Valley Forge

What is it that happened at Valley Forge? So many legends about it, although there was no war fought in Valley Forge, it was one of the turning points of the war. The continental army was suffering, bloody, beaten and weakened, also with hunger and diseases, they were ready to quit. As Washington said "If the army do not gets help soon, in all like hood it will disband". But why didn't it? Most couldn't withstand the hunger and cold, and so they died. Most of their horses didn't survive, as they also needed food. All that soldiers got a day was a combination of water and flour. Their clothes were bad and most had no shoes. At the end 2500 men died.

The military needed to be more efficient, have more discipline and have a confidence boost. This task fell on Baron Friedrich Von Steuben. Yes, most military were trained, but some weren't, and to win they needed all men in the same level. Later the wifes, children, sisters of the soldiers arrived to give their support. This gave them the motivation to keep going. Women helped with the cleaning and cooking, they also mended soldier's uniforms. They provided the much needed emotional support.

Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette

Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette was a French aristocrat and military officer born September 6 1757. His father died when he was only two. At age 12 his mother passed away a few weeks after his grandfather had also died. He was a very wealthy young orphan. At age 16 he married Marie Adrienne Francoise de Noailles, who was related to the king. He studied at College du Plessis, which was only for aristocrat boys.

In 1775 he started his military training in Metz. The commander invited him to a dinner with Duke of Gloucester who spoke about the struggle going on with the colonies. Now he wanted to join the colonies, but the king would not support this, either way, he did. He was appointed major general. Being there, he persuaded many French officers to join him. He later met Washington and made a great friendship, though de Lafayette was only 20. During Valley Forge camps, some military wanted to turn against Washington but De Lafayette convinced them not to and gave them a much needed support for the war. He started teaching them new battle tactics.

He returned to France in February 1779 but was put under arrest for disobeying the king, who didn't want him to go to America. He continued aiding the Americans and secured other 6000 soldiers to go fight with the colonists.

George Washington

George Washington was commander in chief of the Continental army during the American Revolution and first president of the United States (1789-97). Born in Westmoreland County on Feb. 22, 1732, George Washington was the eldest son of Augustine Washington.George spent his early years on the family estate on Pope's Creek along the Potomac River. His early education included the study of such subjects as mathematics, surveying, the classics, and "rules of civility." His father died in 1743, and soon George went to live with his half brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon, Lawrence's plantation on the Potomac.He helped lay out the Virginia town of Belhaven (now Alexandria) in 1749 and was appointed surveyor for Culpeper County. George accompanied his brother to Barbados in an effort to cure Lawrence of tuberculosis, but Lawrence died in 1752, soon after the brothers returned. George ultimately inherited the Mount Vernon estate.

He first gained public notice when, as adjutant of one of Virginia's four military districts, he was appointed (October 1753) by Gov. Robert Dinwiddie on a mission to warn the French commander at Fort Le Boeuf against further win on territory claimed by Britain.Although only 22 years of age and lacking experience, he learned quickly, meeting the problems of recruitment, supply, and desertions with a combination of native ability that earned him the respect of his superiors.

He became president April 30,1789 in New York City.

Battle of Trenton

On the evening of December 25, the American forces began to cross the Delaware in what was intended to be offensive. Weather conditions, however, did not make the ride easy. The heavy boats had to avoid ice in the river and a heavy snow storm. One segment of the offensive never departed from Pennsylvania and another succeeded in transporting its soldiers across the river, but not its artillery; those men returned to camp and did not participate in the battle.

Washington had hoped to strike under darkness, but the difficulties encountered in the crossing delayed the attack until about 8 a.m. on the 26th. The American advance had been spotted earlier by a Tory, who delivered a written warning to Rall. The colonel, however, was intent on celebrating Christmas and had stuffed the note in his pocket. Continental forces under Nathanael Greene and John Sullivan opened fire on the town and slowly surrounded it. A sleepy Rall mounted his horse and tried to rally his soldiers, but was shot and died later from his wounds. Within 90 minutes it was evident to the Hessians that they were outnumbered and escape routes had been cut off; they surrendered.