what was valley forge and why was it important?what was valley forge and why was it important?

The army buried the soldiers who died in these out-of-the-way care facilities in church graveyards adjacent to the hospitals. Most of the land had previously been cleared for agriculture, leaving a level plateau in an open, rolling landscape. The expected arrival of the French greatly altered British war plans. Arrival at Valley Forge Of those three moments in the war, Valley Forge at least conjures up a concrete image: barefoot soldiers leaving footprints of blood in the snow. The Schuylkill River also thawed, allowing the Continental Army to more easily transport convoys from the main supply depot at Reading. She also organized meals and kept spirits high during the rough times at the encampment. They often earned income either by laundering clothes or by nursing troops, which kept soldiers cleaner and healthier. The men spent extra-long hours on duty patrolling, standing guard, and manning dangerous outposts near the city and the enemy. Washington declared May 6, 1778 a day of celebration. Notes:1. Washington ordered that soldiers' rations include either one to one and a half pounds of flour or bread, one pound of salted beef or fish, or three-quarters pound of salted pork, or one and a half pounds of flour or bread, a half pound of bacon or salted pork, a half pint of peas or beans, and one gill of whiskey or spirits. after thisthree cheers and shout of 'God Save the friendly Powers of Europe! The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation. What happened at Valley Forge and why was it important Continental soldiers under the command of General Charles Lee engaged the British in approximately five hours of continuous fighting in a ferocious heat. Details about the George Washington statue at the park. About 30% of Continental soldiers at Valley Forge did not speak English as their first language. [38][39] Neither plumbing nor a standardized system of trash collection existed. Valley Forge National Historical Park Has One of the Most Important Fossil Deposits in North America . In response, Great Britain declared war on France five weeks later, on March 17. A series of leaks and embarrassing exposures in the fall and winter of 1777 and 1778 dissolved the cabal, and Washington's reputation improved.[59]. Washington directed that each hut measure approximately 14 feet by 16 feet. In a letter to his wife Adrienne, Lafayette described the huts as "small barracks, which are scarcely more cheerful than dungeons. Washington first asked his generals where to quarter the Continental Army in the winter of 17771778 on October 29, 1777. Fleming, Thomas. suffering and courage VALLEY FORGE is immovably fixed in the American mind as the symbol of the suffering and courage of the Continental soldier, even though the winter of 1777-78 was far from the worst of the Revolutionary War, and the army grew even hungrier and more ragged in later winter camps. The genius of this nation is not in the least to be compared with that of the Prussians, Austrians, or French. Stories of harsh weather likely originated from the 17791780 winter encampment at Jockey Hollow, near Morristown, New Jersey, which had the coldest winter of the war. The British soon evacuated Philadelphia and headed north to defend their stronghold in New York City, and on June 19, 1778, Washingtons troops marched out of Valley Forge in pursuit. The encampment experience could be characterized as suffering as usual, for privation was the Continental soldiers constant companion. Dedicated surgeons, nurses, a smallpox inoculation program, and camp sanitation regulations limited the death tolls. The correspondence of General Washington and other soldiers letters and notebooks are the only accounts of what took place. General Friedrich von Steuben wrote the Revolutionary War Drill Manual which became the standard drill manual used by the US forces up until the War of 1812 . Washington chose Valley Forge as the winter encampment for his 11,000 men along with approximately 500 women and children who accompanied them for several reasons. However, several tribes, including the Oneida, sided with the Patriots due in part to ties with American settlers, such as Presbyterian minister Samuel Kirkland. The standardized training instilled at Valley Forge had improved their performance on the battlefield. 4. Likewise, patriotism did not peak during the relatively short six-month period at Valley Forge. Instead of being able to focus on building the camp and obtaining much needed rest, the troops had to expend energy on security operations. The Americans used artillery to hold off British troops and even launched bayonet counterattacks-skills they had sharpened while drilling under von Steuben at Valley Forge. Washington related how his commanders had just exerted themselves with some difficulty to quell a "dangerous mutiny" fomenting, because of the lack of provision. Two years of war, shuffling leadership, and uneven recruitment resulted in irregular unit organization and strength. Sir Henry Clinton replaced General Sir William Howe as British Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces in North America, and had to divert troops from Philadelphia to the Crown's valuable possessions in the West Indies. Men from far flung geographical areas were exposed to sicknesses from which they had little immunity. Only Washingtons bold Christmas night 1776 crossing of the Delaware River and subsequent victories at Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey, saved the cause from disaster. The Road to Valley Forge: How Washington Built the Army that Won the Revolution. more information on current conditions Read more about women at the Valley Forge encampment, Read more about Black people at the Valley Forge encampment, Read more about Native American allies at the Valley Forge encampment, National Park Service Handbook of the American Revolution. "[33] While these women provided crucial assistance, most people remained relatively unaware of the Continental Army's plight"an unavoidable result of a general policy" to prevent such intelligence from reaching the British. Valley Forge is the location of the 1777-1778 winter encampment of the Continental Army under General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. Secondly, Valley Forge was far enough away from the rich farmland north of Philadelphia to prevent the army from becoming a burden on the local population. In part, they worried that revolutionary fervor might spread into their own empire (which it did by 1789), but they also did not think the American colonists could win. Indigenous Peoples occupied the area in and around what is now known as Valley Forge National Historical Park as early as 10,000-8,000 BP (before present), enjoying the abundance of food and shelter offered by the river valley environment. To combat the spread of contagion, Washington commanded soldiers to burn tar or "the Powder of a Musquet Cartridge" in the huts everyday, to cleanse the air of putrefaction. Washington recognized the strain that this situation placed on his men and rewarded them with two months hardship pay. [34], The outlook for the army's situation improved when a five-man congressional delegation arrived on January 24. What was Valley Forge and why is it important? - Sage-Answer At Valley Forge in the spring of 1778, the army joyously celebrated the formal French recognition of the United States as a sovereign power and valuable alliance with this leading European nation. During this time, well-equipped units took the place of their poorly dressed comrades and patrolled, foraged, and defended the camp. On 22 December, Martha Washington predicted that her husband would send for her as soon as his army went into winter quarter, and that "if he does I must go. What happened at Valley Forge and why it was important? They struggled with basic formations and lacked uniformity, thanks to multiple drilling techniques taught in various ways by different officers. Army records suggest that each soldier received a daily ration of one-half pound of beef during January 1778, but food shortages during February left the men without meat for several days at a time. Washington continued with a dire warning to Congress: "unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place in that line, this Army must inevitably be reduced to one or other of these three things, Starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain subsistence in the best manner they can. Rather, snowfall occurred infrequently, above-freezing temperatures were regular, and ice was uncommon. Farmers quickly recovered, and within the decade the huts were largely gone, fields replanted, and woodlots re-sprouted. They were cautiously optimistic about the future, and resigned themselves to the task of establishing their winter camp. The bridge connection also made the camp more secure as patrols could range the country to the north and east to check British movements and intentions in that quarter. Despite the harsh conditions, Valley Forge is sometimes called the birthplace of the American army because, by June of 1778, the weary troops emerged with a rejuvenated spirit and confidence as a well-trained fighting force. Valley Forge is an extremely important site to the American Revolutionary War. However, the suffering troops were held together by loyalty to the Patriot cause and to General Washington, who stayed with his men. From here the Continental Army could protect the outlying parts of the state, with its wary citizens and precious military stores, as well as the Continental Congress, which had fled to York, Pennsylvania. As Washington explained, if the army was farther away, then "many of our friends would be exposed to all the miseries of the most insulting and wanton depredation."1. As Washington explained in a letter to Henry Laurens, the President of the Continental Congress, unless something was done quickly, "this Army might dissolve."3. Baron von Steuben to Baron de Gaudy, 1787-88. Though Revolutionary forces had secured a pivotal victory at Saratoga in September and October, Washington's army suffered defeats at Brandywine, Paoli, and . Von Steubens regulations extended beyond tactical instruction. Washingtons authority was strengthened, as loyal supporters rallied to defend and exalt the commander in chief. These problems exacerbated the harsh living conditions at Valley Forge in the third year of the war. [52] During the Revolutionary War, most Native American tribes sided with the British in order to protect their traditional homelands from the encroachment of American settlers. The commander in chief rapidly set troops in motion: a small force marched in and took possession of the city. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. It would be difficult to imagine a scenario in which the leader of a popular revolution stood by while his men froze and starved. The scale of the Valley Forge encampment was impressive. Following the Battle of Brandywine (September 11, 1777) and the abortive Battle of the Clouds (September 16), on September 18 several hundred soldiers under General Wilhelm von Knyphausen raided the supply magazine at Valley Forge. What was Valley Forge and why is it important? December 23, 1777 dawned cold and dank over the hills of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the scent of snow in the air. 10, ed. Lasting six months, from December until June, the encampment was as diverse as any city, and was made up of free and enslaved African American soldiers and civillians, Indigenous people, wealthy officers, impoverished enlisted men, European immigrants, speakers of several languages, and adherents of multiple religions. Von Steuben remarked on how quickly Washingtons men progressed in the retraining process, saying that it normally took two years to properly train a soldier. Here the Continental Army, a collection of disparate colonial militias supported by hundreds of camp followers and allies, emerged under Washingtons leadership as a cohesive and disciplined fighting force. [citation needed][68], Valley Forge long occupied a prominent place in U.S. storytelling and memory. For example, army records of the food shipped to camp in the month of January 1778 reveal that the men received an average daily ration of one-half pound of beef per man. In 1777, Valley Forge consisted of a small proto-industrial community located at the juncture of the Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River. Many regard Valley Forge as the birthplace of the American army. [23] Implementation of those changes never fully took effect, because of the fighting surrounding Philadelphia. Military historian John B. The most serious food crisis occurred in February, when the men went without meat for several days at a stretch. On December 23, Washington wrote Henry Laurens, the President of the Continental Congress. Ann F. Rhoads, Douglas Ryan and Ella W. Aderman. All Rights Reserved. Captain Alexander Graydon 24 August 1777. Concentrating the soldiers in one vast camp allowed the army to protect the countryside and be better able to resist a British attack, but it became costly when lack of supplies and hunger afflicted the inhabitants, and diseases like influenza and typhoid spread through the camp. The army had difficulty executing complex large- scale maneuvers such as the orderly retreat. The ordered ranks, martial appearance, revived spirit, and fighting skill of the American soldiers spoke of a great transformation having occurred amidst the . 4 What are facts about Valley Forge? In March 1778, Congress also appointed Nathanael Greene as Quartermaster General, who reluctantly accepted at Washington's behest. George Washington, "General Orders, December 17, 1777," The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, Vol. The encampment in Pennsylvania later became a historic national park where many efforts were taken to preserve and capture the meaning and feelings many had behind the locations historic significance and well-known myths; this perceived enduring atmosphere regarding the historical context behind the site, molded historys patriotic view on Valley Forge. We don't accept government funding and rely upon private contributions to help preserve George Washington's home and legacy. He asked von Steuben . The farms located on the north side provided forage for the Continental Army, the location of a camp market where farmers from this vicinity could sell their produce to the army, and the center for commissary operations. Valley Forge was and is still important because it is the mark of the victory of the struggles, hardships and battles for survival that is embedded in this place. In mid-June Washingtons spy network informed him that the British were about to abandon Philadelphia. Hardship did occur at Valley Forge, but it was not a time of exceptional misery in the context of the situation. The significance of the encampment lies both in its fact-based history and also its storied myth. While many historians consider the Battle of Monmouth a tactical draw, the Continental Army fought for the first time as a cohesive unit, showing a new level of confidence. You say to your soldier [in Europe], Do this and he doeth it; but [at Valley Forge] I am obliged to say, This is the reason why you ought to do that, and then he does it. What Happened at Valley Forge. Though it would take years to bear fruit at Yorktown in 1781, the alliance provided Washington with assistance from the formidable French navy as well as additional troops he needed to counter British marine superiority. Valley Forge, 1777 (The American Revolution) cartoon Watch on What happened at Valley Forge and why it was important? On the march south, Washington paraded the American army through Philadelphia to impress the various factions among the citizenry with the prowess of the patriot force. Discover more about the history and significance of Valley Forge National Historical Park by reading the park's Foundation Document. The Revolution is Yorktown, Washington Crossing the Delaware, and Valley Forge. On June 19, 1778, after a six-month encampment, this same army emerged to pursue and successfully engage Lt. Gen. Sir Henry Clinton's British army at the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey. Valley Forge National Historical Park: Where an Army Was Made. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association has been maintaining the Mount Vernon Estate since they acquired it from the Washington family in 1858. Valley Forge was and is still important because it is the mark of the victory of the struggles, hardships and battles for survival that is embedded in this place. In the 19th century, iron mills and later a steel mill were operated there, as well as textile factories; saw, paper, and grist mills; wharves and a towpath associated with the Schuylkill Navigation Canal; a rail line with freight and passenger stations; stone and sand quarries; a water bottling plant; and enterprises including a hotel, stores, blacksmiths, and a tannery. What happened at Valley Forge? - The Historic Present The general lobbied Congress to confer with him in person in order to resolve some of the supply and organizational difficulties that had plagued the army during the 1777 campaign. 19406, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Washington ordered his troops to line the parade ground and shoot off their guns one by one in celebration. Following the American failures at the nearby battles of Brandywine and Germantown, Washington led 11,000 regulars to take up winter quarters at Valley Forge on the west bank of the Schuylkill River, 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Philadelphia (which at the time was occupied by the British). Updates? 25 bake ovens were built to supply the army daily with 10,000-12,000 loaves of bread. What Happened At Valley Forge And Why Was It Significant? What was Valley Forge and why is it important? - Promisekit.org Almost from the wars outset, Washington had argued for a large professional army. George Washington, "General Orders, December 17, 1777," Ibid., 168. To accomplish this objective, the British commander in chief, Sir William Howe, set sail from New York City in July 1777 with nearly 17,000 of His Majestys finest troops on board transport ships. The symbolic importance that Americans have attached to Valley Forge since the 19th century both complicates and enriches its authentic history. The encampment at Valley Forge took place from December 19, 1777 through June 19, 1778 and served as winter quarters for General George Washington 's Continental Army. Pennsylvania state legislators and the Continental Congress expected the Continental Army to select an encampment site that could protect the countryside around Philadelphia. [55][56] Unit strength and the terms of service became more standardized, improving the Continental army's efficiency. Continental officer George Ewing wrote that "the troops then shouted, three cheers and 'Long live the King of France!' "George Washington to Henry Laurens, January 31, 1778," Ibid., 410. Though commonly conceived of today as a rag tag bunch of inexperienced fighters, by 1777 the Continental Army was battle-tested and capable of standing up to the British. [18] Brigadier General Louis Lebgue de Presle Duportail selected grounds for the brigade encampments and planned the defenses. 'and cheers and a shout of 'God Save the American States! The army's camp sat high on a plateau at the top of a series of hills that protected it. In spite of the resentment leveled at them, it was often the Quakers and other religious societies such as the Bethlehem and Lititz Moravians and the Ephrata Cloister members who rendered valuable assistance to sick soldiers while many citizens stood aside. During the winter of 1777 to 1778, Washington camped with his troops at Valley Forge, nearly twenty miles north of Philadelphia. Monmouth hurt the British in the short term and provided the Americans with a long-term boost in confidence. Hannah Till's legal owner Reverend John Mason lent her out to Washington, but Hannah secured an arrangement whereby she eventually bought her freedom. '"[64] Each soldier received an extra gill of rum (about four ounces) to enjoy that day, and after the troops' dismissal, Washington and other officers drank many patriotic toasts and concluded the day "with harmless Mirth and jollity."[64]. The first was the emergence of a group of critics who denigrated General Washingtons leadership ability. The Continental Army had been hindered in battle because units administered training from a variety of field manuals, making coordinated battle movements awkward and difficult. By the early spring conditions at Valley Forge greatly improved. The majority of the army swiftly advanced from staging areas on the north side of the Schuylkill River and southeast of camp toward the Delaware River and New Jersey in order to bring on a general engagement. Provisions were available during the early months of the encampment. [20] Despite commanders' attempts at standardization, the huts varied in terms of size, materials, and construction techniques. With the British occupying Philadelphia, Washington decides to encamp at Valley Forge for the winter. Battle-worn, hungry, and ill-trained, the Continental Army, led by General George Washington, set up camp on December 19, 1777, along the plateaus of Mount Joy and Mount Misery, just 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia in the area known today as Valley Forge. Valley Forge is an area in Pennsylvania, about 22 miles (35 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia. As a result, retreats could turn into panicked flights. Even worse, his quartermaster reported that he had just twenty-five barrels of flour and only a little salt pork to feed the entire army. A lack of organization, food and money shortages plagued the Continental Army throughout the first half of the seven-year-long revolution. Several senior officers in the Continental Army originally came from France, Prussia, Poland, Ireland, and Hungary. To oppose Howe, General Washington marched his 12,000-man army from New Jersey. Why was the winter at Valley Forge important? - JOUNIMARTIKAINEN The proponents of this movement, which became known as the Conway Cabal, suggested that General Gates, the victorious leader at the Battle of Saratoga, was perhaps more fit for the top command position. The last native people to inhabit the area were the Lenape, also known as the Delaware. Within days of arriving at Valley Forge, troops constructed 1,500 to 2,000 log huts in parallel lines that would house 12,000 soldiers and 400 women and children throughout the winter.