Valley Forge: Would You Have Quit? All Questions

The first two years of the American Revolution had not gone well for the Continental Army. Since the summer of 1775 when he had taken command, George Washington and his troops had withdrawn from Boston and retreated from New York City. Most recently, in October 1777, he had been unable to stop the British when General Howe marched his army into the national capital of Philadelphia. True, there had been a victory at Trenton and a success at Princeton, but on the whole Washington’s army had seen hard times.

Not surprisingly, Washington was having trouble keeping his soldiers in the army. Some of his men had signed on for one or two years. However, the most frequent time of enlistment was nine months. Nine-month men were going home and not returning. Others simply deserted.

To make matters worse, Washington’s own position was uncertain. Some members of Congress did not trust him. To them, the general from Virginia seemed to be leading a grand retreat.

Like much of America, Philadelphia was divided over the war. Some Philadelphians even welcomed the British. A few young women developed “scarlet fever,” a fascination with British soldiers and their bright red coats. Washington’s own Chief of Engineers wrote that, “There is a hundred times more enthusiasm for this revolution ... in Paris than there is in all the United States together.”

With Howe’s army of 18,000 comfortably quartered in Philadelphia, Washington decided to build a winter camp at Valley Forge about 18 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

It was not big enough to be called a village, with only a few fieldstone houses and a mill for forging iron. The Quaker farms in the area offered the promise of food for his men, and the camp would be close enough to Philadelphia to keep an eye on the British.

It was the week before Christmas, 1777. The first job of the men was to build log “huts.” Each hut was 16’ by 14’ with a door at one end, a stick and clay fireplace at the other, and no windows. Each hut slept twelve men. There were no beds, just straw on the mud floor. Cold was one problem; smoke was another. The huts would be home for the next six months.

Some of the conditions experienced by the soldiers at Valley Forge are revealed in the four documents that follow. Today we know that most of the army survived the winter. We also know that on April 13, 1778, word reached camp that the French would join the Americans in the war. It was a huge turning point. But what we know today was not known in late January, 1778. Victory seemed a long way off; in fact for many, it seemed unlikely.

Now it is time to look into your own heart of hearts. Your 9-month enlistment is up on March 1st, just one month away. General Washington is desperate to keep his army intact. You miss your family and are concerned about your aging mother. Examine the documents that follow and answer the question: Had you been a soldier at Valley Forge, would you have quit?

Estimates of Illness and Deaths at Valley Forge December 1777 – February 1778

Total Soldiers at Valley Forge (estimates) December 1777: 12,000 February 1778: 8,000

Illness Estimates During Encampment December 23, 1777: 2,898 February 1, 1778: 3,989

Death Estimates Due to Illness During Encampment December–June: 1,800 to 2,500

*Reported sick or unable to report for duty

George Washington presenting Congressional Committee to soldiers at Valley Forge. The committee of five Congressmen stayed several weeks and was helpful in getting more food and clothing to the soldiers.

December 14, 1777 The Army which has been surprisingly healthy hitherto, now begins to grow sickly from the continued fatigues they have suffered this Campaign. Yet they still show a spirit of Alacrity [cheerful willingness] and Contentment not to be expected from so young Troops. I am Sick – discontented – and out of humour. Poor food – hard lodging – Cold Weather – fatigue – Nasty Cloaths – nasty Cookery – Vomit half my time – smoak’d out my senses – the Devil’s in’t – I can’t Endure it – Why are we sent here to starve and Freeze.... There comes a Soldier, his bare feet are seen thro’ his worn out Shoes, his legs nearly naked from the tatter’d remains of an only pair of stockings....

December 21, 1777 “Heartily wish myself at home, my Skin and eyes are almost spoil’d with continual smoke. A general cry thro’ the Camp this Evening among the Soldiers, “No Meat! No Meat!” – the Distant vales Echo’d back the melancholy sound – “No Meat! No Meat!”

"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.... Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but 'to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,' and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth."