Through My Eyes: Valley Forge

This will end, I tell you! Here’s everywhere we went, and I’ll do one post for each place I haven’t done yet.

Booker T. Washington
Antietam
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Valley Forge
The A’s (Friends [: )
Da Zoo!
Two Days of D.C… that might have to be two posts

So you see, I’m halfway done! Yay! Haha :)

ANYWAY, On Friday, went to Valley Forge. Some background information (taken from the park pamphlet):

“Ask someone to think of Valley Forge and they will nearly always envision an anonymous group of soldiers struggling against winter’s fury and clothed in nothing but rags. Certainly hardship did occur at Valley Forge, but the encampment experience could be characterized as “suffering as usual,” for privation was the Continental soldier’s constant companion. The reason many Americans picture Valley Forge as the pinnacle of misery is that this early and romanticized version of the encampment story became and important parable to teach us about American perseverance. The portrayal of starving troops, however, has kept us from getting to know the people of the Continental Army—who they were, why they joined the army, and what they accomplished at Valley Forge.”

Click here for more info :)

When we arrived at Valley Forge, we watched a short video to give us some background information. Then we went on a walking tour to the site of the cabins the men built. The actual cabins were torn down after the soldiers left, but there were reproductions at the site.

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Doesn’t look too comfortable if you ask me.

These men told us about what it was like to be a soldier and told us how the guns worked.

After the tour was over, we went back to the visitor’s center, where there was a long divider with tons of information on it. It was very helpful. Here’s some more info from it:

“Contrary to popular belief, Valley Forge was not the coldest winter encampment during the American War for Independence. However, a lack of provisions and suitable clothing caused the soldiers hardship. In letters to the Continental Congress, General Washington would somewhat exaggerate the suffering of the army in order to spur some action. The Continental Army matured at Valley Forge. Training under Baron von Steuben went far in creating a unified force. The Alliance with France provided much needed supplies and international recognition. The army would have to endure another five years before the war finally ended.” Joel picked Mr. von Steuben’s nose. How rude.