Valley Forge

Washington & troops at Valley Forge

Mike's Blog

On December 19 1777, the future President of the United States leads his beleaguered men into a winter that changed the fortune of the war, allowing George Washington a national hero.  During the winter season of 1777 the troops were starving and freezing held up due to the harsh weather.  Washington was a failing General and the British occupied Philadelphia, leaving Congress to question the abilities of Washington to wage a successful war against the red coats.  The army under Washington was on the brink of collapse and he defied Congress who wished for a mid-winter attack against the British troops in Philadelphia with the hope of resting and replenishing his troops in Valley Forge, however this also did not happen due to congress failing to raise money in an effort to nourish and clothe the American soldiers.  Valley Forge was approximately 20 miles from Philadelphia allowing Washington to keep a watchful eye on General Howe and the British Red Coats.  The conditions however at Valley Forge were so poor that men were disserting the army even under the threat of being shot of sight by Washington himself.  The men were suffering in poor quality and hastily made log cabins, while watching the British enjoy the comforts of colonial homes. The Army at the beginning of the winter consisted of 12,000 regulars and with disease and dissertation around 3,000 men died or left.  

             Washington recalls his men marching without proper clothing or shoes, leaving bloody trails wherever they stepped in the white snow, the starving troops on the verge of a famine.  Congress had engaged in conversations to replace George Washington as the General of the Army and to place a man more qualified and decorated than the failing General.  To this time the war was in the favor of Britain and many did not see an American victory insight.  Washington even went on to tell the press, he would be more than happy to resign his post for a better suited leader of the Army and return to his private estate at Mount Vernon.  It was troubling to Washington seeing local farmers choose greed over supplying his own men, while they chose to sell their crops to the British for gold and silver pieces.

            During the winter Washington had made monumental changes to his leadership core which allowed his troops to be better trained and learn tactics to harass the British soldiers, winning skirmishes not major battles.  For example Washington added a Prussian Officer to his core, General Friedrich Von Steuben tasking him to train the men.  Under Von Steuben the men became trained in the arts of Prussian warfare and tactics, creating a trained army instead of farmers with pitchforks.  Von Steuben was disgusted at the lack of commitment and poor training of the regular soldiers prior to his commitment to train the men, however under his guidance the men became a proper military unit.  He also added Nathanael Greene who served under Washington as the Quartermaster allowing Washington to relieve himself of the duty of procuring supplies for the troops, and focus on the general leadership of the troops. Washington was making internal changes to better his leadership core, while congress was attempting to replace Washington with General Howe for he was a victor at Saratoga and a better candidate to lead the men, however Washington kept the loyalty of his men and Congress realized an internal change of leadership was impossible.

               The end of the winter brought great news to the camp as Benjamin Franklin had secured an alliance with France, which was a major moral boost, when Washington heard the news he pardoned two of his men from the firing squad for dissertation.  The troops however left better than they were prior to the winter for the ones left were hardened by the winter and all the ones who questioned the leadership had disserted.  The smaller but better trained army had survived the winter; the men left with a new confidence to defeat the British and once they were able to replenish their supplies and the food shortage ran out the men were prepared for battle against British forces.

Kelly's Blog

Journal of Henry Green

December 28th, 1777

I’ve never been so cold in my entire life. The air is burnin’ my face and my toes are turning black and losing feeling. It is beginnin’ to get difficult to walk, I hope to heal quickly. I am not the only one suffering these rough conditions, unfortunately it seems many other soldiers have also fallen ill. We have been in Valley Forge for a number of days now, but things don’t seem to be getting any better. Troops are beginnin’ to lose hope. I secretly think we all are just seeking some sort of comfort away from this war and these miserable conditions. General Washington picked this location because he can keep watch on the British troops that are in Philadelphia right now. It makes sense to us soldiers, but the conditions here are literally killing some of us. The temperatures are frigid and we are really lacking proper supplies. Seeing how well the British troops have it while I freeze is only making me despise them more.  This is our country. They have no right to be warm and well fed while myself and the others sit here and struggle to find food and warmth. Things won’t be this way much longer. I am not the only soldier who wants to give those redcoats what they really deserve. I overheard General Washington and some farmers are even keeping food from us who are fighting for their freedoms! AH the nerve! We will pull through strong in the end. I’m not ready to give up hope yet. I’m praying to god that somethin’ good is comin’ and with that somethin’ is some better weather too. Speakin’ of that weather my fingers are frozen, I must rest up though I will write again soon. Goodnight'