United States History Student Edition

The War Continues 07

Valley Forge GUIDING QUESTION How was America helped by its allies?

READING STRATEGY Analyzing Key Ideas and Details Read closely to determine any individuals who aided the Patriot effort during the American Revolution. List their names in a diagram like this one. Which countries were these individuals from?

In 1778, news traveled slowly across the Atlantic, so people in the United States did not learn of the new French-American alliance until the spring. Meanwhile, British General Howe and his forces spent the winter in comfort in Philadelphia. Washington set up camp at Valley Forge, about 20 miles (32 km) to the west, where he and his troops suffered through a terrible winter. They lacked decent food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. Washington’s greatest challenge at Valley Forge was keeping the Continental Army together. A Hard Winter That winter at Valley Forge, snowstorms and damaged roads slowed delivery of supplies. The Continental Army built huts and gathered supplies from the countryside. Several volunteers—including Washington’s wife, Martha—made clothes for the troops and cared for the sick. Joseph Plumb Martin, a young soldier from Connecticut, spent the winter at Valley Forge. “We had hard duty to perform,” he wrote years later, “and little or no strength to perform it with.” Most of the men lacked blankets, shoes, and shirts. Martin made a pair of rough shoes for himself out of a scrap of cowhide, which hurt his feet.

Sources of Aid to the Patriots

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

• SS.8.A.3.4 • SS.8.A.3.6 • SS.8.A.3.8 • SS.8.CG.1.1 • SS.8.CG.2.3 • SS.8.E.1.1 • SS.8.G.1.1 • SS.8.G.2.3 • ELA.K12.EE.4.1 • ELA.K12.EE.5.1

Washington and the Continental Army lived through a terrible winter at Valley Forge, as shown in this painting from the mid-1800s. Analyzing How does the artist portray the conditions at Valley Forge? What do you think the portrayal of George Washington reveals about his leadership?

PHOTO: Bettmann/Getty Images; TEXT: Martin, Joseph Plumb. A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier. Hallowell, Maine: Glazier, Masters & Co, 1830.

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