Valley Forges

In December 1777 the general George Washington with decided to establish its winter quarters in Valley Forges in Pennsylvania, to 40 km of then occupied Philadelphia by the British. It was a place in height enough what made it possible the American army to be defended effectively in the event of possible attacks of the English troops, but it was the only quality of this place; a hostile and sorry moor, beaten in Winter by an icy wind and the gusts of wind of Snow and was not to in no case a refuge.

Accompanied by the French general Fayette and later by the Prussian baron von Steuben which will join it the February 23rd, Washington led its: 11000 men with what was to be their “shelter” of winter.

Then a hard season started, outside where one bivouacked and under the frail tents reserved to the privileged people, the men suffered from the atrocious cold, the members engourdis or cold and were to be sometimes amputees. It their amongst other things missed clothing, covers, wood, fire, bread, meat and even of the soap! Without counting on the poor armament of the troop. One does not count less than 2.000 deaths of cold or hunger and diseases. Well later after this test Washington will admit having spent there the most painful months as of its life. Although their moral was with the fall the men missed however neither of fidelity nor of courage and hoped while waiting for better days.

In February 1778, in a letter addressed to the governor George Clinton, Washington had written: “ Naked and dying of hunger, we cannot admire enough the incomparable patience and fidelity of the troop. ”

Until there, George Washington drew from her fortune, in order to finance the effort of war. Mr. Morris, his banker had searched hearth out of hearth on January 1st 1778, with an aim of supporting the continental Armée. Its efforts had made it possible to collect 50.000 Dollars, but this sum was insufficient. The Congress of the United States of America, little accustomed to treat the military questions, had not known to bring its assistance.

However the nomination of the General Nathanael Greene in March with the head of the camping will make some improvements, especially from the food point of view, but the horror will be always present.

Subjected by the Baron von Steuben to the rudiments of the war, the army, lasting this painful stay, will learn how to become powerful, able to compete with powerful the armed English which more is very disciplined. The men will be able to shelter, to better exploit the ground, to make use of the bayonet. Steuben to also will inculcate the order and the discipline them, because the chaos which reigned in the rows was indescribable with the eyes of the baron.

The supplies and the soldiers promised by the France, during its engagement at the sides of the United States, signed the February 6th 1778, will arrive at spring and will be welcome.

The army will have remained in Valley Forge December 19th 1777 with the June 19th 1778. Although no battle proceeded on this plate, the men who had overcome this test came out from it strong, on the plan moral that on the physical level, they will be truths soldiers, plain, fraternal, ready with very to as much obtain win. It will be the case the October 19th 1781, close to Yorktown, a village virginienne.

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