Not a battle, but a winter encampment that proved to be hugely significant in the formation of the us army. With the onset of the bitter winter cold, the continental army under general george washington, still in the field, enters its winter camp at valley. Valley forge was the turning point for the success of the continental army. During the revolutionary war, the site served as the campsite of the continental army commanded by general george washington. While preserved for its eighteenthcentury significance as the 177778 winter encampment of the continental army during the american revolution, valley forge has a more extensive past and continues to play an integral role in the regions history and environment. Sir william howes headquarters, was stored a wealth of muchneeded american military supplies at the location known as valley forge, named for an ironworks established in 1742. Africanamerican troops fought valiantly against the british, representing the last time the u. Washington and his army was nowhere prepared for the cold winter approaching them. Located outside of philadelphia, pennsylvania, valley forge national historical park preserves an important part of the history of the united states. 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. An excerpt from the history of valley forge, written by. The history channels americathe story of us episode revolution tells how smallpox could have changed the results of the american revolution.
Oct 22, 2009 valley forge was the site of the 17771778 winter camp of the american army during the american revolutionary war. Jan 24, 2018 not a battle, but a winter encampment that proved to be hugely significant in the formation of the us army. Jun 06, 2010 valley forge was the turning point for the success of the continental army. How smallpox vaccine helped win the american revolution. 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. Through all the terrible winter trials, george washington. Valley forge was the site of the 17771778 winter camp of the american army during the american revolutionary war. Army would integrate soldiers until the korean war in 1950. Significane of valley forge on american history definition.
Bodle moves beyond the myths and legends that besiege and blur the historical significance of the cantonment. Pilgrimage to valley forge cradle of liberty council. Valley forge history and significance valley forge national historical park nps. An excerpt from the history of valley forge, written by henry woodman, whose father was a soldier with george washingtons troops. Washington knew that the british and the hessiansmercenaries from germany hired to fight for the british they hired were all going to be sleeping or very tired. Aug 15, 2016 learn more about the winter encampment at valley forge and its significance to the american revolution. What was the importance of the battle of valley forge. A map detailing the continental armys encampment at valley forge during the winter of 1777 to 1778. Valley forge was and is still important because it is the mark of the victory of the struggles, hardships and battles for survival that is embedded in this place. The valley forge area, best known as a revolutionary war historic site, has become a nest of business and industrial locations. During the 18th century, military tactics primarily included a respite from fighting during the winter months mainly because of the severity of the weather. Valley forge historical area, united states britannica.
On valley creek, only three miles from british gen. Throughout the revolutionary war, it was used by the continental army as its main winter encampment, and it housed the entire continental army during the winter at jockey hollow, the harshest winter of the war, from december 1779 to june 1780. After the american defeats at brandywine, paoli, and germantown and a. Lafayettes force of 2,200 encountered 6,000 british led by general william howe just outside of. After the hard winter at valley forge general washington had an idea to invade trenton, new jersey after the british christmas parties.
The winter of valley forge was still in the midst of adversity, the troops were on the edge of giving up even general washington. What is the significance of the winter at valley forge answers. Valley forge was the well known location where general washington and the continental army spent the winter between 1777 and 1778 during the revolutionary war. On june 19, 1778, exactly six months after they americans arrived, a new army anxious to fight the british streamed out of valley forge toward new jersey at valley forge, we read of words like sacrifice. With a wreathlaying ceremony at the valley forge national historical park vfnhp on the saturday of presidents weekend, scouts and scouters will gather to honor general george washington and his soldiers at the valley forge national memorial arch.
Civilians and soldiers in war presents the story of the winter of 17771778 with details that may be new to most readers. Lafayette would make a major contribution in may of 1778 during the battle of barren hill. The battle of valley forge journal of the american. Place where washingtons army spent the winter of 17771778, a 4th of troops died here from disease and malnutriton, steuben comes and trains troops. During these months, the continental army underwent a massive transformation.
According to an order given by general washington, the soldiers at valley forge were divided into groups of twelve to build huts to house themselves during the winter of 17771778. About 12,000 men built cabins to protect themselves from the weather. Theres no doubt that our park is a beautiful place. During the valley forge encampment, the board of war asked lafayette to prepare a plan to invade canada, though there proved to be too few men to execute it. Valley forgevalley 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. This probably has to do with the fact more soldiers died of disease at valley forge than at morristown. In september 1777, british forces had captured the american capital of philadelphia. Jan 21, 2015 the march to valley forge, december 16, 1777 by william b. It was during the american revolutionary war that general george washington led a troop of 12,000 soldiers 18 miles northwest of pennsylvania against the winter s rage to prepare. Throughout the american revolution, general george washington often remarked that he would rather be home at mount vernon.
The mythical narrative is important in its own right for it reveals something about our character in the heroic way we wish the revolution to be. The letters of sammy ward, who had been married only a month when he came to valley forge, reflect both an ardor for his wife, phebe. While about 2,000 soldiers perished at valley forge, only about 100 died at morristown. Few places evoke the spirit of patriotism and independence, represent individual and collective sacrifice, or demonstrate the resolve, tenacity and determination of the people of. Having suffered a string of defeats that fall, including losing the capital of philadelphia to the british, the americans made camp for the winter outside of the. Washingtons steady leadership was crucial to keeping the army intact through the logistical and administrative hardships of the winter of 17771778, and it likely accounted for the fact that there was a never a mass desertion or mutiny at valley forge. Explanation of significane of valley forge on american history. 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. The entire pennsylvania line successfully mutinied, and later 200 new jersey soldiers attempted. History is of vital significance when it comes to the conservation of valley forge. Through all the terrible winter trials, george washington and the continental army emerged stronger and better trained for the campaign seasons ahead. After the american defeats at brandywine, paoli, and germantown and after the british had occupied philadelphia then the national capital, gen. The most important outcome of the encampment was the armys maturation into a more professional force.
Valley forge was the site of the 177778 winter encampment of the continental army. With the onset of the bitter winter cold, the continental army under general george washington, still in the field, enters its winter camp at valley forge, 22 miles from britishoccupied philadelphia. Life and death at valley forge 10 surprising facts about. The encampment at valley forge took place from december 19, 1777 through june 19, 1778 and served as winter quarters for general george washingtons continental army. Significane of valley forge on american history synonyms, significane of valley forge on american history pronunciation, significane of valley forge on american history translation, english dictionary definition of significane of valley forge on american history. Throughout the colonies quest for liberty, african americans contributions were both significant and heartfelt. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the revolutionary war generation. Having suffered a string of defeats that fall, including losing the capital of philadelphia to the british, the americans made camp for the winter outside of the city. Despite brutal conditions, valley forge marked a milestone in the armys military experience. Jan 08, 2019 in december of 1777, george washington had about 12,000 troops in southeastern pennsylvania preparing their winter camp. After leaving valley of forge, the continental army stopped the british at the battle of monmouth.
Valley forge was where a new, confident, professional american army was born. Twelve men often shared one of over one thousand simple huts built in jockey hollow to house the army. The winter at jockey hollow was the worst winter of the war, even worse than the winter at valley forge two years before. The winter was severe, food and clothing was inadequate, and illness and suffering pervaded the camp. It was here that the american forces became a true fighting unit. Winter at valley forge state the significance of the following people during the winter at valley forge. Much of this relocation is under the sponsorship of the philadelphia industrial development corporation. After the winter at valley forge there was a battle. Valley forge site in pennsylvania 32 km20 mi northwest of philadelphia, usa, where george washingtons army spent the winter of 177778.
The winter encampment at valley forge is one of the most famous episodes of the american revolution. Valley forge functioned as the third of eight military encampments for the continental armys main body, commanded by general george washington. They retreated into winter quarters at valley forge, where they endured for six months, reorganizing and retraining, emerging as a new, formidable fighting force. Learn more about the winter encampment at valley forge and its significance to the american revolution. On june 19th, washington and his army finally left valley of forge. Three months of shortage and hardship were followed by three months of relative abundance that led to wonderful changes in the morale and fighting capabilities of the continental army. It was during the american revolutionary war that general george washington led a troop of 12,000 soldiers 18 miles northwest of pennsylvania against the winters rage to prepare. Overview of history and significance valley forge national. Valley forge place where washingtons army spent the winter of 17771778, a 4th of troops died here from disease and malnutriton, steuben comes and trains troops second continental congress. Significane of valley forge on american history article about significane of valley forge on american history by the free dictionary. The marker plaque, this is the written portion summarizes the significance of the event, in this case, what the continental soldiers experienced while at. Starvation, disease, and exposure killed nearly 2,500 american soldiers by the end of february 1778. The program will consist of a brief presentation followed by the wreath laying. In early 1777, the continental congress ordered the creation of a magazine, or military storehouse, at valley forge.
During the winter at valley forge, george washington decided to. Following the american failures at the nearby battles of brandywine and germantown, washington led 11,000 regulars to take up winter. History american revolution valley forge was where the american continental army made camp during the winter of 17771778. Continental army enters winter camp at valley forge history.
Some effects of valley forge are that it was a very hard time for the americans valley forge turned out to be a good thing for the continental army. Valley forge was also cut off to there resources so washington gave the order to a privateer to go in and destroy the british ships and so they did. As the men marched to valley forge, george washington wrote, to see men without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lay on, without shoes by which their marches might be traced by the blood from their feet, and almost as often without provisions as with. The valley forge winter museum of the american revolution. Being ten unexpected and edifying quotations from the third winter encampment. Find out information about significane of valley forge on american history. Valley forge national historical park is nationally significant as the site of the 177778 winter encampment of the continental army under general george washington. Significane of valley forge on american history article. Soldiers huts at valley forge raising gifted parents. African american sites of significance montgomery county.
Why did george washington pick such a cold area for his winter encampment. George washington and smallpox vaccination at valley forge. The circle map is a good starting place for the memorial. Jockey hollow, also known as wick house and wick hall, was the traditional wick family estate in new jersey. The 3,500acres of monuments, meadows, and woodlands commemorate the sacrifices and perseverance of the revolutionary war generation. While theres an outside possibility that the two names for the same place are just a coincidence, when put together they form a reference to valley forge the encampment where george washingtons continental army was encamped during the winter of 177778, and where thousands died in a matter of months as a result of the harsh conditions.
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. It is approximately 20 miles northwest of philadelphia. On may 6, 1778, the army celebrated because they created an alliance with france. The significance of the encampment lies both in its factbased history and also its storied myth. Dec 16, 2019 with the onset of the bitter winter cold, the continental army under general george washington, still in the field, enters its winter camp at valley forge, 22 miles from britishoccupied philadelphia. 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.
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