Winter quarters: George Washington and the Continental Army at Valley Forge

by Noel F. Busch

Book by Busch, Noel Fairchild

206 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 1975

Reviews

[Patrick Broderick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting examination of the winter of 1777-78, focusing on the American troops in Valley Forge. It begins by describing the events leading up to the formation of that encampment, referring to Washington's retreat from Long Island and later Manhattan into New Jersey. The events around Christmas of 1776 and the following year. This includes military events as well as the difficulty getting the troops paid by the Congress.

The terrible conditions at Valley Forge were shown in marked contrast to the British occupation of Philadelphia under Lord Howe.

This worsened by the time of Valley Forge with a group of senior officers backing Gen. Gates for commander in chief of the army after Gates' victory at Saratoga. This acerbated problems with the quartermaster, leading to severe shortages of food and needed gear for the troops.

Political maneuverings in Europe that led to Prussian Friedrich Von Stueben and Frenchman Marquis de Lafayette, among others, to join the cause are described as well as the benefits of their allying with the American cause. This, as well as Howe's decision to return to England, led to the eventual victory at Yorktown in 1781.

While not a comprehensive book on the Revolution, it did point up the importance of that horrible winter.

Recommended if you have an interest in our fight for independence.

[elizabeth roberts-zibbel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd little history book. Not as interesting as it should have been.