Valley Forge: Would You Have Quit?

Valley Forge: Would You Have Quit?

Winter strikes Valley Forge Gravely. In 1777, George Washington’s troops settle at Valley Forge in attempts to gain an edge against the British over the chilling winter. The wintertide brought terrible conditions to the military camp which included freezing, starvation, disease, and death. In fact, there were 6,887 soldiers who had disease from December-February. Under all these harsh conditions, how could one sustain enough determination to stay at Valley Forge? Even though the odds were stacked against surviving, support from congress, raw motivation, and sheer willpower makes the winter at Valley Forge that much bearable.

The winter was bitter and cold, the army “now begins to grow sickly from the continued fatigues they have suffered this campaign” (Doc C). All hope started to wane until the Congressional Committee came to aid the soldiers in their effort during the winter. They would stay several weeks and proved helpful in getting more food and clothing to the soldiers (Doc B). Having the Committee assist the soldiers also brought hope and moral support to Valley Forge. The soldiers’ were grateful that their effort had not gone unnoticed therefore allowing them to push forward.

Another reason for keeping the effort going at Valley Forge was the inspiring words of Thomas Paine. He states, “The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserve the love and thanks of man and woman” ( Doc D). Paine praised the acts of refraining the summer soldier, he aspired men to be America’s