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The Continental Army is defeated at the Battle of Brandywine
The Continentals lose a battle that allows the British to take Philadelphia. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Brandywine] -
The Continental Army marches to Valley Forge
George Washington moves his 12,000 man Army to Valley Forge for the winter encampment. Link text -
Soldiers Build their huts and move in.
The soldiers of the Continental Army had to build their own huts [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_Forge#March_and_hut_construction] -
Supply Chain Shortages Begin
George writes Henry Laurens, the President of the Continental Congress, describing the critical shortages facing of food and supplies the Army. The men have no shoes, food, blankets or even clothing. [httpsh://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_Forge#Supply_challenges] -
African-American Soldiers serve in the Continental Army at Valley Forge.
In January 1778 Rhode Island created militia units of Colored Soldiers and stationed troops with Washington at Valley Forge [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Rhode_Island_Regiment] -
Martha Washington Arrives at Valley Forge
The presence of Martha Washington at Valley Forge was a great boost to the moral and spirits of the soldiers there. They saw her and the other women present as a symbol of what they were fighting for. [https://www.nps.gov/vafo/learn/historyculture/valleyforgewomen.htm#:~:text=June%2019th%2C%201778.-,Martha%20Washington,and%20left%20in%20early%20June.] -
The Continental Army Trains Professionally
Before Valley Forge the Continental Army had guts but no discipline. During Valley Forge Prussian General Von Steuben trained the soldiers into a professional fighting force. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Wilhelm_von_Steuben#Training_program] -
France Allies with the United States
After the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga France is encouraged to openly side with the Americans in their struggle with the British. This provided much needed money and material to the Continental Army. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Alliance_(1778)] -
Native Americans join Washington at Valley Forge to fight for American Freedom.
Wappinger, Oneida and Tuscarora Native Americans joined Washington at Valley Forge to fight the British. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_Forge#Encampment_demographics] -
The Battle of Monmouth
After months of training and preparation at Valley Forge the Continental Army engages the British at the Battle of Monmouth. While it was a loss this battle proved to the Americans, the British and the world that the Continental Army was a strong, professional fighting force that would be difficult to defeat. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Monmouth] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfS7FPP4bNg]