A couple weeks ago, I explored Valley Forge.
I have to be honest: I don't remember much of what I learned about Valley Forge in U.S. History in high school (my clearest memory is that my teacher reminded me of Mr. Magoo). I do recall the story of the harsh winter and a lot of soldiers dying.
I learned quite a bit on my visit. After the British captured Philadelphia in September of 1777, General George Washington retreated with his army of about 12,000 soldiers to Valley Forge, about 18 miles west. The site was strategically chosen on the western bank of the Schuykill River (this is pronounced skoolkill, but people say it so fast, it often sounds like skoocull) to prevent British troops from pushing farther into Pennsylvania. The Americans were never challenged at Valley Forge, but it became their winter camp from December of 1777 till June 1778.
Although we've all heard the stories of starving and cold soldiers, that story is oversimplified. An observer from the New Jersey Gazette reported visiting the camp and finding the soldiers building huts, a bridge over the river, and earthen forts called redoubts. The observer stated that the soldiers were singing while they worked. Most of the 2,000 who died in the encampment perished of dysentery, typhoid, and influenza during the spring. Few died of exposure or starvation.
The months spent at Valley Forge were important to the American Revolution for 2 reasons:
First, in February 1778, a former Prussian General, Baron Friedrich von Steuben arrived in Valley Forge to train the colonial troops, with the result being a well-trained physically fit army. Second, France recognized the United States as an independent country in May of 1778, and sent troops to help the Americans. Together, the two events made the winter and spring in Valley Forge the turning point in the war.
The Valley Forge encampment was not preserved, and when George Washington returned 10 years later, found no trace of it. The recreation of the site did not begin until 1877, 100 years after the encampment.
Reconstructions of the mud huts the soldiers lived in:
Interior of the mud huts. These tiny buildings held 12 bunks:
General Anthony Wayne, one of the commanders at Valley Forge (and for whom the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana and many others were named):
Anthony Wayne was known to be eccentric and capricious, earning the nickname, "Mad Anthony Wayne." He was singled out as a hero at the Battle of Monmouth.
Finally, the Memorial Arch, built in 1917.
I have to be honest: I don't remember much of what I learned about Valley Forge in U.S. History in high school (my clearest memory is that my teacher reminded me of Mr. Magoo). I do recall the story of the harsh winter and a lot of soldiers dying.
I learned quite a bit on my visit. After the British captured Philadelphia in September of 1777, General George Washington retreated with his army of about 12,000 soldiers to Valley Forge, about 18 miles west. The site was strategically chosen on the western bank of the Schuykill River (this is pronounced skoolkill, but people say it so fast, it often sounds like skoocull) to prevent British troops from pushing farther into Pennsylvania. The Americans were never challenged at Valley Forge, but it became their winter camp from December of 1777 till June 1778.
Although we've all heard the stories of starving and cold soldiers, that story is oversimplified. An observer from the New Jersey Gazette reported visiting the camp and finding the soldiers building huts, a bridge over the river, and earthen forts called redoubts. The observer stated that the soldiers were singing while they worked. Most of the 2,000 who died in the encampment perished of dysentery, typhoid, and influenza during the spring. Few died of exposure or starvation.
The months spent at Valley Forge were important to the American Revolution for 2 reasons:
First, in February 1778, a former Prussian General, Baron Friedrich von Steuben arrived in Valley Forge to train the colonial troops, with the result being a well-trained physically fit army. Second, France recognized the United States as an independent country in May of 1778, and sent troops to help the Americans. Together, the two events made the winter and spring in Valley Forge the turning point in the war.
The Valley Forge encampment was not preserved, and when George Washington returned 10 years later, found no trace of it. The recreation of the site did not begin until 1877, 100 years after the encampment.
Reconstructions of the mud huts the soldiers lived in:
Interior of the mud huts. These tiny buildings held 12 bunks:
General Anthony Wayne, one of the commanders at Valley Forge (and for whom the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana and many others were named):
Anthony Wayne was known to be eccentric and capricious, earning the nickname, "Mad Anthony Wayne." He was singled out as a hero at the Battle of Monmouth.
Finally, the Memorial Arch, built in 1917.
