built over the entrance to what has been romantically called the "Passage to the River," and supposed to have formed a secret way by which Washington was to escape the British in case of an attack. A narrow passage leads down by thirteen steps to a vaulted cellar 14 feet 7 inches long, 10 feet 2 inches wide and 7 feet 10 inches high. It seems to have been the kitchen cellar.

The Grounds.-The grounds about the headquarters are kept in excellent order and add greatly to the attractiveness of the spot.

The Commission has removed the fence and built a low stone wall in front of the headquarters. The large cannon to the south of the house was presented by the Navy Department of the United States. It bears the arms of Great Britain and the initials G. R., showing that it was once the property of King George III.

T

THE VALLEY CREEK.

HE Mill. Opposite the house stood the grist mill of
Isaac Potts.

The old mill was destroyed by fire in the spring of 1843, the fire being started by a spark from a locomotive. Mrs. Ogden, who owned the headquarters in 1874, said: “It stood near the railroad, and was much larger than the mill my father built higher up the race the next year, and which is now used as a paper mill. The old mill had very heavy massive timbers used in its building, which were unimpaired by time, and I heard say the burrs were the best in the country; they were all de stroyed by the fire."

Chevalier de Pontgibaud says that Washington used the mill as his headquarters, but I have not found anything to sus tain this statement, although it may have been used as an of fice, being so close to the residence of the Commander-in-Chief.

A piece of the old water wheel is preserved in the headquarters. It is suspended over the doorway leading from the hall to the kitchen, and is of the greatest interest.

It will well repay those who can afford the time to go up the road along Valley Creek. Not only is it a picturesque drive, but it affords such points of interest as the site of the old forge, the Valley Forge Farm and Lafayette's headquarters.

Crossing the Gulph Road at the Washington Inn, and passing the woolen mill, the road follows all the windings of the creek, the hillsides becoming more steep, until the narrowest point of the valley is reached, where the creek has cut its way between Mount Misery and Mount Joy. Less than a mile from the headquarters is the Washington Spring, of which Washington probably knew nothing. From this there is a path up to the boulevard on the heights. Beyond is the supposed site of the old forge.

The Valley Forge. Wherever the forge stood, it gave the name to the famous camp. It was built some time between December, 1742, and April, 1752, by Stephen Evans, Daniel

Walker and Joseph Williams. Some time after 1751 a sawmill was built, and later the grist mill. The property came into the possession of John Potts, of Pottsgrove, the great ironmaster, in 1757. Up to this time the forge had been called Mount Joy Forge, as it was located on Mount Joy Manor. For a while the old name was retained, but was gradually superseded by the more familiar one of Valley Forge, derived naturally from the Valley Creek, whose waters were used by the old iron workers.

The property passed from John Potts to his son John, and from him to his brother Joseph, who, with his brother David and their cousin, Thomas Hockley, formed the firm of Potts, Hockley & Potts. The iron was brought from Warwick furnace in large quantities. At the time of the Revolution the property was owned by William Dewees, Jr., who seems to have carried on the

works in connection with David Potts, who for nearly fifty years had sold in `Philadelphia the bar iron made here.

When the British were at Valley Forge, September 18-21, 1777, the forge was destroyed. Hidden in the thick woods on Mount Joy, Alexander Hamilton watched the destruction which he was powerless to prevent. This gave the American soldiers an excuse to make inroads upon the buildings until they were checked by Washington. After the war the works were rebuilt farther down the stream, and were maintained until 1824, when they were allowed to fall into ruin.

Valley Forge Farm.-Less than a half-mile beyond the forge is Valley Forge Farm, the residence of the Hon. Philander C. Knox, Secretary of State, and Attorney-General under President McKinley and President Roosevelt. A quaint covered bridge spans the creek where it leaves the Senator's grounds, and crossing it one passes at once from the wild woodland scenery to a landscape whose natural beauties have been enhanced by the hand of man. The house occupied by the Secretary and his family is set amid well-kept lawns and is shaded by fine old trees. The best view of it is from the road just beyond the gateway. Of course visitors will not intrude upon the grounds. To the left, on the other side of the creek, is the old farmhouse which was the headquarters of General Knox.

Lafayette's Headquarters.-To reach Lafayette's headquarters turn to the left at the corner of the Secretary's grounds, and follow the road which skirts the lawns. This will soon descend to another bridge over Valley Creek. Just beyond this on the right stands the residence of Henry Wilson, which at the time of the encampment was owned by John Havard and occupied by Lafayette. The old house is in a splendid state of preservation. Visitors are not admitted.

Marquis Marie Jean Paul Joseph Roche Yves Gilbert du Motier Lafayette was only twenty years old when he came to Valley Forge, having recently been appointed to succeed Gen. Adam Stephen. Inspired by a romantic interest in the struggle for liberty he had eluded French vigilance, fitted out a ship at

his own expense and had come with Baron de Kalb and eleven other officers to offer his services to Congress. At first he served as a voluntary aide to Washington, and between them was formed that noble friendship which was an honor to them and their nations.

Lafayette was a victim of the Conway Cabal at first, but as soon as he saw what it meant he withdrew in disgust from those whom he counted the enemies of their country. Here he wrote a letter whose truth, loyalty and open-heartedness must have been a boon to Washington in that dark hour. In it he thus pledges himself to Washington: "My desire of deserving your satisfaction is stronger than ever, and everywhere you will employ me you can be certain of my trying every exertion in my power to succeed. I am now fixed to your fate, and I shall follow it and sustain it as well by my sword as by all means in my power."

One of the most interesting relics of Lafayette is the check for $120,000, paid to him by the United States as part of the $200,000 which he received for his services in the Revolution. This is preserved in the Valley Forge Museum of American History, together with letters and other relics of this devoted friend of America.

The road just traversed is the shortest route to Valley Forge Station. Those who have more time and desire a different route should turn to the right after passing through the covered bridge over Valley Creek, pass General Knox's headquarters, and turn to the left at the Centreville Road. At Fort Washington one can take the road on the left, the Camp Road, or follow the Centreville Road, here called Washington Lane, to the River Road. The first is shorter, as it soon strikes the Gulph Road, near the Front Line Boulevard. Turn to the left and follow the Gulph Road to the Washington Inn, and there turn to the right and pass the headquarters. By the second route, cross the Gulph Road and continue to the River Road. Turn to the left, and at the boulevard turn to the right.

To reach either the Port Kennedy Station or the Betzwood Station, turn to the right at the River Road, pass the Waterman Monument and Washington Memorial Chapel.