the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been, ere this, excited by their sufferings to a general mutiny and desertion."

Dr. Thacher, a surgeon in the army, wrote, "It was with great difficulty that men enough could be found in a condition fit to discharge the military camp duties from day to day, and for this purpose those who were naked borrowed of those who had clothes. . . . When a miserable wretch was seen flitting from one hut to another, his nakedness was only covered with a dirty blanket." Unprovided with materials to raise their beds from the ground, the dampness occasioned sickness and death.

The encampment at Valley Forge presents one of the most trying scenes in the life of Washington, but, in perfect reliance upon Divine aid because he believed the cause he had espoused was just and righteous, a cloud of doubt seldom darkened the atmosphere of his hopes.

In all the trials of that winter at Valley Forge, Washington had the most earnest sympathies, cheerful spirit, and willing hands of his loving wife to sustain him and share in his cares. An old lady (Mrs. Westlake) eighty-four years age, who lived near Mr. Potts's in 1778, with whom I conversed at Norristown more than thirty years ago, said to

of

me,

66

I never in my life knew a woman so busy from early morning until late at night as was Lady Washington, providing comforts for the sick soldiers. Every day, excepting Sundays, the wives of officers in camp, and sometimes other women, were invited to Mr. Potts's to assist her in knitting socks, patching garments, and making shirts for the poor soldiers when materials could be procured. Every

MRS. WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE.

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fair day she might be seen, with basket in hand, and with a single attendant, going among the huts seeking the keenest and most needy sufferers, and giving all the comfort to them in her power. I sometimes went with her, for I was a stout girl, sixteen years old. On one occasion she went to the hut of a dying sergeant, whose young wife was with him. His case seemed to particularly touch the heart of the good lady, and after she had given him some wholesome food she had prepared with her own hands, she knelt down by his straw pallet and prayed earnestly for him and his wife with her sweet and solemn voice. I shall never forget the

scene.'

The head quarters at Valley Forge was very small-confined to two rooms, one for business and one used as a sleeping apartment for the general and his wife. The rest of the house was occupied by Mr. Potts and his family. In a letter to Mrs. Lund Washington, at Mount Vernon, written in March, Mrs. Washington said:

"The general's head-quarters have been made more tolerable by the addition of a log-cabin to the house, built to dine in. The apartment for business is only about sixteen feet square, and has a large fireplace. The house is built of stone. The walls are very thick, and below a deep east window, out of which the general can look upon the encamp

* Dr. Sparks says ("Writings of Washington," vol. i.), “Mrs. Washington joined her husband at Valley Forge in February." The statements I have made respecting her arrival at the camp at Whitemarsh and her going to Valley Forge and admission into the family of Mr. Potts, etc., are given on the verbal authority of George Washington Parke Custis, the grandson of Mrs. Washington, of Mrs. Westlake, above mentioned, and of Dr. Æneas Munson, of New Haven.

ment, he had a box made, which appears as a part of the casement, with a blind trap-door at top, in which he keeps his valuable papers."

At about the same time, Mrs. Washington wrote to Mercy Warren, saying, "It has given me unspeakable pleasure to hear that General Burgoyne and his army are in safe quarters in your State. Would a bountiful Providence aim a like stroke at General Howe the measure of my happiness would be complete."

The window depository for Washington's papers at the Potts-house was still there when I visited and sketched it in 1848. The log-cabin alluded to occupied the place of the smaller building adjoining the gable end of the house, seen in the sketch.

Washington's Lifeguard, commanded by Major Gibbs, of Rhode Island, was stationed near the river in sight of head-quarters, and the various brigades were scattered over the adjoining hill-sides under the command of Generals Knox, Varnum, McIntosh, Huntington, Maxwell, Muhlenberg, Weeden, Learned, Patterson, Wayne, Glover, Poor, Scott, and Lord Stirling. The wives of several of these of ficers reached camp in February, and helped to dispel some of the gloom that grew deeper and deeper over the scene until late in March, when warmer weather made soldier life there more tolerable. One or more of these ladies was with Mrs. Washington every day until early in May, when they returned to their homes, as it was expected the campaign would open very soon.

As the spring advanced, the comforts of the soldiers increased. Their clothing was replenished and their daily wants were more bountifully supplied. The shattered regi