How Did General Washington Decide To Stay At Valley Forge

The Battle of Valley Forge was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. Although no actual military battle was waged here, George Washington’s Continental Army faced some physical and mental battles of their own in this Pennsylvania town. It was here at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania where the Continental Army Soldiers of the Revolutionary War chose to go after being defeated in the Battle of Germantown in October 1777. During this winter, Washington’s troops came to this encampment to recuperate and train for future battles with the British. The winter of 1777-78 was terribly cold, bitter, and harsh. These conditions made things very difficult for General Washington’s military unit. The unit’s morale and physical strengths were severely tested throughout this challenging and historical time.

Motivation is the only key to succeed in obtaining one’s goals. In December 1777, George Washington mandated an inconsiderable number of soldiers who spent their winter in Valley Forge. Quitting is not an option if you are loyal to your homeland. Soldiers considered the option of excluding themselves from a torturous moment they were in, but some thought of the motivation behind of what war is meant for, so the three main reasons soldiers had in mind for remaining in the battle included the rates of all ill soldiers, the depiction of George Washington’s motivation, and their beliefs in the war cause. The reasons listed above had an impact on the soldiers staying to fight until the end of a tortuous winter.

The first reason I will not re-enlist is their awful conditions at Valley Forge. I won’t re-enlist for this reason is there is no meat. When we have food it’s nasty and not nutrition for you.We had meat and bread to eat and firecake which was a mixture of flour and water.

The American Revolution marked the history of many heroic events that immaculately stand as true inspirations for the generations to come in the United States. Even today, the gallantry of a few soldiers that won independence for the country is not only kept in the hearts of the people but run in the American blood to demonstrate acts of valor at times of war and hardships. One such story recorded in the history dates back to 1776, about a sixteen-year old juvenile, Joseph Plumb Martin, joined the Rebel Infantry and recorded his tribulations about forty-seven years in a memoir titled as “A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier”.

During the winter of 1777 - 1778 the Patriots were in Valley Forge. Tons of soldiers suffered from disease, starvation, and frostbite. Most of them even died. The conditions were horrible for the soldiers and they were dying out. So would I have quit? I probably would have quit at Valley Forge.

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.

I’m standing in the center of our camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The British are 20 miles away in Philadelphia. Men surround me, shivering, starving, and covered in their own vomit. I know I do not want to be a part of this madness. The winter of 1777-1778 has been rough enough already. I’ve been here for 8 months, and in 1 more month I can choose to re-enlist, or go home. My decision has already been made. Although George Washington is trying his best, his monotonous words will not be enough to keep me in this graveyard. I refuse to risk my health and in all likelihood die from the sickness and disease going around camp. I refuse to starve, be frigid, live in smolder-filled huts, and remain unclothed and unhealthy. I refuse to die under these circumstances. I am going to leave Valley Forge in one

One of the reasons I would have stayed in Valley Forge is a lot may have been sick but only little died. It is stated in document A that only 3,989 were sick out of 8,000. That means only 50% of the soldiers were sick, also the weather would be the same everywhere else too and you would probably be sick at home or anywhere else, some soldiers did not really realize that when they left. Also it is stated in document A that 1,800 out of 12,000 died. Which is only about 15%, and in those odds I would have definitely stayed. Also if you were smart and stayed away from the sick and be cautious there would be no way you could get sick and die.

Like I said Valley Forge really isn't the worst place ever in the world because a bunch of people were only getting sick. Not a bunch of people actually died. 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

A major reason for my choice of leaving was because of the illness and death rate. The immense outbreaks forced General Washington to make small camps for the sick who had the same illness. According to Document A, out of 8,000 total people, 3,989 people fell ill at Valley Forge. That was almost half of the camp getting sick. On top of that, 2,500 of those ill people died over the winter at Valley Forge. That meant that 31% of

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.

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.

“If I don’t cross tomorrow, there will be no army.” General George Washington said the morning of the attack on the Hessians. He vowed to lead the army of the young and old knowing the dangers. If his plan fails he and his army will be humiliated and treasoned for the rebellion against the king. George Washington plan was to attack the day after the Hessians has celebrated Christmas. Why would the Americans attack in the winter? It was dangerous and everyone knew fighting in the cold was a death sentence. 8pm in the morning, he ordered the first ambush attack on the Hessian’s guards. In total were 4 Hessians, and from there they charged into unknowing sleeping Hessian’s. Awoken, startled they grabbed a gun and fought the Americans. But

6 months after they declared independance from Britian they are running low on artillery and and men. George Washington had once 6000 men and now had close to a little over 2000 men left. They are almost out of food and have nowhere to go. They are about to retreat from New York until they get intercepted by a squadron of British soldiers. They lose at least 10 men in the fight with only 3 British Soldiers killed. They retreat and form camp. George Washington writes a letter of a desperate plea for help to defend Pennsylvania to congress. The find a house and use it as their headquarters for now. They wait for 2 more of their armies. A unexpected surprise comes up. Britain has called back all of their 20000 soldier and have replaced them with about 1200 payed Hessian troops.

My heart was pounding out of my chest. The soldiers in my regiment had tear streaked faces along with patches of frostbite. The cold was unbearable. My toes and fingers went numb early on in the march. The post had come earlier that day, and many were broken from the words their loved ones sent them. The homesickness we felt was heartbreaking.