Thread by @TaraRoss

This week in #history (1777) George Washington’s army marches into Valley Forge. When you think of Valley Forge, you probably think of half-clothed & starving men, suffering through a long winter, barely surviving.

But Valley Forge was so much more than that. /1 of X #American

For one thing, the mood in Valley Forge was significantly better than you might imagine. Yes, some men were not well-clothed and suffered hardships accordingly. But . . . . /2 of X #American #history #freedom

But the men who were more fully outfitted took the difficult outdoor tasks. And everyone pitched in, finding supplies in the area around them. Did you know that they built a small city of huts to house themselves? /3 of X #American #history #freedom

The National Park Service website describes the scene: “The sound that would have reached your ears on approaching the camp was not that of a forlorn howling wind, but rather that of hammers, axes, saws, and shovels at work.” /4 of X #American #history #freedom

Yes! The men were self-sufficient! And determined! THIS is the ethic that our country was founded upon.

Other good things happened at Valley Forge, too. /5 of X #American #history #freedom

Washington used the time to do two things: First, he used the long months to better train his men. Baron Von Steuben, a Prussian, arrived in February 1778. He ran training drills and generally helped the men to evolve into a more professional army. /6 of X #American #history

Second, Washington used the time to reestablish his credibility with Congress. (His credibility was suffering after a few recent losses and A LOT of bad-mouthing.) /7 of X #American #history #freedom

In late January, a five-member delegation from Congress came to visit the army. Washington won this delegation over; the members of that committee became his allies and helped him to implement some of the reforms that he wanted. /8 of X #American #history

Yes, the winter was long in many respects. Many men died from the flu, typhus, and other diseases. Yet, at the same time, the army improved. It emerged from its winter encampment better able to take on the British. /9 of X #American #history

One final note: Did you know that George Washington literally never returned home from 1775 all the way until 1781? /10 of X #American #history #freedom

Throughout his life, Mount Vernon was the single most important possession that he owned. Yet for all the years of the Revolution, he did not return to his home. In 1777, this meant that he joined his men in a difficult winter encampment just outside Philadelphia. /11 of X

Valley Forge is often painted as a time of despair—a low point—in our country’s history. Such a picture covers up the more inspiring story of what really happened there that winter. /12 of X #American #history #freedom #ValleyForge #GeorgeWashington

If you enjoyed this story, I'd appreciate a retweet of the first tweet in this string. Gentle reminder: History stories are copyright © 2013-2022 by Tara Ross. /13 of 13
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