Smoke Signals

Sept/Oct 2011

 

Baron Von Steuben painted by Charles Willson Peale, 1781-82

No battle was fought at Valley Forge. Yet, it was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. It was here that the Continental army was desperately against the ropes — bloody, beaten, battle-weary — and ready to quit. Even General Washington conceded, "If the army does not get help soon, in all likelihood it will disband."

By February the weather eased somewhat moving from brutal to merely miserable. In March, General Nathanael Greene was appointed head of the dismal Commissary Department and magically food and supplies started to trickle in. In April, Baron von Steuben, a quirky mercenary who was not really a baron, began to magically transform threadbare troops into a fighting force. Also in April a plot to remove George Washington from power, was quashed for good. May, brought news of the French Alliance, and with it the military and financial support of France that saved the day.
 
1. NAF * The Captain shares some information....
2. Editor * The North American Frontiersmen Association is down and counting looking for a new editor, only two issues left.
3. Casselman Speaks * Chief Factor shares what he is doing to gather new members, State factors and promote the NAF.
4. A Primitive Scout & Hunt * Howdy Davis takes you on a primitive scout & hunt.
5. Paper Patch Cartridges * Buck will share the "Making of Paper Patch Black Powder Cartridges".
6. Book Review * Mr. Cunningham asks us the question "Educated or Not ?".
7. Camp Mess / Cooking / Edibles * Buck is back to his basics with talking about camp wares & edibles.
8. Hunter's Gear-up * An article by Danny Caywood "Turkey Loads for Optimum Pattern Density."
9. Original Period Items * We have added a new column of original period items used from approximately the 1730's to 1830's and later.