Washington at Valley Forge

During the winter of 1777 and 1778, after Washington's forces were defeated at the Battle of Germantown on October fifth, the revolutionary army camped at Valley Forge to prepare for battle in warmer weather. 12,000 men lived in cramped, and cold conditions, low on food and adequate clothing. Men worked on huts with 12 men per hut. They did not have enough water to wash, no extra clothes to wear, and very little food got around. Some men lived on "fire cake," a mixture of water and fire. The army also lost many horses because of lack of food and shelter. Men often had little clothing, worn-down shoes if they had a pair, and no blankets.


The weather was also pretty bad, with alternate freezing and melting of snow and ice, which made many soldiers get sick.Diseases like typhus, putrid fever, rheumatism, diarrhea, sentry, typhoid, and pneumonia killed approximately 2,000 men during the winter. Soldiers tried to rebel.


However, after food, new recruits, and equipment reached the army, moral rose. The men began their training under Prussian Baron van Steuben, who had been sent by Benjamin Franklin. The women in the camp went around washing and repairing the soldiers' uniforms, and providing emotional support. The intense training increased discipline and confidence with the soldiers, and the "ragtag" group of soldiers became a proud fighting army.


Source: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/valleyforge.htm
By Chloe