-
The Continentals lose a battle that allows the British to take Philadelphia. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Brandywine] -
George Washington moves his 12,000 man Army to Valley Forge for the winter encampment. Link text -
The soldiers of the Continental Army had to build their own huts [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_Forge#March_and_hut_construction] -
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] -
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] -
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.] -
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] -
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)] -
Wappinger, Oneida and Tuscarora Native Americans joined Washington at Valley Forge to fight the British. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_Forge#Encampment_demographics] -
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]