Highlights

Washington's Continental Army encamped at Valley Forge from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778
Troops suffered severe shortages of food, clothing, and adequate shelter throughout the winter
Approximately 2,500 soldiers out of 12,000 died, primarily from disease and exposure
Baron Friedrich von Steuben drilled and transformed the army into a disciplined professional fighting force
Washington's steadfast leadership proved critical in holding the army together during the crisis

Valley Forge, located in Pennsylvania roughly 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia, became the winter encampment for General George Washington's Continental Army following a difficult autumn campaign season. The British occupation of Philadelphia had deprived the Americans of a key supply hub, and the encampment suffered from chronic shortages of provisions, warm clothing, and proper shelter. Soldiers constructed crude log huts against the bitter cold, and many went without adequate food or shoes for extended periods. Disease, including typhus and dysentery, spread rapidly through the crowded and unsanitary conditions, ultimately claiming the lives of nearly 2,500 men.

Despite the hardships, Valley Forge proved to be a pivotal turning point in the Revolutionary War. Prussian military officer Baron Friedrich von Steuben arrived in February 1778 and implemented rigorous training programs, instilling discipline, proper drilling techniques, and battlefield maneuvers into the ranks. Washington's personal resolve and visible presence among his suffering troops maintained morale and prevented mass desertion. By the time the army departed in June 1778, it had emerged as a far more capable and professional military force, better equipped to challenge the British Army in the campaigns that followed.