Their time of suffering and training filled washingtons letters. Valley forge was where the american continental army made camp during the winter of 17771778. This assignment examines the experiences of the soldiers at valley forge. Upon the conclusion of the 1777 philadelphia campaign, washington led his poorly fed and weary army to winter quarters in. The winter was a difficult one, and the land offered little in the way of shelter or food. In september 1777, congress fled philadelphia to escape british capture of. Officers and soldiers weedons orderly book description begins valley forge orderly book of general george weedon of the continental army under command of genl george washington, in the campaign of 1777. You can virtually pass through time as you enjoy the outdoors here at valley forge. December 19, 1777 a tired and forlorn army of 12,000 men march into valley forge. A life shows general george washington uneasily deciding on valley forge as the place to house his troops until the spring. After failing to retake the city, washington led his 12,000man army into winter quarters at valley forge, located approximately 18 miles 29 km northwest of philadelphia. Valley forge, in the american revolution, pennsylvania encampment grounds of the continental army under general george washington from december 19, 1777, to june 19, 1778, a period that marked the triumph of morale and military discipline over severe hardship. The continental army suffered another defeat at the battle of germantown just north of philadelphia on oct.
Over the winter, 2,500 men out of 10,000 died from disease and exposure. His efforts cleared most of new jersey of enemy forces, and greatly boosted american morale. The city had fallen to the british in november 1776. After two hard campaigns against british forces in 1776 and 1777, washingtons set. Shop for valley forge art prints from our community of independent artists and iconic brands. Valley forge historical area, united states britannica. After failing to retake philadelphia, washington led his 12,000man army into winter quarters at valley forge, located approximately 18 miles 29 km northwest of. Dec 19, 2012 235 years ago, washingtons troops made camp at valley forge. Washington describes the continental army at valley forge, winter. On december 19, 1777, washington and his war weary troops marched into valley forge.
Washingtons army encamped at whitemarsh, in a beautiful valley about 14 miles from philadelphia, where he remained until december 11, 1777, and proceeded with his halfclad, halfbarefooted soldiers to valley. William howe was born in 1729 to an aristocratic family in england. Valley forge document group chester county historical. Washington at valley forge, winter of 177778 the new york public library digital collections. Revolutionary war tours in valley forge patriot trails.
This is a wonderful map showing valley forge, and the surrounding area in 1777. Following the american failures at the nearby battles of brandywine and germantown, washington led 11,000 regulars to take up winter. Events leading to valley forge timeline created by mrsoskil. Valley forge legacy the valley forge muster roll, a.
General george washington and his weary troops arrived at valley forge, pennsylvania six days before christmas in 1777. General washington led his weary and demoralized army to valley forge a few miles away where they would camp for the winter and prepare for battle with the return of warm weather. Bodle moves beyond the myths and legends that besiege and. It was at valley forge where the continental army turned into a trained fighting force. Valley forge run through time valley forge national historical. Historical timeline museum of the american revolution. George washington and the crucible of victory george washington series book 2 kindle edition by gingrich, newt, forstchen, william r. Each valley forge art print is produced using archival inks, ships within 48 hours, and comes with a 30day money back guarantee. The copy of the general orders printed in weedons orderly book includes an additional order at this point. The revolutionary war diary of abigail jane stewart, valley forge, pennsylvania, 1777 dear america gregory, kristiana on. Valley forge functioned as the third of eight winter encampments for the continental armys main body, commanded by general george washington.
Plus a timeline, weather reports, the french connection, franklin, spies, mysteries, and more. The next six months proved to be turning point for the continental army. At princeton, washington once again launched a surprise attack, and succeeded in defeating the british. The following is a list of regiments that were present at. They had to build a makeshift bridge to take the troops across the schuylkill river. Washington describes the continental army at valley forge, winter 17771778. The history hungry, cold, ragged, and cramped in december 1777. Valley forge 1777 8 profiles show advanced controls hide advanced controls. Use the imagelinks below to learn more, or to navigate the timeline. Disciplined, selfconfident, and dignified in june 1778.
Every american reader is familiar with the story of the sufferings of the patriot army at valley forge. On december 19, 1777, 11,000 continental army regulars marched into valley forge, pennsylvania, to set up winter. Customize your valley forge print with hundreds of different frames and mats, if desired. A gill of whiskey or rum a man to be issued to all the non commissd. Although it may seem quaint today, winter quarters were a practical necessity of 18th century warfare. Military order of the purple heart department of pennsylvania valley forge. Sir william howes forces, comprising 18,000 effective troops in position at new brunswick and amboy. Valley forge in pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the american continental army over the winter of 17771778 during the american revolutionary war date. Life at valley forge 17771778, by albigence waldogeneral washingtons army, already exhausted from battles, long marches, and a persistent dearth of supplies, arrived at valley forge, pa. The first oval office project continues to travel as an outreach program. This american revolution timeline lists important events from the revolutionary period, from 1777 to 1781. British general howe reacted to the battle of trenton by sending a large force of men to new jersey. In september 1777, congress fled philadelphia to escape british capture of the city. Program united spanish war veterans field day may 5, 1928 program valley forge dogwood celebration may 10, 1941.
A timeline created with timetoasts interactive timeline maker. To this valley among the hills that border the winding schuylkill, some twenty miles from philadelphia, washington led his halfclad army of eleven thousand men about the middle of december, 1777. Washington, with about 6000 continentals, exclusive of cavalry and artillery and of 500 new jersey militia a total, according to bryant, of 7300 men broke winter camp at morristown and advanced to. There were three leaders in particular who played a key role in building the army. Play this game with friends and other people you invite. George washington and the crucible of victory george. Washington broke winter camp at morristown jun 1, 1777. The british campaign for philadelphia and the occupation of valley forge in 1777 in july 1777, major general sir william howe and approximately 25,000 troops, including a hessian division, were encamped in and around new york city. By continuing the inoculation program for new recruits, washington better maintained military.
Use this trail map to find all nine timeline markers. By december 1777, washington was well aware that some members of the continental congress were questioning his leadership abilities. After the american defeats at brandywine, paoli, and germantown and after the british had occupied philadelphia then the national capital, gen. Journey back to a time of patriots and loyalists, citizens and soldiers, historic homes and battlefields, villages and hamlets. It had taken them eight days just to march thirteen miles. Profiles show advanced controls hide advanced controls. Valley forge, continental army encampment during the winter and spring of 17771778, is situated on the west bank of the schuylkill river, in chester county, pa. The continental army endured incredible hardships at their winter encampment in valley forge from 17771778, while 20 miles away the british reveled in their occupation of philadelphia.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading valley forge. The valley forge was a military camp in pennsylvania, northwest of philadelphia. Current officers of chapter number 1777 valley forge. In september 1777, british forces had captured the american capital of philadelphia. A continental army regiment had eight companies and was supposed to have over 500 soldiers, however, through attrition and other factors, the strength of most regiments at valley forge was much less. Civilians and soldiers in war presents the story of the winter of 17771778 with details that may be new to most readers. Timeline of the american revolution leading up to the war. The revolutionary war diary of abigail jane stewart, valley forge, pennsylvania. While you may be training, exercising, or even just getting a breath of fresh air, learn about the land that forged the continental army over 200 years ago. Of the 11,000 citizen soldiers in camp, perhaps 3,000 died. The american soldier at valley forge december 19, 1777 june 19, 1778. Document 1778 winter in valley forge 177778 article along the dogwood trial program 15 th annual west virginia state sunday at valley forge 9181938. The map shows the progress of the army british from their landing till taking possession of philadelphia.
Sep 12, 2014 valley forge legacy the valley forge muster roll, a project of the friends of valley forge park, is dedicated to the memory of those who were at winter quarters from december 19. If you would like to suggest an important event for inclusion into this timeline, please contact alpha history. Philadelphia campaign 177778 american revolutionary war. Over 2,000 soldiers died, and the survivors give up. This timeline has been written and compiled by alpha history authors. During the valley forge encampment, artisans in reading, pennsylvania, begin. In september 1777, washington and his troop were on food and supplies, struggling to stay alive in a winter camp in valley forge. Montgomery county, pennsylvania bore witness to pivotal events in the british campaign to capture philadelphia in 1777, ultimately leading to the continental armys famous winter encampment at valley forge. Valley forge, pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the american continental army over the winter 17771778 during the american revolution.
May 1777, sir william howes forces, comprising 18,000 effective troops in position at new brunswick and amboy. He came to america for the first time during the seven years war. Valley forge primary source packet conditions at valley forge. The valley creek was the place where the american continental army, led by general george washington, spent their winter during the american revolutionary war of 17771778 see the fact file below for more information on the valley forge or alternatively, you can download our 21page valley forge worksheet pack to. A snowstorm and icy rain had slowed their progress. Valley forge run through time valley forge national. George washington chose to make the winter camp at valley forge for several reasons. While general howe and his army were living large in philadelphia, washingtons forces wintered at the desolate but easily defendable encampment. Read the story of the 6month encampment at valley forge.
General washington in the american revolution george. Valley forge winter 177778 1755 1804 valley forge winter 177778 perhaps nothing contributed more to the formation of hamiltons political outlook than his experience at valley forge. Yet, the army managed to survive and resumed fighting the next spring. On december 8, 1777, when the skirmishes at whitemarsh were coming to a close, it was well past time for washingtons army to go into winter quarters. December 19, 1777 valley forge national historical park. Valley forge functioned as the third of eight military encampments for the continental armys main body, commanded by general george washington. Source for information on life at valley forge 17771778, by albigence waldo. General george washington george washington was the commanderinchief of the continental army during the american revolution. Washingtons continental army spent the winter of 17771778 at valley forge, pennsylvania. Timeline for the philadelphia campaign moland house. Within days of arriving at valley forge, troops constructed 1,500 to 2,000 log huts in parallel lines that would house 12,000 soldiers and 400 women and. Valley forge, pa, a site on a revolutionary war road trip. Valley forge orderly book of general george weedon of the.
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