Winter At Valley Forge

 

 

 My  name  is  Lewis Hurt I   was  the  age  of  17  when  it started it was described
that it was wet, diseased,  boring, hunger, cold, dirty crowded, cramped and rugged.  All
of these truly described life at Valley Forge..  "Life was hell "at Valley Forge that winter.
It was freezing cold and I lost my big toe on my right foot and my left foot due to
frostbite.

 Each day we sent 20 men that were healthy to go for wood so we could build us a
home for the winter.  The captain said, today  that  my  best  friend    had  died   he had
family  back   home and   said  before  we  came   here   if   I   die  in  this  place   you'll
help my  family   along  OK!   So  I  said  OK.

 See  I   was  the  age  of   17  and  my  dad  had died   when  I  was  3  so I  really
didn't  know   what  a   family   was.     So,  when   I   get   out of   here    and hope  that
I  do that I'll be OK to take care of their families.

 Many people were dropping dead from the cold.    I felt very fortunate that I made
it back to my home and told my family what had happened.   I also went to my friends
wife and told her that he had died and she sat there crying.  I had to sit with her and tell
her what had happened to him.
 

                                    Jessica Queen & Laura Andrick