Class _L_ Book. X CoEyrigM?- COKfRIGHT DEFOSm Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/valleyforgechron02tayl ki^. General George Washington Commander-in-Chief Painted by Col. Trumbull from studies probably made at Valley Forge VALLEY FORGE A Chronicle of American Heroism FRANK H. TAYLOR Author and Illustrator Issued under the direction of The Valley Forge Park Commission JAMES W. NAGLE Publisher 425 Walnut Street Philadelphia '905 LIBRARY of OONGRESS fwo Copies rtecwvea JUN B' 1905 Oopjriiiiii ti'TV 4uvSS Ox AXc. Nm COPY ALFRED M SLOCUM Co Printers J\ PREFACE THE notations employed in this narration are selected from the "Wayne Orderly book," which is deposited in the collection 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. A limited edition of this book was published, recently, under the direction of Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker. Other pul)lications and manuscripts consulted 7- and (|uote(l are, especially, the files of the Pouisylvania Magazine, the original roster of the regiments which were 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, also include many headquarters' buildings from photographs taken by Miss L. A. Sampson, of Berwyn, Pa., and several by Mr. S. R. Fisher, of Norristown, Pa. 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, have 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 mav be convenient for those who are disposed to read these pages. The Author. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. PAGE Valley Forge in 1777 13 CHAPTER H. Impulse of the Valley Forge Centennial ... .... 14 CHAPTER HI. The British Army in Philadelphia 19 CHAPTF:R IV. Occupation of Valley Forge (The Continental Army) . . 22 CHAPTER V. The Commander-in-Chief's Life Guard 29 CHAPTER VT A Word Picture ot the Camp 30 CHAPTER Vn. Quarters of Officers at Valley Forge in 1777-78 .... 34 CHAPTER Vni. Routine of the Camp 38 CHAPTER EX. The Cry of Distress 43 CHAPTER X. The Conway Cabal 49 CHAPTER XL The Oath of Allegiance 49 CHAPTER Xn. The Coming of Baron Steuben 53 CHAPTER Xni. Lee's Return from Captivity 56 CONTENTS.— Continued CHAPTER XIV. P^GE The French Alliance 56 CHAPTER XV. The Marquis de Lafayette 62 CHAPTER XVI. Departure of the Army from Valley Forge 65 CHAPTER XVII. Some Who Served at Valley Forge 66 CHAPTER XVIII. Valley Forge in After Years 66 CHAPTER XIX. The Tribute ot a British Officer 69 EXPLANATORY NOTP:S 71 Regiments and other Organizations, Revolutionary Army of 1778 loi Record of the British Troops in Philadelphia Occu- pation 103 The Hessian Contingent in America 109 The Loyalists and What Became of Them 109 The Cost of the War 1 1 o Total Number of Those Who Served in the American Army no PRESENT COMMISSIONERS lOHN W. WOODSIDE, President W. H. Sayen, Vice-President Edward A. Price, Treasurer, Media, Pa. Henry A. Muhlenberg, Reading, Pa. Samuel S. HARTRANFT, Lebanon, Pa. J. P. Hale Jenkins, Norristown, Pa. M. G. Rrumeaugh, Philadelpliia, Pa. John P. Nicholson, Philadelphia, Pa. WM. A. PATTON, Philadelphia, Pa. A. H BOWEN, Secretary, 112 S. 2d St., Philada., THE VALLEY FORGE PARK COMMISSION " To acquire, maintain, and preserve forever The Revolutionary CAMP GROUND at Valley Forge, for the free enjoyment of the people of the State." The Commissioners met for organization upon June 17, 1893, in Philadelphia. Soon afterward Prof. Lewis M. Haupt, official engineer, made a complete survey of the camp site. The work of securing the desired lands was then commenced. This was finally accomplished, chiefly by compromise between the valua- tions made by the jurors and those named by the owners. The average price paid was $135.94 per acre. In the process of thus securing title several owners contested the awards while, upon the other hand, in one instance, that of the heirs of Jacob Vogdes, the land was donated to the State. The land secured at the end of 1896 aggregated two hundred and thirty-three acres. Since that year further tracts have been ptirchased, the whole at the present time amounting to about four hundred acres. The amount expended to the end of 1904, since the beginning of the work, aggregates $116,000. At its last session the Pennsylvania Legislatm^e appropriated for the further work proposed the sum of $115,815 and the further sum of $30,000 for an equestrian statue of General Wayne, which will probably be located upon the site of the cantonment of the Pennsylvania troops. The Commission has performed a vast amoiuit of detail work in the course of the dozen years of its existence and has been ably sustained and aided by the successive Governors and the legislators, but by none so effectually and earnestly as by our present Governor, the Hon. Sanuiel W. Pennypacker, whose interest in the subject has been constant from the beginning. The physical work already done upon the field is fully set forth in the following pages. THE SONG OF VALLEY FORGE "We go with the axe our huts to raise, And then to creep to the camp-tire'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 Rcvohition. CHAPTER I. VALLEY FORGE IN SEVENTEEN SEVENTY-SEVEN 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 a few years later. He also concludes that it was situated upon the eastern side of the stream. It was commonly called 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. The forge was owned by William Dewees, a colonel of militia. Information having reached the British officers that a quantity of ordnance stores and flour intended for the Continental army were stored here, the enemy burned the lower mills and the house of Colonel Dewees during the march of the British column through this section in September, 1777.^ The forge was not burned. It was from this forge that many a camp-oven w^as 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 element, 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 dis- astrous battle of Germantown. 13 General Howe, with an army of 18,000 veteran troops, was securely lodged in the comfortable city of Philadelphia, with no apparent idea of leaving until the winter was passed.'' 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 sulTered 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 mis- ery of the time than the fact that no accurate or even approxi- mate 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 is known by name and sleeps in an identified grave.* For a century the scene of this encampment remained without dedication to the sacred memory of these heroes. CHAPTER II. IMPULSE OF THE VALIEY FORGE CENTENNIAL In 1878 the centennial of the withdrawal of the army from Valley Forge was celebrated by the presence of the Pennsyl- vania 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 Washington 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 14 'jy.i'.Ms-T <-/ "-■^,:s*a« 15 May 30, 1893, to carry into effect its purpose to acquire, by the State of Pennsylvania, "a certain ground at Valley Forge for a public park." In the course of the eleven years which have followed, the Commission has purchased about 400 acres of ground, mcluding nearly all essential territory requisite to the preservation of ex- isting defensive works and the location and marking of all por- tions of the encampment. The old public roads traversing the scene have been improved, and several miles of park drives have been completed, the latter following parallel with the interior line of defense.'^ Further purchases and drives are projected which will give access to the line of the main camp as far as Trout Run, some two miles to the eastward of Vallev Forge stream. The forest has been cleared of underbrush and the visible entrenchment line has been safeguarded. Such redoubts as originally existed along the front of the main camp and upon the elevations near the river have long since disappeared through the action of the elements and by the plow, but the upper works, protected by a thick growth of timber, have remained in a remarkably well-preserved condition. A number of substantial old farm houses upon the reservation or in the vicinity, which were used by the several general officers as headquarters, also exist in much the same condition as they were during the Revolution. 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 precipitous 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 Huntingdon redoubt, stands the shaft marking the grave of John Waterman, of Rhode Island, Commissary in Var- num'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., of Phila- delphia, making the address. Many costly monuments erected by the original thirteen States will eventually punctuate the most interesting points of the scene.'' 16 Pf.nnsylvania fs. _^ ~ voluntarily inliftcd a Soldier, until the Firft Day of January. 1778, imlefs fooner difcharged, in the Troops ordered to be railed by the A.ffem- b]y of Pcnnfylvania, and fubjeding myfelf to fuch Rules and Articles, as are or fhall be made or direded by the faid Affen;-. bly, for regulating and governing the faid Troops, —do hereby folemnly promife and #>^^'*5*-^ that, in this Service, I will truly and faithfully obey the prefent and any Affembly of this Colony, and, in their Recefs, any Committee of Safety, by them ap- pointed for the Time being, and, in Purfuance of their J3irec- tion and Command, fuch Officers as fhall be placed in Authority over me; — and that I will, to the utmofl of my Power, defend the Rights and Liberties of this Province, and of America in general, and will oppofe and refift any Force or Enemies- ;hat lliail ad, or be employed, againf^ them. So help me -;J>'-*'' - „:'m/^7'7„- before me ■ y-yy^y^ Enlistment Form of 1776 17 Monument at the Grave ok John Waterj CHAPTER III. THE BRITISH ARMY IN PHILADELPHIA A clear understanding of the causes which finally led to the selection of this place as the winter refuge of the army requires the recital of the events immediately preceding its occupation. Upon October 19, 1777, Sir William Howe moved his forces into the city of Philadelphia. The nervous suspense of the inhabit- ants 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 fol- lowed by a column of the grenadiers, brilliant in their red coats, red caps, fronted wnth silver shields, and white leggings. Lord Cornwallis and his staff in the lead. Riding with them, their faces doubtless reflecting their sense of triumph, were five civilians — Joseph Galloway, 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 mercen- aries 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 entrench- ment was run from 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 Campingtown, 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 19 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 (pro- vincials) 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 de- toured into South Jersey to obtain cattle, in which he was suc- cessful. 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 Alawa'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 con- ciliatory and there was little of malicious destruction. Money and the essentials of life were plenty, and some occupations flourished to an unusual degree.^'' 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 recommenda- tions since the commencement of my command, I am led to hope that I may be relieved from this verv 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 per- mission to resign." It should be recorded that this peevish letter gave occasion for great astonishment to the home authorities which had diligently promoted the means for sustaining 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 appearance" in Philadelphia at this historic fete, with its mediaeval follies and flamboyant, "Thy laurels are immortal," set all of Great Britain astir with sardonic laug'hter, followed, after his arrival home, by a stormv 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 quar- ters for the British army at Philadelphia." CHAPTER IV. OCCUPATION OF VALLEY FORGE THE CONTINENTAL ARMY 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 3000 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 portion of the forest CQ 2 Pi C Z 5 t o 23 Photr. l,y S. R. Fisher Hkauijl ARii.KS, \'ali.i;\ Forge Office Room, Showing Part of Secret Panel in Window Seat 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 build- ing the huts"- and it was probably upon Christmas Day that he accepted the invitation of Isaac Potts, the miller and the min- ister 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 difit'erent and continual movements of the army from Germantown Sept. 15 till we hutted at Valley Forge the 25th of Dec. pr. men, $1037.00 or £78.10.''-" 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, 1776, eighty-eight battalions of eight companies each were to be en- 24 ^-^^^^::^^^:^,;^:^fe^. Td'^iJ'' *i^(3^ oZe-<:yT.£2^ J^^^^ .>^..^ .=^^:^^- - ^d.yi-'-i^ ^^<^-^\^ <:k.^t^ - ?7^S^' ^^-^^ -7,^ ^ /<^ s- s- Page from Washington's Ledger CoNTAiNrNc Valley Forge Entry 25 b. R Usher Headquarters, Valley Forge — Hall and Stairway listed for three years "or the war." In these new organizations the greater part of the one-year men re-enhsted. These new regiments were styled the Continental Line and were appor- tioned to the several States as follows: New Hampshire, three regiments; Massachusetts, fifteen regi- ments; Rhode Island, two regiments; Connecticut, eight regi- ments; New York, four regiments; New Jersey, four regiments; Pennsylvania, twelve regiments; Delaware, one regiment; Mary- land, eight regiments; Virginia, fifteen regiments; North Car- olina, 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 ol^cially known l)y their numbers and States they were more commonly designated by the name of their respective col- onels. This practice is followed in the list of ofificers which sub- scribed 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 con- tains the names of two Canadian regiments. 26 H o oi J D O s 27 Headquarters, Valley Forge — Parlor 111 the spring- of 1778 Congress authorized new regiments of sappers and miners. At the time of Washington's occupation of the Potts residence his military family consisted of the following persons: Robert H. Harrison, Secretary, Alay 16, 1776, to ^larch 25, 1782; Tench Tilghman, A^olunteer Secretary and A. D. C, August 8, 1776, to December zt,, 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 2y, 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. With the exception of Captain Gibbs and Lafayette these at- taches 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. 28 Hkauquarters, VALLE^• FoRfiE — (Jffice Room, Showing I^ntrance ro 1'kivaie Exit 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 ofificer in this camp. The Marquis de Lafayette was given a Division in the spring. Colonel Alexander Scammel, Adjutant General, was doubtless considered a member of Washington's military family. It is said that Scanunel was the only man in the army who could make Washington laugh. CHAPTER V. THE COMMANDER IN-CHIEF'S LIFE GUARD Captain Gibbs was promoted Alajor and Henry Philip Livings- ton became Captain of the Life Guard in the following December. Captain Gibbs acted as disbursing officer for General Wash- ington'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, 29 1776. For this purpose four meu carefully selected from each reg-iment were detailed to this duty. Caleb Gibbs, of Massa- chusetts, became Captain, and George Lewis, of A^rginia, a nephew of General Washington, was appointed Lieutenant. The corps numbered sixtv 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 L-ishman named Hickey, was hanged in consequence. The guard, as reorgan- ized, May I, 1777, at Morristown, numbered fifty-six men, exclusive of officers. This body was eciuipped 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 1)y General Lach- lin Mcintosh, of Georgia, occupied the hill to the left of Headquarters. General McLitosh succeeded- Gen- eral Francis Nash, who died from wounds received at the Battle of Germantown.-" This Brigade was in close touch with Headquarters. Life CHAPTER VI. A WORD PICTURE OF THE CAMP Probably the most effective existing word picture of the scene, when the camp had been established, is to be found in the memor- able address of that talented young Philadelphian, Henry Armitt Brown, Esq., delivered at the centennial celebration of the de- parture of the army from the camp.-^ "These are the huts of Huntington's Brigade, of the Con- necticut line; next to it those of \ Pennsvlvanians under Con- /A ' way. This is the L-ish-French- (s) man, soon to disappear in a disgracefvd intrigue. Here in the camp there are many who whisper that he is a mere ad- ^r, venturer, but in Congress they 1 1 ";< still think him a great military | ^ \ ^'' character. Down toward Head- ^^-k < quarters are the Southerners, "I ^- ONQuf c} 30 ^^^f. ! Flag of the Life Guards Maj. Gen. Lord Stirling Brig. Gkn. Peter Muhlenberg Brig. Gen. William Smallwood {rig. Gen. Jed. Huntington 31 Home of David Stevens Headquarters of Gen. Jas. M. Varnum 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- 32 Brigadier General Anthony Wayne 33 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 Vir- ginia 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 butr and blue of a 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 Brandy wine. 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. The fol- lowing, as far as known, were their assignments: CHAPTER VII. QUARTERS OF OFFICERS AT VALLEY FORGE IN SEVENTEEN SEVENTY-SEVEN AND SEVENTY-EIGHT NAME OK OFFICER. OWNER's NAME. 1777-/8. OWNEr's NAME, 1898. Gen. George Washington. Isaac Potts Valley Forge Centennial Association. (Original iionse.) Gen. Thomas Bradford. Commissary Officer to prisoners David Havard... A. J. Cassatt.^s (Original house.) Brig. Gen. Harry Lee and Gen Lord Stirlmg. Rev. Dr. Currie.. Llenry S. Evans. (Original house.) Marquis de Lafayette.... Sam'l Havard.... Harry Wilson. (Original house.) Brig. Gen.Wm. Woodford and Brig. Gen. Count Louis Chevalier Duportail, John Havard.... Lawrence McCormick. (Original house.) 34 I "If I f '^^ 'y^^J ^^ Headquarters Gen. Jed. Huntington Headquarters Gen. Peter Muhlenberg 35 NAME OF OFFICER. OWNER's NAME, 1777-78. OWNEr's NAME, 1898. Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne Joseph Walker... W. H. Walker. (Original house.) Brig. Gen. Enoch Poor. . . Count Pulaski John Beaver, tenant Francis R. Wood. (It is thought that this property belonged to Rev. Dr. Currie.) (Original house remodeled.) Brig. Gen. Henry Knox. . Sam'l Brown.... Estate Mr. Matthews. (Original house.) Brig. Gen. Jas. M.Varnum . David Stevens ... Estate Wm. Stevens. (Original house.) Brig. Gen. Jed. Huntington Maurice Stevens. . C. M. Todd. Brig. Gen. Danl. Morgan. Mordecai Moore. . F. R. Andrews. (A commissary was also quartered here.) (Original house.) Brig. Gen. Peter Muhlen- berg John Moore Estate Edwin Moore. (Original house.) Brig. Gen. Geo. Weedon,and afterward Baron DeKalb Abijah Stevens . . . Abraham Fisher. (Original house stood nearer the creek.) (Dubuyson, French nfficer, lived in a cave in present yard.) Maj. Gen. John Sullivan . . Thomas Waters.. Estate Mordecai Davis. (Original house stood nearer the creek.) Brig. Gen. Potter T. Waters, owner. . Estate Harvard Walker. Wm. Godfrey, Tenant (Original house 40 yds. N. W. of present one.) Brig. Gen. Thos. Mifflin. . . Jacob Walker. . . Estate David Abrahams. (Original house.) Maj. Gen. Nathan'l Greene Isaac Walker J. R. Walker. (Modern house now on or near site of original.) Brig. Gen. L. Mcintosh. . . Joseph Mann.... Site not positively known. (Colored.) Brig. Gen. Charles Scott. . Sam'l Jones Abram Latch. (Original house.) Provost Guard Isaac Matson (Now part of the property of C. M. Todd, near Port Kennedy.) 36 Brig. Gen. Henry Knox Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan 3rig. Gen. Lachlan McIntosh 3rig. Gkn. Chas. Scott Z7 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 thus became, with their staffs, enforced members of the country families proved agree- able and considerate guests. It is known that long after the close of the Valley Forge en- campment letters of a most friendly character were exchanged by some of the Generals and the Valley Forge families.'^* CHAPTER VIII. ROUTINE OF THE CAMP While the army was pushing the work of housing itself, the engineer corps was planning the earthworks which were to pro- tect 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.""^ Hume oi Joseph Wai-K1-:r Headquarters of Gen. Anthony Wayne 38 ^ft>t ./% ' 3rig. Gen. Count Louis L. Duportail. Engineer of the Defenses. 39 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 sea- son 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. It is not to be supposed that having completed their log encampment, the army lapsed into idle- ness ; 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 cav- alry, a constant scouring of the country toward the city, with countless brushes with the out- posts of the enemy. Drilling and the regulation routine was carried on daily. The Christmas holidays in this camp were anything but festive. Upon Christmas morn- mg twelve men from each brigade were as- sembled upon the parade with ammunition and rations, who were dispatched with wagons to 40 An Officer of Dragoons Headijuarters Maj. C.i:n. Lord Stirling Headquarters Maj. Gen. Marquis de Lafayette 41 bring in supplies of flour, grain, cattle and pork/'' Unfortu- nately, shoals of loose soldiery had marauded the country ahead of them, abusing and robbing Tory and patriot ahke. 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 coming 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 ofBcers 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 Quarter- masters 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. These 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 Pennsyl- vanians, especially many of the officers, were far from being destitute.^^ Between December 22d and January 28th Washington wrote five appeals to Congress for help. The last of this series of let- ters was a lengthy statement written for the use of a Congres- sional Committee then visiting the camp. This Committee was composed of Francis Dana, Joseph Reed, Nathaniel Folsoni, John Harvie, Charles Carroll and Gouverneur Morris. The Committee remained here nearly three months, occupying a house two miles west from the camp, known as "Moore Hall,"' which is still existent. Lieutenant with asponton 42 CHAPTER IX. THE CRY OF DISTRESS Whatever may have been the disposition of its individual mem- bers to afford effective rehef to the suffering soldiers, Congress had not the initiative power to do more than make representa- tions to the States in behalf of their respective brigades. As a matter of fact, the body at York was but the shadow of a gov- ernment. Among the unwise measures to which its delibera- tions had given birth, that which detached the Commissary De- partment from the control of the commanding General was prob- ably 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 w-hich 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 statesmen 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 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 Phila- delphia. Under the direction of General Sullivan a log bridge was con- structed 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 foot- prints left by the shoeless soldiers who marched upon duty here.^'^ Long before the date of its migration from Camp Hill to Val- ley Forge the commands w'cre very generally destitute of proper clothing, the uniforms and blankets^' being worn out with use. The resources of the country were inadequate to the prol^lem^ 43 Home of Samuel Brown Headqx'arters of Gen. HENR^• Knox 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, 3989 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 that "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 1 6th of February Washington wrote to Governor Clin- ton: "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 44 Major Gen. Nathaniel Greene 45 HoMK OH Abijah StEVIiNS Headquarters of Baron de Kalb they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery that they have not been, ere this, ex- cited 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 obtain provisions nor any means of transport."^- One month after arrival at Valley Forge, Washington issued a proclamation recjuiring 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 lo. She records the fact that the General's apartment is small and that he has had l)uilt a log structure in which to take their meals."* At the beginning of February, 1778, 4000 men were excused from duty, being naked and unable to leave the huts. At the end of the month only 5000 effectives were found in the camp. Food 46 Maj. Gen. Arthi'r St. Clair Lieut. Col. Alexander Hamilton Brig. Gen. Enoch Poor Brio. Gen. George Weedon 47 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 suc- ceeded in getting their grain and other foods to the British Com- missaries were paid a good price in gold."^ 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 decidedly bad at 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 ])rovisions and with prudent management we need not apprehend want for any length of time. Defects in the Commissaries Department, Con- tingencies 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 undoubt- edly 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 certain. Washington was especially annoyed with the intercourse between the members of the sect of "Friends." Upon March 20th, Washington 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. ^^ CHAPTER X. THE CONWAY CABAL In his own camp, for a considerable time, unknown to Wash- ington, a conspiracy, which history has designated as the "Con- way Cabal," was fomented for the purpose of displacing the Gen- eral in command with Gates, the captor of Burgoyne. In this cabal were General Conway, "° an Irish "soldier of fortune," to- gether with Mifflin, Wilkinson, James Lovell, Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee, each of whom had some personal grudge against Washington. The conspiracy was well entrenched be- hind Congress, Gates being president of the Board of War, of which Mifflin, the Quartermaster General, was a member. James Lovell, Delegate from Massachusetts, who had rebuffed Lafay- ette the year before, was also, it is said, interested in the move- ment. General Gates gained much credit at Saratoga for deeds actually done by Morgan and Arnold. -•'' He had withheld his army from giving desired assistance to W^ashington, and generally em- phasized his dislike of the commanding General. It was with difficulty that Washington secured the return of Morgan's Rifle Corps and Glover's brigade, w'hich he had loaned to the North- ern army to assist in opposing Burgoyne. The movement failed, as it deserved to do, and the Father of his country con- tinued 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 administered to all of^cers. This oath was taken by about eleven hundred officers, of whom all except about one hundred were at Valley Forge. The list, which may be seen at the rooms of the Historical Society, is a key to all officers wdio were at Valley Forge at that time. CHAPTER XI. THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE "I do acknowledge the United States of America to be free, independent and sovereign States and declare that the people thereof owe 49 '"^ do -dcfenowledge the UNITED STATES of AME- RICA, to be Free, Independent and Sovereign States, and declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedi- ence to George the Third, King of Great-Britain; and I re- Roance, refufe^nd abjure any allegiance or obedience to him ; and I do ^M'^^^y^ ■ — ■ that I will to the utmoft of iny power, fupportj, maintain and defend the faid United Smes, againft the faid King George the Third, hb heirs and ftt«:eibrs and- his and their abettors, affiftants and adherents, and will ferve the faid United States in the office of - /U^*-erv ^^-^t^^^y^^ --- — ~'^' which I now hold with fidelity, ^according to the beii of my ii.;;l and underftanding. Oath of Allegiance, Signed by Gen. Arthur St. Clair (Original in possession of Mr. David K, Boyd, St. Davids, Pa.) no allegiance or obedience to George the 3d, King of Great Britain, and I renounce, repulse, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him, and do swear or affirm that I will to utmost of my power support, sustain and defend the said United "States against the said George 3d and his heirs and successors and his other abettors, assistants and adherents, and will serve the said United States in the office of wdiich I now hold, with fidelity and according to the best of my ability and understanding." This 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. Washington's marked preference for the foreign offtcers cer- tainly bred heart-burnings among his native brigadiers and, in fact, with the officers generally."- Many of the Frenchmen as- sumed 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 Frenchmen was, how^ever, to finally justify his patience and good sense. 50 J ^ .,..*■..,,». .^cA&AA..g;j*««.«^ \ ) i ^^'i 52 CHAPTER XII. THE COMING OF BARON 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 WiUiam 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 army. He had served upon the staff of Frederick the Great, had been grand marshal of the Prince Hohen-Zollern-Hechingen, and was a traveler of distinction. At Paris he 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 secre- tary, going thence to Valley Forge. This was the beginning of sal- vation. Within a few days Wash- ington had found the work for the old disciplinarian. He was an- nounced 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 father- land.*'* Benj, Franklin In addition to the universal epi- ^lilef Commissioner to France demic of colds, small-pox 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 affixed their signatures to the defiant Declaration of Independence, were now largely replaced in Congress bv those of smaller calibre and less exalted ideals. Regarding them, Liv- ingston wrote in this severe strain: "I am so discouraged by our public mismanagement, and the additional load of business thrown upon me by the villany of those who pursue nothing but accumulating fortunes to the ruin of their country that I almost sink under it." 53 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 pro- tection of their property when the national project came to its impending end. In one of his letters to Congress from Valley Forge Washington called atten- tion to the fact that within a half year not 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 hold- ing 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 fim in the camps, for the American soldier must laugh some- times, and there seems to have been the then 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 Eng- lish 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 proclamations 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. '^^ 54 Major Gen. Frederick William von Steuben 55 Washington continued to anticipate, day by day, definite news of a favorable nature from France. Anticipating possible delay or failure in this quarter, Washington had already been author- ized by Congress to requisition Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia for 5000 militia. CHAPTER XIII. LEE'S RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY 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 Conmiander in Chief made him his per- sonal guest and entertained him at a splendid dinner. 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. '- By his orders April 22d 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 coast to the inland hills it came to the knowledge of Washington upon May day. One week later he issued the following general order: CHAPTER XIV. THE FRENCH ALLIANCE "It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to defend the course of the United States, and finall\- raise up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish our Liberty and Lidependence upon a lasting foundation, it be- comes 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 informa- tion contained in the postscript of the Pennsylvania Gazette of the 2d instant, and offer up a thanksgiving and deliver a dis- course suitable to the event. At half-past ten o'clock a can- non will be fired which is to be a 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 in- structions given them, and announce to the commanding officers of the brigade that the battalions are formed. The com- 56 Inspector General Baron Steuben at Valley Forge 57 manders of brigades will then appoint the field officers to the battalions, 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 l)y 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 sec- ond 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 run- ning fire, and a 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 Ameriean Statesy The Commander - in - Chief and staff were the guests of the Jersey troops during the religious services of the day,'''' after which the gen- eral officers of the command joined him at the Potts mansion, whereat vvas 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 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. Official confirmation of the great fact that Benjamin Franklin and his associate Commissioners had succeeded in LlELT l()ll\ 1 kl Mi:Ul L Soldier and Artist 58 Headquarters of Maj. Gen Thomas Miffi.tn Ijjnii! ^^^ HEADQLAklkks CrK,. Gen. LuUiS L. Dll'(jRIAIL 59 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 tav- erns, except a few under special license, within a wide territory around the camp, were prohibited from selling anything drink- able. 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 Ofhcers. Spring found the camps still destitute of blankets and cloth- ing, those best provided having come hither from the North- ern 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 nuid was removed from between the logs to afford ventilation, and details were paraded for loathing 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 3 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 shortcomings were not tolerated in either officer or man. Washington's spies warned him soon after the announce- ment of the French Alliance that there were evidences of activi- ties 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 Conti- nental force numbered 15,000, not including horse and artil- lery, and that of this number 11,800 were at Valley Forge, the remainder beine at Wilmineton and on the North River. 60 6i CHAPTER XV. THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE 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 conniiand of a picked force of 2500 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 ofificers. The leaky ship in which they ventured narrowly escaped wreck upon the South Carolina Coast.'* After a long journey through the Southern forests to Phila- delphia, Lafayette and his associates were met with a cold re- buff from a consequential chairman of the Committee of Congress on Foreign Affairs (Lovell). Lafayette appealed directly to Washington, and upon July 31, 1777, he was ap- pointed 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 "for- ward 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 re- gaining the west shore of the Schuylkill River, the army at Valley Forge pouring down tumultuously to help him. The column of 5000 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 colunm 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 62 Maj. Gen. Paul J. G. de M. Lafayette 63 Barren Hill. A body of light cavalry discovered the Americans hastening in disorder across the fields and through the woods to- ward 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 cer- tainly intercept and capture the laying 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 sleepv 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 cross- roads, and seldom in the history of warfare has a commander been blessed w^ith 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. Elijah Fisher, private of the Life Guards, reports that Lafayette returned to Barren Hill the next day, but did not remain there. '^^ 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 regard- ing the proper road. Among the soldiery sent to the Valley Forge Camp from the Northern Army were a considerable party of Oneida Lidians. 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 Quarter Master 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. 64 CHAPTER XVI DEPARTURE OF THE ARMY FROM VALLEY FORGE The departure of the army from V^alley 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 Xew Jersey to burn bridges ahead of the slow moving column of the enemy, hampered as it was with many miles of wagons containing all kinds of plunder and a large number of Tory followers. The army left Vallev 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 2 1 St 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 them- selves upon the great red serpent of the enemy now crawling pain- fully 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 impeded by not only baggage, but l)y the Tory families and their pos- sessions. Extending along the Jersey roads for many miles it offered an easy mark for the Continentals. General Charles Lee, whose strange behavior at Monmouth brought upon him the wrath of Washington and deprived the patriots of a decisive victory, was proven nearly eighty years after the event to have been a traitor and a tool of the enemy. '^ Brig. Gen. J.-\mes M. Varkum 65 The number of structures erect- ,• ed by the army at Valley Forge '' ^ ' must have been fully one thousand. A-Iany of these were used by the country people for firewood in the course of years, but many others stood until they crumbled to the earth in decay. Some, it is said, were occupied as homes by the country people. There are some excavations upon the field which Brig. Gen. John Glover were burrowed Under the huts, but the evidence of structures has long since disappeared. CHAPTER XVII. SOME WHO SERVED AT VALLEY FORGE ■ Many men served at Valley Forge who afterwards became leaders of the nation. Alexander Hamilton was aide to Wash- ineton. Aaron Burr, then twenty-two vears old, was Lieu- tenant Colonel of a regiment (Malcolm's) in Varnum's Brigade. *° Colonel Trumbull, aide to Washington, became, afterward, a great historical painter. John Marshall, in the infantry, lived to become Chief Justice. James Madison is said to have also been a private in the infantry. James Monroe was upon the stafY of General Lord Stirling.^^ Charles Wilson Peale, Captain of a Philadelphia company in the camp, painted Washington's portrait while there. CHAPTER XVIII. VALLEY FORGE IN AFTER YEARS The army turned its back upon a ruined region, fences, forests, farm animals, domestic utensils, all had disappeared. Li payment for their suppUes and toil the residents held only wads of dirty 66 HKADQUARrtiRS BkK... liEN. ThOS. BrAUFOKI> Hp:adquarters Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan 67 Continental script, which was afterward repudiated by the gov- ernment without a shadow of justice. Where the blare of the trumpet or the roll of the funeral drums had echoed, where fires had glowed along the hills at night, silence and desola- tion reigned.®^ It was only after a generation that the people roundabout fully recovered from the iron heel of war. In course of time a new forge was built in the valley further down the stream, and again Mount Misery and Mount Joy echoed the cheerful sounds of iron-working, but in 1790 Colonel Dewees failed. In one of the several old army buildings left beside the stream John and Isaac Potts started a slitting mill. In 1814 the property was bought by John Rogers and Joshua Malin. In 1820 a three-story stone mill was built, where saws were made by James Wood. Later, an English gunsmith made muskets here to the number of 20,000. Two additional floors were added. The building became a cotton factory in 1830 and was used during the civil war in making army cloth. About 1794 the Headquarters Mansion was sold by Isaac Potts to Jacob Paul of Germantown, whose family lived there until 1826. It was then bought by a co-operative community from Scotland, upon the failure of which James Jones, one of its members, accpired it and occupied the place until 1850 or later. (Woodman's History of Valley Forge.) Washington visited the old camp ground in 1787,^" and it is stated by Woodman in his history that in the summer of 1796 he again came, one day, accompanied only by a negro servant and walked over the hills of Valley Forge, conversing with per- sons he met, one of whom was the historian's father. Doubtless many others of those who dwelt here in the winter of our darkest days as a young nation, also revisited the spot with emotions of both sadness and triumph as long as veterans of the Revolution continued to live, but in course of time a busy nation all but forgot Valley Forge and its heroic story, until now, in these days of prosperity, it is being set in order by those who cherish our history, that its sacred acres may be forever a beautiful memorial of human suffering, endurance and triumph. 68 CHAPTER XIX THE TRIBUTE OF A BRITISH OFFICER Eleven years after the close of the war, Stednian, the English historian of the struggle, himself a soldier under Howe, Clinton and Cornwallis, had the courage to conclude his two volumes (quoted upon other pages of this book) with the following im- partial summary. "While the natural strength and spirit of Great Britain were embarrassed and encumbered with the disadvantages and errors now enumerated, the Americans, in spite of a thousand diffi- culties and wants, by the energy of liberty, the contrivance of necessity, and the great advantages arising from the possession of the country, ultimately attained their object. The xA.mericans indeed were not fired with that enthusiastic ardour which nations of a warmer temperament, in all ages, have been wont to display in the cause of freedom. But they were guided by wise councils, thev were steady and persevering, and, on all great occasions, not a little animated by the courage of General Washington, who has been proverbally called a Fabius, but in whose character courage, in fact was a feature still more predominant than pru- dence. The American generals, having the bulk of the people on their side, were made acquainted with every movement of the British army and enabled, for the most part, to penetrate their designs: To obtain intelligence, on which so much depends, was to the British commanders a matter of proportionable difificulty. The Americans had neither money nor credit: But they learned to stand in need only of a few things; to be contented with the small allowance that nature requires: to suffer as well as to act. Their councils, animated by liberty, under the most distressing circumstances, took a grand and high-spirited course, and they were finally triumphant.®* "The Revolution in America, though predicted by philosophy, was generally considered as a remote contingency, if not a thing wholly ideal and visionary. Its immediate causes were alto- gether unforeseen and improbable. It came as a surprise upon the world: and men were obliged to conclude, either that the force of Great Britain was ill-directed, or that no invading army, in the present enlightened period, can be successful where the people are tolerably united." 70 EXPLANATORY NOTES 7t December 19, 1777 TO June 18, 1778 72 EXPLANATORY NOTES I.— The British at Valley Forge Sept i8 1777 A man sent out discovered upwards of 3800 Barrels of Flour, Soap and Candles, 25 Barrels of Horse Shoes, several thousands of tomahawks and Kettles, and Intrenching Tools and 20 Hogsheads of Resin in a Barn 3 miles from here at the Valley Forge. Sept. 20th 1777. Weather extremely fine. At 2 o'clock in the morning the guards moved and posted themselves with the Light Infantry at the Valley Forge. Waggons employed in carrying of¥ from the magazine there the rebel stores. This morning at 5 the rebel centries fired on the guards who took the whole. They slightly wounded one of our officers. — Journal of Capt. John Montressor, Chief Engineer British Army. (This was the night of the Paoli massacre.) Upon September 21st, 1777, 14,000 British troops were camped along the road from Fountain Inn to the Fatland ford. The soldiers plundered all the houses and barns in the vicinity. Sept. 2ist 1777 At 5 this morning the Army moved, marched to the Valley Forge and 2 miles more to Moor Hall making 5 miles and there camped. We found the houses full of military stores. Journal of Capt. John Montressor, Chief Engineer British Army. ''The elegant seat of the late William Moore, Esq., near 600 acres, a very valuable grist mill; the River Schuylkill which bounds the lands for some distance atifords a great shad fishery during the season." — Rental adver., 1783. Among the active irregular troops in the British service in front of Philadelphia, the Queen's Rangers, a regiment composed of loyalists, was sometimes troublesome. They were commanded by Lieut. Col. J. G. Simcoe, an English officer of enterprise, whose story of the achievements of his command in America was published for the edification of his friends in England and reprinted in 1844. The Rangers were among the soldiery upon this march and they probably burned the Valley Forge mills, as Simcoe claims to have occupied the Potts residence before Washington selected it as his headquarters. The army bakers lepaired the ruins of Col. Dewee's house and built their ovens in the basement. This structure forms a part of the exist- ing Washington Inn. Many of the country people baked bread for the camp upon the basis of a pound of bread for a pound of flour. 2. — The Ruin of the Forge Wayne Orderly book, April 29th 1778. "Complaint having been made by Mr. Dewees, the proprietor of the Valley Forge that the Soldiers pull down the houses and break up the Fore Bay of which is called the Valley Forge the Commander-in-Chief strictly forbids all Persons from Further Damages to the said Buildings and Works, which he hopes will be particularly attended to especially when they consider the great loss that Mr. Dewees has already suffered by the great Waste which our Army has been under the Necessity of Committing upon the Wood and other improvements." 3. — Strength of the Enemy Howe's whole command in America is said to be — i6th & 17th Regts of Light Dragoons, i Brigade of Guards, 5 Com- panies of Artillery, 9 Regiments of Foot, 2 Battalions of Marines — British. 7Z 2 Companies of Chasseurs, i8 Regts of Foot, i Regt Artillery — Hessians. Ships — so to 28 guns, 34; 20 to 10 guns, 22; Bombs, 2; Armed vessels, 10. James Lovell, letter of Sept. 17th 1777 4. — Where Southern Soldiers Rest It is said that upon the north side of ''rear-line hill," which must have been in the vicinity of Mcintosh's command, a large number of skeletons of soldiers were exposed to view by the washing away of the ground years after the camp was abandoned, and it is also affirmed that those buried there were Southern soldiers. 5 — The Semi-Centennial The first recorded suggestion looking toward the preservation of the Valley Forge encampment ground by the public authorities was made at the semi-centennial celebration held here in the summer of 1828. The Valley Forge Headquarters' building was dedicated by the Cen- tennial Association of Valley Forge, upon June 19th, 1879. The paid admissions at the building in the year 1903 were 11,974. The present caretaker at the Washington Headquarters is Ellis L. Hampton. 6. — The Road in the Valley The pleasant road beside the valley stream did not exist prior to 1830, about which year it was constructed by Colonel George W. Holstein, Supervisor of Upper Merion. The spring along this road was probably unknown at the time of the encampment. 7. — Death of John Waterman ■Q^^^ gij. Camp Valley Forge, Apl 24th 1778 Captain Tew and myself arrived safe to post the 22d inst., found the encampment in perfect tranquility and the enemy peacable in their quarters. Am sorry to inform you that yesterday died of a short illness that worthy gentleman John Waterman Esqr. Commissary of our brigade. Humble servant (Rhode Island Continental Line) William Allen. It is an interesting fact that four officers in the army bore the name of John Waterman; all were from New England. A short distance beyond the Star Redoubt and upon elevated ground adjoining the still visible cellars of the huts occupied by officers of the Continental Army, the Washington Memorial Chapel is in process of erection, under the direction of the Norristown Convocation of the Protestant Episcopal Church. This mission house has been prompted by patriotic sentiments and will, when completed, form a striking and beautiful feature of the picturesque and inspiring scene. 8. — Philadelphia Tories of Note The three sons of Chief Justice Allen, of Philadelphia, members of a wealthy and prominent family, were originally inclined to the patriot side. In 1774 Andrew Allen was First Lieutenant in the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, from which he resigned, William was a Lieut. Colonel in a Pennsylvania Regiment on duty in the North under St. Clair. Both brothers sought the protection of Howe, and the third was placed under surveillance by the American authorities. William, recruited a Loyalist regiment. James Allen died Sept. 19th 1778. Enoch Story was appointed by Howe Inspector of Prohibited goods, but in the course of the year departed for England. 74 Old Mill, Valley Forge Washington Inn Valley Forge 75 Joseph Galloway, a wealthy lawyer, became general superintendent in city affairs during the stay of the enemy, with whom he departed, and his estate being confiscated he repaired to London and occupied himself by writing circulars abusing Howe for losing the country to the crown. Probably through the intervention of his friend Franklin, part of the estate, belonging to his wife was afterward restored. Philadelphia Nov. 15th 1777 "Three Regts of Provincials raising. Aliens, Chalmers and Cliftons, the latter Roman Catholics." Journal of Capt. John Montressor, Chief Engineer British Army. May 7th 1778 Allen's and Clifton's Regts were sent to Gloucester, the 3d Provincial Regt, Chalmer's, going into camp near the Schuylkill river below the upper ferry. A "Black List" was published in 1802 containing the names of 486 tories who were attainted of High Treason in the State of Pennsylvania, being men who adhered to the King after July 4th, 1776, and most of whom were pronounced by the Supreme Court of the State, in 1781, to be aliens and devoid of civic rights. 9. — The Enemy in Philadelphia Much of the artillery was parked in the State House (Independence) Square. Some of the grenadiers occupied the State House. The Hessians and part of the grenadiers were located on Callowhill and Noble Streets between 4th and 5th Streets. Other troops along north side of Callowhill Street as far as the present Broad Street. Eight Regiments were behind the entrenchment between Bush Hill and Fair- mount. The Yagers were at 22d Street and Pennsylvania Ave, the dragoons and three foot regiments between Vine and Race Streets west of 8th Street. 10. — Where Lord Howe Lived General Howe was first quartered at the residence of General Cad- wallader, Second Street, below Spruce, and later he occupied the house on High Street, east of Sixth, which was years afterward the dwelling of President Washington. II. — A Hessian's Summary " — just as Congress consists of Scoundrels so the Army consists of people, warmed up in part by the war party, also their only support is in the war, and who are unwilling to exchange sword for last and needle, or who may fear that their former masters, whose serfs they are, would harness them to the yoke, as soon as they surrendered their Captain and Subaltern patents. This is the army proper of the enemy, numbering about 12,000 men. The remainder substitutes and militia of whom ten or twenty thousand are mobile at times, these fight only for the Province in which they dwell and have been unable to resolve joining the Army and going into another province * * * This is about a fair picture of the present situation: The enemy is encamped in huts at Wilmington and Valley Forge, and Washington and Stirling have wagered as to who had the best huts erected. Last year we lay in them and our army X. y. z. strong, lies in Philadelphia which is fortified by eleven redoubts and one outpost. We are supplied with all that is necessary and super- fluous. Assemblies, Concerts, Comedies, clubs and the like make us forget there is any war, save that it is a capital joke" From the letter book of Capt. Johann Heinrichs, Hessian Yager Corps, Jan. i8th 1778. 7^ Ruins of the Gulf Mill ; ., f, J •"■<*!•», Memorial Stone at Gulf Mill 77 12. — Country Homes Burned The British burned, upon November 22d, 1777, all of the buildings in front of their line of defense, some twenty-seven houses, several of them being- fine country residences. 13. — A Spy's Report "The lines at the North End of the City are nearly compleat, they are ditched and facin'd from Delaware to Schuylkill, between each Redoubt. —They have pulled down Peal hall and all the rest of the houses facing their Redoubts. They have ordered all the wood within their lines to be cutt for the use of the Army, they are takeing up houses & when the empty ones are full they quarter the rest on the Inhabitants— The army are very healthy & very saucy, say they have men enough to de- fend their Lines whilst Cornwallis clears the Country." From secret intelligence sent from Philadelphia, Nov. 21, 1777. 14.— The Infantry of Grey and the Light Infantry ^The massacre of Paoli was perpetrated by a column under General (jrrey, composed of the First Light Infantry, the Forty-second High- landers (Black Watch) and the Forty-fourth Regiment. From the bloody work done by the Light Infantry they were know^n as "The Surprisers," and were singled out for vengeance by Wayne's troops, who sent word to them that they would give them no quarter in battle. Upon this the Light Infantry dyed the feathers in their hats red that they might protect the other troops from their especial enemies. The regiment still wears this red plume as a vested right. Equally as it is the province of history to preserve the names of heroes it should be a duty to save from oblivion for the detestation of ages to follow the memory of such monsters as Grey, the British General by whose orders all prisoners were murdered at Paoli and a year later near Hackensack, N. J. 15. Population in the Captured City May 27th 1778. The number of souls in Philadelphia comprehending the Army, seamen and Inhabitants consist of 60,000 Journal of Capt. John Montressor, Chief Engineer British Army. Several members of the Society of Friends resident in Philadelphia, addressed an appeal for assistance during the British occupation, to Friends in Ireland. They stated that independently of the military the city at that time contained 20,000 people. 16. — Philadelphia under Lord Howe Among those who came upon the transports were a shoal of "mer- chants," English and Scotch tories, who siezed upon the best of the vacant stores and presently filled the newspapers with advertisements of their wares. These newcomers dealt for gold only. The number of these worthies is stated by Christopher Marshall in his diary for February 28th, 1778, as being a hundred and twenty-one. _ "Our army is x. y. z. strong and fully clothed, and in excellent condi- tion, full of courage and beautifully drilled, capable of looking into the white of the eye of Washington and all of his tatterdemalions. There is an abundance of victuals. Clothing of that which there is any necessity and that which is a luxury. Only horribly dear! The cotirage of the enemy's army has revived in consequence of our proclamations, ofTers of peace etc, but even the cleverest of their officers confess that they could not stand their ground still less whip us." Letter book of Capt. Johann Heinrichs, Hessian Yager Corps, Phila- delphia, June 5th 1778 78 n While the Americans hovered in doubt and dread of the coming winter around Camp Hill, even .the confident and comfortable enemy in the city had its blue days. This fact is reflected by Captain Montressor's entry of November ist, 1777, inspired probably by a tiag through the rebel lines advising the British commander of the disaster to Burgoyne: "We are just now an army without provisions, a Rum artillery for besieging, scarcely any ammunition, no clothing nor any money. Some- what dejected by Burgoyne's capitulation and not elated with our late manoevres as Donop's repulse and Augusta and Merlin bemg burnt and to compleat all being Blockaded" "But the residence of the army at Philadelphia occasioned distresses which will probably be considered, by the generalety of mankind, as of a more grevious nature. Provisions were most exorbitantly high, gaming of every species was permitted, and even sanctioned, a foreign officer held the bank at the game of pharo, by which he made a very comfortable fortune, and but too many respectable families in Britain have to lament its baneful efifects. Officers who might have rendered honorable service to their country were compelled, by what was termed a bad run of luck to dispose of their commissions and return penniless to their friends in Europe." Stedman's History of the American War, London, 1794, 17. — A Derelict General "In this infirm and dangerous state he continued from December until May, during all which time every person expected that the Commander in Chief would have stormed or besieged his camp, the situation of which equally invited either attempt. To have posted two thousand men on a commanding ground near the bridge, on the north side of the Schuylkill, would have rendered his escape on the left impossible, two thousand men placed on a like ground opposite the narrow pass would have as effectu- ally prevented a retreat in his rear, and five or six thousand men, sta- tioned on the front or right of his camp would have deprived him of flight upon these sides. — But our army, neglecting all these opportunities, was suffered to continue at Philadelphia, where the whole winter was spent in dissipation. A want of discipline and proper subordination pervaded the whole army: and if disease and sickness thinned the American army encamped at Valley Forge, indulgence and luxury perhaps did no less injury to the British troops at Philadelphia." Stedman's History of the American War, London, 1794. Perhaps the most original and quaint of the many forgotten books of the Revolution is a curious volume by Richard Snowden, date unknown, in which the story of the war is told in the stately phrase of the Bible. A copy of this book has reached the writer from Mrs. Joseph R. Craig, of Philadelphia. That portion relating to Valley Forge and General Howe is a good example of the whole: "The soliers of the King of Britain occupied the houses in the city they feared not the driving snow nor beating rain ! inasmuch as they were clad in warm clothing that was made of the fleeces of sheep, which fed in fat pastures of the island of Albion! But it was not so with the valiant men of Columbia, who fought the battles of the great Sanhedrim! they were poorly clad and many of them walked barefooted to the place of their encampment; and the frozen earth was stained with the blood of the men of war. Amongst the trees of the forest they pitched their tents! the fierce bowlings of winter chased away their repose! They were like unto a ship in a troubled sea! they were tossed in their minds as a leaf driven to and fro by contending currents. Nevertheless, the spirit of opposition remained firm within them! the words of the great Sanhedrim were as a law written in their inward parts! they had tasted of the waters of strife and the thoughts of submission were driven far away, even as the chaff is driven from the threshing floor of the husbandman. 80 Headquarters of Gen. Howe, near Valley Forge, in Sept. ly-/ Headquarters ui- Lord Cornwallis, near Valley Forge, in Sept, 1777 81 But William, chief captain of the armies of Britain, fared sumptuously every day and delighted himself with vain sports and shews! and was occupied with those things that were not seemly for a warrior, he loved pleasure and became vain in his immaginations! The glory of Britain passeth away like a shadow: her degenerate sons consume her fame: she is verily, like unto a harlot whose virtue has vanished and whose beauty is withered. Say no more amongst yourselves. We will be avenged on such a nation for lo! ye could not stand before this people" l8. Lord Stirling's Advice In a letter to General Washington dated October 29th, 1777. Lord Stirling advised making winter cjuarters somewhere near Radnor Meeting House eciually distant from the fords of the Schuylkill below Valley Forge. 19.— At Gulf Mill "Cold rainy Day. Baggage ordered over the Gulph of our Division which we were to march at Ten, but the baggage was order'd back and for the first time since we have been here the Tents were pitch'd to keep the men more comfortable." — Diary of Surgeon Albigence Waldo. 20. — The Gulf Mill Memorial In front of the old Gulf Mill, which dates from 1747, a great boulder standing nine feet high upon its base was dedicated upon June 19th, 1893, by the Pennsylvania Sons of the Revolution. It bears a panel inscribed with the fact that the Continental Army encamped in this vicinity from December 13th to the 19th, 1777. 21. — Valley Forge Proposed Probably the first mention of Valley Forge as a desirable wintering place for the Continentals was made, in his opinion to the Commander in Chief, submitted, with others, at the White Marsh council of war, by Col. Lutterloh, who urges that. one or more brigades should be located at "Wolley Forge." 22. Where Washington Camped Washington's Marquee tent is indicated upon a French sketch map in the vicinity of Washington redoubt. 23. — Washington's Expense Account Washington received no pay from the Government for his services, but in 1783 he rendered a detailed account of his personal expenses from the date of assuming command of the forces. The total amount of the period of nearly seven years being £16.311. 24. — A Multi-Colored Army So diverse were the uniforms provided b}^ the dififerent States to their soldiers that in order to distinguish them as friends it was ordered, at the battle of Germantown, that each man should wear a piece of white paper in his hat. 25. — Billy Lee, Servant A humble but highly important functionary of Washington's entourage was his colored servant, "Billy Lee." whose portrait by the famous Philadelphia artist, Peale. is now among the treasures of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 26. — The Commander-in-Chief's Life Guard By Washington's own account his personal guard in the winter of 1777-8 was composed entirely of Virginians. When Baron Steuben pro- posed to school an especial corps for the new drill the Commander-in- Chief's Guard was increased by one hundred new men selected from the regiments of other States, making a force of 146 men exclusive of the officers, all being native Americans. 82 Steuben first exhibited his Headquarters drill-corps before the In- spectors and other officers upon April 6th, 1778. The officers of the infantry at this time, were Captain Caleb Gibbs, Lieut. Livingston, Lieut. Benjamin Grymes, Lieut. William Colfax and Surgeon Samuel Hanson, son of the President of Congress. The uniform of the horse was of dark blue, with a helmet adorned by a fox tail, and that of the infantry guards a dark blue coat faced with buff, red vest, buckskin breeches, white cross belts and a black cocked hat, edged with white tape. 27. — Flag of the Life Guard. List of Members The flag of the "Life Guard" or Commander-in-Chief's Guard was deposited in Alexandria, Virginia, after the war, and was still preserved there as late as 1856. Its present whereabouts if still existing has not been discovered by the writer. This practice has led in later times to much innocent confusion upon the part of many who have been anxious to claim descent from members of the special guards of Washington. For an accurate and complete list see Dr. C. E. Godfrey' book, "The Commander-in-Chief's guard, Revolu- tionary War." 28. — The First Revolutionary Monument Proposed Weedon Orderly book, Nov. nth, 1777. "The Hon'ble Continental Congress have passed the following Re- solves which have been transmitted hither to be made publick in the Army, viz. Resolved, that his Excellency Governor Caswell of North Carolina be requested to erect a Monument at the Expense of the United States in honour of the Memory of Brigad. Gen'l Francis Nash who fell in the Battle of German Town on the 4 Day of October 1777 bravely contending for the Independence of his Country." This was probably the first monument ordered for a Revolutionary hero. 29. — The Centennial Orator. 1878 The principal orator upon the occasion was the late Henry Armitt Brown, Esq., of Philadelphia, whose lamented death, soon afterward, was due to exposure during the delivery of his address. 30. General George Weedon General Weedon had been a "Virginia tavernkeeper from Fredericks- burg, and as he was reputed to have served his customers with rum in gourds, he was derisively known in the army as "Joe Gourd." There are tales of his cruelty toward his men, but they may have been quite as unjust as many other legends of the time reflecting upon officers. Weedon was still in the army at the time of the surrender at Yorktown. 31. — Lord Stirling's Position An interesting sketch map, made by a French engineer and now in possession of Gov. Sam'l W. Pennypacker, indicates that later the bri- gade of Lord Stirling was stationed upon the slope of the height to the west of the mouth of Valley Creek and near the river. 32. — One of Wayne's Officers Capt. John Davis' home is the old Walley Davis property now owned by Mr. A. J. Cassatt. Capt. Davis belonged to the Penna. Line and was in camp at Valley Forge. He belonged to Wayne's Command. Original house still standing. 83 33 —Where British Officers Slept After the Battle at Brandywine, the British oi^cers were quartered, September 17th to 21st, 1777, as foHows: NAME OF OFFICER. OWNER's NAME, 1777-78. OWNER'S NAME, 1898. Cornwallis Abel Reese Est. Mary Reese (Near Lime-kilns on Cassatt Road from Berwyn.) Howe Sam'l Jones Abram Latch 34. — Patriot Women of Valley Forge Among the patriotic women of the neighborhood who sought to alleviate the miseries of the camp were Sarah Walker, Elizabeth Stephens, Priscilla Stephens, Margaret Beaver, Elizabeth Moore and Jane Moore. 35- — The Defensive Works. Weedon Orderly book, Jan. 15th, 1778. "The works mark'd out by the Ingenieurs for the defense of the Camp are to be erected with all possible dispatch and the Commander in Chief requests the favor of General Green Lord Stirling and the Marquis La Fayette to consult with Gen'l Portail on the proper means and number of men necessary to execute the works in the different Wing's and Second Line and give orders accordingly" 36. — A Forty-day Voyage Lord Howe's indecision of character seems well illustrated by the fact that in 1777, he embarked the force, destined for Philadelphia, consisting of 36 British and Hessian battalions, the Queen's Rangers and a Regi- ment of Light Horse, upon transports at New York, together with horses and baggage. Forty days of midsummer elapsed before they were finally landed at Elk River, Maryland. 37- — Howe's Abundant Army Sir William Howe had originally demanded from the home govern- ment, in a letter of November 26th, 1775, 19,000 men, estimating that with these he could succeed against the colonials, but the war office had sent him, in all, 31,476 soldiers, in addition to which, upon Nov. 30th 1776 and Jan. 20th 1777 he had called for 15,000 and 20,000 more men respectively, or a total proposed force less losses of over 65,000, at a time when the Continental line did not exceed 8000 rank and file. In response to Howe's calls the government did increase his army to 40,000 men. 38.— Where the Huts Were Built The greater number of the huts were built upon the land of Mordecai Moore and David Stevens, some being upon the property of other owners. 39- — Thomas Paine's Letter "I was there when the army first began to build huts. They appeared to me like a family of beavers. Every one busy, some carrying logs, others mud and the rest plastering them together. The whole was raised in a few days and it is a curious collection of buildings in the true rustic order." — Paine to Franklin. 40.— A Midnight Feast At 12 of the clock at night Providence sent us a little Mutton with which we immediately had some Broth made & a fine Stomach for same. Ye who Eat Pumpkin Pie and Roast Turkies and yet Curse fortune for HKAi)(^>rAR I i;rs of Baron de Kali; ami (Ien. Cko, Weedon vJ^^i^fiff* \4 Home of Capt. John Davis 85 using: you ill Curse her no more lest she reduce your Allowance of her favours to a bit of Fire Cake & a draught of Cold Water & in Cold Weather too. Diary of Surgeon Waldo, Dec. 22, 1777. 41.— Soldier Highwaymen Even Washington's Life Guard contained men who turned highwaymen and robbed the countrymen. Later in the war several of them were hanged for the offense. 42. — English Goods for Yankee Warriors "The Brigg taken from the Enemy (and mentioned New Years Day) is the greatest prize ever taken from them — There is Scarlet — Blue — and Bufi Cloth, sufficient to Cloath all the OlTficers of the Army — and Hats— Shirts — Stockings — Shoes — Boots — Spurs — &c, to finish compleat Suits for all. A petition is sent to his Excellency that this Cloathing may be dealt out to the Regimental Officers only at a moderate price — excluding Commissaries — Bull Drivers &c — There are 4 or 5000 Apeletes of gold and Silver — Many chests of private Ofificers Baggage — and General How's Silver Plate — and Kitchen furniture &c. This Cargo was sent to Cloathe all the Officers of the British Army." Diary of Surgeon Waldo, Dec. 22d, 1777. 43. -An Oasis of Plenty "Valley Forge, January 14th, 1778. "At the request of Col. Stewart the officers of the regiment (13th Penn- sylvania) were summoned to dine with him, where we spent the day in civil jollity. In this manner several days were spent passing by rotation from the senior to the junior officers. Thus, and in many other desirable enjoyments we passed some part of the winter campaign making our- selves as happy as circumstances would admit." — Diary of Lieut. McMichael Coe, John Bull's Regiment of Foot. 44> — York's Festive Winter York, Pa., Feb. 20th 1778 Balls have been given so often as to call forth remonstrances from all the clergymen in the town. Diary of Rev. Geo. Neisser. 45' — Through French Eyes M. du Portail, a French Colonel and a Brigadier General in the Ameri- can Army, wrote from White Marsh camp upon November 12th 1777 to the French Minister of War in the following terms. "You will be astonished Sir, at this language, but such are these people that they move without spring or energy, without vigor, and with- out passion for a cause in which they are engaged, and which they follow only as the impulse of the hand that first put them in motion directs. There is an hundred times more enthusiasm for this revolution in any one coffee-house of Paris, than in all the Thirteen Provinces united. It is necessary, then that France, to accomplish this revolution should fur- nish these people with every requisite to lessen the hardships of war. True, it will cost some millions, but they will be well laid out in anni- hilating the power of England, which, bereft of her colonies, without a navy and without commerce, will lose her consequence in the world and leave France without a rival." 46. — The Guard at the Bridg'e Wayne Orderly book, April 17th, 1778. "All permits to go out of Camp for the future are to be by Brigadiers or Ofificers commanding Brigades. The Officers of the Guard at Sul- 86 The King of Prussia Tax krn On Gulf Road leading from Valley Forge 87 livan's Bridge to carefully Inspect the Paper offered them and make himself a Judge of their Authority." 47. — Discouraged Officers — Blankets or Straw "Many officers who have behaved with credit have petitioned me for Leave to Retire for a Season or to Resign their Commissions and as- signed as a Reason for not waiting on me that they were so naked they were ashamed to be seen. That clothing was not to be had and even if it was their wages would not enable them to purchase; I have taken pains to Inquire of the most sensible officers and have conversed with several General Officers upon the alarming spirit of Resignation which takes place in the Army and find they in general say this: that they and their men have been marching and countermarching all the year, that they have fought no General Action besides Skirmishes, that the cloathes and Shoes which they wore out has amounted to their washes, which leaves their Families to suffer at home. That the Baggage they sent to Beth- lehem has been mostly plundered and they have no possible way of replacing it: That the price of Articles bears no proportion to their wages — they further say that their Rank has not been settled, that they have been told from time to time that this should be done when they Retired to winter Quarters of which they do not see the least prospect and that while they have contentedly borne all this they Daily see Congress placing men over their heads without any Regard to their Ranks or Services" From opinion of Maj. Gen. Sullivan at Council of War at Whitemarsh, Dec. 4th 1777 Wayne Orderly book. May i6th, 1778. "The Brigade quartermasters to provide straw for the men who have no blankets, the sick of the several Regiments to be first supplied." Weedon Orderly book, Jan. 23d, 1778. "The distress for Blankets makes it necessary to retain those the Soldiers have who is then discharged. This the Brigadier will be readily complyed with By the men who are going home in order to afford more Comfort to their Brother Soldiers who keep the Field." 48. — Women Who Sewed A letter in the Philadelphia Item, May 27th, 1898, dated at Glen Rock, Pa., includes a statement that one day the camp was rejoiced by the arrival of ten teams of Oxen driven by women, hauling supplies, includ- ing two thousand shirts made for the army by the women of Philadelphia. The writer does not explain how these goods got through the British lines. 49- — Mortality in the Hospitals Conditions in the hospitals established at Bethlehem and other points after the campaign of 1777 were little if any better than those existing at the camp. In the Bethlehem hospital where the Moravians assisted the army surgeons and nurses faithfully the want of medicines and cloth- ing as well as the crowded condition of the wards occasioned great mor- tality. Out of forty men of the Sixth Virginia Regiment sent there all died but three. 50. — Sergeant Kemp's Graphic Letter Sergeant Andrew Kemp, writing upon June 13th, 1788, to his mother, who lived in Chester County, told the following story: "We have had a dreadful time of it through the winter at Valley Forge, sometimes for a week at a time with nothing but frozen potatoes and even worse still for clothing. Sometimes the men obliged to sleep by turns for want of blankets to cover the whole, and the rest keeping watch by the fires. There is hardly a man who has not been frostbitten. * * * * * * But our distress for want of food was nothing compared to the grumbHng of some of the men and, I am sorry to say, of some of the officers. I really thought we should have a meeting once or twice, but we weathered it through without it. Some hard things are said since about some of the officers." 51. — Clam Soup Sullivan's men, being posted at the river, enjoyed a special source of nutriment as they fished the clams from the river bed and converted them into soup. 52. — Hard Money, at Last "We marched from our encampment about 11 o'clock yesterday, crossed Schuylkill bridge, and marched into the city down Chestnut Street about one o'clock, the detachment divided into two Battalions. We marched down Front Street and embarq'd near the Drawbridge, hauled off in the Stream and fell down opposite Almond Street. About an hour after the most of the officers went on shore and received from the Pay- master one month's pay in hard money, the first of the kind any of our line ever received" Letter book of Lieut. Enos Reeves, Oct. 2d, 1781. 53.— Hessian Farm Hands Doubtless many a Hessian was put to the same task, as the prisoners of Trenton were, to some extent, employed by the Pennsylvania farmers. '"The Hessian prisoners who have been working for the people in this vicinity have been summoned to repair to Lancaster tomorrow and from thence will be taken to Philadelphia for exchange." June 15 1778 Records of the Moravian Congregation at Hebron, Pa. Tradition exists that the first of the Astor family, Heinrich, came over sea with the Hessians, "a rotund, rollicking butcher in the commissary department, who afterward followed his calling in the Bowery, New York City, and induced his famous brother Jacob, to also migrate to America. 54.— A Knitting Party In February, Lady Stirling and Mrs. General Knox visited Mrs. Wash- ington, and their time was spent in knitting socks for the soldiers. Mrs. Bowen, of Chester County, often visited the camp on horseback, bringing gifts of food in the saddle bags, and it is said, by Mrs. Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of. Merion Chapter, D. of R., that she taught Mrs. Washington how to knit stockings. 55. — The Penalty of Treason "Thos. Fitzgerald and David Rush Inhabitants of this State Tryed for attempting to Relieve the Enemy with Provisions found Guilty of a Breach of a Resolution of Congress Oct. 8th '77 and Extended &c. Sentenced each to Receive 100 lashes on Their bare Back." Weedon Orderly book, Feb. 8th. 1778. "Thos. Butler an Inhabitant of the State of Pennsylvania tried for attempting to Carry flour into Philadelphia. Sentenced to receive 250 lashes on his bare back. Wayne Orderly book, April i6th, 1778. At a Gen'l Court Martial where of Col. Wigglesworth was Presid't Feb'y 4th Philip Kirk tried for supplying the enemy with Cattle. Found Guilty and Sentenced to be confined in some Goal in Pennsylvania during the Enemies Staying and both his real and personal Estate to be taken from him for the Use of the United States of America." (The latter clause was disapproved by the Commander-in-Chief.) 56. — Market Days. Weedon Orderly book, Feb. 8th, 1778. "Tomorrow being the Day appointed for Opening the Market at the Stone Chimney Pickett the Army is desired take notice of the same. Markets wil be held at the same place every Monday and Thursday, on the East side of the Schuylkill near the North Bridge Every Tuesday and Friday, near the Adju't Gen'ls Office Every Wednesday and Sat- urday." 57. — Qu&kers — Good and Bad After the departure of the enemy from Philadelphia two Quakers named Roberts and Carlisle were tried and executed in Philadelphia under martial law. Isaac Walker and other members of the Society of Friends hauled all of Washington's army stores from White Marsh to Valley Forge free of charge, and the Friends generally in the vicinity are credited with much humanity toward the troops. 58.— Thomas Paine It has been claimed by some writers that Thomas Paine, the brilliant, erratic, sceptical bohemian who wrote the "Age of Reason," addressed the troops at some time during the encampment and in so doing greatly encouraged them. This is, however, apparently beyond confirmation. During much of that winter Paine was a guest in the home of William Henry at Lancaster, engaged intermittently in writing his famous Crisis. William Henry, an ancestor of Dr. Jordan, of the Pennsylvania Histori- cal Society, was the inventor of the screw augur, and with Rittenhouse, Payne and John Hart active in the affairs of the American Philosophical Society. 59. — General Conway Washington wrote to Richard Henry Lee in Congress: "General Conway's merit as an officer and his importance in this army exist more in his immagination than in reality. For it is a maxim with him to leave no service of his own untold, nor to want anything which is to be obtained by importunity" 60. — The Victory at Saratoga The troops under Gates at the battle of Saratoga were Nixon's, Glov- er's and Patterson's Continental brigades, all of Massachusetts. Poors Brigade of New Hampshire, consisting of Cilley's Scammels and Hale's Regiments. The 3d New York regiment Col. Van Courtlandt, 4th New York regiment Col. Henry Livingston, two Connecticut militia regiments under Colonels Cook and Lattimer, Morgan's Rifle Corps and three hundred light infantry under Col. Dearborn of New Hampshire. 61. — The Contempt of Washington Upon February 28, 1778, General Washington wrote to Col. John F. Fitzgerald at Alexandria, Va. : "I have a good deal of reason to believe that the machination of this Junta will recoil upon their own heads and be a means of bringing some matters to light which, by getting me out of the way, they thought to conceal." "I am content if they remove almost any General except his Excellency. The country, even Congress, are not aware of the Confidence the Army Places in him, or motions never would have been made for Gates to take the Command." — Letter from Capt. Seidell, of the Connecticut Line, written at Valley Forge. After the collapse of the cabal, Conway resigned from the Board of War, and having been severely wounded in a duel, believing himself about to die. he wrote a contrite letter to General Washington. He recovered and left the country. 62. — Count Pulaski Cassimir, Count Pulaski, of Poland, was at Valley Forge for a time, occupying the house of Devault Beaver (now owned by Henry War- burton). He left there to recruit the Pulaski Legion (cavalry). The banner for this corps was made by the Moravian nuns of Bethlehem. 63. — The New Drill Master Wayne Orderly book, March 6th, 1778. "Baron Steuben, a Lieut. General in Foreign Service and a gentleman of great Military Experience Having oblidgingly undertaken the exercise of the Office of Inspector General in this Army, the Commander in Chief, till the Pleasure of Congress shall be known Desires that he will be Respected and Obeyed as such and hopes and expects that all Officers of whatever Rank in it will Afford him every aid in their Power in the execution of his office." 64. — Steuben's Impressions of the Camp ; His Later Life in America Soon after the Baron Steuben had reached the Camp he wrote oi his impressions in these words: "The arms at Valley Forge were in a horrible condition covered with rust, half of them without bayonets, many from which a single shot could not be fired. The pouches were quite as bad as the arms. A great many of the men had tin boxes instead of pouches, others had cow horns, and muskets, carbines, fowling pieces and rifles were seen in the same company. The description of the dress is most easily given. The men were literally naked, some of them in the fullest sense of the word. The officers who had coats had them of every color and make. I saw officers at a grand parade at Valley Forge mounting guard in a sort of dressing gown made of an old blanket or woolen bed cover. With regard to their military discipline I may safely say that no such thing existed." Powder Horns a Novelty to Steuben Many of the powder horns still largely in use, especially with the riflemen, which were a novelty to Baron Steuben, were decorated with rude defiances and considerable sentiment. This custom seems to have been popular with both sides. Following are a few examples: "L powder, with my brother, ball Hero like do conquer all"' "The red-coat who steals this Horn Will go to hel as shures hes Born" "Down with the Tyrant King!" "Yankee doodle cum to Town Wareing linen breeches He made the red-coats leave the sound And filled up all his Ditches" "Where waves the British Flag the sun shall never set. Yankee doodle be Damd God save the King and dam the Yanks," "Help yourself to Grog. I hope God will forgive me for passing my time so foolishly." "By the first day of April Steuben had already impressed his enthusiasm for discipline upon the army. On that date John Laurens wrote: "I must not omit to inform you that Baron Steuben is making sensible progress with our Soldiers. The officers seem to have a high opinion of him, and discover a docility from which we may augur the most happy efifects. It would enchant you to see the enlivened scene of our Campus Martins." Baron Steuben died November 25th, 1795, at the age of sixty-six years, upon his large land-grant in the vicinity of Utica, N. Y., where he was buried. His aide. Col. North, inherited his property and erected a monument to his memory. 65. — The Gallows The gallows is said to have been situated upon the land of David Stevens, a little north of the Gulf Road, and near the corner of the county line intersection. The land was afterward the property of William Henry. 66. — Many Resignations "Yesterday upwards of fifty officers in Gen. Greene's Division resigned their commissions. Six or seven in our Regiment are doing the like today. All this is occasioned by Officers Families being so much Neglected at home on account of Provisions." Diary of Surgeon Waldo Dec. 28th 1777. 67.- — General Joseph Reed General Joseph Reed, Adjutant General, was suspected of an intention of surrendering to the British at Bristol, N. J., immediately prior to the Battle of Trenton. The existing testimony to that effect is to be found in the Journal of Margaret Morris, of Burlington, N.J. , and in a collection of letters published in 1856 by Horace W. Smith under the title of "Nuts for Future Historians to Crack." It is said that Gen. Wm. S. Stryker, of New Jersey, discovered in 1876 that Gen'l Joseph Reed was unjustly accused, the person really culpable having been another officer named Reed holdmg a commission as colonel. 68. — Diversions in Camp Wayne Orderly book, April 27th, 1778. "A Few Continental Tickets to be Sold at the Orderly Office, the Drawing of the Lottery the first of next month." Upon "St. Patrick's day" the Pennsylvania Dutch soldiers set up a stuffed "paddy," whereupon the Irish and the Dutch had a fight. This was quieted l3y Washington by the issue of a round of grog for the whole army. 69. — A Model Corps. Weedon Orderly book, March 17th, 1778. "One hundred Chosen men are to be annexed to the Guard of the Com- mander in Chief for the purpose of forming a Corps to be instructed in the Maneuvres necessary to be introduced in the Army and serve as a model for the execution of them ■ — -As the Gen'ls guard is com- pos'd entirely of Virginians the 100 Draughts are to be taken from the Troops of other States." 70. — Sanitary Admonitions Wayne Orderly book, March 29th, 1778. The General therefore in the most Pointed terms Desires the Officers to oblige their men to appear Clean and Decent at all times and upon all Occasions, even Punishing that Soldier that appears Dirty, whether on Duty or not. The Officers will cause the men to wear their Hatts in one way in the most Soldierly like Position and oblige them to Mend their old clothes so as to make the best appearance possible. The General Expects a Sufficiency of Hatts with Some other Clothing for the men evei^y Hour. He has also ordered Col. Byard t<.) Lancaster to provide the officers clothing and the Drums and Fifes belonging to the Division. Anthony Wayne, B. G. Wayne Orderly book, April 4th, 1778. ''Nothing can conduce more to the Health of soldiers than a clean Camp clean clothes and victuals well dressed, this however Deeply In- volved in Rags an Army may be, and to be effected by Attention in the Officers the General therefore calls upon Every Officer from the ^lajor General to the Corporal for their exertion, hoping, therefore, by the Blessing of God to prevent Such numbers of Deaths which unfortunately has happened since we came to this Place." Invalids on Inspection Wayne Orderly book, April 4th, 1778. "It is the General's positive Orders that all the Invalids be Paraded at. the same time and that the officers take care that they appear clean and that the whole are paraded, the general being Determined to examine every man himself to the End that if any of the Soldiers are suffermg for want of necessaries or Proper Care or Attention either in the Officers or Surgeons that these defects may be Remedied." Anthony Wayne, B. G. Guard Duty, Two Days. An Unsoldierly Practice Wayne Orderly book, April — ■'In future no Guard in Camp is to be suffered to be on Duty more- than 48 hours without being Relieved. On Monday next the several Brigades will begin their Exercises at 6 o'clock in the morning and froni_ 5 o'clock to 6 o'clock in the afternoon." Wayne Orderly book. May 12th, 1778. Every Commanding officer of Regts and Corps to cause the Taylors, to repair the Coats or Uniform of the Soldiers Immediately and by all means to Prevent them from carrying their provisions or water on their heads or shoulders as nothing tends to destroy and Dirty their Hatts. and uniforms equal to this unsoldierly Practice. Anthony Wayne B. G. 71. — A Funeral Order Weedon Orderly book, April 12th. 1778. "Funeral honors at the Interment of Officers are for the future to be confin'd to a solemn procession of Officers and Soldiers in Numbers. Suitable to the Rank of the Deceas'd with revers'd arms. Fireing on these occasions is to be abolish'd in Camp." 72. — The Reception of General Charles Lee "At the time of his exchange (which was arranged at Germantown) Lee was at Yorktown on parole, and on the day fixed for his reporting at head-quarters the greatest preparations were made for his reception. "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. Wash- ington was and here he was entertained with an elegant Dinner and the music playing the whole time." — Journal of Elias Boudinot. "Whether we shall have peace? I hardly think we will before next winter. We may be mistaken, as General Lee is going about New York on parole." Letter book of Capt. Johann Heinrichs, Hessian Yager Corps, Phila- delphia Jan. 18, 1778. 9.r. • <.i^Alh Birthplace and Home of Gen. Anthony Wayne, Easttovvn, Chester Co., P.a. Charles Lee was the son of a British general. He took part in the capture of Montreal in 1760. After an absence of thirteen years in Europe, during which he had a varied military career, he returned to America and offered his services to Congress. He obtained a com- mission of Major General. His egotism found expression in an attitude of covert hostility toward Washington. His treasonable purposes were established upon the publication of Lord Howe's papers in 1857. 73- — Divine Worship Weedon Orderly book. May 2d. 1778. "The Commander in Chief Directs that Divine Service be performed every Sunday at 11 o clock in those Brigades to which there are Chap- lains — those which have none to attend the place of Worship nearest to them." 74 — Lafayette and His Foreign Associates under Services On his arrival, he and his companions were much surprised and dis- couraged by the receptions they met with. Mr. Deane, the officers were told, had gone far beyond his instructions in making contracts with those who desired to enter the American service, especially by attempting to provide commissions in our army for them. The position of Congress was one of great delicacy and difficulty. It was embarrassed by Mr. Deane's promises, not merely because no new officers were needed, but also because their appointment in accordance with the promise made by Deane would make them outrank the American officers, who from the beginning had borne the burden and heat of the day, and who were in most cases quite as competent for their work as those who sought to supersede them. Besides, although La Fayette professed his disinter- estedness, yet Congress could not shut its eyes to the fact that he was, after all, only a runaway French officer, whose appointment in our army might produce at the Court of France a most unfavorable impression at a time when we were negotiating for a close alliance with that power. 94 95 Then, in addition to all this, it was not the practice to make men major- generals who were but nineteen years old, and who, of course, had had no military experience. We were then, it must be remembered, abso- lutly dependent for our military supplies upon France, and they had been purchased in that country for us by Mr. Deane. Deane was not only our purchasing agent, but he assumed to be to a large number of French officers who desired to enter into our service authorized to issue military commissions to them. As he had received no such instructions from our government and no authority from France to confer these com- missions in that country, his heedless conduct had to be disavowed. Under circumstances such as these Congress may well have been embarrassed, and the members who tried to speak French with La Fayette's companions were certainly not cordial; but it seemed that there was no alternative, and the extraordinary step was taken, July 31, 1777, of making a boy of nineteen years of age a major-general, in "considera- tion," as the resolution stated, "of his zeal, illustrious family, and con- nections." It is true that in order to save appearances the appointment was called an honorary one. Kalb and his other friends at first sought commissions in vain, but within a short time, probably at the earnest request of La Fayette himself, Kalb was made a major-general, his commission bearing the same date as that of La Fayette. There seenis to have been a certain fascination about La Fayette at this time which carried beyond the bounds of prudence in this matter the members of the Continental Congress. Even Washington himself does not seem to have escaped the contagion of that sympathy which everywhere sur- rounded him. The first time he saw him he treated him as his own son and begged that he would make the quarters of the Commander-in-Chief his home. Nothing is more curious and interesting about this book of Mr. Tower than the new light which his account of the relations between Washington and La Fayette throws upon the characteristics of the former. To him Washington does not appear as the cold, reserved, dignified personage whom he is justly represented to be in his inter- course with others. In every letter which he writes to La Fayette the gentle, affectionate, and tender side of his nature is most conspicuous, and La Fayette received it all with a loving, filial reverence which showed how he valued the absolute confidence which the great chief reposed in him. All his letters breathe the same spirit. Indeed, the affectionate relations between Washington and La Fayette, continuing without a break for nearly a quarter of a century, seem unparalleled in the history of the former's life. — From reviews of "The Marquis De La Fayette in the American Revolution," by Charlemagne Tower, Jr., LL. D. Dr. Chas. J. Stille in the Pennsylvania Magazine. 1895. The Guest of a Grateful Nation Forty-six years later this dashing French soldier was to come once more to America as the guest of a grateful people. He came marked by the heavy hand of time, but with enough of his native strength and buoyant spirits to withstand an vmparalleled reception which lasted an entire year. The fortune which, in his youth, had been freely used in behalf of America was gone, but he made not complaint of pdverty, nevertheless the nation presented him, as a token of its appreciation of his services, with the sum of $200,000, together with a grant of land. Lafayette's official reception took place in Philadelphia September 28th, 1824. Upon the following day a deputation of citizens of the neighboring countryside called upon the Marquis de Lafayette to invite him to visit Valley Forge and other scenes of Revolutionary interest. He repaired to the field of Brandywine, but other plans prevented him from again viewing Valley Forge. 75. — The Barren Hill Expedition Wayne Orderly book. May 14th, 1778 "At a general Court Martial whereof Col. Febecker was President Lieut. Carter of Col. Bayleses Regt. of Light Dragoons Tryed for Neg- 96 97 lect of Duty in leaving the different Roads Unguarded from Barren Hill Church to Philadelphia by which the Enemy advanced a body of Horse and foot to said Church and Surprised and made prisoners of a subaltern and his party who had Returned to the Church for Refreshment." (Lieut. Carter was acquitted of this charge.) "One hundred and two of the Life Guard and three thousands of the army was sent under the command of the Right Honorable Maj. Gen. Delefiatee and we marched to Barronhill Church and there we made a halt and Formed a line of battle and our guard Lay in the Frunt of the Party by Gen. Marques Quarters sixteen miles from Valleyford."' — Diary of Elijah Fisher, private, Life Guard. May i8, 1778. 76. — An Indian Maityr — Washington's Indian Escort "I was called to relieve a Soldier tho't to be dying — he expired before I reach'd the Hutt. He was an hidian. an excellent Soldier — an obedient good natur'd fellow. He engaged for money doubtles as others do: — but he serv'd his country faithfully — he has fought for those very people who disinherited his forefathers — having finished his pilgrimage, he was discharged from the War of Life and Death." Diary of Surgeon Waldo, Jan. 4, 1778. Washington's Lidian auxiliaries formed at times a picturesque feature of the army. Lieut. Enos Reeves, describing a grand review (Sept. 13th, 1780,), thus refers to them as they appeared in the retinue of the Com- mander in Chief: "I must inform you that his same Motley Crew, that we have just received with such pomp, is no less than a number of Lidian Chiefs of the Stockbridge Oneida and several other Nations of whom a Colonel Lewis is the principal. He has been of infinite service since this War commenced and has brought several chiefs of different Nations to see the French at Rhode Island where they were a novelty and were treated with the utmost civility. They were taken through all our Army and saluted at the Park with thirteen pieces of ordnance, which they received with a hideous Yell but were much pleased with it. They are enter- tained by His Excellency at his own Table; dine, breakfast &c with his family and the Gen'l Officers that attend there" 77.— The British Flight June i8th — This day we learned the en-^my had left Philadelphia. About 12 o'clock Gen'l Poor's, Varnum's and Huntingdon's Brigades and another Southern Brigade marched off, and we had orders with the rest of the whole army to march to-morrow morning at 5 o'cl'k. — Journal of Ebenezer Wild. The British army was gone from Philadelphia, probably forever, Init one hundred and twenty-seven years later the band of the Grenadiers came back, December, 1904, and standing in front of Lidependence Hall, facing the statue of Washington, played the "Star-Spangled Banner." 78. —Loyalists in Philadelphia "Here in Philadelphia there are about one thousand royally inclined families who are willing to leave hearth and home and with their chattels go with the army. Hence this gives rise to the rumor that we are going to leave Philadelphia altogether." Letter book of Capt. Johann Heinrichs, Hessian Yager Corps, Phila- delphia, June 5th, 1778. 79. — Hessians Who Stayed — The Day at Monmouth Extract from a letter written by Sergeant Andrew Kemp to his mother. "Monmouth Court House July 2d 1778 "God be thankful we have '^ad a glorious victory. The British troops conmianded by Sir Henry Clinton and ours by General Washington were I. Of Q\ nearly matched, say ten thousand each. We fought from the forenoon till nigh dark, and our whole loss killed and missing is short of seventy while the British lost about three hundred, and among them a Col. Monks or Monkston. The men behaved very nobly and the morning after when we found that the enemy had decamped over night the General (Washington) thanked us all from horseback. But one thing there is which has occasioned much disturbance among us. I mean the conduct of General Lee who attempted to retreat, and who has since been put under order to be court martialed." The day at Monmouth was so hot that fifty-nine British soldiers died of sunstroke, and the Hessians in their heavy uniforms also suffered greatly. Col. Moncton referred to in the above cjuotation was buried by details of his regiment on the field, his grave being excavated, under fire, with their bayonets. British military critics commended Lee's retreat at Monmouth as good generalship, and. strongly criticised both Washington and Clinton upon the manner in which they handled their respective forces. 80.— A Story of Burr A/fatthew L. Davis, Biography of Aaron Burr, tells a story to the effect that Lieut. Col. Burr being placed in command of the militia at Gulph Mills, provoked a mutiny by his severity, and when a soldier stepped from the ranks to shoot him, nearly severed the man's arm with his sword. 81— Lord Stirling— Patriot Lord Stirling, William Alexander, was a native of New Jersey. He married the daughter of Philip Livingston, of New York. He was a claimant before the British courts for the title and escheated estates of the Earl of Stirling, and assumed the title. He was one of the most active of the American officers. He died one week before the declaration of peace. 82. — Hessians at Valley Forge In an address upon June i8th, 1898. the Hon. Samuel W. Pennypacker. referred to the occupation of the Valley Forge huts by a portion of Bur- goyne's captive army. Three Years Later "On Monday Lt. McLean and I set off for the city of Philadelphia. Came around by the springs, lost our way by going the back road and found ourselves near the Bull Tavern at the Valley Forge. We dined near Moor Hall, came thro' our old Encampment, or rather the first huts of the whole army. Some of the otificers' huts are inhabited, but the greater part are decayed some are split up into rails, and a number of fine fields are to be seen on the level ground that was cleared, but in places where they have let the shoots grow it is already like a half-grown wood." Lieut Enos Reeves, Penna Line Sept. 1781 83. — Washington's Revisit to the Old Camp Ground July 30th 1787. In company with Mr. Gov'r Morris and in his Phaeton with my horses: went up to one Jane Moore's in the vicinity of Valley Forge to get Trout. July 31st, 1787. Whilst Mr. Morris was fishing I rid over the old Cantonment of the American (Army) of the winter of 1777-8 — visited all the works wch were in Ruins, and the Incampments in woods where the ground had not been cultivated. On my return to Mrs. Moores found Mr. Robt Morris and his Lady there. Diary of George Washington. REGIMENTS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, REVOLUTIONARY ARMY OF 1778 The following list of regimental and corps formations, with names of their commanders, is compiled from the original muster roll for July, 1778, written by Deputy Muster Master General Wm. Bradford, Jr., which is preserved among the most valued treasures of the Pennsylvania Historical Society at Philadelphia. It includes all commands which were encamped at Valley Forge. His Excelency's Body Guard — Capt. Caleb Gibbs. Light Dragoons (3 Regiments) Cols. Stephen Moylan, Tlieo. Bland and George Blaylor. North Carolina 1st Regt. — Col. Thos. Clark. 2d " Col. John Patten. Delaware Delaware Battalion — Col. David Hall. At Large — Lieut. Col. Aaron Burr. Col. Oliver Spencer. New Hampshire ist Regt. — Col. Joseph Cilley. 2d " Major Benjamin Titcomb. 3d " Col. Alexander Scammell. Independent Corps — Capt. Selir. Connecticut 1st Regt. — Col. Heman Swift. 2d " Lieut. Col. Isaac Sherman. 3d ■' Major David Sill. 4th " Col. Philip Bradley. 5th " Major Joseph Hait. 6th " Col. John Durkee. Massachusetts ist Re gt.-Col. Thos. Marshall. 2d Col. G. Bradford. 3d Col Benjamin Tupper 4th Col Samuel Brewer. sth Col James Wesson. 6th Col John Bailey. 7th Col Michael Jackson. New York 1st Regt. — Col. Goose Van Schaik. 2d '■ Col. Philip Cortlandt. 4th " Col. Henry Livingston. Rhode Island 2d Regt. — Col. Israel Angell. Pennsylvania 1st Regt. — Col. James Chambers. 2d '■ Col. Walter Stewart. 3d " Col. Thos. Craig. 4th " Lieut. Col. Wm. Butler. 5th " Col. Francis Johnston. 6th " Col. Josiah Harmar. 7th " Col. Wm. Irvine. 9th '■ Col. Richard Butler, loth '■ Col. Richard Hampton. I2th •■ (Late Col. Wm. Cook.) New Jersey ist Regt.— Col. Mathias Ogden. 2d " Col. Israel . 3d " Col. Elias Dayton. 4th " Col. Ephraim Martin. Maryland ist Regt. — Col. John H. Stone. 2d '• Col. Thos. Price. 3d ■' Col. Mordecai Gist. 4th " Col. Josiah C. Hall. 5th " Col. Wm. Richardson. 6th •■ Col. Otho Williams. 7th " Col. John Gumby. German Battalion — Lieut. Col. Ludwig Weltner. Virginia ist Regt. — Col. Richard Parker. 2d " Col. Christian Febiger. 3d and 7th Regts. — Lieut. Col. Wm. Heath. 4th and 12th Regts. — Col. James Wood. 5th Regt. — Col. Joseph Parkes. 6th " Col. John Gibson. 9th " Lieut. Col. Burgess Ball. loth ■' Col. John Greene. iith and 15th Regts. — Col. David Meson. 14th Regt. — Col. Wm. Davis. 1st State Regt. — Col. George Gibson. 2d " " Col. Gregory Smith. At Large — Col. John Parke. " Col. Wm. Grayson. Artillery 1st Regt. — Col. Chas. Harrison. 2d " Col. John Lamb. 3d " Col. John Crane. /Additional Pulaski's Legion — Lee's Battalion of Light Dragoons, Armanda's Partisan Corps, Corps of Engineers, Sappers and Miners, Artillery, Artificers, Rangers, Scouts, etc. RECORD OF THE BRITISH TROOPS IN PHILADELPHIA 103 Type of British Soldiery of Gen. Howe's Army in Philadelphia, ittj--]^ 1. Dukeof Cornwall's Light Infantry (Paoli Massacre) 4- Furty-second Highlanders, Black Watch (Paoli Massacre) 2. Twenty-second Foot 5- Grenadier 3. Seventeenth Light Dragoons 6- Sergeant, Cold Stream Guards 7. Twentieth Foot 104 RECORD OF THE BRITISH TROOPS IN THE PHILADELPHIA OCCUPATION The Light Infantry and Grenadier Companies During the War of Independence a British regiment was usually composed of two battalions, designated ist Battalion and 2d Battalion. These battalions were divided into companies. The first, or grenadier company, always held the post of honor, and was on the right, when in line, and in front when in column of attack. In the grenadier com- pany were placed the tallest and finest men in the regiment, and they were distinguished from the others by tall hats. The light infantry company always occupied the left of the line, the men composing it were the smartest, best drilled and most active, and also the best shots in the regiment. The remaining companies were designated battalion companies. The ffank companies in each regiment were thus composed of selected men and in time of war, when a number of regiments vvere assembled together, it was the custom to form the flank companies of each regiment into one or more battalions. The system was a bad one, however, as the remaining or battalion companies were thus weakened in strength and effectiveness by withdrawal of the best two companies in the regiment, and the practice has been discontinued. The flank companies being thus absorbed by the flank battalions, it is diflicult at times to trace their services, as for the time being they formed part of a different command. The county titles were given to the British regiments in 1782. In the Fall of 1777 the American troops under Gen'l Anthony Wayne were encamped at Paoli, and a tory made the fact known to the British. At midnight of the 20th of September the camp was attacked by the 42d and 44th Regiments and the Light Infantry Battalion, in which were the light infantry companies of the 46th and 57th Regiments, and the light companies of four other regiments. They were under the com- mand of Major Gen'l Gray, who was known to the Americans a.s the "No Flint General" on account of his fondness for the use of the bayonet. The attack was sudden and unexpected, and the Americans were completely surprised. Three hundred of them were killed or wounded, mostly by the bayonet, and but few prisoners taken. The remainder escaped under cover of the darkness and swore vengeance against the troops who had so cruelly disregarded the ethics of war, and promised "no ciuarter" should they ever again encounter the British troops who were engaged in the affair. From this incident there came about a change in the uniform of the Light Infantry companies of several British regiments. Their feathers were at this time white, but in order that no other troops should suffer on account of the part taken by them, the Light Infantry stained their feathers red, that they might be known to the Americans, and to whom they sent word to this effect, and throughout the war the red feathers continued to be the distinguishing mark of these six companies. For this act of courage the Light Infantry were authorized to wear red feathers in their caps and the honor was afterwards extended to the whole of the 57th Regiment and continued until the entire Light Infantry were ordered to wear green; but the custom is still preserved in the regiment by wearing red cloth under the helmet plate and cap badge. In the 46th regiment the present ornament on the helmet shows a "bugle with strings" — which is the Light Infantry emblem — and in the centre "a turreted archway" — commemorative of the defence of Lucknow — and above it "two red feathers." The early nickname of the 46th Regiment was "The Red Feathers," and later "The Surprisers," both having their origin from the affair at Paoli. 105 Fourth, or "King's Own," Regiment (Royal La^ncasters) This regiment left England for America April 17th, 1774. Arrived in Boston, it participated in the Lexington and Concord fight, its flanking companies also forming part of the Bunker Hill attack. It took part m the Long Island campaign, at White Plains and Fort Washmgton. In 1777 the regiment marched with the column to Danbury, and later became a part of the force transported to the Chesapeake. They were in the Germantown action and the skirmish at Edge Hill. After the retreat of Clinton's column the regiment was sent to the West Indies. The regiment is still existent. Fifth Regiment of Foot (Now the Northumberland Fusileers) This battalion was formed in Holland in 1674. It was sent to America from Ireland upon May 7th, 1774, arriving at Boston. It took part in the Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill affairs, losing more than any other regiment present. Like the 4th, they fought at Long Island, White Plains and the capture of Fort Washington, also at Brandywine and Germantown. After the retreat to Sandy Hook the regiment joined an expedition to Little Egg Harbor, N. J., and subsequently in company with the 3d New Jersey Provincials, a tory regiment, surprised and bayonetted a large number of Americans in their quarters. They were soon afterwards sent to the West Indies. Seventh Regiment Royal Fusileers, now the Royal Fusileers ( City of London Regiment) Formed hi 1685, embarked for Canada in 1773. Defended St. Johns, N. B., against Montgomery's expedition. Nearly all of the Regiment were taken prisoners here and at Fort Chambly. A detachment of the 7th were at the defense of Quebec at the end of 1775. The regiment was exchanged in the following year and sent to Perth Amboy. They raided through New Jersey and along the Hudson, and later joined the force in Pennsylvania. Following the Battle of Monmouth they were stationed in New York, taking part in the Fairfield, Conn., expedition. In May, 1780, they were present at the siege of Charleston, S. C, and in January, 1781, fought at Cowpens, where Morgan punished them severely and captured their colors. They remained in South Carolina until 1782 and returned to England from New York at the end of the war. Fifteenth Regiment of Foot (Now the East Yorkshire Regiment) Formed in 1685, this organization left Ireland for North Carolina early in 1776, and later joined Howe's command at Staten Island. It fought at White Plains and Fort Washington. Were a part of the expedition to Danbury, Conn. Following Brandywine, this regiment was a part of Gen. Gray's night attack at Paoli. Their Lieut. Col. (John Bird) was killed at Germantown, where his body is still buried. Its last action was at Monmouth. Several months later it was sent to the West Indies. Twenty-seventh (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot (Now the Royal Inniskilling Fusileers) Organized in Scotland in 1689. The regiment left Cork for Boston in October, 1775. In March, 1776, the command sailed for Halifax. In July, 1776, it arrived at Staten Island, and had a part in the actions at Brooklyn, White Plains, Fort Washington and King's Bridge. It was also part of the force operating in Long Island. The Regiment was active at Germantown and in the following spring at Quintins Bridge and Hancock's House in lower Jersey. After the retreat from Philadelphia it was sent to the West Indies. 106 Twenty-eighth Regiment of Foot (Now the Gloucestershire Regiment) Raised in Ireland in 1694. Came to America in 1776. Was in battle of Rhode Island and fought at Brooklyn, White Plains, Brandywine and Germantown, and in 1778 left New York for the West Indies and did not return to America. Thirty-third Regiment of Foot ( Now the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment) Raised in England in 1702. Left Cork for America in Feb., 1776, under command of its colonel, Earl Cornwallis, and served in nearly all the campaigns of the war. It was in action at Brooklyn, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Camden, Guilford and the siege of Charleston, and surrendered at Yorktown Oct. 19th, 1781. Thirty-seventh Regiment of Foot ( Now the Hampshire Regiment) Raised in Ireland in 1702. At the outbreak of the American War the 37th was ordered to the scene of action, and took part at Brooklyn and other early affairs. It was stationed at New York during the latter part of the war. South Lancashire Regiment, Fortieth Regiment of Foot (Now the Prince of Wales' Volunteers) Organized in 1717, and sent at once to America. This regiment was present at the siege of Louisbourg and formed a part of the Louisbourg Grenadiers under command of Gen. Wolfe, who fell while leading them at the attack on Quebec. The regiment returned to England after forty-six years of service in the American colonies. It was sent to America again in 1776. It participated in the early battles including Princeton, Brandywine and Germantown. It was six companies of this regiment that seized the Chew House at the latter battle and thus turned the tide of the afTray. For this act it was honored with the only medal given to any regiment by the British Government for deeds done in the Revolutionary War. The 40th Regiment formed part of the expedition to the West Indies in the spring of 1778. "Black Watch" (Nowthe42d Royal Highland Regiment of Foot) This is one of the nmst fanidus regiments in the British Army and is the oldest of the Highland regiments, having been organized in 1725. There has hardly been a campaign conducted by the British army in which one or both battalions of this regiment have not participated, and their record for gallantry is one of the brightest. They rendered most distinguished service in the War of Independence, and their battles include Long Island, White Plains, Brooklyn, Fort Washington, Amboy, Brandywine. Germantown, Monmouth and siege of Charlestown. They surrendered with Cornwallis at Yorktown. Forty-third Regiment of Foot (Now the Oxfordshire Light Infantry) Raised in 1741. At the outbreak of the Revolution the 43d was the first regiment sent out to America. It was stationed at Boston, and its first battle was at Bunker Hill, 17th of June. 1775, where it suffered severely. It was employed continuously throughout the war, and its hard and varied services included Brooklyn, Long Island, White Plains, Fort Washington, Brandywine, Monmouth. Quaker Hill and other battles, down to the surrender at Yorktown. Forty-fourth Regiment of Foot (Now the Essex Regiment) Raised in 1740. Embarked for Boston m May, 1775, arriving just after the Battle of Bunker Hill. Was at Long Island, Brandywine, German- town and Monmouth, after which it was in New York until 1780, when it went to Canada. 107 Forty-sixth Regiment of Foot ( Now Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry ) This regiment participated in the Battle of Brandywine, and its Light Infantry companies took part in the night attack of Paoli. Fifty-fifth Regiment of Foot ( Now the Borden Regiment) Raised in 1756. Fought at Brooklyn. Brandywine, Germantown and other early conflicts. It was in New York in 1778 and was sent from there to the West Indies the same year. Sixty-fourth Regiment of Foot (Now the Prince of Welles' North Staffordshire Regiment ) Formed in 1758. In 1773 this regiment Vv^as in Boston. Its first battle m this country was at Long Island. Formed a part of Lord Howe's expedition to the Chesapeake and Philadelphia. Fought at Brandywine and Germantown. In 1779 they were active upon the Hudson River, and later the regiment took part in the South Carolina campaign, including the Battle of Eutaw Springs. In the Southern campaign this regiment lost 400 men. Old Seventy-first or Frazer's Highlanders This regiment was raised in Glasgow in 1776 and numbered 2340 men, in two battalions. After the occupation of Philadelphia the 71st was ordered back to New York. It was in the Savannah campaign and later, at the Battle of Cowpens, retreated in great disorder. At the surrender of Yorktown it mustered onlv 300 men. Disbanded at Per;h in 1783. Sixteenth, or the Queen's Light Dragoons Raised in 1759 by Lieut. Col. John Burgoyne. Sent to America in the autumn of 1776. Upon Dec. 13th. 1776, this corps captured General Charles Lee. The Dragoons were at Brandywine and Germantown and were constantly engaged in raids and skirmishes. After Monmouth the corps returned to England. Seventeenth Light Dragoons Raised in 1759. This was the first cavalry organization sent to America after the opening of the Revolution. It took part, dismounted, in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Upon the evacuation of Boston the regiment was sent to Halifax, but soon afterward was ordered to Staten Island. The 17th was a participant in the battles of 1776 and the expedition to Danbury. The Dragoons were busy throughout the war in foraging for supplies both in the North and South. The 17th fought desperately at Charleston, Monks Corner, Camden and Cowpens, and remained in America until 1783. First Regiment Foot Guards The Brigade of Foot Guards or Household Troops included the First Regiment (now the Grenadier Guards), the 3d Regiment (now the Scots Guards), and the Coldstream Regiment (now the Coldstream Guards). From these organizations a combined regiment was formed for service in America. This regiment reached Staten Island in August, 1776, and was in all of the subsequent actions of that year. The Foot Guards were in the Germantown battle and had a part at Monmouth, the capture of Fort Lafayette and the burning of Fairfield. In 1780 the regiment was sent to join Cornwallis in the South, losing many officers and men at Guilford Court House. They were surrendered at Yorktown. Royal Artillery Eight companies of this permanent branch of the British military forces were with Gen. Howe in Philadelphia. The Royal Artillery 108 was organized in 1716. The defenses around Philadelphia were largely built by the artillerymen. The remnant of the force was surrendered at Yorktown. While in Philadelphia the artillerymen suffered much from the cold, being without great coats. It is interesting as illustrating the "red tape" of the time, to note that a requisition made by this force for great coats in 1777 was honored by the home authorities in 1786. The Hessian Contingent in America The custom of selling their soldiery to other countries was no new . thing with the petty prmces of Germany at the time when the American Revolution loomed in the West, and Great Britain had frequently been a customer at the military bargain-counter of the Hesses. Indeed, so active, at times, had been the competition for the unhappy German regiments that more than once they had been arrayed in battle against each other. The greater statesmen of the Continent condemned this traffic in flesh and blood, and Schiller most eloquently protested against it in a tragedy, "Cabale und Liebe.". The scenes at the departure of the troops from their native land and their families are described as most terrible and pitiful. Six provinces furnished these hirelings, Hesse Casscl supplying about one-half of the whole. From this principality Great Britain bought the services of fifteen regiments of infantry, four battalions of grenadiers, one corps of chasseurs and three corps of artillery. In all the Hessian contingent numbered 29,867 men. Of these about 1200 were killed in battle, 6354 died of diseases and accident, 5000 deserted and 17.313 eventually returned to Europe. The Hessian regiments under Lord Howe were from Hesse Cassel. Those who were captured at Saratoga were marched in the autumn of 1777 across the State of Massachusetts to Boston. Intelligent writers among them have recorded that they were much impressed with the dignity and soldierly spirit of their captors who, although without uniforms and many of them in rags, stood like statues when the prisoners were marched between the lines. They also admired the sturdy country people who thronged along the route to see them. The plucky Baroness Riedesel. with her children, accompanied her husband, the Hessian com- mander, and left a sprightly record of her experiences. These prisoners were barracked a year at Cambridge, and in Novem- ber, 1778, were marched to Charlottesville. Va.. where many of them were detained until the end of the war. While in New England they were humanely allowed to hire out to the farmers: the Baroness even gave a fine ball (June 3d) to the British and Hessian officers, all singing "God save the King!" with much defiant gusto. The Germans also worked upon the Virginia farms and at their trades, those who remained in the country generally marrying and leaving many thrifty descendants. One of the regiments which returned to the Fatherland marched into its native city behind a drum corps of Southern negroes, a souvenir of their long captivity. The Loyalists and What Became of Them In addition to the Tory soldiery gathered under Lord Dunmore, Governor ]\Iartin, of North Carolina, and Henry Ferguson, of South Carolina, in the South, and with Col. Butler in Pennsylvania, the following enlisted Loyalists are enumerated in "Sabine's American Loyalists" (Boston. 1847) : The King's Rangers; the Royal Fensible Americans: the King's American Regiment; the New York Volunteers: the Maryland Loyalists; De Lancey's Battalions (3): the Second American Regiment; the King's Rangers, Carolina: the South Carolina Royalists; the North Carolina Highland Regiment: the King's American Dragoons; the Loyal Ameri- can Regiment; the American Legion; the New Jersey Volunteers (3); the British Legion; the Loyal Foresters; the Orange Rangers; the Pennsylvania Loyalists: the Guides and Pioneers; the North Carolina 109 Volunteers; the Georgia Loyalists; the West Chester Volunteers; the Newport Associates; the Loyal New Englanders; the Associated Loyalists; the Wentworth Volunteers; and Col. Archibald Hamilton's Loyal Militia. Total, ^3 battalions The members of these organizations, as well as many who were classed only as passive loyalists, fled the country when the British cause failed, some going to Jamaica, others to England, but the larger part to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is said that, in a single year the popu- lation of Halifax was doubled by these refugees. Thousands fled to the north shores of the great lakes, where they formed the "United Empire of Loyalists," and became pioneers of the Canadian province of Ontario. Those who went to London were provided for in either the arm}' establishment, in small civil offices or were, in various ways, helped along, but among them, wherever they were, there was much suffering and bitterness of mind. Some eventually came back to the States and secured the return of at least a part of the property they had lost. Within ten years after the war had closed the British Government had pensioned most of the clamorous loyalist soldiers and had disbursed in Canada some £3,292,455 as compensation for property losses by reason of their banishment from their old homes, as well as granting to these settlers large tracts of land, with farming implements and other necessities. The Cost of the War The war in America cost the LInited States, including foreign debt of $7,885,085, a total of about $42,000,000 and a loss in lives computed at 100,000 persons. The cost to Great Britain was £152,115,000. or about $750,000,000 and the lives of 43,633 soldiers and sailors. The British Army in America Besides a mighty navy. Great Britain had a force in America amount- ing, nearly, to 42,000 men, besides from 25,000 to 30,000 loyalists who were actually enlisted in the several provincial corps raised during the war. Although it is customary in the British service to inscribe battles fought by the various regiments upon their standards, the military authorities were so humiliated by the result of their long struggle with the Americans that the flags of their troops have never borne the names of any Revolutionary battles. Total Number of Those Who Served in the American Army According to a Report of the Secretary of War, General Knox, in 1790, the troops of the American Army engaged in the War of the Revolution were furnished by the States as follows: Continentals. Militia. Continentals. Militia. New Hampshire . . 12.496 3.700 Maryland 13 832 3.929 Massachusetts.... 67.907 15.145 Virginia 26,672 4.429 Rhode Island 5,908 4.284 N. Carolina 7,26s 3.975 Connecticut 32.039 7.238 S: Carolina 6,660 New York 17.781 3.866 Georgia 2,679 Pennsylvania 25,608 7.357 Delaware 2387 0,376 Totals 231,959 58,747 In addition to these officially accounted for troops, a conjectural force of 105,580 men has a place upon the report, composed of more or less mythical levies from the various States and of the many who served temporarily. These troops are omitted from Nile's Register. It will be seen that of the total number of soldiers, as accounted for, who served at some time during the war. but five per cent, approximately were encamped at Valley Forge. PLANS OF THE VALLEY FORGE PARK COMMISSION Having- at its disposal an ample fund for the prosecution of the well-matured plans for the further preservation of the camp- ground and for rendering it more attractive and accessil)le, the Conuuission is now proceeding to the actual realization of its task. It is expected that the building and grounds of the Washington Headquarters, which are still in the possession of those who have so patriotically and faithfully guarded them for many years, \\n\l become the property of the State. When this takes place the present small fee charged for admission to the building will cease and everything will thereafter be free to the public. Certain additional lands are to be secured, the present park road macadamized and continued bevond the Washington redoubt along the "military crest" of the ridge as far as Port Kennedy, making a drive of about six miles in length, along which nearly all of the projected State monuments will be placed. Mr. A. H. L)Owen, the present secretary, has been appointed superintendent, and several guards will be employed to patrol these sacred acres. Thus, in time, \'alley Forge Encampment field will fulfill its destiny as a grand object lesson in patriotism and an impres- sive memorial of the men and the story of the American Revolutionary struggle. ^be Bailc\>, Ban^s d BibMe do, 1218 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. 3S6abGC6 for Ipatriottc anb IHercbitari? Societies A MONG the numerous Patriotic Societies which enroll such a large portion of the most select of the American people, none are more distinguished than those which are composed of the descendants of Revolutionary soldiers. With the awakened in- terest in the thrilling history of our land, the orders which seek to perpetuate and safe- guard its sacred memories have become numerically large and powerful. National Society Coloniai Dames of America. ^H-i.!^ Society of Cincinnati. The right to wear the badges, visible tokens of membership in these noble organizations, is rightly considered a high dis- tinction. Their designing has thus received the greatest attention. A house known throughout the country as manufacturers of highest grade work of this kind is The Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., of Philada. 1218 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. In addition to being the Official Insignia Makers for the Military and Naval Orders of the United States, this Company is maker also for the majority of the Hereditary and Patriotic Societies as follows : National Society Children American Revolution. Military Order ot the Loyal Legion of the United States. Society of the Cincinnati. Society of Sons of the Revolution. General Society of the War of 1812. Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States. Society Army of Santiago de Cuba. National Society Army of the Philippines. Society of the Porto Rican Expedition. Military Order of the Dragon. Military Order of the Carabao. Society of Manila Bay. Order of Founders and Patriots ot America. Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors. National Society Colonial Dames of America. Order of Runnemede (Magna Charta). Society Daughters of the Cincinnati. National Society Children American Revolution. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The great growth of these organizations dur- ing the last thirty years is evidence of a Patriotic Sentiment among the American people, grow- ing stronger every year. Society of Colonial Wars (Miniature). Naval Order of the United States. Society Army of the Potomac. Society Army of the Cumberland. Order of Indian Wars of United States. Naval and Military Order Spanish- American War. Society of Sons of the Revolution. 113 flUonumental Htt in Hmerica T70R the preservation of historical facts and the glory of great men and deeds, the world is indebted chiefly to the builder of monuments. The printed page, the written manuscript will fade from sight, but stone and bronze are enduring. That the encouragement of Monumental Art in America has developed greatly within recent years is an evidence of the higher plane of our civilization not less than the larger wealth of the people. The beauty and interest of the cities of Europe are due in a o-reat degree to the splendor and abundance of their Monu- ments and Statues. No other epoch in this country has led in directing public attention to this field of art to the same extent as the Civil 114 War. In the course of their business as specialists in Military Monuments, The Van Amringe Granite Company, of Boston, has led all competitors, both in point of excellence in design and execution, and the number of monuments they have erected. This company has furnished 97 Regimental Memorials, and three Pedestals for Equestrian Statues at Gettysburg ; 20 Reg- imental Memorials at Antietam ; 37 Regimental Memorials and State Memorials for Maryland, Ohio and Iowa, at Chicamauga, Ga. In the same line of work The Van Amringe Granite Company has erected G. A. R. Monuments at the following places: ^^ Bellefonte, Pa. Meadville, Pii. Cambridge, Ohio. Ypsilanti, Ohio. Big Rapids, Mich. ^ Wakefield, Mass. Gardner, Mass. f- Upton, Mass. 1, Brantord, Mass. New London, Conn. South Norwalk, Conn. West Haven, Conn. Norwich, Conn. Biistol, R. I. Kingston, R. I. The amount and variety of designs which have been executed for other purposes, including private work, is too large to specify in this space. The Van Amringe Granite Company will prepare designs and submit estimates P'ree of Charge to any committee or commission, guaranteeing quality, durability and originality at moderate prices. Address XLbc Dan anunutjc Granite Company) 172 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. lis The Colonial Spring at Valley Forge / / I N the storied dajs following the Revolu- tion, the correct thing in select and fashionable society was a journey and a sojourn at the famous springs of the Schuylkill Valley, and many a stately coach rumbled over the rough roads leading through the Chester County woods, bearing gouty worthies to these havens of health from the pleasures of the town. As early as 1809 the pollution of the Schuylkill River was a matter of complaint, and those who lived within reach of the lusty springs, which poured their clear waters unfettered into the river, were deemed fortunate. Far up on the western hill slope above the Valley Forge stream, one of the finest of these pure fountains has long guslied forth from the rocks, and close by, in those far away days, the historic Slab Tavern gave rude entertainment to those who came here for the undoubted benefit of the water. This beautiful Spring may be reached conveniently from Valley Forge Station. It has been enclosed within a fine stone building, whence it is conveyed by glass pipes to a bottling house, from which it is sent under conditions of absolute purity in large ciuantities to the city of Philadelphia and elsewhere. Being within a brief walk of the village of Valley Forge, it is well worth visiting, especially as its site commands a splendid view of the surrounding The Spring House and Bottling Plant of Colonial Spring. 116 country. The water may be liad free of charge by all visitors. The large tract of land surrounding and above the Colonial Spring and rising to an elevation of more than six hundred feet, is controlled by the Colonial Spring Co., and is entirely primeval in its condition. The Spring flows directly from a stratum of the limeless Potsdam Sandstone. Repeated analyses by well-known chemists prove this water to be abso- lutely pure. It is rapidly gaining favor in Philadelphia homes, where it is being served in sterilized and sealed bottles and demijohns at a moderate price. It is the water one can always be sure of. THE COLONIAL SPRING CO. 258 N. Broad St., Philadelphia. Pa. 1 *^^iu. 4 jF^lp^^?^ ^^-' . m ■*! p! •^^^ ' The Primeval Hills above Colonial Spring. \^'fi'X: ' Interior of Colonial Spring Building 117 BETZWOOD FAMOUS STOCK FARM IN the midst of a region noted for its splendid tillage and beautiful vistas, Betzwood, upon the eastern shore of the Schuylkill River, opposite Port Kennedy and within sight of Valley Forge, is the most extensive and beautiful farm property. This fine tract of more than a thousand acres has been developed by Mr. John F. Betz, of Philadelphia, as not only an ideal country home for himself and Mr. John F. Betz, Jr., but as a stock farm for the breeding and sale of fine cattle and horses. Mr. Betz also engages here in raising of carriage, saddle and draught horses of registered pedigrees. Betzwood includes besides its broad grazing acres, extensive well-planted lawns, thread- ed with winding private drives, handsome modern residences, conservatories, a deer park and large power house upon the banks of the river. Betz- wood station, upon the Schuylkill division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, also upon the property, is reached by frequent trains in about one hour from Broad St. Station. Mr. Buck Taylor the famous frontiersman is superinten- dent. THE CONSERVATORY. TO VALLEY FORGE VIA THE PHILA- DELPHIA 6 READING RAILWAY Valley Forge is reached direct l:>y rail via the Schuylkill Valley Division of the 1 'hiladeli)hia & Reading Railway. The time from the Reading Terminal, Philadelphia, is about one hour. The Valley Forge Station is close to the old Washington Headquarters l)uilding and at the northeastern corner of the Reservation. The village of Valley Forge is nestled in the sluulows of the defile, nuich of it in picturescjue ruin. The grounds and buildings of the 1 Icadcjuarters are kept in excellent repair and are always open. At the Washington Inn good meals may be had and carriages engaged for a tour of the Reservation. Ample conveniences exist for excursions and picnics. A path- way leads from the station up the slope to the remains of the earthworks which, connnencing near the river, extend westward along the hillsides. One mile 1)elow the station is the site of the log iM'idge built across the river at Fatland Ferry by Gen. Sullivan's brigade. The little journey from the city to this scene affords glimpses of nmch that is charming in the scenery environing the Schuylkill River. CARRIAGES FOR VALLEY FORGE Arrangements may be made for vehicles desired by large or small parties of visitors for a tour of the Valley Forge encamp- ment field by addressing Mr. Ivin C. Walker, Carriage Bazar, A'orristown, Pa. This establishment is prepared to send four- horse omnibuses or individual conveyances to stations along either the Pennsylvania Railroad or the Philadelphia & Reading- Railway. The drivers are familiar with the field and are satis- factory guides. Bell telephone, 520 E Main. 119 ALONG THE HISTORIC MAIN LINE The region immediately to the westward of Philadelphia which is traversed l:)y the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad is at once most beautiful in natural attractions and the character of its many residential villages and costly private domains, and most historically interesting in relation to the American Revolution. It was through this section that the British army advanced in September, 1777, after the Battle of Brandy wine, and only the intervention of a heavy rain-storm prevented the occurrence of a battle here which would, probably, have changed the story of the war for Freedom and possibly the destiny of the nation. Atany of the existing buildings closely related to the tale of Valley Forge used as headquarters, hospitals and outposts are scattered along the ridge or in the valley to the south and west of the encampment park. At Paoli stands the monument where the merciless night attack of General Gray's cohunn upon Wayne's farmer soldiers resulted in a massacre which stands forever as a blot upon the fair fame of the British army. It is a delightful ride from Valley Forge across the country to Berwyn upon the main line, rich as the whole scene is in its historic suggestions. The approach to Valley Forge from 15r}n Mawr bv carriage leads past the ruins of the old Gulf Mill, the scene of a Revolutionary encampment of some days' duration, and by the old "King of Prussia" Road, along which the hungry but resolute Continentals marched to the protecting height of Valley Forge. This approach to the field is most impressive. APR =^4