From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 180<br />
through chagrin, envy, or ambition, are endeavoring <strong>to</strong> lessen you in <strong>the</strong> minds of <strong>the</strong> people, and taking<br />
underhand methods <strong>to</strong> traduce your character," etc.<br />
Generals Gates, Mifflin, and Conway were engaged in this plot; but <strong>the</strong>ir timely and complete exposure<br />
redounded <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> honor of Washing<strong>to</strong>n.<br />
The duel which General Hamil<strong>to</strong>n fought with General Conway, in which <strong>the</strong> latter was severely wounded,<br />
grew out of this affair. Hamil<strong>to</strong>n could not endure <strong>the</strong> presence of an officer who was secretly plotting against<br />
his chief.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> month of February Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n joined her husband at Valley Forge, <strong>to</strong> share his winter quarters<br />
with him, as she had done at Cambridge and Morris<strong>to</strong>wn. She wrote <strong>to</strong> a friend:<br />
"The general's apartment is very small; he has had a log cabin built <strong>to</strong> dine in, which has made our quarters<br />
much more <strong>to</strong>lerable than <strong>the</strong>y were at first.<br />
"The commander-in-chief shared <strong>the</strong> privations of <strong>the</strong> camp with his men. His cabin was like <strong>the</strong>irs."<br />
The presence of Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n at Valley Forge was a blessing <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> army. She occupied her time fully in<br />
caring for <strong>the</strong> sick, sewing and mending for <strong>the</strong> "boys," and making herself generally useful.<br />
Again <strong>the</strong> commander-in-chief interceded with Congress for more liberal pay for his soldiers. Alluding <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
sufferings of his soldiers, he wrote:<br />
"To see men without clo<strong>the</strong>s <strong>to</strong> cover <strong>the</strong>ir nakedness, without blankets <strong>to</strong> lie on, without shoes (for <strong>the</strong> want<br />
of which <strong>the</strong>ir marches might be traced by <strong>the</strong> blood from <strong>the</strong>ir feet), and almost as often without provisions<br />
as with <strong>the</strong>m, marching through <strong>the</strong> frost and snow, and at Christmas taking up <strong>the</strong>ir winter quarters within a<br />
day's march of <strong>the</strong> enemy, without a house or hut <strong>to</strong> cover <strong>the</strong>m till it could be built, and submitting without a<br />
murmur, is a proof of patience and obedience which, in my opinion, cannot be paralleled."<br />
It was during this memorable winter at Valley Forge that a man by <strong>the</strong> name of Potts was strolling through <strong>the</strong><br />
woods, when he heard <strong>the</strong> sound of a human voice. Cautiously approaching <strong>the</strong> spot whence <strong>the</strong> voice<br />
proceeded, what was his surprise <strong>to</strong> discover Washing<strong>to</strong>n on his knees engaged in earnest prayer for his<br />
country. On returning home, Potts called <strong>to</strong> his wife, "Sarah, Sarah, all is well. George Washing<strong>to</strong>n will<br />
triumph!"<br />
"What is <strong>the</strong> matter now, Isaac? Thee seems moved," Mrs. Potts replied. (They were Quakers.)<br />
"I have this day seen what I never expected <strong>to</strong> see," Mr. Potts continued. "Thee knows that I have always<br />
thought <strong>the</strong> sword and <strong>the</strong> gospel utterly inconsistent, and that no man could be a soldier and a Christian at <strong>the</strong><br />
same time. But George Washing<strong>to</strong>n has this day convinced me of my mistake."<br />
He <strong>the</strong>n described <strong>the</strong> scene he had witnessed, adding:<br />
"If George Washing<strong>to</strong>n be not a man of God, I am greatly deceived; and still more shall I be deceived if God<br />
does not, through him, work out a great salvation for America."<br />
Baron Steuben, a renowned European general, coming <strong>to</strong> this country at this juncture <strong>to</strong> proffer his services,<br />
through <strong>the</strong> influence of Dr. Franklin, Washing<strong>to</strong>n induced Congress <strong>to</strong> commit <strong>the</strong> reorganization of <strong>the</strong> army<br />
<strong>to</strong> him. This proved a fortunate arrangement for <strong>the</strong> future of <strong>the</strong> army and country, next <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> appointment of<br />
General Green quarter-master-general.