The decision to encamp here had been reached only after a long and tedious argument into which we need not enter. The decision was met with a protest from the Assembly of Pennsylvania, whose members considered it the duty of Washington to keep the field throughout the winter. He was stung to the quick by this utter lack of consideration for the men under him and addressed a long letter to the President of Congress. Washington has sometimes been regarded as passionless, but these are the words of a man thoroughly aroused: "We have," he says, "by a field-return this day (December 23d) made no less than two thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight men now in camp unfit for duty, because they are barefoot and otherwise naked. By the same return it appears that our whole strength in Continental troops, including the eastern brigades, which have joined us since the surrender of General Burgoyne, exclusive of the Maryland troops sent to Wilmington, amounts to no more than eight thousand two hundred in camp fit for duty; notwithstanding which, and that since the 4th instant, our numbers fit for duty, from the hardships and exposures they have undergone, particularly on account of blankets (numbers having been obliged, and still are, to sit up all night by fires, instead of taking comfortable rest in a natural and common way), have decreased near two thousand men.

"We find gentlemen, without knowing whether the army was really going into winter quarters or not (for I am sure no resolution of mine would warrant the remonstrance), reprobating the measure as much as if they thought the soldiers were made of stocks or stones, and equally insensible of frost and snow; and moreover, as if they conceived it easily practicable for an inferior army, under the disadvantages I have described ours to be, which are by no means exaggerated, to confine a superior one, in all respects well-appointed and provided for a winter's campaign, within the city of Philadelphia, and to cover from depredation and waste the States of Pennsylvania and Jersey. . . . I can assure these gentlemen, that it is a much easier and less distressing thing to draw remonstrances in a comfortable room by a good fireside, than to occupy a cold, bleak hill, and sleep under frost and snow, without clothes

or blankets. However, although they seem to have little feeling for the naked and distressed soldiers, I feel superabundantly for them, and, from my soul, I pity those miseries, which it is neither in my power to relieve or prevent."

While reading these words one is reminded of Lowell's tribute to Washington:

Dumb for himself, unless it were to God,
But for his barefoot soldiers eloquent,

Tramping the snow to coral where they trod,

Held by his awe in hollow-eyed content.

In these few lines the poet has told the story of Valley Forge and its hero.

In the "Memoirs of Chevalier de Pontgibaud there is an interesting description of Washington as he appeared at Valley Forge. "Washington," says he, "was intended by nature for a great position-his appearance alone gave confidence to the timid, and imposed respect on the bold. He possessed also those external advantages which a man born to command should have; tall stature, a noble face, gentleness in his glance, amenity in his language, simplicity in his gestures and expression. A calm, firm bearing harmonized perfectly with these attributes. He appeared to be about forty. He dressed in the most simple manner, without any of the marks distinctive of a commanding officer."

The West Chester State Normal School has in its possession a portrait of Washington which was painted here by Charles Willson Peale, at that time an officer in the army. It is painted on bedticking.

General Knox's Artillery.-The next point of interest along the Camp Road is the site of General Knox's Artillery. Close to the road stood the camp blacksmith shop. In front of this was placed the artillery, and here the Commission has placed a battery. Between the Camp Road and the Washington Lane the marks of the soldiers' huts have been found. These roads meet at the beginning of the Inner Line Boulevard at Washington Redoubt.

THE INNER LINE BOULEVARD.

The Inner Line Boulevard begins at Fort Washington and follows the line of the earthworks. It is one of the most delightful drives in the park. Pedestrians will find a shorter route by entering the woodland to the right of the redoubt. The path

leads up the hillside, crosses the boulevard and continues to the observatory on Mount Joy. In front of the line of earthworks it passes a rifle pit. This will be seen to the right of the path.

Washington Redoubt.-Washington Redoubt, one of the most important defenses of the American army at Valley Forge, is well worth a visit. The old earthwork has been restored by

the Commission, which has also built observation platforms, sc that visitors can see its outline without treading down the embankment. The redoubt is of small size, its longest side being less than a hundred feet. The traverse, the earthwork which divides it into two parts, is seventy-five feet long. This was intended to protect its defenders from an enfilading fire. A lunette to the west of the redoubt is marked by cannon.

The ground falls away steeply from the boulevard on the left, and through the trees are charming views of the Chester Valley.

Woodford's Brigade. On the right of the boulevard the Commission has located the sites of soldiers' huts. These were probably occupied by the men of Gen. William Woodford's Brigade. When the Virginia troops assembled at Williamsburg in the autumn of 1775 he was chosen colonel of the Second Virginia Regiment, having established for himself a reputation as a soldier in the French and Indian War. The choice was a wise one. At Hampton Roads and Great Bridge he and his Virginians acquitted themselves with honor in the struggle with Lord Dunmore. His ability was recognized, and in 1777 he was appointed brigadier-general and given command of the First Virginia Brigade. Although he was wounded in the hand at the Battle of Brandywine, he took part in the Battle of Germantown, and was with the army in its encampment here.

This hillside will ever be reverenced as the camping ground of John Marshall, who as soldier, author, jurist and statesman faithfully served his country, and by his wisdom laid deep and firm the foundation of constitutional liberty in America. He was only twenty-two years old when his regiment, the Eleventh Virginia, came to this spot, but already he was giving evidence of those rare qualities and great ability with which he was endowed. Disputes among his fellow officers were referred to him for settlement, and his judgments were so fair and his reasons for them so sound that they were generally accepted as final. Officially he was employed as Deputy Judge Advocate, and in this position formed the friendship of Washington and Hamilton.

One of his companions has thus described some of their ex