Benedict Arnold

Below are five facts that emerged from the book.

• Valley Forge was not the coldest winter of the Revolution.
• George Washington was fighting a two-front war — against the British and his own Continental Congress.
• The winter at Valley Forge was the last time the United States Army was integrated until the Korean War.

Valley Forge was where the American Continental Army made camp during the winter of 1777-1778. It was here that the American forces became a true fighting unit. Valley Forge is often called the birthplace of the American Army.

The troops being at Valley Forge between the British and York were a protection for Congress. The Valley Forge area (terrain) was defensible. The grounds were suitable to guard against attack. While the conditions were harsh, Washington tried to provide for the comfort of his men.

How did Americans react to the situation at Valley Forge? They sent letters of encouragement to Friedrich von Steuben. They collected and sent food and supplies. They encouraged Martha Washington to beg her husband to come home.

General George Washington and his weary troops arrived at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania six days before Christmas in 1777. Washington picked the spot because it was close enough to keep an eye on British troops sheltering in Philadelphia, yet far enough away to prevent a surprise attack on his own Continental Army.

resignations as General and Commander in Chief and as President. As a visionary leader President Washington continued to be a charismatic leader who kept the loyalty and affection of the people.

Washington chose his battles carefully and used reasoning as a strategy for success throughout most of his military career. He took the time to think through challenging situations so that the patriots’ odds of success were increased.

troop morale

But this weekend, the Brits revealed that some wounds never heal as the Daily Mail reports that Britain’s National Army Museum voted George Washington as the greatest military enemy ever to face Britain.

Debts and Finances The young country had severe financial problems. There were both domestic and foreign debts from the war, and the issue of how to raise revenue for government was hotly debated.

Freiherr von Steuben

Washington in Prayer. One of the legends or myths of Valley Forge is that Washington prayed for his country here. We do not say that he did not pray at Valley Forge, there simply is an open question as to how he did so and if he actually was witnessed in prayer.

Soldiers were supposed to receive daily amounts of beef, pork or fish; flour or bread; cornmeal or rice; and rum or whiskey. However, with no organized distribution system combined with limited food resources near the encampment site, soldiers went several days with little to no food during the winter months.

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It is considered the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War. The Continental Army, led by General George Washington, won a decisive victory against the British Army, led by General Lord Charles Cornwallis. Cornwallis was forced to surrender after being surrounded by Washington’s army.

Cornwallis had marched his army into the Virginia port town earlier that summer expecting to meet British ships sent from New York. Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown effectively ended the Revolutionary War. Lacking the financial resources to raise a new army, the British government appealed to the Americans for peace.

George Washington decided to attack the British at Yorktown because it was supposed to be a secret. What decision did the British make after the Patriot victory at Yorktown? The British sent delegates to Paris to work out a treaty.

30 April 1789 – 4 March 1797