Valley Forge, PA
Valley Forge National Historical Park
December
January
A British ship is captured and some supplies are retrieved, but many of the men do not have proper clothing for the winter. Supplies and food are still low, many men are sick. A program to inoculate the troops for smallpox is initiated. A battalion of African Americans is recruited in Rhode Island, and Native Americans are recruited as scouts.
February
All officers are required to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. Supplies and food stores are still low, but Washington reports that his troops are in "tolerable good hutts," which I assume means reasonably good spirits. Martha Washington and Baron von Steuben arrive in camp. Meanwhile, the British Commander in Chief tenders his resignation because he doesn't feel he has enough troops to crush the rebellion. Rumors of a French and American alliance cause enough concern for the British to propose a reconciliation with America. British Parliament rejects that idea.
March
Things are not getting a lot better, but von Steuben starts training a "model" company of soldiers who will then train the others. The French-American alliance is having an impact on the British. They attack bridges at Quinton and Hancock and exact heavy tolls. The new Commander in Chief, Sir Henry Clinton is ordered to focus on defeating the French forces, not Americans. Some troops are moved to the West Indies.
April
Britain and America arrange a prisoner swap, American Major General Charles Lee arrives at Valley Forge. Von Steuben shows off his trained forces. Upcoming campaigns are discussed. The British plan a major attack to defeat the rebels and end the war.
May
A group of Oneida Indians arrive under the leadership of the Marquis de Lafayette. Washington urges the employment of women to serve as nurses. The British and Hessian forces surround a Pennsylvania militia at Hatboro, PA and the Americans suffer heavy casualties. A British plan to capture an American expedition led by Lafayette is foiled when scouts figure it out.
June
The Continental Congress reorganizes the army and takes stock of itself. The troops are better trained and have been strengthened enough to now go back to Philadelphia. The British are evacuating Philadelphia to New Jersey and Washington's army moves back in.
So, we now will tour the encampment.
Reconstructed Outer Line Defenses This is called a "redoubt"
The Valley Forge location was close enough for spying on the British, but far enough away to prevent a surprise attack. The hilly terrain allowed for ridge defenses, the river and the mount provided protection on the north and west.
This is the location of Brigadier General Muhlenberg's brigade. The huts are reconstructed to portray a typical encampment.
A typical hut.
An Officer's hut
Enlisted men's hut
National Memorial Arch... Dedicated in 1917, it honors the soldiers' perseverance and expresses hope for future generations.
General Anthony Wayne led the Pennsylvania troops.
General Anthony Wayne looking toward his hometown of Waynesboro, just 5 miles away.
Washington's Headquarters...
The Schuylkill River.
The railroad station.
Old ticket counter.
The exhibits in the station.
E Pluribus Unum
Washington's Headquarters
The train station from the headquarters
The zig-zagging walkway to the parking lot. It's a long uphill walk.
Military supports for Washington.
A monument to The New Jersey Brigade
A view of the city in the distance.
Artillery Park
The man who trained our army... Major General Friedrich Wilhelm Baron von Steuben.
For more information:
http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/steuben.html
Also check out this recent article in Boom Magazine:
http://www.boom.lgbt/index.php/equal/126-our-tribe/1134-a-gay-founding-father-for-july-4th
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