Answer: This work of fiction was published in 1861. Its author, Charles Wesley Alexander, published numerous allegorical stories featuring famous American figures. Unfortunately, many people have misunderstood the nature of the piece, and believe that it is a genuine interview with a real person, relating his personal recollections of serving with Washington at Valley Forge. It is not. It is a work of fiction created nearly a century after the winter at Valley Forge. For more information, click here.
We are fortunate to have a great treasure-trove of genuine material authored by Washington. Those curious about Washington's own views should check out The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress
This story is in the Public Domain and you do not need anyone's permission to excerpt it. But please do not present the piece as anything other than a work of fiction published in the mid 19th century.
Step-by-step explanation: