My family may need me, but General Washington needs me more. It is 1777 and one year into the Revolutionary war. The British are camping only 17 miles away from us in Pennsylvania under the command of General Howe. We are staying in a crammed winter fort named Valley Forge. The conditions here are everything but pleasant, and many men are dying fast and slow. We are living twelve men to a hut which is very cramped, and it is very smoky. Our main food source is a firecake, which is a disgusting mixture of flour and water. As bad as things may seem, I am still one of the few healthy men. Since I am still healthy and willing, I am definitely not quitting. Quitting would mean to be disloyal and a traitor to my country that I love. I am choosing …show more content…
In document B, the engraving, it shows that Gen. Washington is supportive of these men that are giving their lives in our country’s cause. He is doing so by showing the congress that our men are in very bad conditions right now, and that we need supplies to keep the fight going. General Washington is doing this because he needs our help and cares about every one of us. If we had another leader, this war would be turning a whole new direction, and not a good one. George Washington tries as hard as he can to insure that his militia is safe and in good condition. Although things have been going terribly at Valley forge so far, I know that he can push us through the harsh winter and lead us to overcome the British. George Washington is not just a protective and supportive leader, he is an encouraging one too. He often goes the badly injured troops and helps them through their hardest times. This reason is causing me to re-enlist because I know we can win the war with Washington on our …show more content…
If I just choose to quit and leave Valley Forge, then I am telling my country that I don’t care about my rights and my country. As tough as it is out here, the last thing the general needs for for another man to quit. In these times every man counts. If I choose to abandon my fellow soldiers, than I am also leaving my dedication to my country. In a war this tough and ruthless, every man truly counts. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will , in difficult times, shrink from the dedication to their country: but he that stands up to the challenge, deserves the thanks of every man and woman. What we gain too easily, we esteem too lightly ( Document D). I am not the type to leave someone in need. In this case, it is the people of my country who are not free. If I quit now, we are one step further than winning this battle. This reason is causing me to re-enlist because the harder we work for something, the more precious it becomes. I know that sitting at home is not working, therefore I
The Colonial army lead by George Washington set up camp in Valley Forge to keep an eye on the British. It is winter and the colonial army is ill-prepared. I think that you should leave Valley Forge. One source of information is on the sick and death rate at Valley Forge (Doc A). About 25% of the people who went to Valley Forge died of diseases.
Soldiers that are living at Valley forge are tempted to pack up their things and leave because of the deaths and illnesses spreading through the “camp”. George Washington is the leader and he is urging people to stay and fight, having men say motivational speeches to the people. I would stay and fight at Valley Forge. The deaths and illnesses were never over 50% and the people who got sick only half of them died, I’d rather die for my freedom than die without a cause. Only about 6,887 illness records were recorded out of 20,000 people.
The first reason I will not re-enlist is death and illness. 50% of the soldiers are getting sick out of 8,000 and estimated deaths were 1,800-2,500 (doc A). Even though about 10% of the illnesses actually ended up dying, there are still about 2,200 people, including me, left that are still sick and have a possible chance of dying too.
Staying at Valley Forge During the winter of 1777 and 1778 Valley Forge winter camp is where George Washington and his troops were located. Valley Forge was very cold and many soldiers got sick or died at Valley Forge. I would stay at Valley Forge. In an essay written by Thomas Paine(Doc. D) in his essay he explains that those who left Valley Forge were made fun of and were called things like summer soldier because they could not handle the cold weather.
Snow pouring down by the gallon, visibility is limited. Food melts faster than a F14 Tomcat fighter plane flies. This is only a brief description of the horrors at Valley Forge. From December 19, 1778, to June 19, 1778, the Patriots set up their camp for the winter - Valley Forge. Located 18 miles Northwest of Philadelphia, the Patriots are on a losing streak, first defeated in Philadelphia in March and then Long Island in August.
The time at Valley Forge for Soldiers was dreadful and I could say the same for myself. It 's the winter of 1777 two year in the Revolution and things are not look good for General George Washington at Valley Forge. People are dying left and right of sickness like smallpox the cold is getting to some of us. Some soldiers are leaving to go home to their family even going as far to run away from their duties. The question I keep asking myself is, should I go or stay with the rest of my group?
This is one of the reasons I would stay. I know this because I was able to see in Document A it said, 3989 out of 8000 soldiers ended up sick, yes that is a bunch of people, about 50%, but they never actually died because of it. Also in Document A it said Only 1800 out of 12000 people actually died. That's only about 15% which
Life in Vicksburg has grown to be more and more difficult with each passing day. It has been about a month and a half since the Union began the siege and cut off the imports that the people of Vicksburg need to live and thrive. From the shortage of food to the lack of hope, every day has a common theme of despair within Vicksburg’s residents. Both my neighbors and I feel weak without proper nourishment from healthy food and clean water, but worst of all, we are unsure of how much longer this living nightmare will continue. I now feel obligated to change the way I have been living by, with great regret, deciding to surrender to the Union army.
For you cannot be afraid to die, and you must be proud that you are serving your country and
Cold was one problem, smoke was another. Hopefully, the soldiers will have the courage to make it through this devastating time. Lack of food, living conditions, and horrid climate are some reasons of why a soldier would quit Valley Forge. One reason a soldier would quit Valley Forge is the lack of food.
Quitting Valley Forge would be the best decision to do at the time of the winter storm. The first reason to believe leaving would be smart is the fact that there was an extraordinary amount of illness and deaths.(Document A) Fifty percent of the soldiers staying at Valley Forge caught sickness and more than an estimate of twenty-five hundred soldiers died. The camp was not safe in any way besides protection from The Lobster Backs but still you would have to guard the camp in case of intruders. The second possibility to why you might leave the winter camp was the convincing journal entry made by Dr. Albigence Waldo.(Document C) He claimed the bad hygiene was a huge disappointment in the camp, soldiers rarely got to shower, change clothes
This point of view makes sense because “ I am sick-discontented- and out of humor.” (Waldo,151). However, I have decided to re-enlist for three reasons pride, knowing war will be hard, and love and passion. Therefore there are more passionate reasons to re-enlist than
Being in the snow isn’t always fun. It is January 1, 1778 and I have been serving my term at Valley Forge. I have been very miserable which has made my experience here dreadful. I’ve finished my time as a soldier but I have the option to re-enlist or come back home.
The praises that you receive shouldn’t be based on the mere fact that you join but maybe for those who actually wants to serve and protect. In contrast, he says “Make that choice without looking back to see the cheering faces of those who tell you your duty is to do what they are not doing for purposes you may not know nor share” (Gillman 680). None the less, the author let the reader know that these young men and women risk their own lives for purposes which may not be of any value to themselves or the country. As a result, those purposes doesn’t deserve the praises that are
In the winter, Washington took his troops to Valley Forge, which was 18 miles from Philadelphia. At this time, Valley Forge was a difficult place to live for the Patriots. It was a struggle but if I were a Patriot in Valley Forge fighting for Washington’s Army, I wouldn’t quit. I won’t quit for three big reasons; yes I know there were a lot of sick soldiers but not as much as dying soldiers, another thing is the conditions were horrible, but there were many brave soldiers who stuck with it, and stayed with Washington, lastly I do not want to be a “summer soldier” because freedom is valuable so it is worth fighting for.