Valley Forge

Yesterday Barbara and I traveled east to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

It was the winter of 1777-78, shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  The British had taken over the capital of the new republic, at that time the city of Philadelphia.  To avoid capture the Continental Congress had moved out of the capital and relocated in the town of York, 100 miles to the west.  General Washington and his men set up camp in Valley Forge.  This location was chosen due to its high ground and its position between Philadelphia and York.  During the winter of 1777-78 12,000 soldiers, 400 women and children began building what became at the time the fourth largest city in America.  During this time the troops were trained by officer, Baron von Steuben, to fight as a more unified army.  Unfortunately, during the harsh winter, 2,000 soldiers died due to influenza and typhoid.  In May 1778 Washington had secured an alliance with France. Shortly after, the British headed north to New York City, their stronghold, and the Continental Army departed Valley Forge in hot pursuit.  The fighting would continue for five more years, but Valley Forge was a key turning point.  After the soldiers left, the farmers dismantled the soldier’s huts, reclaimed the wood and the land.  Over a century later, citizens continue the work of preserving the land where the encampment stood.  The commemorative landscape seen today embodies the peace that the Continental Army earned for us, and honors their sacrifice and triumph at Valley Forge.