Valley Forge

Today, we will study primary documents from Valley Forge.  There will be questions about each of the documents, and an essay you will write describing the conditions and hardships Continental soldiers endured.  You will be asked to provide evidence in your essay using the primary documents provided.  If you would rather, you may write a historical fiction story about Valley Forge- as in the essay, you will provide details, people, and facts from the primary documents.

Below, you can read some basic information about the Winter encampment at Valley Forge.
Valley Forge was where the American Continental Army made camp during the winter of 1777-1778. It was here that the American forces became a true fighting unit. Valley Forge is often called the birthplace of the American Army. 

Valley Forge is located in the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania around 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia.  

George Washington chose to make the winter camp at Valley Forge for several reasons. First, it was close to Philadelphia where the British were camping for the winter. He could keep an eye on the British and protect the people of Pennsylvania. At the same time it was far enough from the British so that he would have plenty of warning if they decided to attack. 

Valley Forge was also a good place to defend if the army was attacked. There were high areas in Mount Joy and Mount Misery to make fortifications. There also was a river, the Schuylkill River, that served as a barrier to the north. 

It was at Valley Forge where the Continental Army turned into a trained fighting force. There were three leaders in particular who played a key role in building the army.

• General George Washington - George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. His leadership and resolve played a big part in the United States gaining its independence from Britain.
• General Friedrich von Steuben - Friedrich von Steuben was a Prussian born military leader who served as the inspector general under Washington. He took on the task of training the Continental Army. It was through von Steuben's daily drills, even in the cold of winter at Valley Forge, that the soldiers of the Continental Army learned the tactics and discipline of a true fighting force.
• General Marquis de Lafayette - Marquis de Lafayette was a French military leader who joined Washington's staff at Valley Forge. He worked for no pay and didn't ask for special quarters or treatment. Lafayette would later become an important commander at several key battles.

General von Steuben

The conditions that the soldiers had to endure at Valley Forge were horrible. They had to deal with cold, wet, and snowy weather. They were often hungry, as food was scarce. Many of the soldiers didn't have warm clothing or even shoes as their shoes had worn out on the long march to the valley. There were few blankets as well. 

Living in cold, damp, and crowded log cabins made matters even worse because it allowed disease and sickness to spread quickly throughout the camp. Diseases such as typhoid fever, pneumonia, and smallpox took the lives of many soldiers. Of the 10,000 men who began the winter at Valley Forge, around 2,500 died before the spring.