Overcoming Challenges: The Continental Army at Valley Forge, 1777-1778 - Research Paper Example

The low point of America's struggle for independence occurred during the winter of 1777-1778. The source of troubles was the British army unloading a force of Redcoats at the top of the Chesapeake Bay with the aim of taking over the American capital at Philadelphia. This made the members of the Continental Congress to run away from the city, first to Lancaster and later to York where they restored the capital. It was on September 26 when the British army entered Philadelphia. As a result of the invasion, the generals led by Washington realized that they required to look for a safer site for their tired army's winter camp.

Since Whitemarsh was just too near to the British and too hard to secure, they thought of moving as far away as Delaware, Reading, Pennsylvania and Wilmington. However, they finally chose to look for a location close to the Schuylkill River . Apart from being a naturally defensible plateau, the area bordered the Schuylkill River on the east and had small brooks that would delay a raid from artillery or cavalry. Consequently, the British could only attack the Americans from an uphill because of its high ground and its location near the river.

Moreover, Valley Forge was near enough to the Washington city to keep up the pressure on the British, but still secure. When the 12,000 men of the Continental Army occupied Valley Forge on December 19, 1777, they were in good spirits in spite of the defeats of the fall.3. It was the third year of Revolutionary War against the British by 1777’s winter. The initial patriotic enthusiasm was beginning to decline because the country had anticipated a quick war. Hunkering down for a long, cold winter at Valley Forge was the most fearsome fighting force experienced by the George Washington’s Continental Army4.

Washington was decisively overpowered clashing at Brandywine on September 11, making the Continental Congress to run away from the city. Howe took over Philadelphia unopposed fifteen days later after outwitting Washington. Washington raided Germantown on October 4, seeking to reclaim the initiative, but was again defeated. Washington shifted his army into winter quarters since the campaign season was ending and the cold weather was promptly approaching5. Since they had a better army, the British army was assured that the war with the colonial soldiers of America would be a short one because the colonials were neither well equipped nor trained.

While the British were warm and secure in the city of Philadelphia, Washington required to look for a place for his men. For the Washington’s men, their uniforms though few were torn and tattered, they were low on food, many of the men had no