During the winters of 1777 and 1779, George Washington and the Continental Army encamped outside Morristown, NJ. The brutally cold winter struck with a vengeance, famously known as the "winter of our discontent". Unprepared troops from the various state brigades shivered and froze to death in the harshness of New Jersey, inadequately clothed and often wearing nothing at all but rags and tattered makeshift garb. Support and replacement equipment came too late for many as the suffering in canvas tents and makeshift cabins was cruel and inhumane. Their sacrafices and the fight stood against the British later in the spring and summer contributed to the victories and course of American history.
Walking down the Patriot's Path on a rainy summer day, I'm conscious of the footsteps below me, the history of this ground, the trees and the earth. A visit in winter with the smell of woodsmoke and snow hanging on branches would surely drive home the reality of this winter camp and the rigors of life as an 18th century foot soldier. My feet ache just thinking about it.
Walking down the Patriot's Path on a rainy summer day, I'm conscious of the footsteps below me, the history of this ground, the trees and the earth. A visit in winter with the smell of woodsmoke and snow hanging on branches would surely drive home the reality of this winter camp and the rigors of life as an 18th century foot soldier. My feet ache just thinking about it.
The old Patriot's Path
my kind of duplex
The old Patriot's Path
my kind of duplex
The old Patriot's Path
The old Patriot's Path
The old Patriot's Path
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