THE VALLEY FORGE PARK AND

ROAD.

RIVER

The Entrance to Valley Forge Park.-The State of Pennsylvania, through the Valley Forge Park Commission, has acquired the land adjoining the Valley Forge station of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway and has made a driveway from the station to the intrenchments. This is the most direct route to the points of interest and affords some beautiful views of the river.

The United States Government, through the Hon. Irving P. Wanger, M. C., has been asked to appropriate $50,000 for the erection of "two memorial arches at the principal entrances to Valley Forge Park, to be called 'Washington memorial arch' and 'Steuben memorial arch.'" The Washington arch will be built at this entrance. Those who do not expect to return to the station should visit Washington's Headquarters before going to the intrenchments. It can be seen some four hundred feet to the west of the entrance to the Park. Others will find it more convenient to visit it after seeing as much of the encampment as their time permits.

The road follows the line of the river and by easy grades surmounts the hill on which the fortifications were built. The hillside to the right is historic ground, for there once stood the huts of the Life Guard.

The Life Guard.- This body of men had been organized in 1776, soon after the siege of Boston, and consisted of a major's command. Caleb Gibbs, of Massachusetts, was the first chief and bore the title of "captain commandant." He was also the disbursing agent for Washington's military family, as may be seen by referring to the reproduction of Washington's accounts on page 22. The Guard consisted entirely of Virginians, but while here it was increased by the addition of one hundred men chosen from the troops of the different States. This augmented body was made a model corps for the

execution of the manoeuvres of Baron Steuben. The first exhibition drill was given on April 6th. The men carried muskets and side arms. The uniform consisted of a blue coat with white facings, a white waistcoat, and breeches, black half-gaiters, and a cocked hat with a blue and white feather. A few of the men were mounted. One of the rosters of the Life Guard and other relics are on exhibition in the Valley Forge Museum.

It is well worth stopping at this point to enjoy the view across the valley. In the near foreground the house with a cupola is the "Washington Inn,” formerly the Mansion House of the Potts estate. Across the valley, perched on the steep slope of Mt. Misery, is the summer residence of Gen. B. F. Fisher. Near this is the famous Colonial Spring, the waters of which are so justly celebrated. The road winding toward the summit is used by the teams which haul stone to the crusher beyond the creek.

Looking now toward the northeast the old Gulph road can be traced as it ascends the hill. It is crossed by the boulevard almost at the point where the edge of the woods seems to cut it off. The only troops encamped on this side of the ridge, with the exception of the Life Guards, was General McIntosh's brigade. The site of the huts was about one thousand feet east of the reservoir.

A good view of the river may be obtained by going out on the promontory only a few feet beyond. The striking structure of red brick in the near distance is the Roman Catholic Protectory, founded by Archbishop Ryan as a reformatory for boys. Something over a half-mile down the river is the head of Jenkins Island, across which ran the old Colonial road, the river at that time being fordable on both sides of the island. This was the Fatland Ford by which the British crossed on September 23, 1777, on their march to Philadelphia. Just below the island the American troops built a bridge.

The line of intrenchments begins on the crest of the hill, and is on the right of the boulevard, which now follows the line to the road, only a few hundred feet away.

The boulevard crosses the road and follows the line of intrenchments to Washington Redoubt. To the right the road

leads to the village of Valley Forge. To the left it leads to the Star Redoubt, Waterman Monument, Cloister of the Colonies, Washington Memorial Chapel, Patriots' Hall and the village of Port Kennedy. Those desiring to make a tour of the camp should, therefore, turn to the left upon reaching the road.

On the hill overlooking the road is one of the picturesque guardhouses built by the Valley Forge Park Commission for the protection of the guards.. These men patrol the boulevards and preserve order throughout the Park. They are glad to give visitors information about the points of interest.

The road was defended by two rifle-pits, which are plainly marked on the hillside. Farther down the road, on the right, is a battery, consisting of reproductions of the cannon of the period of the Revolution. Beyond on the slope of the hill are the remains of Huntington Redoubt. These can be better visited by taking the path from the boulevard, as described in the account of the Inner Line Boulevard, and need not detain the visitor at this point.

This hillside has been the scene of two notable celebrations of the Evacuation of Valley Forge. The first and most imposing was that which took place in 1878. An early morning reception given by Governor Hartranft and Major-General Winfield S. Hancock was followed by a memorial service and a review of the troops. In the afternoon Col. Theodore W. Bean read a long historical paper and Prof. W. Newton Meeks read Mrs. Mary E. Thropp Cone's Valley Forge Centennial Poem. The feature of the day was the masterly oration of Mr. Henry Armitt Brown, of Philadelphia.

The celebration of the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary was on a much smaller scale. It consisted of a memorial service in the morning, the laying of the corner-stone of the Washington Memorial Chapel at noon, and a patriotic service in the afternoon. At the morning service Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf made the address. In the afternoon addresses wcre made by Mr. Walter S. Logan, of New York; Miss Adaline W. Sterling, of New Jersey; Mrs. Donald McLane, of New York, and the Hon. C. Emory Smith, of Philadelphia. Poems by Mrs. Cone and Miss Margaret B. Harvey were read by Francis L. Ly

barger. The musical part of the program was under the direction of Mr. John O. K. Robarts, of Phoenixville, Pa., who had served in the same capacity in 1878.

Washington Lane.-Fifteen hundred feet from the boulevard the River Road is crossed by the Washington Lane. This is the most direct route to the Camp School, the Artillery Park, Washington Redoubt, the Inner Line Boulevard, the Right Line Boulevard, Centreville and Devon. The Grand Parade, after June 11th, was located in front of Conway's Brigade, the second from the River Road.

The lane to the left is no longer a thoroughfare. This is to be regretted, as it is historic ground and should be open to the public. It was the old road leading to Fatland Ford, which crossed the river to Jenkins Island, and thence to the eastern bank. Along this road the British Army passed in September, 1777, on its march to Philadelphia. The field to the left is used by Mr. George McMenamin, an expert horseman, in training horses to take a fence, and the process is keenly watched by visitors.

Sullivan's Bridge.—The road was continued down to the military bridge which General Sullivan built 750 feet below the ford. The site of the bridge is marked by a stone on the bank, having the inscriptions:

(Date destroyed)

SULLIVAN

BRIDGE.

A. D. 1778.

SPENCER

BRIDGE.

The Historical Society of Montgomery County has erected a more appropriate monument on the other bank. This society has also appointed a committee to carry into effect the suggestion of the Hon. Irving P. Wanger, that a memorial bridge be erected at this point. This project ought to commend itself to all patriotic Americans, and both the National and State Gov-. ernments ought to co-operate in its erection.