Winter at valley forge facts

Fill in any blanks in the sequence with your thoughts and write your conclusion response in the space provided. More than 2,500 soldiers died at valley forge that winter. Life at valley forge 18th century history the age of. With winter almost set in, and the prospects for campaigning greatly diminishing, general george washington sought quarters for his men. Given the events of these extraordinary six months and given how much most people do not know about valley forge here are 10 facts about that fateful winter that are sure to surprise. This likely saved enough troops that it was decisive in the ability to go on to win the war. Washington leads troops into winter quarters at valley forge. Life and death at valley forge 10 surprising facts about the revolutionary wars darkest winter 1. Washington chose valley forge as the winter encampment for his 11,000 men along with approximately 500 women and children who accompanied them for several reasons. They camped in valley forge, which is approximately 20 miles away from philadelphia. The british colonists in america rebelled against the rule of the british and eventually the united states became an independent country during the war.

During the winter of 1777 to 1778, washington camped with his troops at valley forge, nearly twenty miles north of philadelphia. Black and white soldiers camped together at valley forge. After failing to retake the city, washington led his 12,000man army into winter quarters at valley forge, located approximately 18. For more fast facts, heres everything you need to know about valley forge.

The climatic conditions the continental army faced at valley forge and a year later at middlebrook, n. Valley forge in the revolutionary war lesson for kids. The men were short of food, proper housing and clothes, and about 2,500 out of 11,000 died. Valley forge is an area in pennsylvania, about 22 miles 35 kilometers northwest of philadelphia. Everything you need to know about valley forge a knowledge. Life and death at valley forge 10 surprising facts about. Winter camp at valley forge click here for a printerfriendly version in 1777, the british, hoping to bring about a speedy conclusion to the american revolution, decided to capture philadelphia, the patriot capital. Valley forge, pa three day weather forecast accuweather.

For webquest or practice, print a copy of this quiz at american revolution valley forge webquest print page. The winter in valley forge proved to be a trying experience for washington and the american forces. Valley forge facts and worksheets for primary kids kidskonnect. Jan 29, 2020 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. Number of soldiers that deserted during the encampment at valley forge. Nussbaum valley forge reading comprehension online.

Approximately 12,000 marched into valley forge in december. In december 1777, there were 12,000 soldiers at valley forge, 3 months later, there were only 8,000 left including many unfit for battle. A map detailing the continental armys encampment at valley forge during the winter of 1777 to 1778. Continental army enters winter camp at valley forge. Visit valley forge, winter encampment of the continental army during the american revolution. The american revolution for kids and teachers valley. Despite brutal conditions, valley forge marked a milestone in the armys military experience. And as no historian can picture the life of any period so vividly as it may be described by those who were participants in that life, or eye witnesses of it, i have gathered the materials for this paper from diaries of those who were there, from. 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. December 23, 1777 dawned cold and dank over the hills of valley forge, pennsylvania, the scent of snow in the air. Valley forge national historical park is nationally significant as the site of the 177778 winter encampment of the continental army under general george washington. 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. It is approximately 20 miles northwest of philadelphia.

There were days of rain or snow during the first six weeks. The weather is finally turning colder, and the crisp morning air can only mean one thing. It is when the front line fires and then when they are done firing they bend down and then the middle lines fires. The area was named after an iron forge located at nearby valley creek. Life and death at valley forge 10 surprising facts about the. Valley forge marked the first time washington ordered the army primarily concentrated into a more permanent post where they constructed their own shelters. First, the lay of the land made valley forge a natural fortress. The winter the winter at valley forge was from 1777 june 19, 1778. Washington sent men on detachments, some troops were wintering near wilmington, delaware and trenton, new jersey and the sick and wounded were sent to the outlying hospitals.

Number of soldiers that remained at valley forge until the troops moved out on june 19, 1778. At the winter encampment, george washington oversaw the transformation of the battered continental army into a confident and cohesive. Mar 02, 2016 when the continental army made camp at valley forge during the american revolution, times were tough. On this day in 1777, commander of the continental army george washington, the future first president of the united states, leads his beleaguered troops into winter quarters at valley forge, pennsylvania. Get your 3day weather forecast for valley forge, pa.

Winter of discontent even as he endured the hardships of valley forge, george washington faced another challenge. Winter at valley forge making connections examine the documents and text included in this activity. There were many battles that took place during the revolution, but perhaps one of. Many others stayed on at valley forge and suffered the common fate of illness, poor living conditions, and a constant lack of supplies throughout the long winter. The site was considered a defensible one, strategically located on leading trade routes and near farm supplies. 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. In the two winter encampments prior to valley forge, the continental army had sheltered themselves in a combination of tents, constructed huts, civilian barns and other buildings. The valley forge was a military camp in pennsylvania, northwest of philadelphia. Winter at valley forge between 1775 and 1783, the colonies of america fought for their independence from great britain during the american revolution. But one i find hard to believe, due the the past scholarly writing and facts about the winter camp at valley forge. This resource includes a historical passage and ten multiple choice questions. Jan 01, 2006 winter at valley forge graphic history matt doeden, charles barnett iii, ron frenz on.

Number of soldiers that arrived at valley forge on december 19, 1777. True it is a fresh approach to the events of the winter camp at valley forge. 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. Description the purpose of this video is for scrutiny. During the winter at valley forge, george washington decided to begin inoculating soldiers. Valley forge was the first state park in pennsylvania. All the questions on this quiz are based on information that can be found on the page at american revolution valley forge. In the winter of 1777 1778, george washington and his army struggled to survive the cold weather and snow at valley forge. The women present at valley forge as abigail adams wrote to her husband john to remember the ladies during the continental congress, we must not also forget the many women who played a vital role during the winter encampment at valley forge from 1777 to 1778. Jan 21, 2015 being ten unexpected and edifying quotations from the third winter encampment. 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. Surviving the winter at valley forge not only tested george washingtons men physically, but also their spirit and desire to win.

Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. An excerpt from the history of valley forge, written by. The history and mythology of the valley forge winter encampment is fundamental to understanding american identity. Following the american failures at the nearby battles of brandywine and germantown, washington led 11,000 regulars to take up winter quarters at valley forge on the west bank of the schuylkill river, 22 miles 35 km northwest of philadelphia which at the time was occupied by the british. On december 19th of the same year, washington chose the valley forge as the winter camp after being defeated by the british at germantown. 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.

The winter was bitter cold, there was disease and hunge. Overview of history and significance valley forge national. George washington chose to make the winter camp at valley forge for several reasons. The continental armys encampment at valley forge over the winter of 17771778 was the turning point of the american revolution. It was here that the american forces became a true fighting unit. The winter at valley forge was the last time the united states army was integrated until the korean war they do not appear in the famous paintings. The american revolution for kids and teachers valley forge. Kids can step in replica log huts, run around the grassy parade ground where young soldiers trained, climb on cannons, and walk through george washington s headquarters history comes alive. Valley forge functioned as the third of eight military encampments for the continental armys main body, commanded by general george washington. 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.

During the american revolutionary war, the continental army had their winter season in the 1777 until 1778. Selfeducated, greene took charge of an iron forge owned by his family in 1770 while also beginning a career in politics in which he served in the rhode island general assembly four out of six years. Valley forge historical area, united states britannica. Though revolutionary forces had secured a pivotal victory at saratoga in september and october, washingtons army suffered defeats at brandywine, paoli, and germantown, pennsylvania. An excerpt from the history of valley forge, written by henry woodman, whose father was a soldier with george washingtons troops. 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. In december, 1777, general george washington moved the continental army to their winter quarters at valley forge. It is located 30 kilometers away from philadelphia. The history channels americathe story of us episode revolution tells how smallpox could have changed the results of the american revolution. In september 1777, british forces had captured the american capital of philadelphia.

Today it is known as the valley forge national historic park. Winter at valley forge revolutionary war 1995 youtube. The officers formed the men into construction squads and instructed them to build cabins according to a 14foot by 16foot model. It was, however, the last time the united states army was. The only battle they fought at valley forge was the winter cold. I have chosen to look up particulars concerning the daily life of the soldier at valley forge in the awful winter of 17778. 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. The winter of valley forge was still in the midst of adversity, the troops were on the edge of giving up even general washington. The winter at valley forge was from 1777 june 19, 1778.

The suffering and sacrifices of the american soldiers at valley forge are familiar, iconic images, but there is another side of the picture. How smallpox vaccine helped win the american revolution. Valley forge was where the american continental army made camp during the winter of 17771778. The officers with washington were surprisingly young. More than 10,000 men and women were part of the continental armys encampment at valley forge. Winter in valley forge home facts about valley forge. Lack of supplies including food, clothing, shoes, and blankets led to poor nutrition and disease throughout the camp. How george washington survived americas worst winter revolutionary war the soldiers at valley forge risked the prime years of their lives on the hope that the american revolution would benefit. With winter quickly approaching, valley forge was the most secure and viable option. During that long, harsh winter, the illequipped americans suffered in many ways. It was where the continental army set up camp during the harsh winter of 177778. Winter at valley forge graphic history matt doeden, charles barnett iii, ron frenz on. I am here to tell you there was not a battle at valley forge, but it was the turning point of the revolutionary war. Valley forge site of the winter camp of the army of george washington in 177778, 34km 21mi nw of philadelphia, pennsylvania.

With the onset of the bitter winter cold, the continental army under general george washington, still in the field, enters its winter camp at. The winter at valley forge two years earlier is a celebrated part of americas revolutionary mythology, while its sequel at morristown is now largely forgotten. After the american defeats at brandywine, paoli, and germantown and a. During the six months washington kept the continental army camped at valley forge, conditions were terrible. Although several locations were suggested, general george washington had chosen valley forge as the spot to set up camp. 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. During fall of 1777, general george washingtons continental army moved south to protect philadelphia from general william howe. General washington led his weary and demoralized army to valley forge a few miles away where they would camp for.

What is the significance of the winter at valley forge. The troops faced a typical delaware valley winter with temperatures mostly in the 20s and 30s. Valley forge is often called the birthplace of the american army. But imagine how chilling that cold air would be if you were a soldier in washingtons army, preparing to spend a winter in valley forge. They remained there for six months, from december 19, 1777 to june 19, 1778. 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. Following the american failures at the nearby battles of brandywine and germantown, washington led 11,000 regulars to take up winter quarters at valley forge. The women present at valley forge valley forge national.

Natahanael greene was born in 1742 in rhode island to a quaker farmer. The winter of 177778 was the low point of america s struggle for independence. Discover the stories behind some of the famous names who made montgomery county their home during those six months. While general howe and his army were living large in philadelphia, washingtons forces wintered at the desolate but easily defendable encampment. Washington and his army was nowhere prepared for the cold winter approaching them. The unexpected cold weather and heavy snow prevented regular supplies. The winter at valley forge was the last time the united states army was integrated until the korean war. I we live uncommonly well for campwe have milk and sugar in plentyi have my hair powdered every day. Ive found info that varies from many to over 2,000. Jun 12, 2017 visit valley forge, winter encampment of the continental army during the american revolution. The military camp located 18 miles northwest philadelphia is explained on the valley forge facts. He brought and told the americans that he came up with this new tactic line that helped the americans take down the british. Nov 22, 2019 the history channels americathe story of us episode revolution tells how smallpox could have changed the results of the american revolution. Valley forge was where a new, confident, professional american army was born.

This was a crule winter for valley forge and the army of wahington. In addition, when you click the listen button, you can hear the passage while it highlights the text. The armys camp sat high on a plateau at the top of a series of hills that protected it. Valley forge was only 18 miles from philadelphia, where the british army was quartered, but in those days, as washington noted, 18 miles is a long distance in the middle of winter. Valley forge was the first winter encampment where many thousands of men had to build their own huts. 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. While the british occupied philadelphia, washington and his army hunkered down for a harsh winter at valley forge. Images of bloody footprints in the snow, soldiers huddled around lonely campfires, and washington on his knees, praying that his army might survive often come to mind when people hear the words valley forge. Does the author who is assistant professor of history at indiana university of pennsylvania serve coffee to his class to keep his students awake. After failing to retake the city, washington led his 12,000man army into winter quarters at valley forge, located approximately 18 miles northwest of philadelphia. In this lesson, youll learn about the hardships that the patriots. Oct 01, 2018 the winter at valley forge was the last time the united states army was integrated until the korean war.