Who Won the Battle of Valley Forge

Throughout the American Revolution, General George Washington often remarked that he would rather be home at Mount Vernon. Despite his wishes, Washington managed to return to his home on the Potomac only once between his acceptance of his appointment as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and the American victory at Yorktown in 1781. Even under the most trying conditions, including his army's winter encampments, Washington remained with his soldiers.

During the winter of 1777 to 1778, Washington camped with his troops at Valley Forge, nearly twenty miles north of Philadelphia. 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." But truer images of the place would show General Washington using the time between December 1777 and June 1778 to train his men and to fight to maintain his position as the head of the Continental Army.

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. First, the lay of the land made Valley Forge a natural fortress. The army's camp sat high on a plateau at the top of a series of hills that protected it. The soldiers lived in huts built on the plateau and continued training on the parade ground at its center. Secondly, Valley Forge was far enough away from the rich farmland north of Philadelphia to prevent the army from becoming a burden on the local population. Lastly, Valley Forge was close enough to the occupied capital of Philadelphia for the Continental Army to keep an eye on the British and prevent any surprise attacks on settlements in the countryside. As Washington explained, if the army was farther away, then "many of our friends would be exposed to all the miseries of the most insulting and wanton depredation."1

As his army marched into Valley Forge on December 19, Washington hoped that his officers and soldiers, with "one heart" and "one mind," would surmount the troubles that lay ahead of them.2 The lack of proper clothing was a significant problem. While Washington knew most of his men were fit for duty, he calculated that at least a third of them had no shoes. Many did not have a decent coat to protect against the constant rain that plagued the camp.

Campaign 1776 piece on Valley Forge produced in partnership with Mount Vernon

Washington ordered his soldiers to build wooden huts for themselves, twelve by twelve feet each, and then search the countryside for straw to use as bedding. He hoped this would keep them warm since there were not enough blankets for everyone. Even worse, his quartermaster reported that he had just twenty-five barrels of flour and only a little salt pork to feed the entire army. As Washington explained in a letter to Henry Laurens, the President of the Continental Congress, unless something was done quickly, "this Army might dissolve."3

Promising to "share in the hardship" and "partake of every inconvenience," Washington moved with his closest aides into a two-story stone house near Valley Forge Creek.4 He spent much of his time writing to Congress, demanding more supplies for his men, while defending himself against charges of incompetence and dictatorial ambitions. He complained of a "malignant faction," led by Horatio Gates, the hero of Saratoga, Thomas Mifflin, the nation's former Quartermaster General, and Thomas Conway, a French soldier of Irish descent, who had recently been named to the Board of War by Congress.5 They had been given the authority to oversee the war effort on equal terms with the Commander in Chief.

Washington railed against the threesome, dubbed the "Conway Cabal" by later historians. Washington was able to shore up his support in Congress by his gracious reception of delegates who visited the camp in January and February. They realized that Washington respected them as the leaders of the nation and had no intention of launching a coup. They in turn listened to his suggestions for improving recruitment, reorganizing state regiments, and keeping the best officers in the army.

As he fought to maintain his position as the Commander-in-Chief, Washington received key support from several officers. General Henry Knox wholeheartedly agreed with his choice of Valley Forge as the army's winter encampment and built fortifications on its hills to defend against British attacks. Two younger generals—Nathanael Greene and Anthony Wayne—took on the humiliating task of scouring the countryside for horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs for the Continental Army at their commanding general's request.

The Marquis de Lafayette, a young French nobleman, organized officers from France, Poland, and other European nations into the Corps d'Étrangers. Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian military officer, provided important training for the American troops. As the drillmaster of Valley Forge, he taught the soldiers how to use the bayonet, and most importantly, how to re-form lines quickly in the midst of battle. Washington also received help from his wife Martha who arrived from Mount Vernon in February. She took over the management of his household, helped with his correspondence, and cheered him by entertaining guests.

By the early spring conditions at Valley Forge greatly improved. Washington appointed General Greene as the new Quartermaster General and he set up an efficient operation for bringing supplies into the camp. The rainy weather continued to be a problem, but the mood of the camp brightened when news of the Franco-American alliance arrived in May. Washington ordered his troops to line the parade ground and shoot off their guns one by one in celebration.

Finally, on June 19, the Continental Army—better trained and more determined than ever—marched out of Valley Forge. Washington, who proved his leadership, remained their commander. Together they headed for New Jersey where they would make a stand against the British army, on its way from Philadelphia to New York, at Monmouth Courthouse.

Mary Stockwell,  Ph.D.

Notes:
1. George Washington, "General Orders, December 17, 1777," The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, Vol. 10, ed. John C. Fitzpatrick (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1934), 168.

2. Ibid.

3. "George Washington to Henry Laurens, December 22, 1777," Ibid., 183.

4. George Washington, "General Orders, December 17, 1777," Ibid., 168.

5. "George Washington to Henry Laurens, January 31, 1778," Ibid., 410.

The Continental Army's winter at Valley Forge is famously remembered and depicted in famous works of art. Discover 10 facts that you did not know about Valley Forge that may alter your perception of that historic winter.

Fact #1: Alexander Hamilton and Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee fought enemy troops at Valley Forge on September 18, 1777, prior to the winter encampment.

After the engagement at Brandywine on September 11, 1777, Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen led a British contingent on a strike toward Valley Forge. The goal was to capture the supplies stored there. Alexander Hamilton and “Light Horse Harry” Lee led the American forces that tried to intervene and who were tasked with destroying the supplies there before they fell into British hands. The British burned a few buildings, obtained the supplies, and withstood the interference of Hamilton and Lee. This small action was dubbed “The Battle of Valley Forge.”

Fact #2: Between 1,500 and 2,000 log huts were built.

At Valley Forge, American soldiers were instructed to build winter quarters. Orders from Continental headquarters instructed the size of the huts to be 14 x 16 feet with 18 inches of clay for insulation. Few tools were available. With no sawmills in the near vicinity, George Washington offered a reward of $100 to any soldier who found a suitable substitute.

Fact #3: There were more than 400 women in the camp.

Along with the men serving in the ranks and other military capacities, the winter cantonment at Valley Forge had a sizable population of women. The females undertook a myriad of roles, from laundry and cooking to sewing and nursing. Officer wives, including Martha Washington, were also present during the six-month encampment.

Fact #4: Over 2,000 soldiers, or one-in-six, died during the winter encampment.

Due to shortages of food, lack of proper hygiene, sanitation, and medical knowledge of the time, over 2,000 soldiers perished during the winter. From scurvy to smallpox, dysentery, and other maladies, one out of every six soldiers that marched into Valley Forge in December did not march back out in June.

Fact #5: Baron Frederich von Steuben instituted a training program that helped create a more professional army.

The supposed “baron” arrived during the winter and took the role of acting inspector general until the position became vacant. He was instrumental in training a model company the rudiments of military drill and in turn created a system of training. His lack of English initially did not provide a hindrance. He also recognized the need to amend European regimented training models to fit the psyche of the American volunteer soldier.

Fact #6: George Washington maneuvered through threats to his leadership in his dealings with the Board of War and Continental Congress to his leadership.

With the loss of Philadelphia, the capital of the rebelling colonies, and the success of the northern Continental forces under General Horatio Gates, a few delegates in the Continental Congress started to think a change in overall leadership was needed. Congress instituted a Board of War, with a few of Washington’s detractors as members. Through back channels, including his aide, John Laurens, who happened to be the son of the president of Congress, Henry intermediaries, and political maneuvering, Washington solidified his hold on the army and silenced most of his critics. The “Conway Cabal” was a part of this larger picture. 

Fact #7: Oneida and Tuscarora Native Americans joined the encampment in the later stages.

George Washington believed that the Native Americans could assist in scouting and small-scale attacks to keep the pressure on the British around Philadelphia. The Native Americans also brought much-needed supplies and Polly Cooper, an Oneida woman, taught the soldiers how to use corn husks to make soup.

Fact #8: Marquis de Lafayette conducted the first action after Baron Frederich von Steuben’s training, at Barren Hill on May 20, 1778.

Although a minor affair, the conduct of the Continental forces, including Oneida Native Americans and riflemen under Daniel Morgan acquitted themselves well. The retreat under enemy pressure showed that von Steuben’s training regimen had begun to take hold. Lafayette had ignored Washington’s orders of not taking an affixed position but Sir General William Howe was unsuccessful in capturing the Frenchman in his last action in the war.

Fact #9: French recognition of the American cause happened while the soldiers were encamped at Valley Forge.

While the Continental Army was encamped at Valley Forge, news arrived from Paris, France of the signing of an alliance between the French and the American colonies. This boosted morale and French money, military supplies, and their navy were heavy factors in eventual American victory in the war.

Fact #10: Valley Forge was not the coldest winter of the war.

In fact, the winter was mild for most comparable winters in Pennsylvania. Although this also had an adverse effect as roads turned to slush and mud as temperatures fluctuated. Snowstorms did blow in and the lack of essential supplies made wintry weather harder for the army to cope with. The following winter at Morristown, New Jersey, was a far colder winter.