In the America250 story, Washington’s army endured the winter of 1777–1778 at Valley Forge.
Valley Forge was a Continental Army encampment in Pennsylvania, about 18 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The army arrived in December 1777 after British forces captured Philadelphia and remained until June 1778. The site provided a defensible position near the British-occupied city.
The winter was difficult because of shortages of food, clothing, shelter, and other supplies. More than 2,000 soldiers died from disease and malnutrition during the encampment, according to commonly cited historical estimates. The hardship did not result in a major battle at Valley Forge; it was a training and reorganization period.
Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben arrived during the winter and helped train the troops in standardized drills and battlefield procedures. Valley Forge therefore became associated not only with suffering but also with improved discipline and military effectiveness. The army left in June 1778 and later fought the British at Monmouth.