Winter at Valley Forge
|
For Washington and his tired army, the winter of 1777- 1778 at Valley Forge was a low point of the Revolution. The winter weather was bitterly cold, and some 12,000 men were housed in makeshift huts and tents. Food was scarce. Washington’s soldiers shivered in worn, ragged uniforms. Many of the men became ill and hundreds died.
The winter at Valley Forge was a tough test of Washington’s leadership, but he met the challenge. His firm character and common sense helped hold his troops together. In spite of many defeats, Washington always managed to keep a national army in the field. This was in part because his men greatly admired him. Washington enforced discipline strictly. At the same time, he was always insisting that the Congress treat the army better. |
Paying for the war was an ongoing problem. Congress did not have the power to make people pay taxes. Most currencies were based on supplies of “hard money” – gold and silver – which was scarce. Congress and the states printed paper money with little to back it up. As a result, paper money became almost worthless and prices soared. This situation is known as inflation.
Because Continental money was worth very little, some farmers and merchants instead chose to trade with the British, who had gold and silver coin. This caused problems. For example, the food shortages at Valley Forge occurred partly because some Philadelphia merchants would not sell their goods to the Continental Army.
Because Continental money was worth very little, some farmers and merchants instead chose to trade with the British, who had gold and silver coin. This caused problems. For example, the food shortages at Valley Forge occurred partly because some Philadelphia merchants would not sell their goods to the Continental Army.
American CrisisEarlier in 1776 Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had inspired many Americans to support a declaration of independence from Great Britain. After the retreat across New Jersey in 1776, Paine wrote another series of papers called The American Crisis. Paine's words were a rallying cry, meant to inspire courage in men whose spirits had been dulled by war. To encourage and rally his troops at Valley Forge, Washington read Thomas Paine’s ringing words aloud:
“The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” – Thomas Paine, The American Crisis |