Philadelphia was lost and George Washington’s army could not replicate the successes of Horatio Gates. Instead his army had suffered disastrous defeats at Brandywine and Germantown and settled down in winter quarters at Valley Forge on December 19, 1777.
His army of 12,500 men began tearing down the once verdant forest to use for fuel, shelter and for defensive works. The area was relatively secure and with the British army pulling back into Philadelphia for the winter he was left unmolested. The first huts appeared within 3 days and thousands of trees were felled and dragged for miles sometimes. Only one third of Washington’s men had shoes and bloody footprints were everywhere. All of the huts were completed by February but no other shortcomings were addressed.
Food supplies were low and Washington’s men scoured the countryside. Washington appointed his ablest subordinate Nathanael Greene as quartermaster and his men hauled in food for the soldiers and for the animals. Clothing and blankets were scarce and 2,50 0 men died of exposure and disease which ran rampant and was exacerbated by malnutrition and exposure.
The Continental Congress was unable to provide for the army and did not believe the situation was as bad as reported. That was until five members toured the encampment in January. With their eyes opened the supplies began to flow by the end of February.
As the weather improved improving the morale and efficiency of the army became the main concern. An effective training program was begun by Baron Friedrich von Steuben who had recently arrived from Europe and pledged support to the Colonial cause. He set to work drilling the army and improved their techniques and formations with the goal of working as one skilled army. He developed training manuals for the army and drill was done with the help of a translator as he spoke almost no English. Morale improved and was bolstered when news of France joining the war was announced.
The army left Valley Forge a new army. It was now a disciplined fighting force capable of challenging the British army. The British army evacuated Philadelphia and began heading back to New York City. Washington followed eager to try out his new army and would get his chance at Monmouth.
Much of the encampment site is preserved as a part of Valley Forge National Historic Site.