Valley Forge: Would you have quit?
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.
By December of 1777, there around 12,000 soldiers left in the Continental Army. By February of 1778, there were only 8,000 soldiers left. That means that over 4,000 soldiers either died or quit at Valley Forge. I wouldn 't want to stay there if that many people were dying and getting sick. During their encampment, through the months of December -June between 1800 to 2500 soldiers had died from an illness. If that
In every soldier 's heart, it’s just as cold and sad as the snow around them. General George Washington took thousands of men across the Delaware River to Valley Forge which was eighteen miles from Philadelphia, in which the men wait. But Washington needs men to fight. And winter is coming brutal and with no mercy, are you going to stay and fight? Or leave to go back to a normal life?
Why should people fight for their independence when there is an extremely high rate of dying which means there’s a good chance they won’t even be alive to experience their freedom? If they won that is. So, now we’re back in time at Valley Forge where conditions are far from good. General Washington had the troops there and many of the men were not looking good. That is why I would leave Valley Forge.
Stay or Leave at Valley Forge George Washington and his men retreat from the British after they took Philadelphia, so General Washington and his men retreat about 18 miles northwest from Philadelphia and created a camp for the winter. Even though the estimates of all the soldiers was about 12,000 men, and it was said that at the end of the winter there were only 8,000 men was all not true. Not all of the death counts were accurate. About half of those numbers could have been men that left, or men that were stricken ill, but recovered and rejoined the army. The sickness count was about 40-50%, and the death count was only 10-12%.
Not Quitting on Valley Forge Valley Forge is a winter camp 18 miles from Philadelphia. At Valley Forge, many soldiers got sick due to lacking in supplies and food. Many soldiers started to quit, but I was one of many who decided to stay. One reason I have decided to stay is because of the estimate or death and illness’ to the people who stayed alive.(Doc. A)
Valley Forge Camp for the Strong People should stay at Valley Forge, because Washington wants to help (Doc B), the death rates were very low (Doc A), and you would be considered a coward for leaving (Doc D). Valley Forge is a winter camp for the continental army during the revolutionary war. Some consider it a to have bad conditions so they would leave, but this is why people should stay. First of all, George Washington tries to help the army by talking to the congressional Committee (Doc B). In the painting of Valley Forge George Washington is talking to the committee and pointing at the army.
It told me that half of the soldiers on February 1778 were unable to report for duty due to illness. That to me is surprising. Then there were 2,500 dead soldiers after that. They didn't even have a battle and that many soldiers died. So I would have left if that much people died or got ill.
(Doc. A) Some other reasons that I would leave is because in the painting of the Committee of Congress at Valley Forge all of the people look very ill and poor. Some of them don’t have
The army fell short of the ideal image the American public had created for it, as it lacked experience and professionalism. However, this would not last forever. The army gained professionalism during their time at Valley Forge, eventually resembling the institution the America public feared. Royster, defines Valley Forge as a, “test of national survival because it had been a test of the army’s survival amid hardships caused in large by fellow revolutionaries” (190). It also marked a turning point in the war, as it was the last time the revolutionaries expected to be united with the same enthusiasm as in 1775.
“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. I would have stayed in the war, because I am loyal to our leaders and to America.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. The documents A and C prove that only 14% died of sickness. there were about 12,000 of us to start with, and only about 1,800- 2500 died from December to June. Therefore, that leaves just about 9,500 of us left. However, with all the people that abandoned the Continental Army leaves us with just about 8,000 of us.
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.