Valley Forge is a mystery to most people. First place they wonder how it got the name Valley Forge. Simply in a near by valley there was a commercial iron forge built in 1740 hence the name Valley Forge. People think of a group of soldiers suffering through a sever winter and that is about it. Its like the Ranger said when he started his presentation when he asked us to guess what are the most often asked questions. 1. Where is the bathroom. 2. Where was the battle fought. Truly there were no major battles fought at Valley Forge. There may have been small fights as patrols came across each other but very few of these. Valley Forge was an encampment for General Washington and his troops. General Washington had suffered several defeats against the British during the American Revolution which occurred 1775 - 1783. In 1777 the British had a plan to capture Philadelphia which was the capital. To do this the British landed about 17,000 troops up in Chesapeake Bay. To counter this move General Washington move his 12,000 troops. Washington and his troops lost this battle and the British captured Philadelphia. As winter approached General Washington looked for a place to camp for the winter of 1777 - 1178. His troops were not well equipped and had poor clothing. Many with the cloths on their back and many without shoes. When you hear of the troops being naked they meant they only had the raged clothing they were wearing. General Washington chose Valley Forge which was about 20 miles from Philadelphia so he could keep an eye on and some pressure on the British and at the same time be far away so the British could not pull a surprise attack. Besides physical needs the most pressing need for Washington's troops was training. This encampment provided time to do this training. Now it is one thing to march 12,000 troops into an area but it is something else entirely to set them up to spend the winter. Shelters had to be built. Trees had to be cut down to build the shelters and provide wood for heating and cooking. They built a city of about 2,000 huts ( shelters ) laid out in city like arrangement. They also constructed miles of trenches, five earthen forts ( called Redoubts ) and a bridge over the Schuylkill River. By the time all this building was accomplished some of the troops reported they had to forage up to 5 miles away to find fire wood to cut. Incidentally the city they built for this encampment was the 5th largest city in the country at that time. Perhaps in the earliest days when they were cutting trees the weather may not have been so severe but it got worse. Now when they got the huts built and well heated they had 12 men to a hut and when one got sick generally they all got sick. Even with the heated huts during the day they had to go outside to train, dig trenches and other defenses and cut fire wood. Over the winter months General Washington's troop strength dwindled as a result of desertions and death due to illness. The cold winter and lack of food was not the biggest problem. Disease was the main concern. It was reported that of the 2,000 men who died about 2/3 rd of them died during the warmer months of March, April and May when supplies were more plentiful. The most common cause of death was influenza, typhus, typhoid, and dysentery. Washington's troops came out of the winter a more professionally prepared army who proved their battle prowess as they defeated the British in one of the major British offensives of the war the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey.
Fall Colors
Beautiful Tree
More Color
Colorful Trees
Ranger Giving Presentation
Soldiers' Huts
Recreated Soldier Hut
Inside Of Soldier's Hut. There Were Four
Bunks Like The One In The Corner. 12
Men Lived Here. Note Fireplace.
Officer's Hut
Inside Officer's Hut
Inside Officer's Hut
Volunteer Explaining Flint Lock Rifle
Volunteer In Period Uniform As A Doctor
Explaining The Methods And Tools Used
Basic Tools For A Doctor
More Beautiful Trees
Four Shades Of Color. Beautiful
Monument
Eagle Atop Monument
National Memorial Arch
Inscription On National Memorial Arch
Inscription On National Memorial Arch
Inscription On National Memorial Arch
General Washington Winter Quarters
General Washington's Guards' Huts
Another Beautiful Tree
Walk Way Down A Step Hill To
Washington's Winter Quarters
Von Steuben
General Anthony Wayne
Washington Memorial Chapel
Wedding In Valley Forge
National Historic Park
I am getting sleepy but there are a few interesting tid bits I would like to share. First is a wedding party in the park. One key member of their party was missing and had not arrived and he was calling the party to find out where they are located. He kept asking for an address and the girl talking to him was screaming " there is no address we are in the middle of the national park. There is no address." I don't know if he ever made it or not but the bride and groom seemed to be happy and totally oblivious to what was going on.
The volunteer who was playing the part of a doctor was really a stock manager in some company in the area and does his thing here just for the fun of it. His explanation of the medical tools and how they were used was gruesome. They had to operate without any kind of pain deadening medicine this included cutting off limbs. The part that really got me was the explanation on how they did dental work. That is when I moved on to something else.
The Washington Memorial Chapel is on private property within the park and has an active congregation. The beautiful interior of this 1900s church honors George Washington's service to the country. Interesting they operate a used book store and a small gift shop and snack bar. I had my early dinner there. Hot dog and chicken soup. From what I paid and what others paid and as busy as they were they have a pretty profitable operation staffed totally by volunteers.
I found the park very impressive and it is free. Many of the plaques are very inspirational. The park is very neat and well maintained.
Well I will say good night to all you fine folks and trust to tell you something new tomorrow night. Oh by the way day after tomorrow I should be home in my own bed if the Lord is willing. Well if I get too involved at Gettysburg it might take me a day longer to get home. I love you all.
Grandpa Bill
No comments:
Post a Comment