Winter Encampments

Valley Forge, PA and Jockey Hollow, NJ

First Winter at Morristown – 1776-1777

• After his successful operations in 1776-1777 and the defeat of the British at Trenton and Princeton, General George Washington chose Morristown, New Jersey for his winter encampment.

Why Morristown?

• For strategic reasons it was ideal– He was 31 miles from New York

City, hence would have adequate time to defend against a British move against either the Hudson Highlands, or against Philadelphia.

– At the same time he was protected from an attack by the Watchung Mountains and swamplands to the east, and the Ramapo Hills which ran north to join the Hudson Highlands.

First Winter at Morristown – 1776-1777

• During.the Revolutionary War period there were very few roads and the country side was densely wooded, making the few existing passes very defensible.

First Winter at Morristown – 1776-1777

First Winter at Morristown – 1776-1777

First Winter at Morristown – 1776-1777

First Winter at Morristown – 1776-1777

The Winter at Valley Forge

• Entry of France and Spain came at a critical time– Continental Army

running low on supplies.

– Suffered food and clothing shortages

• 1/5 of soldiers at Valley Forge died of disease and malnutrition

The Winter at Valley Forge• Housing

– 2,000 dirt-floored, drafty wooden huts lined up in streets like a village

• Soldiers– Blood stained ground– Some had no shoes– Toes left bloody tracks– Suffering from Hunger

• Weather– A terrible winter– Over 6 feet of snow

• Disease– About 2,000 Men died

The Winter at Valley Forge

• Patriot troops were growing frustrated.– “No pay, no clothes, no

provisions.”• Many soldiers deserted the

army during the Winter• Conditions did improve

throughout the winter– Supplies came from other

countries– Martha Washington and other

Patriot Women made clothes and food for the soldiers.

• “The army grows stronger every day,”

Fredrich von Steuben

• Former German Office– Came to help

Washington– Drilled the Patriot

troops during the Winter at Valley Forge

– Taught Military discipline

• He turned the ragged Continental Army into a more effective fighting force