Valley Forge

BackgroundLocated in Valley Forge, PAAround 25 miles outside of PhiladelphiaArrived on December 19, 1777Over 12,000 soldiersNo battles were fought there

HousingNo housing when the soldiers arrivedBuilding huts was the top priority2,000 huts were built14 ft by 16 ftMade out of logs

WeatherWinterSnowDampCold

Overall ConditionsThe main source of food was fire cake, which

was a combination of flour and waterClothing was torn and scarce as a result of

many battles with the BritishOnly 1/3 of the soldiers had shoesThis resulted in numerous soldiers having

frostbite

DiseasesTyphoid, typhus, dysentery, and pneumonia

were commonFrostbite wasOver 4,000 men were listed as unable to fight

because of illnessOver 2,000 men died from illnesses

AidContinental Congress sent no aidSoldiers wives, sisters, and mothers came to

help with what they couldFormed the Regimental Camp Followers

Why Valley Forge? In late August 1777 Sir William Howe, commander in chief of British

forces in North America, landed his army at the upper end of Chesapeake Bay. Objective: take Philadelphia, the patriot capital.

General Washington positioned his Continental Army to defend the city. After a British victory at Brandywine, the Continental Congress went to York, PA.,

With winter setting in, General Washington looked for a place to rest and train his men. He selected Valley Forge, located 18 miles northwest of Philadelphia

It was located close enough to the British to keep their raiding, yet

far enough away to halt the threat of British surprise attacks.

The high ground of Mount Joy and Mount Misery, combined with the Schuylkill River to the north, made the area easily defensible.

Setting up CampGeneral Washington's poorly fed, ill-

equipped army, weary from long marches, struggled into Valley Forge and prepared for winter's fury.

First orders were to select grounds for brigade encampments.

Within days of the army's arrival, the snow was six inches deep.

General Washington directed his men to build log cabins to protect them from the winter weather.

Training the Forces The job of training fell to Baron Friedrich von Steuben.

By March he had tirelessly drilled and scolded the regiments into a more effective fighting force.

Intensive daily training and von Steuben's forceful manner renewed the men's confidence in themselves.

Over the winter, the army changed dramatically. The soldiers' endurance, bravery, and sacrifices were

rewarded. Increasing amounts of supplies and equipment came into camp. New troops arrived. Spring brought word of the French alliance with promises of military support.

SignificanceValley Forge was a testament to the will and

desire of the Revolutionary soldiersThe story of the soldiers at Valley Forge has

become legendary in United States history

Quotes"To see the men without clothes to cover

their nakedness, without blankets to lie upon, without shoes...without a house or hut to cover them until those could be built, and submitting without a murmur, is a proof of patience and obedience which, in my opinion, can scarcely be paralleled."

George Washington

Quotes“Unless some great and capital change

suddenly takes place... this Army must inevitably... starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain subsistence in the best manner they can”

George Washington