Choosing a hotel with historic connections galore, in the town of King of Prussia, on DeKalb Pike, only a few miles from Valley Forge, I perfectly planned our expeditions, that randomized due to misinformation.
On September 11, 1777, the best laid plans of Washington failed at Brandywine due to conflicting reconnaissance reports.
The victorious British army swept through Valley Forge seven days later, damaging resources before moving on to occupy Philadelphia, to the east.
Meanwhile the Continental Congress fled Philadelphia for the west.
HENRY LAURENS TAKES LAFAYETTE TO SAFETY
One of the Congress members, Henry Laurens of South Carolina, left at a more leisurely rate than the others.
Apparently, he even stopped first to pick up the wounded Marquis de Lafayette, who had sustained a severe injury at the Battle of Brandywine.
Taking Lafayette to Bethlehem which was further away from the British, Laurens placed the young general in the care of a Moravian family.
Then Laurens continued to Lancaster, to meet the other members of the Continental Congress.
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS FLEES WEST
When members of the Continental Congress arrived in Lancaster, 70 miles west of Philadelphia, they only lasted one day due to the mass of soldiers and refugees throughout the town.
Pushing west another twenty miles, the Continental Congress reconvened at the quiet little town of York.
With the massive Susquehanna River protecting them from the British, Henry Laurens became the new president of the Continental Congress, which settled down to debate the Articles of Confederation.
(Many thanks to these details from blog reader Stephanie who hails from York!)
{{{Having driven from Virginia, through York, across the mighty Susquehanna River, to Lancaster, to Brandywine, and Valley Forge…all geographical logistics makes complete sense.)
BENEDICT ARNOLD SECURES VICTORY AT SARATOGA
On October 19, news arrived in York that General Benedict Arnold secured victory at Saratoga, resulting in the Continental Army’s first major victory!
For hours, bells rang through York!
While General Burgoyne’s surrender of 6000 troops caught the eye of the French, the Continental Congress set aside a day in December for Thanksgiving and Praise.
CONTINENTAL ARMY SECURE VALLEY FORGE
Meanwhile the Continental Army arrived at Valley Forge for winter quarters, serving as a buffer between the British in Philadelphia and Continental Congress in York.
Strategically, this ideal position yielded an impressive valley that we easily observed as we drove around.
MODERATE WINTER
Although each soldier was provided for from his own state, not all states complied.
The delegates of the Continental Congress could request supplies for the army from each of the states, but they did not have the power to enforce anything.
Thus, many suffered in Valley Forge with few clothes and little food to adequately endure a typical winter.
WASHINGTON’S GUARD PRECURSSOR TO TOMB OF THE UNKOWN SOLDIER
Washington’s Guard lived in these huts, overlooking his headquarters.
Today the tradition continues at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
WASHINGTON’S HEADQUARTERS
General Washington headquartered in a Quaker home, from December 26, 1777 to June 18, 1778.
Joined for winter encampment by his wife, Martha, Washington’s military family and staff also stayed in this house.
Working out of the first floor of the house, the military family included several young men who served as aides-de-camp to General Washington: Lafayette, Alexander Hamilton, and John Laurens (son of Henry Laurens).
GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Further along the driving tour is an equestrian statue of General Anthony Wayne of Pennsylvania, looking towards his home in the distance…
GENERAL BARON VON STEUBON DRILLS THE TROOPS
On February 23, 1778, Baron von Steuben arrived from Europe, having volunteered his services to the American cause.
He had trained in Prussia, under the highly esteemed Frederick the Great.
General von Steuben drilled the American soldiers in European battle technique.
He wrote the military manual, which is still in use in the American military today.
FRENCH AMERICAN ALLIANCE SIGNED
In the spring news arrived that France signed the alliance with America.
The Continental Army marched out of winter camp, newly invigorated with hope.
Today Valley Forge is memorialized in the tradition of Rome with this triumphal arch, styled after that of Titus, dating back to AD 81.
