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Threshold to Valley Forge: The Six Days of the Gulph Mills Encampment
“Threshold to Valley Forge adds an important, untold chapter to Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary War history. Through extensive research, Vance illuminates how six days in Gulph Mills shaped the Continental Army’s path to Valley Forge, while highlighting the complex challenges faced by Pennsylvanians during this pivotal time.” —The Honorable Robert P. Casey, Jr., United States Senator for Pennsylvania
When George Washington and the Continental Army marched into Gulph Mills in December 1777, they were “uncheered by any recent triumph.” Washington’s army had lost at Brandywine, at Germantown, and at Paoli and the British had captured Philadelphia, the largest city in the American colonies. Even worse, the Continental Congress had recently visited the patriot camp in Whitemarsh to inspect Washington’s work, questioning if he was the right man to lead the Continental Army. Members of the Continental Congress and local legislators pushed for one more battle with the British before going into winter quarters, but the soldiers and generals were in no condition to engage the enemy. The army was bruised, famished, and despondent. At the same time, the new nation was trying to secure its existence. The states began debating whether to adopt the Articles of Confederation that the Continental Congress had passed in the previous month. Benjamin Franklin and the members of the American Commission were in France, lobbying the King Louis XVI and his government to officially support the United States.
From December 12–19, 1777, Washington’s Army encamped in the towering hills of Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania, fifteen miles from Philadelphia. Known as the Threshold to Valley Forge, the Gulph Mills Encampment is often forgotten or minimized, falling as it did between the more famous military engagements of the Philadelphia Campaign and the well-known experience of the army at Valley Forge. Yet, the Gulph Mills Encampment was a significant microcosm of the Revolutionary War. It included encounters with the British and the local community; little food, clothing, and shelter for the troops; the celebration of the new nation’s first Thanksgiving, and tough decisions by Washington, including his momentous decision to make Valley Forge the army’s winter quarters. Based largely on writings and documents from soldiers, generals, local residents, the Continental Congress, the British Army, and others, this book reveals the fascinating details of George Washington’s and the Continental Army’s last stand before and as they moved into winter quarters at Valley Forge.
When George Washington and the Continental Army marched into Gulph Mills in December 1777, they were “uncheered by any recent triumph.” Washington’s army had lost at Brandywine, at Germantown, and at Paoli and the British had captured Philadelphia, the largest city in the American colonies. Even worse, the Continental Congress had recently visited the patriot camp in Whitemarsh to inspect Washington’s work, questioning if he was the right man to lead the Continental Army. Members of the Continental Congress and local legislators pushed for one more battle with the British before going into winter quarters, but the soldiers and generals were in no condition to engage the enemy. The army was bruised, famished, and despondent. At the same time, the new nation was trying to secure its existence. The states began debating whether to adopt the Articles of Confederation that the Continental Congress had passed in the previous month. Benjamin Franklin and the members of the American Commission were in France, lobbying the King Louis XVI and his government to officially support the United States.
From December 12–19, 1777, Washington’s Army encamped in the towering hills of Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania, fifteen miles from Philadelphia. Known as the Threshold to Valley Forge, the Gulph Mills Encampment is often forgotten or minimized, falling as it did between the more famous military engagements of the Philadelphia Campaign and the well-known experience of the army at Valley Forge. Yet, the Gulph Mills Encampment was a significant microcosm of the Revolutionary War. It included encounters with the British and the local community; little food, clothing, and shelter for the troops; the celebration of the new nation’s first Thanksgiving, and tough decisions by Washington, including his momentous decision to make Valley Forge the army’s winter quarters. Based largely on writings and documents from soldiers, generals, local residents, the Continental Congress, the British Army, and others, this book reveals the fascinating details of George Washington’s and the Continental Army’s last stand before and as they moved into winter quarters at Valley Forge.
224 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 23, 2026
I picked this up at my local library, which is located in Lower Merion, PA. The events covered all happened in places I am in constantly, including my own yard, our local neighborhood, my commute to work, and my workplace. The book is an exhaustively researched account of about two weeks of events experienced by the Continental Army. All the events took place in or near Lower and Upper Merion, PA. Pros: Ms. Vance appears to have read every single scrap of text ever written, by anybody, about the Gulph Mills encampment. It's truly astonishing to behold. Her writing style uses extensive quotations from original sources. Very little summarization or omission. If you are curious about how the revolution played out day to day, this is for you. Cons: that same style can be confusing. Several incidents are described by different people at different points in the book, without any attempt to acknowledge that we heard about this previously. On the whole, worth a read, but you might end up skimming here and there.
November 11, 2025
A comprehensive study on the encampment at Gulph Mills. The books covers these six days, day by day, in detail mostly with information gathered from primary resources (letters, orders, diaries, etc.).
There is an introduction to help the reader understand the status of the war and the revolution. Thankfully this is concise as opposed to some books that take a hundred pages or more to get to the actual subject of the book.
The endnotes and bibliography are extensive.
One criticism that I have is that most of the images (maps, letters and other documents) are too small to be of any use. There are also many quotes in the text that are in a painfully small font. This may not be an issue in an ebook version, but is in the printed copy.
A good read for anyone wanting to learn about this encampment as well as what was happening in the war at the time.
There is an introduction to help the reader understand the status of the war and the revolution. Thankfully this is concise as opposed to some books that take a hundred pages or more to get to the actual subject of the book.
The endnotes and bibliography are extensive.
One criticism that I have is that most of the images (maps, letters and other documents) are too small to be of any use. There are also many quotes in the text that are in a painfully small font. This may not be an issue in an ebook version, but is in the printed copy.
A good read for anyone wanting to learn about this encampment as well as what was happening in the war at the time.
February 17, 2026
Interesting and little know story
This book provides interesting insights into the Continental Army’s operations prior to going into winter quarters at Valley Force. A lot of detail about the condition of the Army and role of various officers and men.
This book provides interesting insights into the Continental Army’s operations prior to going into winter quarters at Valley Force. A lot of detail about the condition of the Army and role of various officers and men.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews