Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: October 1939 Volume 2 Number 4, Inside Back Cover

The Stone Chimney Picket

Mildred F. Bradley

Up the valley walked the soldiers
Guarding men at Valley Forge.
Winter winds came oft and colder,
He must find a quarters--George.

By the roadside stood a chimney
But the house was torn away.
He would find some boughs and fodder,
Build a picket still today.

To the chimney went the lean-to,
Warm 'twould be when fire was made.
And the sentinel, off his duty,
Warmed himself as there he stayed.

When the spring came, double duty
Did the old stone chimney have.
Here the farmer brought his produce,
Food for soldiers poorly clad.

Can we help but give it honor
For a duty well performed?
For it cheered the weary sentinel
As it kept his body warmed.

Though today we find no lean-to
And the stone all moved away,
May our marker tell the story
To the traveler on his way.