During the Winter of 1777-1778, an army was born. General George Washington and the Continental Army encamped in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania after suffering several defeats to the British army in the Fall of 1777. Facing a winter with limited supplies, the Continental army was pushed to the brink. For instance, nearly 1/6 of the 12,000 soldiers encamped at Valley Forge died due to disease. Influenza, typhus, typhoid, and dysentery ran rampant throughout the camp. Similarly, shortages of food and clothing were common sights. Besides the nasty weather and widespread disease, our country’s army still had to worry about the British army. Who knew if or when the British would attack them at Valley Forge? Patrolling the camp and standing guard took an additional toll on these battered soldiers. Overall, times were quite tough for Washington’s men.
In spite of these harsh conditions, these men persevered. Whenever rations ran low, they would forage for food. Whenever the weather ruined their uniforms, they would make their own clothing. Moreover, the Continental Army built over a thousand log cabins to provide some shelter during their six month encampment—which became a true necessity for making it through the Winter. In fact, this military camp became so large that it took on the look of a city by the time the army left in June 1778.
The most significant development at Valley Forge had nothing to do with the harsh conditions. Of course, it was quite impressive how the Continental army braved a Pennsylvania winter and overcame deadly diseases. However, the real importance of Valley Forge came in the form of military training. Briefly put, the Continental army transformed from a ragtag band of misfits into an elite fighting force. Former Prussian military man Baron Friedrich von Steuben was largely responsible for this dramatic turnaround. Speaking little English, this German still organized Washington’s men and trained them in military tactics. Consequently, Von Steuben did such an excellent job at Valley Forge that the Continental Army eventually defeated the British at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.
Valley Forge is now regarded as a major turning point in the Revolutionary War. The experience at Valley Forge provided George Washington with a capable fighting force for the remaining five years of the war. This transformation allowed the American colonies to defeat the strongest fighting force in the 18th century world—the British military.
Today, we can all remember the brave patriots of the Continental Army by visiting the Valley Forge National Park. If you are ever in the Philadelphia area, the Valley Forge National Park is only about 20 miles northwest of the city. In my mind, visiting famous places in American History is truly an excellent way to make history to come alive.
If there were one lesson to gain from Valley Forge, it is that Americans persevere in tough times. The Great Depression, the Civil War, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, World War II, the Revolutionary War, and the COVID-19 pandemic have all been some of the most difficult time periods in American history. Yet, America has pulled through each and every time—against both foreign and domestic enemies.
Anyways, I hope you learned a little bit about Valley Forge.
Some Links
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/valley-forge
https://www.thoughtco.com/american-revolution-winter-at-valley-forge-2360805
https://www.nps.gov/vafo/learn/historyculture/valley-forge-history-and-significance.htm