13 minute read

Victor Block

from Mountain Messenger Week 2 July 2019

by Turner Publishing, Inc.

from Mountain Messenger Week 2 July 2019, page 14

Article from: Mountain Messenger Week 2 July 2019

Calendar

Valley Forge Historical National Park

Victor Block

During the fall of 1777, General George Washington’s army was reeling from the crushing defeat it suffered in Pennsylvania. British troops had outmaneuvered Washington and won the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown.

The Continental Army needed a haven at which it could get through the winter, and lick its wounds. The Pennsylvania Colony’s legislature ordered it to wait out the frigid season close enough to Philadelphia to keep an eye on the enemy and to be able to prevent a surprise attack in case it should come.

Faced with this directive, General Washington led his ragtag troops to Valley Forge, an area of gently rolling meadows 18 miles from Philadelphia. As light snow fell on December 18, about 12,000 of the poorly fed, illequipped troops struggled to the place where they would spend the winter. Before the following spring, 2,000 of the soldiers had died, but a legend of the War of Independence has been born. No battles were fought at Valley Forge. Not a single shot was fired at an enemy. Yet the 3,600-acre setting may be the bestknown site associated with the Revolutionary War. The struggle for survival in the face of hunger, disease and the bitter winter cold dramatically conveys the courage and endurance that characterized the Colonials’ battle for freedom.

Today, that story is depicted at Valley Forge National Historical Park in a variety of ways. Weapons, documents and other exhibits set the stage for visitors. A bus ride or self-guided drive through the setting provides a personal introduction to major sites and monuments.

Reconstructed earthen embankments mark the lines of defense that General Washington established around the area. Reconstructed log huts serve as reminders of the very basic living quarters in which the soldiers sought refuge.

The damp, overcrowded structures were hastily erected as shelters against the bitter winter and they failed to prevent waves of typhus, pneumonia and other diseases from ravaging the ranks.

Clothing was inadequate, shoes were hard to come by and much-needed blankets were even more scarce. Copies of correspondence between the men who endured such hardship and their loved ones at home put a human face on the suffering.

Most of the cannons at Valley Forge were massed in Artillery Park. There they were stored, repaired and kept ready for immediate dispatch in case of an attack by the British.

The first ray of hope arrived in February 1778 in the person of Baron Friedrich von Steuben. He was a former member of the elite general staff of Frederick the Great of Prussia, and the exacting drillmaster offered his services to the cause of the patriots.

At the time, there was no standard training manual for the American troops, and the Prussian officer wrote one in French, which his aides translated into English. He chose and trained a cadre of 100 select men, and their growing prowess at marching, musketry and bayonet charges became the model for the entire army.

By spring, a new feeling of hope and pride had begun to replace the atmosphere of despair. Following announcement of the colonies’ alliance with France, the British forces hastily moved toward New York. It was a very different American army that pursued them, one that had already achieved a victory – in this case, of spirit over diversity.

The soldiers under Washington’s command would not celebrate their final victory over the Redcoats until 1781 in Yorktown, but they had won another very important battle. They had overcome the anguish that accompanied them to Valley Forge. They themselves had been forged into a fighting force that had new skills and an increased sense of confidence and pride which eventually would prevail.

The story of this transformation comes alive at Valley Forge, a place that saw not a single military victory but rather one over weariness, uncertainty and lack of confidence that had accompanied George Washington’s army there during the winter of 1777.

If you go information available at the Welcome Center includes Itineraries that follow the same roads along which George Washington’s troops marched, trace major Revolutionary War battles, and explore the history of that fateful winter.

Brochures and information about other sites in the surrounding area also are available. For more information call (610) 783-1099 or log onto valleyforge.org.

FREE

Subscribe to our Digital Daily News

Good, Local, Community News and Events Daily!

Go to www.turnerpublishing.net/news Enter your email in the subscribe box, then click “SUBSCRIBE”

A Fife and Drum presentation at Valley Forge Historical National Park

“George Washington” surveys the Valley Forge encampment.

Submitted photos

A realistic battle reenactment at Valley Forge Historical National Park.

We know the focus w the focus of our organization organization is on health—not illness.alth—not illness. Now, you will too. ou will too.

Refreshed name and look. Rooted in providing compassionate, high-quality, innovative health care. 1.800.482.7412

ANDROSCOGGIN.ORG

• Soft Serve Ice Cream with 31 topping options! • Live Lobster • Quality Deli Meats and Cheeses • Build Your Own Salad/ Sandwich bar

“Show us our competitor’s prices and we’ll match them!”

BUSINESS PROFILE

“Snap Shots in Time”

By Bill Pierce Executive Director of the Outdoor Heritage Museum in Oquossoc

The following is an excerpt from an interesting article found in the Thursday, March 19, 1896 issue of The Rangeley Lakes newspaper. It refers to status of Maine’s deer, moose and caribou populations in the late 19th century. U.S. Fish and Wildlife has estimated that in 1900 the Whitetail Deer population may have dipped to as few as 500,000 animals nationwide! The anonymous writer of this piece expresses his concerns and experiences on the subject. His opinions on wolves and panthers are unapologizing, to say the least and reflect popular public sentiment at the time.

The museum now has authentic Maine Caribou mount (circa 1880) from John Danforth’s Camp Caribou, an early sporting camp once located on Treats Island in Parmachenee Lake. Camp caribou would later become an exclusive members-only affair known as the Parmachenee Club, visited by President Eisenhower in 1955. We also have a 12 Ga. Muzzleloader in our collection attributed to have been used to harvest the last legal caribou taken in the Rangeley region by an ancestor of the Wilbur family. We also have a unique panther rug that adorned a cabin wall in Kennebago for many years. Please stop by and see these and many more interesting Rangeley artifacts that continue to be added to the collection every year and be sure to get outside and make some Outdoor History of your own!

The Rangeley Lakes -Thursday, March 19, 1896

“FOLLOWING DEER AND CARIBOU”

Panthers and Wolves are said to be Coming Back into Maine.

…“It was after the deer had been killed off and the caribou driven away that the backwoods farmers had the most reason to remember the visit of the wild beasts from Canada. In the absence of their, natural prey the hungry creatures came into the pastures and farmyards, and there never was another time in the history of Maine when so many colts, calves, sheep and pigs were killed by wild animals. This led to the offering of bounties for wolf and panther scalps, and many a farmer made his losses more than good by the wild beasts he shot or trapped or poisoned. Many were killed, others, I suppose went back to Canada or followed the caribou over the New Brunswick border. At any rate they mostly disappeared, although some wolves were still in the Maine woods as late as the time of the civil war. The last panther killed in Maine was shot thirty years ago, near Eagle lake, in Piscataquis county, by a hunter named Noyes.

Those people who think that the fine hunting of today in Maine, and it is first-class, and no mistake—is going to continue until nothing more of hindrance than comes from human poachers, are likely to have an awakening before the year 1900 gets along. There’s no special trouble to be feared from the Indian. He kills deer, to be sure, but he does not exterminate them or drive them out of the country. With wolves, it is another thing. They are fierce and cunning and forever on the track of the deer and caribou. When they come —and they are sure to come, sooner or later—there will be a good many of them, and they will make sad havoc among the antlered game. There are plenty of them beyond the Canadian line and some already on this side of the border, and in one winter of deep snow they would make the count of deer, moose and caribou in our forests mighty small. I hope it may turn out better than I prophesy. But wait and see!”

Submitted photo

Mountain lion artifact on display as part of the Kennebago exhibit at the Outdoor Heritage Museum.

Franklin Savings Bank’s Business Solutions suite has your businesscovered!

Business Solutions

Tools to help you manage your business needs efficiently and effectively Business Online Banking

Access your accounts online 24/7 Assign permissions to multiple

users in your organization

Move money quickly and securely

with ACH and wire origination

Business Solutions Officer Beckie Bowering at Business Solutions Officer Beckie B Business Bill Pay Professional Vehicle Corporation in Rumford and R.S. Osgood & Sons in Wilton. Professional Vehicle Corporation i and R.S. Osgood & Sons in Wilton Organize and pay all of your

business’ bills from one place Remote Check Scanning

Deposit checks from your desk

without ever having to leave your office

Partner with one of our dedicated Business Solutions specialists to explore how our suite of products can take your business to the next level.

MONDAY 7/1 Baked Chicken strips Baked Potato Peas Tapioca 7/8 Hamburg Casserole Bread Mixed Berry Crisp

7/15 Fresh Fruit Plate Jell-O w/fruit cocktail Brownies JULY 2019 RANGELEY TOWNHOUSE MEALSITE

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 7/2

Pork Roast Mashed Potato

Carrots

Fruit 7/3

CLOSED

7/4 SPECIAL MENU

7/9 Baked Ham Boiled Potato Green Beans Pudding 7/10 Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce Italian Bread Cherry Squares 7/11 Baked Chicken Baked Potato Corn Strawberry Surprise

7/16 Pot Roast Mashed Potato Carrots Fruit 7/17 Shepherd’s Pie Rolls Ice Cream 7/18 Chicken Chow Mein w/Noodles Tapioca Pudding PHONE 864-3986 FRIDAY 7/5 Seafood Chowder Crackers Assorted Desserts

7/12 Baked Haddock Rice Pilaf Broccoli Ice Cream 7/19 Haddock Chowder Crackers Apple Crisp

7/22 Cold Plate Chicken Salad Sliced Tomato & Cukes On a Bed of Lettuce Ice Cream 7/23 Roast Turkey w/all the Fixings Fruit 7/24 American Chop Suey Italian Bread Chocolate Pudding 7/25 Meatloaf Mashed Potato Mixed Vegetables 7/26 Baked Haddock Rice Pilaf Peas Assorted Desserts

7/29 Smothered Beef Over Mashed Potato Beets Chocolate Cake w/P B Frosting

7/30 Homemade Baked Beans Red Hot Dogs Rolls Mixed Fruit 7/31 Macaroni & Cheese w/Ham Vegetable Crispy Squares 8/1 Chicken Potpie Cranberry Sauce Raspberry Squares 8/2 Sautee Scallops Baked Potato Green Beans Tapioca Pudding

Effective January 1, 2015: DONATIONS for meals will be $5.00 for seniors 55 and over. All others $6.00 NOTE: WHEAT OR RYE BREAD AND CRACKERS SERVED DAILY. FRESH FRUIT SERVED DAILY. NEW SODIUM REDUCED MENU ALL MEALS ARE HOMEMADE ALL MEALS ARE SERVED WITH VEGETABLE, BEVERAGE & DESSERT MEALS ARE SERVED FROM 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM MENU IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE PLEASE CALL IN DELIVERIES BEFORE 10:00 AM

Book talk at Rangeley Library about a man and his dog

RANGELEY — Retired Maine game warden and certified K9 handler Roger Guay will be at the Rangeley Public Library, 7 Lake St., Wednesday, July 17, at 6 p.m. to discuss his book “A Good Man with a Dog,” which was co-authored by Kate Flora. Guay’s 25-year career with the Maine Warden Service included catching poachers and searching for lost hunters and hikers with the help of his canine companion trained to find discarded weapons, ejected shells, hidden fish and missing people.

Copies of Guay’s book will be available for purchase after the program. Please stop by or call the library at 207864-5529 to sign up for this free program.

Submitted photo

Kate Flora and Roger Guay, authors of “A Good Man with a Dog,” pose with a friend. Guay, a former Maine game warden, will speak at Rangeley Public Library Wednesday, July 17.

Local artists exhibit through summer at Carrabassett Valley Library

CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Local artists are showing their art this summer through August at the Carrabassett Valley Public Library and Community Center Galler.

A wine and cheese reception will be held 4 to 6:30 p.m., Friday, July 19, in the Begin Family Community Room, for guests to meet the artists and celebrate their artwork. It is free and open to the public. The library is hoping for a nice evening so guests may enjoy the patio, browse the Forever Stones and Carrabassett Library Community Garden. The event will be free and open to the public.

Exhibiting artists this summer include Doug Archer, Morgain Bailey, Betsy Bass, Jessica Beer, Peggy Bishop, Karen Campbell, Bailey DeBiase, Joe Gambino, Joanne Noyes, Susy Sanders, Lucia Swallow, Patty Thomas, Barbara Stewart, Waylon Wolfe, Jill Snyder-Wallace, Barry White, Margaret Yocum and possibly more.

The Carrabassett Valley Public Library and Community Center is proud to share the exhibit space in its lobby gallery. Artists interested in displaying artwork for the community to enjoy may let the library know. The library has many public events and meetings that attract people to our Begin Family Community Room. The library requests a showing time of two months. Display periods include September and October during the busy Sugarloaf Homecoming Weekend (Columbus Day), November and December (includes Christmas vacation week), January and February (includes February vacation week) and the busy months of March and April.

An artist reception is usually planned for a late Friday afternoon/evening during the exhibit. Reservations to display can be made up to two years in advance, and the library askes that a two-month notice be given if the show is cancelled or postponed.

Email Library Director Andrea DeBiase at adebiase@carrabassett. lib.me.us to request an application for showing artwork or call 207-237-3535. The library can consider returning artists (every three years) and always welcomes new artists.