George Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge. The cannonade continued without interruption on the side of the British throughout the day. Our men were cut up like corn stalks. As soon as it was dark we began to make preparations for evacuating the fort and endeavoring to escape to the Jersey shore. When the firing had in some measure subsided and I could look about me, I found the fort exhibited a picture of desolation. The surviving part of the garrison were now drawn off and such of the stores as could conveniently be taken away were carried to the Jersey shore.