Valley Forge - Winter of 1777-1778
By Jane Runyon
1
In 1777, the capital of the United States was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In September of 1777, the
British commander, General William Howe led his army to Philadelphia. He thought that if he captured
the American capital, the war would be over. General Washington tried to stop the British troops at
Brandywine, Pennsylvania, but he was outnumbered and outfought. Howe was able to capture Philadelphia
without a fight. Washington tried to defeat the British at Germantown in October but failed.
2
By this time, it was getting late in the year. The British were warm and secure in the city of
Philadelphia for the winter. Washington needed to find a place for his men. They were low on food and
uniforms were torn. Many of the men had no shoes. They had to find some place close so that they could
regain their strength and get ready for the battles to come. Washington decided on Valley Forge,
Pennsylvania. They arrived at Valley Forge on December 19. It had taken
them eight days to march thirteen miles. A snowstorm and icy rain had
slowed their progress. You could track the American army by the blood in
the snow. The feet of those with no boots were cracked and bleeding.
They tied rags around the bloody feet when they could. A day of
Thanksgiving was declared by Washington when they were a day away from
Valley Forge. Their feast was a half cup of rice and vinegar.
3
Conditions at Valley Forge were horrible at best. The roads leading to
the camp were in terrible shape and it was extremely difficult for wagons to bring supplies to the camp.
The man in charge of getting supplies to the soldiers, Quartermaster General Thomas Mifflin did not
really do much to make things better for the troops. Health conditions in the camp were also miserable.
Diseases like smallpox spread quickly and many soldiers were sick.
4
A new Quartermaster, Nathaniel Green, was appointed in the spring. He made it his purpose to get
vegetables, meat, boots, and uniforms to the colonial army. The French had decided to join the
Americans in their fight against the British. The troops were ready to celebrate their change in luck.
Washington ordered an extra month's pay and a ration of rum to all the soldiers who had survived the
miserable winter. The soldiers were also trained by Baron Friedrich von Steuben from Prussia. Von
Steuben was a no nonsense type of man. He put them to work cleaning up the garbage and latrines in the
area. He couldn't speak any English, but he got his message across and disciplined the army.
1. In 1777, the capital of the colonies was
Washington, D.C.
False
True
2. Who led the British troops in Philadelphia?
Nathaniel Green
William Howe
George Washington
Thomas Mifflin
3. Where was Valley Forge located?
New York
Boston
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
4. What kept the men from getting supplies?
The roads were in bad shape
Enough supplies were not ordered
The enemy captured them.
The trains did not go there.
5. Why do you think discipline helped to make the 6. Who trained the American troops?
army stronger?
Baron von Steuben
William Howe
George Washington
Name: __________________
Period: _____
Lesson 4.19
Lesson 4.19: Why was the Winter at Valley Forge such a challenging winter for
the colonists?
Questions
NOTES
Winter at Valley Forge
WHERE:
WHEN:
WHAT
HAPPENED:
IMPORTANCE:
DESCRIBE
THE
CONDITIONS
AT VALLEY
FORGE:

How did women help the war effort?

How did African Americans help the war effort
SUMMARY
(Answer the Essential Question in 3-5 sentences)
Name: __________________
Period: _____
Lesson 4.19
What conditions did the soldiers face during the winter at Valley Forge?
Lieutenant WILLIAM BARTON of the Fourth and later the First New Jersey Regiment;
To his father, Gilbert Barton of Allentown, N.J.
..."Camp Valley Forge, Feb. 18th 1778...I should wrote [more often] but have been in expectation of Coming
home but this day find my expectations blasted, and have no manner of hope to get home until April...
I have received my coat & boots by Capt. Weycoff and am informed you have procured [gotten] me some shirts
which I am extremely glad of as l shall be in great need of them in a short time. I’m at this present time in
health, and hope these may find you all in perfect health, if to the reverse at any time please [tell me] and I
shall come home. I have not received a letter from you since at home, should be very glad to be given a few
pounds of sugar and a little chocolate...there is a scarcity [shortage] of those articles in this place...Camp does
not very well agree with me..."
Just six days later Barton's friend Lt. John Blair of the 3rd New Jersey wrote for him, Barton
being in bad condition according to Blair.
Valley Forge 24th February. 1778...By request of your Son Wm. Barton I embrace the opportunity of informing
you that he is very unwell these ten Days and no appearance of getting any better, and is very necessary that
you send a Wagon for him as he is too weak to ride a horseback, he likewise begs that you would appeal to
Colonel Brearely to write to Major Cumming to give him leave to go home as General’s orders is very strict
against any Officer ever leaving Camp. Mr. William desires his Love to you & his Mother& Sisters..."
1. What luxury items does Lieutenant Barton request that his family send him?
2. What items had he received from home?
3. How did William Barton’s condition change between February 18th and February 24th?
4. What help does Barton’s friend request from his parents?
Name: __________________
Period: _____
Lesson 4.19
What conditions did the soldiers face during the winter at Valley Forge?
From the Diary of Albigence Waldo,
Surgeon at Valley Forge, 1777.
December 21
[Valley Forge.] Preparations are made for huts. Provisions [supplies] are Scarce. Mr. Ellis went homeward and
sent a Letter to my Wife. Heartily wish myself at home [I wish I was at home], my skin and eyes are almost
spoiled with continual smoke. A general cry throughout the camp this evening among the soldiers, "No Meat!
No Meat!" - the distant voices echoed back the melancholy [sad] sound - "No Meat! No Meat!" Imitating the
noise of Crows and Owls, also, made a part of confused music.
I asked the soldiers, “What have you for your dinner boys? "Nothing but Fire Cake and Water, Sir" they said. At
night, "Gentlemen the Supper is ready." What is your Supper Lads? "Fire Cake and Water, Sir." Very poor beef
has been drawn [brought into] in our camp the greater part of this season. A Butcher bringing a Quarter of this
kind of Beef into camp one day who had white Buttons on the knees of his breeches, a Soldier cries out "There, there Tom is some more of your fat Beef, by my soul I can see the Butcher's breeches buttons through
it." [This means that the beef was very thin and that there was not a lot of beef for the soldiers to share]
(Fire cake/Hardtack is a mixture of flour and water baked on a stone which is place in the coals of the fire)
1. What is the cry that goes throughout the encampment?
2. What is the problem with Waldo’s skin and eyes?
3. What are the soldiers forced to eat?
Bring it all together: What challenging conditions did the soldiers at Valley Forge face?