army were extreme. In a few days, however, these sufferings were
considerably diminished by the erection of logged huts, filled up with
mortar, which, after being dried, formed comfortable habitations, and
gave content to men long unused to the conveniences of life. The order
of a regular encampment was observed, and the only appearance of winter
quarters was the substitution of huts for tents.

Stedman, who, as we have already remarked, was in Howe's army, has not
only given a vivid description of the condition of Washington's army,
which agrees in the main with those of our own writers, but he has also
exhibited in contrast the condition and conduct of the British army in
Philadelphia. We transcribe this instructive passage:

"The American general determined to remain during the winter in the
position which he then occupied at Valley Forge, recommending to his
troops to build huts in the woods for sheltering themselves from the
inclemency of the weather. And it is perhaps one of the most striking
traits in General Washington's character that he possessed the faculty
of gaining such an ascendancy over his raw and undisciplined followers,
most of whom were destitute of proper winter clothing and otherwise
unprovided with necessaries, as to be able to prevail upon so many of
them to remain with him during the winter in so distressing a
situation. With immense labor he raised wooden huts, covered with straw
and earth, which formed very uncomfortable quarters. On the east and
south an entrenchment was made--the ditch six feet wide and three in
depth; the mound not four feet high, very narrow, and such as might
easily have been beat down by cannon. Two redoubts were also begun but
never completed. The Schuylkill was on his left with a bridge across.
His rear was mostly covered by an impassable precipice formed by Valley
creek, having only a narrow passage near the Schuylkill. On the right