x, 205 pages, [8] pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm
Notes
Includes bibliographical references (pages 193-200) and index.
Contents
Setting the stage : the war, army, and community -- Martha Washington at Valley Forge : "the worthy partner of the worthiest of men" -- Martha Washington at the other encampments : a resolute and loyal lady -- Catharine Greene and Lucy Knox : the ladies come to Valley Forge -- Rebekah Biddle, Lady Stirling, and Alice Shippen at Valley Forge : "I should not be sorry to see you here" -- The women with Washington's "family" : slaves, servants, and spies -- Camp women at Valley Forge : "a caravan of wild beasts" -- Camp women with the Continental Army : cannonballs and cooking kettles -- The general returns to Valley Forge : a distinguished officer's musings -- Appendix: Making the myth of Martha Washington : nineteenth-century fantasy vs. eighteenth-century reality.
Summary
"[This book] tells the story of the forgotten women who spent the winter of 1777-78 with the Continental Army at Valley Forge -- from those on society's lowest rungs to ladies of the upper echelon. Poor, dirty beings who clung to the very edge of survival, many camp women were soldiers' wives who worked as the army's washerwomen, nurses, cooks, or seamstresses. Though these women's written correspondence is scarce, author Nancy Loane uses sources such as issued military orders, pension depositions after the war, and soldiers' descriptions to bring these women to life. Other women at the encampment were of higher status: they traveled with Washington's entourage when the army headquarters shifted from place to place and served the general as valued cooks, laundresses, or housekeepers ... Drawing from diary entries and letters, Following the drum illuminates the experiences of these ladies, including Martha Washington, Lucy Knox, and Lady Stirling, during the encampment and then traces their lives after the Revolutionary War"--Jacket.
Journal // of the // Senate // of the // United States of America, // being the first session of the Second Congress // begun and held // at the // city of Philadelphia // October 24th, 1791 // and // in the sixteenth year of the // sovereignty of the said United States
2d Cong., 1st sess., Oct. 24, 1791 to May 8, 1792.
P. 228 wrongly numbered 224.
Speech of President Washington to Congress, Oct. 25, 1791: p. 5-10.
Appendix: Titles of the acts and resolutions passed at the first session of the Second Congress of the United States ... --The classes of the senators of the United States during the Second Congress ... --Ratifications of the articles of amendment to the Constitution ... --Translation of a letter from the King of France; referred to in the message 5th March 1792.
Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, being the third session of the Fifth Congress, begun and held at the city of Philadelphia, December 3d, 1798. And in the twenty-third year of the sovereignty of the said United States
Journal // of the third session of the // Senate // of the // United States of America, // began and held // at the // city of Philadelphia // December 6th, 1790. // And // in the fifteenth year of the // sovereignty of the said United States
1st Cong., 3d sess., Dec. 6, 1790 to March 3, 1791.
Speech of President Washington to Congress, Dec. 8, 1790: p.6-9.
Appendix: Titles of the acts and resolves passed the third session of Congress--Sundry acts approved, but not entered in course when the bills // were first read in the Senate.--Appropriation of ten thousand dollars, for the purpose of defraying the contingent charges of government, by act of 26th March, 1790.--The classes of the senators of the United States, during the First Congress.--Ratification of the articles of amendment to the Constitution ...
