Where did George Washington’s army spend the difficult winter of 1777–1778?

George Washington’s army spent the difficult winter of 1777–1778 at Valley Forge.

Valley Forge was a Continental Army encampment in Pennsylvania, about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The army arrived in December 1777 after British forces captured Philadelphia and remained until June 1778.

The winter became famous for shortages of food, clothing, shelter, and firewood. Disease and harsh conditions caused many deaths, but the army remained organized rather than disintegrating. The camp’s hardship later became a powerful symbol of endurance during the Revolution.

Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben trained soldiers at Valley Forge and helped standardize drills and discipline. The army that left the camp was better prepared for field operations, including the fighting that followed the British evacuation of Philadelphia.