href="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@40388@[email protected]#CHAPTER_IV" class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">IV.

VALLEY FORGE AND AFTER 108      The bitter winter of 1777—The British in Philadelphia: abundance of provisions, warm and comfortable quarters, social gayeties, revels of officers and men—The Americans at Valley Forge, "the most celebrated encampment in the world's history": starvation and nakedness—Surgeon Waldo's diary of "camp-life": "I'll live like a Chameleon upon Air"—Waldo's description of soldiers' appearance—Terrible mortality from sickness—The filthy "hospitals"—Moravians at Bethlehem—The Good Samaritans to the patriots—Marshall's cheerfulness: "the best tempered man I ever knew"—His pranks and jokes—Visitors to the camp remark his superior intelligence—Settles disputes of his comrades—Hard discipline at Valley Forge: a woman given a hundred lashes—Washington alone holds army together—Jealousy of and shameful attacks upon him—The "Conway Cabal"—His dignity in the face of slander—His indignant letter to Congress—Faith of the soldiers in Washington—The absurd popular demand that he attack Philadelphia—The amazing inferiority of Congress—Ablest men refuse to attend—Washington's pathetic letter on the subject: "Send your ablest men to Congress; Where is Jefferson"—Talk of the soldiers at Valley Forge—Jefferson in the Virginia Legislature—Comparison of Marshall and Jefferson at this period—Marshall appointed Deputy Judge Advocate of the army—Burnaby's appeal to Washington to stop the war: efforts at reconciliation—Washington's account of the sufferings of the army—The spring of 1778—Sports in camp—Marshall the best athlete in his regiment: "Silver Heels" Marshall—The Alliance with the King of France—Rejoicing of the Americans at Valley Forge—Washington has misgivings—The services of Baron von Steuben—Lord Howe's departure—The "Mischianza"—The British evacuate Philadelphia—The Americans quick in pursuit—The battle of Monmouth—Marshall in the thick of the fight—His fairness to Lee—Promoted to be captain—One of select light infantry under Wayne, assigned to take Stony Point—The assault of that stronghold—Marshall in the reserve command—One of the picked men under "Light Horse Harry" Lee—The brilliant dash upon Powles Hook—Term of enlistment of Marshall's regiment expires and he is left without a command—Returns to Virginia while waiting for new troops to be raised—Arnold invades Virginia—Jefferson is Governor; he fails to prepare—Marshall one of party to attack the British—Effect of Jefferson's conduct on Marshall and the people—Comment of Virginia women—Inquiry in Legislature as to Jefferson's conduct—Effect of Marshall's army experience on his thinking—The roots of his great Nationalist opinions run back to Valley Forge. V. MARRIAGE AND LAW BEGINNINGS 148      Marshall's romance—Visits his father who is commanding at Yorktown—Mythical story of his father's capture at Charleston—The Ambler family—Rebecca Burwell, Jefferson's early love—Attractiveness of the Amblers—The "ball" at Yorktown—High expectations of the young women concerning Marshall—Their disappointment at his uncouth appearance and rustic manners—He meets Mary Ambler—Mutual love at first sight—Her sister's description of the ball and of Marshall—The courtship—Marshall goes to William and Mary College for a few weeks—Description of the college—Marshall elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society—Attends the law lectures of Mr. Wythe—The Ambler daughters pass though Williamsburg—The "ball" at "The Palace"—Eliza Ambler's account: "Marshall was devoted to my sister"—Marshall leaves college and follows Mary Ambler to Richmond—Secures license to practice law—Resigns his command—Walks to Philadelphia to be inoculated against smallpox—Tavern-keeper refuses to take him in because of his appearance—Returns to Virginia and resumes his courtship of Mary Ambler—Marshall's account of his love-making—His sister-in-law's description of Marshall's suit—Marshall's father goes to Kentucky and returns—Marshall elected to the Legislature from Fauquier County—He marries Mary Ambler: "but one solitary guinea left"—Financial condition of Marshall's father at this time—Lack of ready money everywhere—Marshall's account—He sets up housekeeping in Richmond—Description of Richmond at that time—Brilliant bar of the town—"Marshall's slender legal equipment"—The notes he made of Mr. Wythe's lectures—His Account Book—Examples of his earnings and expenditures from 1783 until 1787—Life of the period—His jolly letter to Monroe—His books—Elected City Recorder—Marshall's first notable case: Hite vs. Fairfax—His first recorded argument—His wife becomes an invalid—His tender care of her—Mrs. Carrington's account: Marshall "always and under every circumstance, an enthusiast in love." VI. IN THE LEGISLATURE AND COUNCIL OF STATE 200      In the House of Delegates—The building where the Legislature met—Costumes and manners of the members—-Marshall's popularity and his father's influence secure his election—He is appointed on important committees—His first vote—examples of legislative business—Poor quality of the Legislature: Madison's disgust, Washington's opinion—Marshall's description and remarkable error—He is elected member of Council of State—Pendleton criticizes the elevation of Marshall—Work as member of Council—Resigns from Council because of criticism of judges—Seeks and secures reëlection to Legislature from Fauquier County—Inaccuracy of accepted account of these incidents—Marshall's letter to Monroe stating the facts—Becomes champion of needy Revolutionary soldiers—Leads fight for relief of Thomas Paine—Examples of temper of the Legislature—Marshall favors new Constitution for Virginia—The "Potowmack Company"—Bills concerning courts—Reform of the High Court of Chancery—The religious controversy—State of religion in Virginia—Marshall's languid interest in the subject—Great question of the British debts—Long-continued fight over payment or confiscation—Marshall steadily votes and works for payment of the debts—Effect of this contest on his economic and political views—His letter to Monroe—Instability of Legislature: a majority of thirty-three changed in two weeks to an adverse majority of forty-nine—No National Government—Resolution against allowing Congress to lay any tax whatever: "May prove destructive of rights and liberties of the people"—The debts of the Confederation—Madison's extradition bill—Contempt of the pioneers for treaties—Settlers' unjust and brutal treatment of the Indians—Struggle over Madison's bill—Patrick Henry saves