Most Americans are familiar with the hardships that General
Washington's soldiers suffered while encamped at Valley Forge over
the winter of 1777-78.
Still, few take any time to remember the sacrifices of those who
laid the foundation of freedom in our great nation.
From the northeast side of the monument and stated in a brochure
available at the sight: " Sacred to the memory of Twenty-two
Revolutionary War Soldiers, who in the fall of 1777, when the
American Army has encamped at the Valley Forge, were lodged in the
German Reformed Church, ( in sight ) then occupied as a hospital;
who there, distant from their homes, uncomforted by friends and
kind relations, deceased in the spring of 1778, of a fever then
prevailing in the camp; who were interred in this ground and where
they slumbered in their peaceful but neglected tomb ( except that
Mt Henry Hipple Sr., preserved the ground )until the Union
Battalion of Volunteers of Chester County, aided by the generous
and patriotic poeple of this vicinity, resolved to have them
enclosed and a monument placed over them; the foundation of which
accordingly was laid on the 19th of November, 1831, upon which
occasion regular military cermonies were observed, and a funeral
oration delivered, to perpetuate the profound regard due the
indiiduals who paid the forfeit of their precious lives for our
sacred rights, and for privileges which they were never permitted
to enjoy, and to contribute to generations unborn, the memory of
the precious price of the Liberty & Independence of our happy
Union. They have raised this monument on the 25th of October 1833,
and which they also dedicate to the memory of a number of other
Revolutionary Soldiers who, the same time and same manner, deceased
in the Lutheran Church ( then used as an hospital and are buried
near it and in other places of this vicinity)"
After paying my respects I walked across the road to check out
the Reformed Church cemetery. This cemetery is in deplorable
condition - especially shameful when it is next to an active and
attended church. I recovered at least 20 US Flags at veterans
graves - most were flying in tatters or in the mud.
Pause at the Soldiers Cemetery and think of what it took for men
to enlist in a new and unproven army. Facing certain hardship and
up against the mightiest nation in the world.
Another cache in my American military/history series.
To score this cache - I used to require finders to email me but
GC is based on the honor system. Find this cache, absorb its
history and feel free to log it. I will be adding an actual cache
container in the near future (8/06)
Thank you for taking time to honor these soldiers.
Sincerely, PULASKI
