Most people know that George Washington spent the winter of 1777-8, with his troops at Valley Forge. But did you know that Martha Washington joined him there for a time?

She was driven in a carriage by one of her aides and saw miles of the filth, the dead horses, open latrines, and the appalling condition of the soldiers and their camps.

She was escorted through to the hospital which was not much more than a barn which had been made into a system of cots and straw to hold the injured soldiers. She was able to help some of the soldiers who were in dire straits.

Martha was appalled at the squalor and the death. Martha was able to scrounge up a little meat and bread to feed the starving soldiers. She begged from outlying farms and neighbors. Martha served them with what was the first time many of the soldiers had eaten in several days. The soldiers ever after loved Martha and referred to her as “Lady Washington.”

One of the nurses took Martha to see an extremely sick soldier who had been taken to a small cottage where he could have some privacy in his dying moments. The soldier’s wife was with him in the small room. Martha brought some bread and broth to feed them. It was clear that the soldier would not live long.

As this soldier approached death, he thought of his wife. He showed her loving concern by asking Martha to watch out for her when he died. Martha promised that she would, and the dying man whispered his thanks. Martha began to withdraw, but then turned back and asked if she could leave a prayer for the soldier and his wife.

Martha then bowed her head and clutched her hands together and knelt beside the soldier and pronounced an inspired blessing. The soldier died the next day. Martha lived up to her promise and made certain his wife would be cared for.

Both George and Martha were inspirations to the troops.