Winter Encampments

1
Winter Encampments

• Valley Forge, PA and Jockey Hollow, NJ

2
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.

3
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.

4
First Winter at Morristown 1776-1777

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

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First Winter at Morristown 1776-1777
6
First Winter at Morristown 1776-1777
7
First Winter at Morristown 1776-1777
8
First Winter at Morristown 1776-1777
9
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

10
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

11
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,

12
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