2014-05-06
【Aiden in English】 From the start, you've been there to help, teach, and love me. I'm so grateful that you have become my best friend. Therefore, on Mother's Day, I'm writing a special card with all the reasons why you are a hero in my eyes. The American Revolution was a pivotal event in the US historical timeline of the 18th century. Valley Forge in PA became famous for that very reason because George Washington, the first President, General of the Continental Army, founder of the USA, etc., encamped here in a bitter, unrelenting winter of 1777. Wow, most people think those men were freezing to death in their huts. No, it wasn't true. Some of us also felt that we lacked sufficient food supplies. Despite a shortage of meat, peas, and vegetables, the soldiers were fed bread. This morning, we learned all the facts on our 5th-grade field trip to Valley Forge National Historical Park. Unfortunately, many infectious diseases had spread and were killing the soldiers. The valley once housed hundreds of log cabins for the army, each providing sufficient space for a squad of 12 soldiers. In every corner, three bunk beds lay, each about a foot on top of another. I wouldn't survive a night like that because I move a lot in my sleep. Immediately after we began touring the site, the guide demonstrated how to load a musket. First, he poured a small amount of gunpowder into the can on the side and then dumped the rest down the barrel with the musket ball. He pulled the trigger, and his target was dead. Pretty cool, huh? In addition to the lethal musket, soldiers could equip it with a pointed bayonet or a sharp dagger that could be attached to the front of the musket. To put it this way, let's say... You do not want to be in the stabbing range of the bayonet. As a colonial army marched to war, it needed a formation. A single file was one of the worst formations. Only one person could shoot back while the military was taking fire from the front. Ouch! So we lined up in four columns, and I, Sir Guo, was promoted to sergeant, and I, Sergeant Guo, was given an order from the General to ensure the columns stayed straight. And when everyone was ready, we marched, marched, and marched, and marched. After what seemed like a year of marching, we finally reached the top and saw piles of dirt. As the guide said, there was a fort where we were standing. I was like, No, that's a mound of dirt. Why would soldiers hide behind a mound of dirt? A closer examination proved me wrong since cannons were stationed around it. Large ditches were dug along the perimeter and at openings, allowing the soldiers to fire and providing plenty of cover. Now I get why the British were scared to attack Valley Forge. After a fun picnic, we explored Washington's headquarters. The so-called "main bedroom" looked like the size of my study room for homework. Except for the cramped conditions, the place appeared to be lavishly decorated and designed for comfort. To my great surprise, however, Washington rented the house from the local civilians. I finally knew what our four years of social studies were about. It showed us how difficult life was in Valley Forge 236 years ago. 【紅霞譯】
獨立戰爭是十八世紀美國歷史上發生的重大事件，福吉“鍛造”谷之所以蜚聲賓州內外，是因為享有第一任總統、大陸軍總司令、美利堅奠基人等諸多頭銜的喬治·華盛頓“農夫·睿智農家”曾於1777冬天率領部下不畏刺骨嚴寒，在這裡安營紮寨。
大多數人以為不少革命先驅因為經不住氣候折磨而被凍死在木屋茅舍之中，實際上根本不是這麼一回事；還有人覺得由於食物匱乏，他們飢腸轆轆，以致屍橫遍野，不過事實並非如此，儘管當時肉類﹑豆子﹑蔬菜短缺，但是戰士們仍有麵包充飢。今早在通往福吉谷國家歷史公園實地考察的路上，我們五年級學生終於搞清楚其真正緣由，原來若干種傳染病肆虐，許多士兵未能倖免病魔的侵襲。
這一帶谷地曾經有過數以百計軍隊住過的木屋，每間木屋可容納一個班12位戰士，屋內各個角落擺置三張雙層床，每張床約有一英尺長，相互疊加一塊。我無法設想自己如何在這種床上過夜，因為本人一向睡覺不老實。
現場參觀開始，導遊立刻給我們演示如何加載步槍。首先，他先在身旁小罐里倒了一點火藥；然後又藉助專門用於裝火藥的小球捶棒，把其餘部分逐漸放入步槍火藥桶內，他扣動扳機，眼前目標應聲倒下。很酷吧？除了這種可以擊斃對手的步槍之外，士兵們還能在步槍前面裝上一把刺刀或者鋒利匕首，以此來提高殺傷力。這麼一來，你千萬要遠離刺刀觸及的範圍，不可靠得太近。
舊時每當軍隊開赴戰場，都需要形成一個方隊，單行縱隊可以說是最差的陣容之一，通常前排的士兵負責射擊，僅有一人能夠進行反擊。哎喲！我們步其後塵，依次也排成四列，我—─郭小弟搖身變成中士長官。這下子可好，郭中士接到將軍命令，必須確保隊形整齊。大家整裝待發，隨即一起齊步前進、前進、前進、前進經過大約一年之久漫長跋涉，我們終於到達谷峰，但看到的東西卻是大堆土包。導遊介紹說，這裡曾經有一座堡壘。是的，士兵幹嗎要躲在土堆里呢？仔細觀察證明我錯了，因為這裡布滿大炮，戰壕圍成一圈，這樣戰士們能夠一邊向敵人開火，一邊躲在裡面掩護自己。現在，我才明白為什麼英國佬害怕來犯福吉谷了。 快活野餐過後，我們考察華盛頓總部。眼前這個所謂的“主臥室”看上去如同我在家裡用做寫作業的書房大小一般。暫且撇開擁擠不說，內部裝飾富麗華美，令人感覺舒適安逸。然而完全出乎我意料之外，這是華盛頓從當地人租來的民居。我終於懂得，四年來學校開設“社會學”的目的，無非想告誡我們236年前福吉谷的艱難歲月。
 Valley Forge Natl Historical Park
(福吉谷國家歷史公園 01-01-2005)  US Natl Memorial Arch, a Tribute to the Continental Army's Encampment @ Valley Forge during the Winter of 1777-1778
(美國國家紀念拱·為紀念大陸軍在1777—1778年冬季駐紮在福吉谷而建 10-23-2004) 
US Natl Memorial Arch, a Single-Opening Arch Designed in a Classic Style or a Simplified Version of the Arch of Titus (美國國家紀念拱·採用古典風格設計的單開拱門，為古羅馬提圖斯“榮譽稱號”凱旋門的簡化版 01-01-2005)  To the Officers and Private Soldiers of the Continental Army on December 19, 1777
(獻給1777年12月19日美國大陸軍官與二等兵)
 Cannons @ the Artillery Park (炮兵公園·大炮 10-23-2004)
 North Outer Line Drive (北外線步道 10-23-2004)
Soldiers' Cabin (士兵木屋 01-01-2005)  Brigade Encampment (旅營 05-06-2014)
Washington Memorial Chapel (華盛頓紀念禮拜堂 01-01-2005) 
Washington Memorial Chapel, the Episcopal Church (華盛頓紀念禮拜堂·美國新教聖公會 01-01-2005)  Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot Rolls
(“美國革命女兒”愛國者名單 01-01-2005)
Kay Bojesen Wooden Soldiers (丹麥凱·博耶森“純潔·城堡之子”設計的木製士兵 01-01-2005)
Statue of General Anthony Wayne (大陸軍將軍《安東尼·韋恩“無價·馬車夫”》雕像)  Rhodesian Ridgeback Encounters
(偶遇羅德西亞"津巴布韋"脊背獵犬 01-01-2005)  White-tailed Deers, Herbivores, w/ a Diet of Leaves, Twigs, Fruits, & Nuts
(白尾鹿·草食動物，以樹葉、嫩枝、水果和堅果為食)
Crosslinks(相關博文):
USA(出遊美國)
5th Grade(小學五年級)
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