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In the winter of 1777, Commander in Chief
George Washington moved his army to a winter camp at Valley Forge, some 20 miles
outside of Philadelphia. For the next few months, the soldiers suffered from starvation,
the lack of adequate clothing, and poor hygiene. Although morale was low, Washington
managed to keep the struggling army together. A new quartermaster general, Nathanael
Greene, and a German drillmaster, Baron von Steuben, helped bring supplies and
order to the broken army. The following diary entry from Dr. Albigence Waldo describes
the physical and emotional suffering endured by the troops at Valley Forge:
"December 14-Prisoners & Deserters are continually coming in. The Army which has been surprisingly healthy hitherto, now begins to grow sickly from the continued fatigues they have suffered this Campaign. Yet they still show a spirit of Alacrity & Contentment not to be expected from so young Troops. I am Sick- discontented-and out of humour. Poor food-hard lodging-Cold Weather-fatigue-Nasty Cloaths-nasty Cookery-Vomit half my time-Smoak'd out of my senses [by the smoke created by the guns]-the Devil's in it-I can't Endure it-Why are we sent here to starve and Freeze-What sweet Felicities have I left at home; A charming Wife-pretty Children-Good Beds-good food-good Cookery-All agreeable-all harmonious. Here all Confusion-smoke & Cold- hunger & filthyness-a pox on my bad luck. There comes a bowl of beef soup-full of burnt leaves and dirt. . . . Away with it Boys-I'll live like the Chameleon upon Air. Poh! Poh! Cries Patience within me-you talk like a fool. Your being Covers your mind with a Melancholic Gloom, which makes everything about you appear gloomy. See the poor Soldier, when in health-with what cheerfulness he meets his foes and encounters every hardship-if barefoot, he labours thro' the Mud & Cold with a Song in his mouth extolling War & Washington-if his food be bad, he eats it notwithstanding with seeming content-blesses God for a good Stomach and Whistles it into digestion. But harkee Patience, a moment-There comes a Soldier, his bare feet are seen thro' his worn out Shoes, his legs nearly naked from the tatter'd remains of an only pair of stockings, his Breeches not sufficient to cover his nakedness, his Shirt
hanging in Strings, his hair dishevell'd, his face meager; his whole appearance pictures a person forsaken & discouraged. He comes, and crys with and air of wretchedness & despair, I am Sick, my feet lame, my legs sore, my body cover'd with this tormenting Itch-my Cloaths are worn out, my Constitution is broken, my former Activity is exhausted by fatigue, hunger & Cold, I fail fast I shall soon be no more! And all the reward I shall get will be-'Poor Will is dead.' People who live at home in Luxury and Ease, quietly possessing their habitations, Enjoying their Wives & families in peace, have but a very faint idea of the unpleasing sensations, and continual Anxiety that Man endures who is in a Camp, and is the husband and parent of an agreeable family. These same People are willing we should suffer every thing for their Benefit & advantage, and yet are the first to Condemn us for not doing more!!"
Throughout the coming months The Patriot Papers will address the issue of
slavery during Washington’s time. In view of Washington’s many attributes
and accomplishments, it is difficult to acknowledge his role as slave owner. Guest
historians will share their perspectives; we invite you to share yours. Hopefully,
through dialogue, we will increase our understanding.
—F. A. Pulles, editor
PatriotPapers@npg.si.edu
RUNAWAY SLAVE. Mrs. Washington
is greatly distressed by the loss of Olney Judge, her Mount Vernon servant so
skilled in needlework. The girl, we hear, was lured away by a Frenchman who tired
of her and left her stranded in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. President Washington
has sent word that all will be forgiven if she returns to her mistress, but she
has refused to come back unless promised her freedom. This puts the President
in an awkward situation. Privately he has said that although he is sympathetic
to her demand, setting her free would only reward her for running away, and would
spread discontent among the rest of his servants (as he calls them), who by being
faithful are more deserving of their freedom than the runaway. Above all, the
President cautioned that no violent means should be used to bring her back, lest
a mob or riot be excited. Rather than risk this happening, he would tell Mrs.
Washington she must get along without the services of Olney Judge.
FREEDOM TOO GREAT A TEMPTATION.
President Washington has brought a handful of servants from Mount Vernon, but
he will be faced with the difficulty of complying with the Pennsylvania law freeing
adult slaves who have lived in Pennsylvania for six months in a row. It is believed
that the President, therefore, will have to shuttle these servants back and forth
and suffer the inconvenience of sometimes being without his cook Hercules. Asked
if he feared his slaves might take advantage of being in the north to run away,
the President has privately conceded that “the idea of freedom might be
too great a temptation for them to resist.”
PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE, 190 HIGH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. Senator Robert Morris’s
dwelling at 190 High Street has turned out to be the best house available for
the President’s use, and Mr. Morris has graciously agreed to move around
the corner. Additions will be made to accommodate Mrs. Washington and her two
grandchildren, Nelly, who is about twelve, and
George Washington, who is about ten, as well as the President’s secretary
and numerous servants. The bathing room has been turned into a study to provide
for a room in which the President can do business, but unfortunately, it will
be necessary for visitors to walk up two flights of stairs and pass by the public
rooms and private chambers to get to it. The President has insisted that the house
is to be finished in a plain and neat manner and has ruled out tapestry or very
rich and costly wallpaper. He has also ruled that the back yard be kept as clean
as the parlor since it is in full view from the best rooms in the house.
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