Valley Forge

. . .their marches might be traced by the blood from their feet ~ George Washington

The March to Valley Forge by William B. Trego

a bad year for George

George Washington had repaired his reputation with the successes at Trenton and Princeton. Then came the long sojourn at Morristown in the winter of 1776-77 and the fortunes of the Americans began to slide. Washington was still in Morristown on July 5, 1777 when St. Clair surrendered the fort at Ticonderoga to the British. While the eastern army had made their retreat south from Ticonderoga to Saratoga, Washington's main focus had been his unsuccessful attempt to defend the nation's capitol at Philadelphia.

Then there was the trouble with one of his best generals. Benedict Arnold, snubbed once again for promotion, resigned on July 11. Though Washington once again convinced him to stay, the long list of insults inflicted on Arnold by the Continental Congress would eventually have near disastrous consequences.

The defeat at Germantown and the loss of three forts, Mifflin, Montgomery and Clinton, only added to George's woes. The stunning successes at Bennington, Fort Stanwyx and Saratoga had General Horatio Gates riding high, even campaigning to replace George for the top spot. Poor George had lost three important battles and had failed to defend his nation's capital. Now, he and his troops were facing yet another long, cold, dismal winter.

the winter at Valley Forge

By the time the Continental Army straggled into Valley Forge on December 19, 1777, the men were suffering not just from the freezing weather but also from hunger, fatigue and low morale. George Washington later wrote of the march into Valley Forge:

To see men without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lay on, without shoes by which their marches might be traced by the blood from their feet, and almost as often without provisions as with; marching through frost and snow and at Christmas taking up their winter quarters within a day's march of the enemy, without a house or hut to cover them till they could be built, and submitting to it without a murmur is a mark of patience and obedience which in my opinion can scarce be paralleled.

Washington described Valley Forge as "a dreary kind of place and uncomfortably provided." Washington may have felt he was "uncomfortably provided" but at least he wasn't out in the elements like the common troops. During his stay at Valley Forge, the commander in chief rented the very serviceable Potts house:

Washington's troops, on the other hand, were out in the freezing weather until they could build themselves huts to stave off at least some of the cold. According to Wikipedia, "[t]he Valley Forge encampment became the Continental Army's first large-scale construction of living quarters." No accurate account exists for the number of log huts built but experts estimate a range between 1,300 and 1,600 structures. While there are "no known contemporary images of the Valley Forge cantonment" below is a approximation of what the huts probably looked like:

In the winter of 1777-78, the Continental Army was woefully short of the provisions that would enable them to survive the winter. According to Martha K. Robinson, associate professor of history at Clarion University, "[t]he army’s supply of basic necessities, like food and clothing, ran perpetually short; coupled with the wintertime cold, and the diseases that ran rampant through the camp, this lack of provisions created the infamously miserable conditions at Valley Forge."

Though Washington continued to plead with the Continental Congress for supplies, he finally resorted to "foraging missions to procure what provisions could be found in the surrounding countryside." The only bright spot was Washington himself. His "steady leadership. . .likely accounted for the fact that there was a never a mass desertion or mutiny at Valley Forge."

from a soldier's point of view

One member of Washington's Continental Army, Doctor Albigence Waldo, kept a dairy of his time in the army. Below are his strangely poetic impressions of the army's arrival at Valley Forge:

Dec 11, 1777 ~ I am prodigious Sick and cannot get anything comfortable - what in the name of Providence am I to do with a fit of Sickness in this place where nothing appears pleasing to the Sicken'd Eye and nausiating Stomach.

December 12 ~ A Bridge of Waggons made accross the Schuylkill last Night consisting of 36 waggons, with a bridge of Rails between them each. Some skirmishing over the River. Militia and dragoons brought into Camp several Prisoners. Sun Set—We were order'd to march over the River—It snows—I'm Sick—eat nothing—No Whiskey—No Forage—Lord—Lord—Lord. The Army were 'till Sun Rise crossing the River—some at the Waggon Bridge and some at the Raft Bridge below. Cold and uncomfortable.

December 13 ~ The Army march'd three miles from the West side of the River and encamp'd near a place call'd the Gulph and not an improper name neither, for this Gulph seems well adapted by its situation to keep us from the pleasures and enjoyments of this World, or being conversant with anybody in it.

Dec 14 ~ Prisoners and Deserters are continually coming in. The Army which has been surprisingly healthy hitherto, now begins to grow sickly from the continued fatigues they have suffered this Campaign. Yet they still show a spirit of Alacrity and Contentment not to be expected from so young Troops. I am Sick - discontented - and out of humour. Poor food - hard lodging - Cold Weather - fatigue - Nasty Cloaths - nasty Cookery - Vomit half my time - smoak'd out my senses - the Devil's in't - I can't Endure it - Why are we sent here to starve and Freeze - What sweet Felicities have I left at home; A charming Wife - pretty Children - Good Beds - good food - good Cookery - all aggreable - all harmonious. Hear all Confusion - smoke and Cold - hunger and filthyness - A pox on my bad luck. There comes a bowl of beef soup - full of burnt leaves and dirt, sickish enough to make a Hector spue - away with it Boys. . .There comes a Soldier, his bare feet are seen thro' his worn out Shoes, his legs nearly naked from the tatter'd remains of an only pair of stockings, his Breeches not sufficient to cover his nakedness, his Shirt hanging in Strings, his hair dishevell'd, his face meagre; his whole appearance pictures a person forsaken and discouraged. He comes, and crys with an air of wretchedness and despair, I am Sick, my feet lame, my legs are sore, my body cover'd with this tormenting Itch - my Cloaths are worn out, my Constitution is broken, my former Activity is exhausted by fatigue, hunger and Cold, I fail fast I shall soon be no more!

Dec 15 ~ Quiet. Eat Pessimmens, found myself better for their Lenient Opperation. Went to a house, poor and small, but good food within—eat too much from being so long Abstemious, thro' want of palatables. Mankind are never truly thankfull for the Benefits of life, until they have experienc'd the want of them. The Man who has seen misery knows best how to enjoy good. He who is always at ease and has enough of the Blessings of common life is an Impotent Judge of the feelings of the unfortunate....

Dec 16 ~ Cold Rainy Day, Baggage ordered over the Gulph of our Division, which were to march at Ten, but the baggage was order'd back and for the first time since we have been here the Tents were pitch'd, to keep the men more comfortable. Good morning Brother Soldier (says one to another) how are you? All wet I thank'e, hope you are so (says the other). The Enemy have been at Chestnut Hill Opposite to us near our last encampment the other side Schuylkill, made some Ravages, kill'd two of our Horsemen, taken some prisoners. We have done the like by them....

December 18 ~ Universal Thanksgiving—a Roasted pig at Night. God be thanked for my health which I have pretty well recovered. How much better should I feel, were I assured my family were in health. But the same good Being who graciously preserves me, is able to preserve them and bring me to the ardently wish'd for enjoyment of them again. . .

December 21 ~ [At Valley Forge] Preparations are made for huts. Provisions Scarce. Mr. Ellis went homeward—sent a Letter to my Wife. Heartily wish myself at home, my Skin and eyes are almost spoil'd with continual smoke. A general cry thro' the Camp this Evening among the Soldiers, "No Meat! No Meat!"—the Distant vales Echo'd back the melancholy sound—"No Meat! No Meat!" Immitating the noise of Crows and Owls, also, made a part of confused Musick. What have you for your dinner boys? "Nothing but Fire Cake and Water, Sir." At night, "Gentlemen the Supper is ready." What is your Supper Lads? "Fire Cake and Water, Sir." Very poor beef has been drawn in our Camp the greater part of this season. A Butcher bringing a Quarter of this kind of Beef into Camp one day who had white Buttons on the knees of his breeches, a Soldier cries out—"There, there Tom is some more of your fat Beef, by my soul I can see the Butcher's breeches buttons through it."

December 22 ~ Lay excessive Cold and uncomfortable last Night—my eyes started out from their Orbits like a Rabbit's eyes, occasion'd by a great Cold and Smoke. Our Division are under Marching Orders this morning. I am ashamed to say it, but I am tempted to steal Fowls if I could find them, or even a whole Hog, for I feel as if I could eat one. But the Impoverish'd Country about us, affords but little matter to employ a Thief, or keep a Clever Fellow in good humour. But why do I talk of hunger and hard usage, when so many in the World have not even fire Cake and Water to eat. . .It is not in the power of Philosophy. . .to convince a man he may be happy and Contented if he will, with a Hungry Belly. Give me Food, Cloaths, Wife and Children, kind Heaven! and I'll be as contented as my Nature will permit me to be. . .

Cousin Paul Brigham at Valley Forge

One of my favorite cousins, Jeduthan Baldwin (3C7X), wasn't the only journal keeping member of the family. Paul Brigham (5C9X) was born in Coventry, Connecticut. According to Wikipedia, he "served from January 1777 to April 1781 as a captain in the Connecticut Militia. . .He was a company commander of Continental troops under the command of General George Washington and was stationed in Valley Forge during the winter of 1777."

Below is a picture of Cousin Paul:

When Paul joined the army, he left his wife Lydia with three children ranging in age from eight years to three months. Another daughter was born in October of 1778, proving he had at least one trip home in his early years of service. He was evidently "a man of some means." According to an article about Paul edited by Edward A. Hoyt "[i]n spite of having a family to support at home he could take quarters at an inn outside of camp whenever he desired."

Cousin Paul was the commanding officer of the fifth company of the eighth regiment. He had been stationed for the summer of 1777 near Peekskill defending that area from attack. After Washington's defeat at Brandywine, Paul's company was ordered to join the main army near Philadelphia where they took part in the unsuccessful Battle of Germantown. As Washington's army retreated ever further into New Jersey and finally into Pennsylvania, Paul and his men were in the thick of the action with the failed defense of Fort Mifflin and then the sixteen mile march to Valley Forge.

During the course of his service, Cousin Paul kept a diary which has been described as a "document unbound, sewn booklet, some pages lost or destroyed." Below are some of his entries beginning in November of 1777 as Washington's army prepared to hunker down for the winter. The journal gives us a small window into the lives of the men on their march to Valley Forge with the British on their heels. As an officer, however, Paul's woes cannot begin to compare with those of the enlisted men like Albigence Waldo.

On ye morning of 25th (of November): Very Pleasent for the Time of year our Boys Bought a Chease. . . I went out of Town to an old Hermit that Lived 24 years in the woods. . .his Beard was about 4 Inches Long and Somewhat Gray as he was 64 years old. . .about Sundown our Briggade was ordered to march. . .this night I Lay cold

On ye. . .26th. . .I went on ye Provost Guard and had the care of 20 Prisoners

On ye 28th marched to Burlinton (Burlington, NJ) and Crossed ye River (Delaware). . .Tarried with my Guard our Troops ware in ye woods without any Tents and it was a Stormy night with hail and Rain Exceding Bad for ye Poor men

on ye 29th. . .I heard this Evening that the Enemy had Got within 3 miles of Burlington and our Bagage had not Got over (the river)

On ye 5th (of December) about 4 o'Clock the whole Camp was Alarm'd and Regi't out. . .the alarm Continued all Day. . .som Scarmishing happeed this day Very Cold and Tedious it was

Note: This was the "skirmishing" that preceded the battle at Whitemarsh that happened on on December 7, 1777. Unfortunately, that page is torn out of Paul's diary.

Expected to come to a General Action Early on ye morn of ye 8th But ye Day Passed until Evening and no action

on the 9th it was Reported that ye Enemy was Gone into philadelphia

on ye 11th was up at 3 oClock and a Cold morning it was the whole army was on ye move this morning and part of our army crossed Schuyllikill (Schuylkill River) and found ye Enemy there and we Could not Pass. Some of ye Meletia that had Got acrost ware made Prisoners. I and my Company had nothing But ye heavens for our Covering this Cold freezing night

wensday 17th wet and Bad for ye men Las night Some have fits and Some Chalices Lying on ye wet Ground

On ye 18th Being the continental Thanksgiveing Lay Still and Did not march. . .I kept Thanksgiveing without Eateing any Bread all Day our Beaf was Poor and no Sauce. . .

Note: Both Paul and Albigence mentioned Thanksgiving on the 18th of December. At some point, The date had obviously been moved up a few weeks into November.

On ye 19th. . .about 9 o'Clo marched Through ye mud 5 or 6 miles and Piched our Tents

on ye 22th Still Continue'd not well the Doc'r advise'd me to Go out of Camp to See if I could not [Recrute?} my health

On Tuesday 23d I took a Vommit which made me Sick Enough

On ye 25th Clouday and Cold Chrismas we have This Day Cannon ware heard This Morning

Most of Paul's posts for the next two weeks are about the dismal weather. Then on the 5th of January, he began work building himself a hut.

on y 12th I aplied for a furrow (furlough) and was Denied [had] a Serge's whipped one hundred Lashes on ye Naked Back

On the 16th Last night was Cold Serg't Mitchell Came out of Philedelphia and Inform'd that our Prisoners Suffered Very much

On January 18th, Paul finally obtained his furlough. He traveled for nine days and on the 27th arrived at his home in Hartford. He had a nice long visit at home and on the 3rd of March, set out again back to camp. The weather remained very cold during his trip. He arrived at Valley Forge on the 13th of March. Most of his entries for the next few weeks involve the cold weather.

on ye 8th (of April) I was officer of the day. . .I found a Number Sick in the Rhode iland Hos (Hospital)

Sunday 17th: the Chief new (news) for Some Day has Ben about the Enemy Leaving Philadelphia

In two months time, the British did indeed decide that staying in Pennsylvania was doing them no good. On the 18th of June, they left Philadelphia and went back to New York City. The very next day, the Americans left Valley Forge behind and followed their leader George on to their next adventure. New York, however, would not continue to be the scene of action in the war. In six months time, the British would shift their focus to the southern states. It was there that the war would be won or lost.

our relatives at Valley Forge

Our relatives who suffered with Washington at Valley Forge were most likely part of Washington's Continental Army with enlistment terms of three years. We've mentioned many of them in previous posts.

In December of 1776, one of our southern relatives, David Poythress (3C6X), enlisted in the Continental army for a three year stint. He served in the 15th Virginia Regiment of Foot (infantry). In early 1778, The 15th marched north to join General Washington for the battles at both Brandywine and Germantown in Pennsylvania. In September, 1778, shortly before the Germantown debacle, David became ill. Though he stayed with the army, even spending the miserable winter at Valley Forge, he never recovered from his ailment.  David died at Valley Forge on May 11, 1778.

Another Poythress who served with Washington at Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth was Kirby, who enlisted for three years in the 15th Virginia Regiment of Foot (Infantry). His service began in February 1778. Later, Kirby was at the Siege of Yorktown, Virginia until the surrender of British General Cornwallis on October 19, 1781.

Below is a monument for the Massachusetts officers who served under Washington at Valley Forge. Even though it appears that our cousin Noah Moulton Littlefield (3C9X) was always a resident of Wells, Maine, his name appears on the back of the Massachusetts monument. Cousin Noah was a lieutenant colonel when he served at Valley Forge.

On a portion of the plaque shown below, Noah's name is the second one on the rights side:

Other relatives at Valley Forge:

Joseph Baldwin (3C6X) Townsend

Samuel Ballard (2C7X) Lancaster

Nathan Crosby (3C10X) Yarmouth

John Greenleaf (5C7X) Hingham, reported deserted

Moses Greenleaf (5C6X) Newburyport

William Greenleaf (4C7X) Haverhill

Moses Greenleaf (5C6X) Newburyport

John Littlefield (4C8X) Wells. ME

Ebenezer Richardson (3C7X) Townsend

James Richardson (5C6X) Danvers He was reported sick at Valley Forge

John Wyman (5C6X) Lunenburg, Drummer, Reported sick Valley Forge

Seth Wyman (4C7X) Woburn

William Wyman (5C6X) Lunenburg

The two below are probably related to us but I can't place them with families

Michael Crosby, Newburyport

Joseph Richardson

The single high spot in that long, dark winter was the signing of the French Alliance in February 1778 which brought in much needed aid for the Americans. The victories at Bennington and Saratoga had swayed the French onto the American side.