Last weekend (has it been a week already!) our family decided to take advantage of the nice Indian Summer weather, so we loaded up the bikes and hit the road, headed for Valley Forge, PA. Saturday traffic wasn't too bad. Luckily, when we hit it, we hit it in scenic places, like along the Schuykill River on Boat House Row in Philadelphia. We hit a slow down on I-76 west at one point and I managed to snap a shot of a beautiful church on the north side of the river.
Upon arrival, we visited the Welcome Center and learned about the encampment, the poor conditions the soldiers endured, the things they ate, the recreational activities to which they were limited, and the importance of the encampment at Valley Forge. Entrance to the park and Welcome Center were FREE ... which makes it a great place to take family and friends when you're on a tight entertainment budget. Load up your bicycles like we did ... or rent them next to the Snack Bar in the lower parking lot. One of the more popular bike paths is 6.6 miles and loops around the park. Lots to see on that path - highly recommended!
First stop was at the Muhlenburg Brigade where they have replicas of the wooden huts used by the soldiers (this is where Gen. Peter Muhlenburg anchored the outer line of defense). When Valley Forge became an encampment site, Washington offered monetary incentives to the men who built the first sturdy hut. It kept the men busy, warm, and feeling useful.
Moments later, a gunshot broke the silence and I could see smoke coming from behind the huts. Just around the corner there were two volunteers dressed in period uniform loading and firing their muskets. We'd lucked out by being present for their demonstration! We had no idea that any such thing was happening there that day.
The shot below is along the Outer Line Drive which begins at Muhlenburg Brigade at continues towards the National Memorial Arch. Muhlenburg's was the first unit encamped along the outer line defenses, but there were four others along the outer line of defense. On this open field there used to stand hundreds of wooden huts used by the different brigades.
Then we headed up the hill towards the National Memorial Arch that offers tribute to the members of Washington's Continental Army.
Yes, that's my happy family with their bikes. :)
The words of the inscriptions summarize the thanks and validation we hold for those who served at Valley Forge:
"To the Officers and Private Soldiers of the Continental Army
December 19th, 1777 June 19, 1778
Naked and starving as they are
We cannot enough admire
The incomparable patience and fidelity
Of the soldiery.
Washington at Valley Forge February 19, 1778"
As I walked through the arch, I could see on the hillside in the distance the Washington Memorial Chapel peaking through the autumn-drenched leaves. The interior of this church commemorates George Washington's service to his country.
And then there was the gorgeous view before me with the American flag set against the fall colors and the skies, speckled with white clouds after a storm had passed a day before.
The last thing I remember before heading back to the Welcome Center was the deer that were grazing in a field. It somewhat surprised me that they were out so early (I don't often see deer anywhere until the darker shades of dusk creep in), but I guess when there's no threat of guns or predators, you could come out to eat anytime without being in danger.
It's definitely one of the prettiest autumn trips we've taken so far. Since we only did one trail, we're eager to go back in the Spring and do a different one.
What did we learn about Valley Forge? I learned that while hardship did occur at Valley Forge, the encampment experience could be called "suffering as usual" ... the romanticized version of Valley Forge about which we've been taught (an untrained bunch of starving men strugging through winter's fury in nothing but rags) was not quite the accurate picture it should be. Washington's men were skilled and while the soldiers who entered the camp in December of 1777 were not well-supplied, they were not downtrodden. This has been evidenced by observers who reported to the area's newspapers of the time, such as the New Jersey Gazette. Shortages of clothing did cause severe hardship for a number of men, but many soldiers had a full uniform and the well-equipped units patrolled, foraged, and defended the camp.
In truth, the soldiers who were at Valley Forge arrived with the provisions and monetary support provided by their home state. While the soldiers from CT and RI were the best equipped in the bunch, others such as the NC soldiers had very little and struggled throughout their stay (the troops who came to camp included men from all 13 original states except SC and GA). Disease was the true enemy, killing 2/3 of the 2,000 who perished died during the warmer months of March, April, and May when supplies were abundant (the video there stated that 7 out 10 soldiers at Valley Forge died from diease). In fact, one of the largest achievements of Valley Forge was the successful use of a smallpox innoculation program that limited the death toll tremendously.
The other things I learned were that thousands of enslaved African-Americans joined the Continental Army, serving in integrated regiments, and that two-thirds of the PA troops were foreign-born. ALSO, women followed the army to be with their husbands and actively contribute to the cause. There were hundreds of enlisted mens' wives at Valley Forge as well as officers' wives on extended visits. The army compensated full-time women followers for rendering such services as sewing, laundry, and nursing.
The next time we visit, we will be checking out the Wayne Statue, Washington's Headquarters, Artillery Park, and the Washington Memorial Chapel's interior. Rest assured that I will share it all with you upon our return. :) Hope you enjoyed this essay as much as I enjoyed visiting Valley Forge and sharing it all with you!
Check out my other recent photo essays:
Stroll with Me Through Old New Castle, DE
Our Travels to du Pont's Winterthur
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