The Patriots were feeling defeated after the first 2 years of war, and the makeshift Pennsylvania winter camp didn 't add to their spirits. Valley Forge was a tough time for the American Army, and many soldiers wanted to quit because of the hardships. If I were a soldier, I would have quit Valley Forge for a multitude of reasons. The living conditions were inadequate, there was a minimal amount of supplies, and illness and death was common in the camp. In essence, the cons of staying at Valley Forge outweighed the Pros.
On December 19, 1777, General George Washington, the Commander of the U.S. Continental Army led the troops to Valley Forge in Pennsylvania for a few different reasons. One of the reasons he chose Valley Forge was because it was close
In 1777- 1778 The Revolutionary War was at it’s peak. George Washington decided to camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania with the British and General Howe near by in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But troubles were yet to come because Winter has just begun. If I were at Valley Forge would I have quit or Re- Enlisted. The definition of “Quit” is to not Re- Enlist. Which is what I am not doing. I have decided to Re- Enlist because I’m an American, I’d rather die knowing I did my best to defend my country. Rather die knowing I could have done more, and I’m neede by George Washington.
December 1777-June 1778. Valley Forge-Washington’s winter camp. Washington and the Continental Army. Valley Forge was a difficult place to live at. Some Patriots are staying but others are leaving. I would stay at Valley Forge because only 15% of people died, there is help on it's way, and the journal entry from Dr.Albigence Waldo a connecticut surgeon.
Valley Forge was a winter camp 18 miles away from Philadelphia, where George Washington took his troops during 1777 and 1778. The British army is comfortable in Philadelphia, while Valley Forge has harsh conditions with the cold weather and the lack of supplies. I will not reenlist when my 9-month enlistment is over. I will not reenlist for these reasons, diseases, lack supplies, and cold weather and smoky air.
“Poor food, hard lodging, cold weather, fatigue, nasty clothes, nasty cookery, vomit… why are we sent here to starve and freeze?”-Dr. Albigence Waldo “What we know today was not known in late December 1777, victory seemed a long way off; in fact for many, it seemed unlikely.” Had I been a soldier at Valley Forge, would I of given up? If I had the choice, I would have stayed, because of loyalty to our leaders and country, to stay a powerful nation, and for the freedom of me and the people of America.
With all of these soul-shattering, life-changing conditions, it is less of a war and more of a test of strength for the soldiers, here at Valley Forge. Some men were going home and not returning. Other men just completely deserted. Even George Washington’s position was uncertain, the members of congress didn’t trust him. Life at Valley Forge was obviously horrible, and the ugly truth is that it wouldn’t get much better. 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.
Yes I would have quit at Valley Forge and some of the reasons that I would have quit were the dirty clothes, the bad cooking, and the cold weather. These were only a few of the reasons why I didn 't want to stay at Valley Forge, there are many more than that it 's just that those were my top three reasons why I wouldn 't have stayed at Valley Forge. I will go more in depth with reasons why I wouldn’t have stayed at Valley Forge.
Through December 1777 to June 1778, George Washington led the Continental Army through winter camp. The Continental Army was an army of Patriot soldiers who fought against Britain. The Patriots hated Britain for their taxes and laws. So they went off to war. There was just one problem, they did not know how bad the conditions were going to be. 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.
In the harsh, dreaded winter at Valley Forge, your enlistment has finally retired. But now there is a decision to be made. Will I stay and be loyal to the Continental Army. Or will I abandon and never look back at the Continental Army. The decision must be made. It would be so easy to leave and not have to deal with all the death. But it also would be hard because my freedom could rely on this decision and the Continental Army needs my help. Therefore, I choose to stay at Valley Forge, for there is a chance for me to not die of sickness because of the medical care, there is also patriotism, and people are willing to fight for our freedom.
I did not re-enlist because of brutal conditions, sickness, and very little food. I could not re-enlist because those three factors were essential to surviving a harsh winter during a very hard war. “ The devil is in it,” ( Waldo 151). Valley Forge was a brutal, sick, and starving winter camp. Some soldiers told me at camp that George Washington did not care for his soldiers. Other soldiers did not agree with this claim. Towards the end of camp, I started to believe the claim that our General did not care for us. On the very last days of camp, I had finally made my decision on whether to re-enlist or not. I decided that I was not going to re-enlist. It was not worth re-enlisting if George Washington could not keep his own soldiers alive.
In the winter of 1777 and 1778, George Washington and thousands of soldiers were in Valley Forge, a winter camp outside of Philadelphia. Where there was disease and terrible living conditions. I would stay because even though soldiers were sick, not a lot were dying, Washington was getting help from the congressional committee, and I would definitely not be a summer soldier, because freedom is actually worth fighting for.
The final reason I would quit from Valley Forge because of the jealousy and overworking of the soldiers and animals. In the picture on Document B it shows a dead horse, a man going insane, and another man being helped from the ground after he fell over.. In Document B it says, “George Washington presenting Congressional Committee to soldiers at Valley Forge.” People were probably jealous of the congressman and many of them were overworked this caused them to get sick or die.
Valley Forge was a camp in the late 1700th century during the Revolutionary War. It is often recalled that soldiers at the camp endured cruel and harsh living conditions that took the lives of many. Although the living conditions were rough, it is thought that a lot of stories about Valley Forge are exaggerated to an extent. Stories and books unraveled about how those poor soldiers were frost bitten and starving. So are the myths and tales true, did the soldiers at Valley Forge suffer in a horrid daily battle for survival?
Hook/Background Information: hi. i am a very poor man i used to be an apprentice for a smithing shop. But, now i'm here, in valley forge, suffering with all of my friends. from sickness and death (DOC.A) to wimps with no honour(DOC.D) and strong men willing to fight(DOC.B) we show our courage at valley forge.