What is Valley Forge known for?
Valley Forge was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation. Throughout the American Revolution, General George Washington often remarked that he would rather be home at Mount Vernon.
Why was the Battle of Valley Forge a turning point?
The six-month encampment of General George Washington ’s Continental Army at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-1778 was a major turning point in the American Revolutionary War. While conditions were notoriously cold and harsh and provisions were in short supply, it was at the winter camp where George Washington proved his mettle…
What did von Steuben do at Valley Forge?
Von Steuben arrived in Valley Forge on February 23, 1778. General George Washington, impressed by his acumen, soon appointed von Steuben temporary inspector general. In his role, von Steuben set standards for camp layout, sanitation and conduct.
What was the significance of the winter encampment at Valley Forge?
The winter encampment at Valley Forge is one of the most famous episodes of the American Revolution. The significance of the encampment lies both in its fact-based history and also its storied myth.
What happened in the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge?
Winter at Valley Forge In December, 1777, General George Washington moved the Continental Army to their winter quarters at Valley Forge. Though Revolutionary forces had secured a pivotal victory at Saratoga in September and October, Washington’s army suffered defeats at Brandywine, Paoli, and Germantown, Pennsylvania.
What did America realize about the Revolutionary War at Valley Forge?
By the time of Valley Forge, however, most Americans realized that the Revolution would be a long, drawn-out affair. While some refused to accept it, the nature of the war changed in July 1776 when a large contingent of English and Hessian troops reached America’s shores and sought to crush the rebellion.