Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1903 — WASHINGTON AT VAttEY FORGE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON AT VAttEY FORGE.

ST was a terrible winter, that of 1777-78, and the skies begap to look gloomy, for the American Colonies. ~ Their army was much weaker than that of the invaders, and was continually driven back, until at last Philadelphia had fallen, .and Washington and hfe ragged patriots had gone into winter quartets at Wadley Forge, twenty miles from Philadelphia. While they shivered with cold and nearly starved, the twenty thousand English and Hessian soldiers in Philadelphia feasted "and rioted in the height of pleasure. It Wai a gloomy contrast, Indeed. Washington’s match to Valley Forge was made in the middle of December.

Thousands ojf his meii Were without shoes or stockings, ahd the snow was marked by many a bloody footprint The camp was laid out In rows of lag cabins, the quarters of the officers being opposite their respective regiments and companies. The position was a natutally strong one, being protected by the river and hills, while entrenchments and redoubts were, added. Biflemen were stationed In advance ofihe lines, and full prcautlons were taken against surprise. The huts were small and contained but one room <(acb. Each cabin was occupied by twelve men. Few had anything In the way of bedding, many could not even obtain straw. They huddled together onr the bare floor, catching what they could of the heat given out by the Are, r and counting on the mutual warmth of their bodies. When the wind moaned through the crevices, and the fine snow sifted In through the logs, 'they nestled close to each other with chattering teeth and shivering bodies, pondering whether on the morrow any food Would be left fqr them. During thope woeful times. It is said, Isaac Potts, returning through the woods to his home one day. overheard a voice as of some one in supplication. Peering among the trees he saw the commander-in-chief on his knees, lnr fervent prayer for his country and army. The faimer stole away unnoticed, and on reaching home assured his wife that he no longer doubted the success of thfe Americans. u The burdens heaped on the shoulders of Washington were Indeed endugh to crush any man, but, great as they were, he was called upon to bear still mor& ' s - Even a plot was formed to supersede Washington, the active spirits In which were Conway, Gates, Mifflin, and General' (Jharles Le<s. It is known In history as the “Conway Cabal,” and Its object was to place General Gates In supreme command—an officer who In ability, patriotism and statesmanship was not to be thought of for a moment at the side of the Illustrious Father of his Country. Henry Laurens, who had succeeded John Hancock as president of Congress, was a warm friend of Washington and informed him of everything that was going on, but the commander-In-chlef maintained his silence and dignity through the whole conspiracy, and It soon collapsed. Then there came to the gaunt, famishing army at Valley Forge a man whpse arrival marked an epoch in the prowess Of American arms. This personage was Baron Frederick von Steuben, a man two years older than Washington. He was born In a Prussian fortress, passed his childhood among soldiers, and became one himself when only 14 years of age. He fought bravely on some of the most famous battle flfelds of Europe. This man was appointed Inspector general In place of Conway, and he threw his whole soul into the work. His experience and ability were Invaluable In training the soldiers for the great and decisive battles that yet remained to be fought. Steuben possessed a fraime of iron, and never spared himself. He had a fiery temper, but the soldiers liked him none the worse, though they could not help smiling when, having exhausted his short supply of English, he would beg his lieutenant to thunder at the awkward fellows. Ho was, Indeed, the invaluable drill-master for Washington and furnished him a real army. Great good, then, flowed from the surrender of Burgoyne’s army, which had taken place near Stillwater on the Hudson, on Oct 17, 1777. Benjamin Franklin, then American ambassador at the court of France, at once saw a golden opportunity to urge the claims of America, and the king, who had already shown himself friendly, threw aside all hesitation and announced his Intention of forming an alliance with the Colonies. The treaty was successfully concluded. Feb. 6, 1778. By It France acknowledged the Independence of the United States and entered Into relations of reciprocal friendship with our country. It. was agreed that they should make common cause, and that neither should treat with Great Britain for peace without the, consent of the other—the first and one of the most Important treaties ever made by America. England was Incensed, our country was delighted. In the month of March, however, the English Parliament pns°''d two ccnc n !«tovy measures, which gave to the American ah they had at first asked: it yielded the right to tax them, phd recognized Congress as a representative body. Only one concession was lacking: Parliament did not yet acknowledge the Independence of the United States. But the withdrawal of the English army from Philadelphia soon followed. Expecting a war with France, England gradually concentrated all Its forces at New York, thus giving Washington a chance to strike a blow and fight a battle here and there, until finally In 1783 peace was concluded and independence gloriously won.—lllustrated Home Journal