A couple of miles away from the farm we stopped at the visitor’s center at Valley Forge. As with all the National Parks, they had a film available for us to watch and refresh our memories of the struggles that took place at Valley Forge. Imagine the hardships that occurred at Valley Forge, the encampment was characterized as “suffering as usual”. The misery of the untrained, starving troops, that didn’t have the proper clothing, shoes, rifles and ammunition and deadly diseases. All this took place on a long wet and snowy winter. Then came the knowledge that the British commander Sir William Howe, was about ready to march His Majesty’s finest 17,000 well trained, fed, and outfitted army from Chesapeake Bay were they’ve been encamped for some time. General George Washington’s 12,000 fighters were getting ready by constructing huts, miles of trenches, 5 earthen forts, and a “state-of-the-art bridge over the Schuylkill River” in anticipation of their arrival. When that time came, they were ready and they had a General that would lead with a lot of heart and the trust of men to lead them to a victory. Today the battle field of Valley Forge is covered with mowed grass and walking/biking trails and running in and out a 20mph roadway. On top of all this, are several officer’s quarters and miles and miles of monuments
representing where the many different troop encampments and engagements with the British accorded. Another one of the highlights of our visit was the tour of General George Washington’s Headquarters.
It was the home of the Potts family until it was established that this conflict would take place at Valley Forge. At that time the family opened their doors and offered their home to General Washington for use as the “Headquarters” and focal point for most of the camp activities. Our stay at Valley Forge will stay with both of us for a good long time. The high and lows that George Washington and Sir William Howe troops went through, the sickness and killings through the battle, still hit home with us today. Soon we’ll be off to visit another battle field…we’ve got to remember whether we like it or not.