Valley Forge, PA

From our RV Park just inside NJ we headed to Valley Forge, the winter encampment for the Revolutionary War Army.  It was only about a 60 mile trip but it was raining all the way and of course we moved from one congested Interstate to the next.  We got off at Springfield, PA to find a place to eat.  Lo-&Behold there was a Moe's - but, it didn't look like the Moe's we know but we went anyway.  Well, this is apparently Homer Simpson's Moe's!  Inside there was a nearly life size plastic statute (didn't expect bronze, I hope) of the Simpson family overlooking the dining area.   Fortunately, my back was to them so I enjoyed my meal.  It was very good!!  We moved on and after a few wrong turns and scenic detours we arrived at the visitor's center in the rolling hills that dominate the area.

Valley Forge was the third of the eight American winter encampments during the Revolutionary War. It is the best known of the eight, however, because it is recognized as the birthplace of the Continental Army.

The Arch at Valley Forage

General von Stuben, a German officer that was part of General George Washington's staff, was a major factor in the birth of the undisciplined group that started the encampment after being defeated at Philadelphia by the Brits.  It then withdrew to Valley Forge; close enough to keep and eye on the Brits, but far enough away to prevent surprise attacks.   Von Stuben, started organizing the various disparate units into a cohesive fighting force.  He instilled discipline into the troops and taught them how to fight as an effective Army rather then a bunch of separate groups!! 


One of the first priorities was providing shelter for the men.  The men built small huts that they would live in for the winter!   Each hut housed 12 men and a fireplace and not much room for anything else.  

A 12-man hut

I bet by the end of the winter these were real cozy cabins with 12 men in each one of them!!  As a matter of fact by late Spring, Washington had some of the soldiers move across the river to a more "healthy" campground and soon they all were there!

Interior left side of a hut

There were several references and monuments mentioning the unknown soldiers that died at Vally Forge.  About 12,000 men started the encampment and by the time it was over there was only about 6,000 troops left.
 
The leadership of Washington seemed to be an important element and a key part of the effort.  His quarters and office were located there and it helped insure he was in direct contact with the troops.  They saw him frequently and that was important.  

It was a fascinating story of an epic event in our Nation's early days.   While it was not the coldest or longest winter encampment it seemed to be the most important as it was the crucible that a rag-tag group entered and the Continental Army emerged from.  Even though victory at Yorktown was still several years away, this was an important step that contributed mightily to that victory.