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. 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 …show more content…
There were farms and small stores in the area, but there was not enough food to feed all of the soldiers and many became desperate and attempted to steal food from the farmers and food stores. Washington ended up writing to Congress, saying subsistence in the best manner they can ...“I am now convinced, beyond a doubt that unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place… this army must inevitably be reduced to one or other of these three things. Starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain …” After letting Congress know this, General Washington received a message saying a large British group of troops was nearby (Allen 27). Washington’s men prepared to march, but because of the worsening winter weather conditions and the fact they had no boots or shoes and very little clothing, they thought it would be too dangerous to march (Allen
The soldiers also slept in small canvas that was weak and didn 't, provide any protection from the snow. This resulted in them having diarrhea, dysentery, and fevers. With so many sicknesses going around about 2,000 out of 12,000 people died. George Washington tried to encourage the farmers to sell some of their food to the soldiers because they were short on supplies. He even gave out flyers of lists of
Valley Forge was a Patriot camp during the American Revolution. It was used by General George Washington and soldiers. The campsite was a harsh place and the winter made nearly impossible to live. For, us , soldiers it was a living hell. The Patriots reached Valley Forge in December 1777 ( Doc A ).
On the morning of December 26, 1776, General George Washington would conduct an offensive operation against the three Hessian regiments who were wintering their forces in the town of Trenton, New Jersey. Although this engagement would not cause any significant material or troop damage to the British Army; it would have a lasting impact by being the battle that legitimized the Continental Army as being capable of facing a superiorly trained and equipped enemy whilst maintaining minimal loses. The battle’s aftermath was a result of General Washington’s ability to take advantage of key terrain and the poor quality of Hessian defenses, by utilizing the element of surprise through weather and terrain, and the Hessians inability to recognize the
December 1777, at a winter camp in Valley Forge with General George Washington, about 18 miles northwest from Philadelphia. I will stay and go through whatever it takes to gain our freedom with George Washington, to separate from Britain and start our own nation. Illness is spreading throughout the camp rapidly, and there are men dieing due to disease. There is a 20 percent chance of death. (Doc A)
They knew little besides drinking, whoring, and carousing about. Few would leave unofficially to help families with crops, living conditions, or to simply roam about. Those who stayed had left trails of diseases and dishevelment in their wake from defecation and dirty clothing all through the thinking that cleaning was women's work. With facing all these hardships George Washington was also facing a crisis of low ammunition. Washington had implemented ways of gaining order within the troops he had.
Historically armies of Europe usually did not fight wars during the winter months for obvious reasons. But Washington understood from the outset in 1775 that if he were going to win the war with England, he needed to have a fighting force active for 12 months a year. Washington desperately needed to keep his army together for the looming battle at Philadelphia which the English occupied during the winter of 1777-1778 when Washington arrived a Valley Forge which sits northwest of Philadelphia. Washington 's troops were desperately short of rations.
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 Battle of Saratoga was a crucial victory for the Patriots and takes credit for the turning point of the American Revolution. The battle is considered to be the turning point of the war because “… it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the last element needed for victory.” Even though the two battles took place on two separate occasions, both battles had a similar outcome and both contributed to the ridding of Great Britain. British General John Burgoyne, or “Gentleman Jonny”, was known for his was manners on the battlefield. In June of 1777, he moved south in hopes of taking control of the upper Hudson River valley.
On June 17, 1775, early in the Revolutionary War (1775-83), the British defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts. Despite their loss, the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. The Battle of Saratoga, comprising two significant battles during September and October of 1777, was a crucial victory for the Patriots during the American Revolution and is considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War.
While General Washington gets support from congress, the army needs it. Many soldiers lye sick and die, others have their dead or infected limbs severed. This is Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-1778. Valley Forge was 18 miles out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some soldiers are overconfident in the war and some are underconfident.
Valley Forge: Would You Have Quit? December 1777-June 1778. Valley Forge-Washington’s winter camp. Washington and the Continental Army. Valley Forge was a difficult place to live at.
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!
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.
It is February 1, 1778 and about one-half of the troops are too sick to report for roll call. (Doc A) During the cold winter, about 1,800 and 2,500 died because they were so sick(Doc A) This morning I saw General George Washington and he was talking to these men who looked like the Congressional Committee. (Doc B)
Getting food is hard. It’s very hard to survive. It has come to the soldiers to decide whether to stay or re-enlist and fight or quit (not re-enlist) and helplessly die from freezing to death or smallpox. After thinking long and hard… I have decided to re-enlist, because General Washington needs healthy men, the people need my help, and I want my freedom.