Valley Forge, a Chronicle of American Heroism

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... 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 merchants, 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 bis 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 condition, 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 courage of the enemy's army has revived in consequence of our proclamations, offers 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. Philadelphia. June 5th 1778 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 1st, 1777, inspired probably by a flag 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....