Valley Forge

Warm Up Question How would you survive a winter, in the wilderness, without shoes, shirts, blankets, food etc.., for 3 months? Why has confidence in Washington’s leadership ability dwindled? If you were in Congress, would you remove Washington as commander in chief? Why or why not?

The Winter “…you might have tracked the army from White Marsh to Valley Forge by the blood of their feet.” George Washington Camped here from 12/19/1777-6/19/ ,000 troops The bulk of the Continental Army

Winter Cont… Suffering was unimaginable Poorly clothed (freezing to death) Barley housed (wooden shacks) Starvation (ate Fire Cakes) Disease (many suffered and died) “We want meat! We want meat!” Supply system collapsed Washington angry at Congress Not doing enough to help the army

Winter cont… Winter dragged on Many officers resigned Soldiers deserted the camps Things not looking good at all!! Yet, the army survived Supply system was fixed by Nathanael Greene France now entered the war New men and fresh supplies Well-trained officers

Quarters at Valley Forge

Winter at Valley Forge

Washington’s Quarters

Good came from the Bad Army banned together Those who survived became a band of brothers Fought not only for America, but for each other Weather finally broke: training began Vigorous, systematic training Transformed amateur troops into a confident, military organization Able to beat the red coats in an open field battle Thanks to Baron von Steuben

Baron von Steuben Prussian soldier; volunteered services Highly recommended by Ben Franklin Feb 23, 1777 arrived at Valley Forge Did not speak English Yelled and cursed at soldiers in German and French Recruited a captain (who spoke French) to yell at the men in English Chose a “model company” Trained 100 men, who in turn trained brigades

Baron cont… Trained in full, military dress: Why? Soldiers barely had any clothes: tattered rags Progressive training for new recruits Would not be allowed to train with weapons Worked them until they were ready for combat Valley Forge became a rallying point for Washington’s army BUT… Washington faced internal problems

The Baron

Steuben and Washington

Steuben Training the Men

Conway Cabal Plan Cabal is a plot or a plan First conspiracy in American history Attempted to ruin Washington, and make Horatio Gates new commander-in-chief The conspirators: Horatio “Granny” Gates (General) Benjamin Rush (father of American medicine) Thomas Conway (foreign officer in Wash. Army) Members of Congress (played a minimal role Sam Adams Thomas Mifflin Richard Henry Lee

The Conspirators

Thomas Conway

Horatio “Granny” Gates

Dr. Benjamin Rush

Samuel Adams

Thomas Mifflin

Richard Henry Lee

Conway Plan cont… All these men had problems with Washington’s leadership Sent letters calling him “weak” His battlefield performance was poor Handled his men in an unprofessional manner Rush wrote a letter to Patrick Henry Ripped Washington and recommended Gates “The northern army has shown us what Americans are capable of doing with a GENERAL at their hand!”

Conway Plan cont… John Adams, Rush’s best friend, agreed “I am sick of overall cautious systems in all quarters.” Conway attacked Washington’s reputation “As for his talents for command of an army, they were miserable indeed.” He is a “weak General.” Wrote letters asking for his own promotion

Conway Plan cont… A lot of anti-Washington chatter in Congress “The people of America have been guilty of making a man a God.” The plan collapsed Jan 19, 1777 Congress reviewed the matter Gates and Conway looked like fools Letters of support for Washington (from his army) poured into Congress Forced Congress to back Washington--he stays in charge Conway challenged to a duel for Washington’s honor by General John Cadwalader Was shot in the mouth “I stopped his lying mouth!!” Thought he was dying; wrote an apology to Washington, but cont.. To talk behind Washington’s back