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By Root 1243 0

He had considered moving farther west, the safer hamlets and hill country, but the British would certainly take advantage. With his army far away, Washington knew that Howe could make uncontested forays to the farm country near the city. It was a vastly fertile land, and what the British did not take they might very well destroy. It was essential that throughout the winter Washington keep his troops close enough to Philadelphia to watch over Howe’s movements, to guard the many avenues the British could use to venture into the surrounding countryside. Since there was no suitable town, Washington had scouted the land for the most suitable location to build one, would have the men construct their own camp, making good use of the lumber from the dense woodlands in the area. If the location was secure, guarded by water, or sharp hills, Howe was unlikely to attempt any kind of surprise attack.

He turned the horse, the staff moving with him, felt the sharp chill again. I do not relish another winter, certainly not for these men, who have already endured so much. But the construction will provide activity, keep them engaged in healthy work, and if we are fortunate, a kind Providence will bless us with a gentle season. He moved the horse down along a narrow creek, through a stand of trees, already bare of leaves. The wind whistled above him, and he glanced out to the west, to the darkening sky. He was still unsure if the ground he had chosen was the best place, but it was only eighteen miles from the British lines, was wrapped by a deep bend in the Schuylkill River, a high prominence that would hold away any assault Howe might make.

Despite Howe’s success in opening the Delaware River, and what Washington still believed were his own failures to win his confrontations with Howe’s troops, the mood of the army was surprisingly buoyant. Some would wonder at our very survival, he thought, would marvel that this war has lasted yet another year. It may be our greatest opportunity, our most effective weapon, to prolong the fight. Did any one of us truly believe this would be a brief affair? Perhaps it is unfitting for a nation to be born simply by a wave of a hand, or even the acclamation of its people. If we are worthy of all we profess to fight for, then perhaps the Almighty is requiring us to demonstrate that. If that is my part in this, then I will do the best I can. If congress believes someone else should take command, I will accept that as well. In the end, it is the goal that will matter, not who carries the torch.

The horse found the road, and he waited for the men behind him to file into place. He paused a moment, looked at the faces, the ragged coats, said, “Gentlemen, we will march the men tomorrow. I wish us to occupy that good ground with haste. I do not believe General Howe will interfere, but we can leave nothing to fate. When we reach the camps, we will issue instructions on the order of march. We will prepare a sufficient number of maps. There will be no confusion. If we are blessed by a Divine hand, then we will be afforded a gentle winter, and that ground at Valley Forge will provide us a safe location.”

He turned, spurred the horse, the wind still cutting into him. He blinked through the cold air, fought to see, realized it was starting to snow.

26. FRANKLIN

PARIS, NOVEMBER 1777

THE QUIET GARDENS OF PASSY HAD NOT GIVEN HIM THE ESCAPE HE had sought. If he had any thoughts that removing himself from the bustle of Paris meant a much more relaxed focus on his work, he knew now that his celebrity had come with an annoying price. For weeks on end, no matter his other appointments, no matter the fullness of his calendar, he found himself fending off the constant stream of visitors to his home, so many of whom were seeking his approval, a letter of introduction or recommendation to the congress, some avenue for opportunity in America.

They came with appointments or without, men from all level of society, clerks and bankers, carpenters and dandies, offering services that most had no ability to provide. Franklin