■ — n- ^% ^^ _X.^ .A^^A .. J 4. ..u. i..n^»inn nf the outer line Boulevatd and Gulf Road. The National Washington Memorial Arch to cost $,00,000 is bem. erected at '^'^-^^ J;; J^^, „f oiover's Brigade. The Massachusetts Memorial, dedicated June J9th, I9t J, is placed near the abore .n front Mi lence. l3oats may De naa ror rowing upon mc Valley Stream. Meals and lunches are provided for at several places and there is a good pavilion for basket parties. 94 le ni FORGE A Chronicle of American Heroism •MPLETE MAP AN ILLUSTRA'TION Price, 35 cts. net- In Cloth Cover, 50 ots. net. HOW TO REACH VALLEY FORGE Phila. & Reading Ry., Schuylkill Division to Valley Forge Station, 24 miles from Market street Terminal. Single fare, 58 cents; round trip, 94 cents. Rate for 25 or more persons 60 cents. Half fare for children under 12 or over 5 years of age. Excursion rate for parties of 300 or more, 50 cents. Arrange through office of General Passenger Agent, Reading Terminal. Pennsylvania Railroad, Schuylkill Valley Division, to Betzwood Station, opposite to Port Kennedy. Two and a half miles from Valley Forge at Head- quarters, or three fourths of a mile from the outer line Boulevard. Pennsylvania Railroad via main line to Devon Station, three miles S. W. from the entrance to Valley Forge Park at Fort Washington. Carriages may be had by special arrangement at Devon. Automobile parties to Valley Forge leaving the city go (i) via Lancaster Pike or Montgomery Pike to Bryn Mawr and thence via Gulf Mills road past King of Prussia Hotel, turning right at Port Kennedy road, and left at the junction of Outer Line Boulevard; (2) or continue upon Lancaster or Montgomery Pikes to Devon, thence turning right for direct road, to the Reservation via New Centreville. Meals or lunches may be had at: Washington Inn, Valley Forge; Valley Forge Inn; The Mansion House, Valley Forge; The King of Prussia Inn; Devon Inn (closed in winter); Hotel Port Kennedy. IMPORTANT FEATURES TO BE SEEN AT VALLEY FORGE PARK Washington's Headquarters (free). Site of the Forge, half mile up the stream. Inner line of entrenchments extending from near the Schuylkill river to south flank of Mti Joy, about one and a half miles. Fort Huntingdon, three-fourths mile east from Headquarters. Fort Washington, one and a half miles south from Headquarters. Observatory upon the summit of Mt. Joy, free. Old school house, built by Laetitia Penn and used as a hospital in 1778, upon Washington Lane, near Fort Washington. Wayne Equestrian Monument, Outer Line Boulevard two miles south of Headquarters. This splendid bronze was erected by the State of Pennsylvania at a cost of $30,000, under the direction of a special commission composed of Col. John P. Nicholson, Richard M. Cadwallader, Esq., and John A. Herman, Esq. Site of the Star Redoubt and Headquarters of Genl. James M. Varnum of Rhode Island, upon River road one mile east from Headquarters. Waterman Monument, half mile east from Star Redoubt. Colonial Springs and the historic Slab Tavern. Reached by good road up the hill upon west side of Valley stream (see page 96). Visitors welcome. Various reproductions of Continental huts, cannon marking sites of batteries, brigade markers, etc. The headquarters of^ a number of generals are located upon or near the Reservation, but being private property are not usually open to visitors. SLOCUM CO., PRINTERS, 718-72A ARCH ST., PM 1 LAiOEtP^H I A