Valley Forge
"These are the times that try men's souls" Thomas Paine
George Washington and the Continental Army had suffered disasterous years in 1776 and 1777. Demoralized and dispirited the men set up winter camp here in 1777-1778. Provisions and supplies were dangerously low and the men on the brink of starvation. General Washington rented this house on the Potts farmland.
This is what the home looked like in 1861
Of course these are not original pieces but indicative of what it may have looked like when General Washington made it his headquarters.
However, the banisters and stairs ARE original and have not been changed at all over the centuries. Washington and others walked these steps.
General Washington wrote many letters and orders during these months however he never mentioned who slept where or what men were coming and going. So we really don't have any knowledge of which room would have been the General and Martha, who was also here that winter.
The area was heavily wooded at the time and the General gave the men orders to build cabins and prepare for winter. Throughout the park there are cabins, however during this winter there would have been hundreds and hundreds. Each sleeping up to a dozen men.
An officers cabin with all its finery and comforts
Compared to the enlisted quarters. Two bunks on each wall held three men. 12 men total housed in a 10x10 space they were required to make themselves.
Behind the cabins looking towards the General Headquarters.
A row of cabins
Though it would not have looked this pretty during the encampment. It was filthy, muddy, no trees, fires were burning for warm and the real cabins would have been closer together. It is known that Washington walked many evenings among the soldiers to talk and or inspect the conditions.
A typical Militia soldier, his equipment and attire
National Memorial at Valley Forge. The flag is at perpetual half staff
Marquis De Lafayette
Many of the Earthworks and Redoubts the men dug and built are still visible and standing. A little worn from time of course but still lay testament to the historical events that took place here.
The defensive earthwork would have been much higher on the left with a trench in the middle where the leaves have all gathered now.
The Redoubt area. The canon sit at the edge of a hill ready to fire on the British below. Of course the trees would not have been there in 1777
The Redoubt still exists. Hard to spot in a picture but quite visible when standing there.
The Redoubt from another angle.
The deer pay absolutely no mind to you standing there taking pictures. For a few seconds I thought he was going to come up and eat out of my hands.
More cabins sprinkled throughout the park, which gives a false sense of peace and serenity of the time.
General Von Steuben who trained the Continentals and became a life long friend to Washington. He lived in New York and is buried there outside of Schenectady.
General Varnum stayed in this home with Washington that winter.
Inside the home
Pictures of the home circa Civil War
The back side of the home
At its privy..necessity...outhouse
It is known that Washington had to stay here for a short period because his dog got fleas from hanging out with the flea infested soldiers. These stairs are also original to the home.
A great reenactor who told me the flea story.
Washington started out as a surveyor when he was but 16 or so and surveyed much of the land in Virginia and Pennsylvania. He would have had these types of tools for the trade.
