Hundreds of letters and documents written at Valley Forge have been published in collections that represent the best-remembered men of the Revolution. There are also documents of uncounted numbers by lesser officers and staff functionaries that have never been published, or have been printed long ago and are no longer readily available. The intent of this effort is to present a selection of these, in the seventh of such volumes, to allow greater understanding and appreciation of the Valley Forge Encampment. The six month encampment of the Continental Army at Valley Forge has long since entered the realm of American myths. Some of the stories that have become legendary are reinforced in the letters herein. There are a number of references to the lack of shoes, blankets and clothing. Food was in desperately short supply. Efforts to rectify these difficulties are represented in these pages. Documents are arranged chronologically, and the original spelling and punctuation has been retained. A descriptive note at the foot of each entry gives the source location of each document, and identifies the writer and recipient the first time each individual appears. The author scoured the National Archives and more than twenty other state archives, university libraries, and historical societies in his search for these rare papers. An index to full-names, places and subjects adds to the value of this work.

Hundreds of letters and documents written at Valley Forge have been published in collections that represent the best-remembered men of the Revolution. There are also documents of uncounted numbers by lesser officers and staff functionaries that have never

Hundreds of letters and documents written at Valley Forge have been published in collections that represent the best-remembered men of the Revolution. There are also documents of uncounted numbers by lesser officers and staff functionaries that have never

In July 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the appointment of a Commissary of Military Stores, who was responsible for the receipt and issuance of military stores. These letters concern the procurement, shipment, repair and sale of military stores; estimates of stores needed and on hand; construction of ordnance installations; and payment and discharge of employees. The letters were authored by three men: Commissary General of Military Stores and Assistant Quartermaster Samuel Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores Benjamin Flowers, and Deputy Commissary of Military Stores Richard Frothingham; however, Samuel Hodgdon produced the majority of the letters in his various positions in the military stores operations of the Continental Army. Military stores were critical to the army's operations, but Washington's men also faced shortages of clothing, food, and pay throughout the war. After 1781, and Cornwallis's surrender, there were no more major actions for the Continental Army in the North, and Hodgdon's letters assume a less frantic tone. These documents present a literal translation with spelling, punctuation and grammar remaining as they are found in the original. Letters are introduced by the names of the addresser and addressee. Volume 1 of this two volume series covers July 19, 1778-March 31, 1781; Volume 2 covers April 3, 1781-May 24, 1784. An index to full names, places and subjects completes each volume.

In July 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the appointment of a Commissary of Military Stores, who was responsible for the receipt and issuance of military stores. These letters concern the procurement, shipment, repair and sale of military stores; estimates of stores needed and on hand; construction of ordnance installations; and payment and discharge of employees. The letters were authored by three men: Commissary General of Military Stores and Assistant Quartermaster Samuel Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores Benjamin Flowers, and Deputy Commissary of Military Stores Richard Frothingham; however, Samuel Hodgdon produced the majority of the letters in his various positions in the military stores operations of the Continental Army. Military stores were critical to the army's operations, but Washington's men also faced shortages of clothing, food, and pay throughout the war. After 1781, and Cornwallis's surrender, there were no more major actions for the Continental Army in the North, and Hodgdon's letters assume a less frantic tone. These documents present a literal translation with spelling, punctuation and grammar remaining as they are found in the original. Letters are introduced by the names of the addresser and addressee. Volume 1 of this two volume series covers July 19, 1778-March 31, 1781; Volume 2 covers April 3, 1781-May 24, 1784. An index to full names, places and subjects completes each volume.