Plucking the Eagle's Wings

Cursed in the Midst of Prosperity

Washington's Vision at Valley Forge

During the dark, winter days at Valley Forge in 1777, George Washington had a vision concerning the future of America. Anthony Sherman, who was with Washington at Valley Forge, related it to Professor Totten, who later published the account. The vision concerns wars fought only on American soil.

"While preparing a dispatch in Valley Forge, all alone at the table, Washington fell into a trance, seeing what appeared to be a female standing beside him whom he did not know. He began to feel a sudden sensation as though one were dying. He addressed the person, but there was no response. A voice suddenly spoke and said, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' The visitor extended her arm eastward and a white vapor began to unfold. Before Washington lay Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. There was a rolling and tossing between Europe and America. At that moment he saw a shadowy being, like an angel floating in mid air between Europe and America. The being took water from the ocean and sprinkled some upon America with his right hand, while with his left hand he cast some on Europe. Immediately, a dark cloud raised from these two countries and joined over the mid ocean. It soon enveloped America. Washington said, 'I heard the groans and cries of American people.' Soon the angel sprinkled water a second time. The dark clouds were soon drawn back and the billows ceased in the waters. The voice said, `Son of the Republic, look and learn.' As Washington looked upon America, villages and towns were springing up until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them. The voice said, 'Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn.' After this, the dark shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa I saw an ill-omened specter approach our land. It fitted slowly and heavily over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As I continued looking, I saw another angel on whose brow rested the word union, bearing the American flag, which he placed between the divided nation and said, 'Remember ye are brethren.' Instantly, the inhabitants casting from them their weapons, became friends once more,

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