General Washington at Valley Forge

Valley Forge

General Washington has won Trenton and Princeton. General Howe has taken Philadelphia. General Washington can't afford a frontal assault but he would like to harass the British. In the Battle of Brandywine, General Howe gets some of his troops behind General Washington's line and could have totally destroyed Washington's army. However, he failed to do so because he lacked cavalry. In the Battle of Germantown, General Washington moves his forces undetected into position. A heavy fog caused confusion but the patriots aren't able to surprise the British. George Washington has the opportunity to possibly end the war with this battle but one of his leaders attacks against orders because he is intoxicated. That leader is eventually courtmartialed.

Wikipedia states, “The genius and audacity shown by Washington, in thus planning and so nearly accomplishing the ruin of the British army only three weeks after the defeat at the Brandywine, produced a profound impression upon military critics in Europe...” who decided to offer more support to the patriot cause.

General Washington's forces spent the Winter at Valley Forge while General Howe had a big party in Philadelphia. The locals sold their food to the British for a premium price. The patriots had trouble getting food and supplies for "free." The economics of war affected everyone in the area.

Washington chose Valley Forge as the winter encampment for his 11,000 men along with approximately 500 women and children who accompanied them for several reasons. First, the lay of the land made Valley Forge a natural fortress. The army's camp sat high on a plateau at the top of a series of hills that protected it.

Washington ordered his soldiers to build wooden huts for themselves, twelve by twelve feet each, and then search the countryside for straw to use as bedding. Since there was nothing there - no farms, towns, roads or people, the soldiers had to make everything themselves. Making their roofs keep out the water was the hardest part. Keeping them warm was also challenging. There were not enough blankets for everyone. Most lived in tents while they tried to make the huts.

Many of Washington’s men had no military experience. For the first time in the war, they were trained by Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian military officer. He led important training exercises for the American troops. He taught the soldiers how to use the bayonet, and most importantly, how to re-form lines quickly in the midst of battle. Von Steuben quickly realized that the rag tag Continentals needed to learn both discipline and drill. He also realized that these men were not professional soldiers fighting for pay, but volunteers fighting for the liberty of their nation. He would later write to a friend in Europe and explain that with the American soldier it was not only necessary to tell him what to do, but to explain to him why he should do it.

The story of that terrible winter has often been told. It was cold, but not quite cold enough, with abundant precipitation—sleet and freezing rain, calculated to drown roads in slush and wash out ferries and fords. Many of Washington’s field officers resigned and went home. "Feet and legs froze till they became black, and it was often necessary to amputate them.” 2,500 soldiers froze to death during the winter.

There was no shortage of malicious individuals eager to depose him. Naysayers in Congress and the army squabbled and gossiped behind his back, disobeyed orders, and pulled strings to undermine Washington’s leadership. Many spoke of Major General Horatio Gates, the “hero” of Saratoga, as Washington’s replacement.

Washington cared for each and every one of his soldiers, and was willing to work to the furthest extent possible for their well-being. Suffer, and die they might—but never in vain. He wrote hundreds of letters and official reports to try to convince Congress to help his soldiers succeed. Maryland delegate Charles Carroll, the only Catholic to sign the Declaration, was instrumental in persuading Congress to keep Washington as Commander-in-Chief.

Hessian Major Carl Leopold Baurmeister noted the only thing that kept the American army from disintegrating was their "spirit of liberty.” A farmer reportedly observed General Washington kneeling in prayer in the snow.

George Washington wrote "For several days past we have experienced little less than a famine in the camp and have had much cause to dread a general mutiny and dispersion.” When Congress looked into the situation, it was discovered that there was mismanagement by the Continental Army's Quartermaster, General Thomas Mifflin. Mifflin resigned when questioned. Washington almost gave up but he remembered his mother’s words and stayed with it.

Washington wanted to do a bigger and better surprise attack than what he had done last Christmas at Trenton. But the army was so destitute and the chances of success were slim. General Greene suggested they only fight a battle if Howe came to Valley Forge. Instead of fighting, the soldiers endured a huge blizzard on Christmas 1777. For Christmas dinner, there was only burnt mutton and watery grog. It was a winter-long trial that turned the soft patriots into steel.

When they could wait no longer, God blessed the American Patriots with an early spawning of shad. These fish saved the soldiers at the last minute.

Books

Washington's Secret War

Following the Drum: Women at the Valley Forge Encampment

Winter of the Red Snow JUV

Free Books

Valley Forge JUV

The Story of Valley Forge JUV

From YouTube

Valley Forge National Historic Park Virtual Tour