Valley Forge : The Battle Of The Valley Forge

After arriving at Valley Forge Martin and his fellow soldiers were about to go through the famously long cold winter that awaited them. Martin wrote, “Our prospect was indeed dreary. In our miserable condition, to go into the wild woods and build us habitations to stay (not to live) in, in such a weak, starved and naked condition, was appalling in the highest degree” (Martin 89). He talks about lying there “two nights and one day, and had not a morsel of any thing to eat all the time” (Martin 90).

Valley Forge is where George Washington and his troops sent camp for the winter. During camp the colonists trained hard and gained the confidence they needed to win the war. Unfortunately the lack of food and spread of disease caused many deaths during this harsh winter. If I had the choice to leave or stay at Valley Forge I would leave. I would not want to risk my life or have to suffer through the cold and sickness. According to Estimates of Illness and Deaths at Valley Forge (Doc A), during the encampment about 2,500 soldiers died. That is about ⅓ of the colonists fighting in the war. About 49% of the soldiers get sick. “I am sick-discontented-and out of humour. Poor food - hard lodging - Cold Weather - fatigue - Nasty Clothes - nasty

The battle took place in the tangled woods of what is now Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Park about 10 miles west of Fredericksburg, Virginia along Orange Plank Road and Orange Turnpike. The Federals held the land to the east and the confederates to the west. The land was nearly impassable, proving a nightmare for both moving men and logistics. The importance of the location, however, was significant. Railways and roads led to Washington and were logistically important. For two years, fighting for the land surrounding the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers led to stalemate. Twice previously, Lee had been able to withstand attack from the Federals; attacks led by Joseph Hooker and George Meade. Lee’s plan was, likely, to take Washington, which he believed would decidedly win

General George Washington gained command of the continental army in July 3, 1775 from the directions of General Artemus Ward who said, “The Continental Congress having now taken all the Troops of the several Colonies, which have been

Valley Forge was a winter camp that was 18 miles northwest from Philadelphia that the American Continental Army spent the winter from 1777-78 during the American Revolutionary war. There were many soldiers at Valley Forge, Many of them died, but many of them also lived. An approximate amount of soldiers at Valley Forge was 12,000 in December 1777 and 8,000 in February 1778. While many soldiers were sick or heave died, the remaining soldiers that survived were being trained by General George Washington. Though staying at Valley forge may have not been the right idea. In the “Estimate of illness and deaths at Valley Forge (Document A)” it shows how many soldiers were sick and how many soldiers

There was a lot of sick people, but there was not a lot of people dying from the sickness. Firstly, in document A it stated there was “3,989 people sick out of the 8,000” who were there. So what that is saying there was about 50% of soldiers sick and in the Winter it is common to be sick especially in those conditions. Secondly there were only “1,800 out of the 12,000 men died in Valley Forge”(doc A). What this is saying is that there is only a 15% chance of dying and a 85% chance of living which that is pretty good odds. Also in the background essay it says “today we know that most of the army survived the winter. So, I would take those odds and stay at Valley Forge.

Soldiers in the Army of the Potomac would live and sleep in camps. In the camps they would build small two man tents, they are easily pitched, and log huts that could fit several men. They would use blankets to keep warm at night. Canteens were for them to drink fresh water. Haversacks were what they used to keep their belongings in. They had inadequate food and shelter,

December 1777 at Valley Forge. Valley Forge is George Washington’s winter camp. Valley Forge is a difficult place to live. The continental army is who stays in the camp. The army is not doing so good at this time but there is still a chance of winning. If you were a soldier would you quit? If I was a soldier I would not quit because there are a lot of sick people but not dying people, the conditions are bad but brave soldiers stuck with it, and I do not want to be a summer solder because freedom is worth fighting for.

So overall, would I stay at Valley Forge? Yes, I would stay at Valley Forge because only 15% of people died, there are people who showed willingness, and because of the inspirational words of Thomas

Would you fight for independence in the harsh conditions or stay home and hope for independence. During December 1777 George Washington led an army called the Continental Army of 12,000 men to take base at Valley Forge, PA which was 18 miles Northwest of Philadelphia. The question that I have to answer is; Valley Forge: Would you have quit?. This basically means that if you had to make a choice to not re-enlist or stay, which one would you choose. I am not re-enlisting or quitting valley forge because of the shortage of food, the terrible illness and dreadful accommodations.

We have to sleep in 16’ by 14’ hut. There is twelve people per hut. We are all squished and uncomfortable. I don’t think a day has gone by that it has not been snowing here. My feet are frozen and cold. I am missing one of my fingers and cry myself to sleep wanting to be with my family. So now I have the choice to leave and through all of this in the end I get to go home. There is also frostbite, many of the men are having their feet, arms, and fingers being cut off. This is only a few of the awful thing happening here at Valley Forge.

Valley Forge is a winter camp for soldiers. It was about 18 miles northwest of Philadelphia that had the not so clean items. If I had a choice to quit or stay at Valley Forge I would choose to quit. Showing the amount of estimates of illness and deaths is one of the main reasons why I would quit. During February 1778 the estimated amount of soldiers is 8,000. The estimated amount of illness during the encampment was 3,989 which is about 50% of the people get sick. (Doc A). Also, 1,800- 2,500 is the estimated number of people who die due to illness. (Doc A). The diary of Dr. Waldo wrote about the conditions of the troop and huts. Many reasons why soldiers are dying because of the harsh conditions such as sickness, poor food, cold weather, fatigue,

Reasearched by the university of Michigan, the total number of soldiers from December was about 12,000, while the sickness had gotten to around 2,898 of the soldiers. Similarly, Febuary had an estimated number of around 8,000 soldiers while the sickness at this time had gotten to around 3,989 of the soldiers. This showing how the numbers dropped about 5,000 soldiers between December to Febuarly while sickness increased by 1,000 soldiers (Document A). Consequently it seemed as winter time aproched and the new year came conditions continued to get worst just as the new year was starting. It might seem that the illnesses were not that high of a number (COUNTER

The soldiers undertook many different diseases and sicknesses, mentally and physically. The faced outbreaks of measles, small pox, malaria, pneumonia, or camp itch. Soldiers would get malaria when camping in damp areas surrounded by mosquitos, while camp

No other options are left for the American army, running from the British along side the Delaware River, fighting against deserters, disease, famine, and their major lack of artillery was no help to the cause. On the 25th of December in 1776, George Washington led his army across the Delaware River in New Jersey. In a desperate attempt to win a battle, and help motivate people to rejoin the revolution, Washington devised a plan to attack the Hessians at Trenton on Christmas night. He declared that it was victory or death, they were either going to win the battle, or they were going to die, but retreat was not an option.