Here At Valley Forge Essay

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

Things have become so atrocious that George Washington had to ask the Congressional Committee for more money. I doubt they have any to give, for they are more focused on the bigger picture, rather than a few deteriorated soldiers (Doc B). Dr.Waldo wrote in his journal, “A general cry thro’ the camp this evening among the soldiers, “No meat! No meat!” -The distant vales echoed back the melancholy sound- “No meat! No meat!” This tells how us soldiers have been starving for quite a while now, and most of us are done dealing with the hardships. As Waldo also questioned, “Why are we sent here to starve and freeze? I can no longer endure it (Doc C). I am willing to admit that I am a summer soldier, as Thomas Paine wrote (Doc D). I’ve already risked my life for this country; now it is someone else’s turn.
In conclusion, I am happy to be leaving Valley Forge in one month. I do not want to risk getting sick and dying. I am weary of the starvation, bitter cold, and lack of decent clothing. I am tired, hungry, and ready to go home. My time to retire has come, therefore, I will not be