The Huts of Valley Forge
It’s the winter of 1777. The British army have taken control of the capital of the colonies, Philadelphia, in September. In an attempt to regain control, Washington leads his troops into battle at Germantown and White Marsh. They are defeated both times. Now, with ragged clothing and little to no shoes, they march into Valley Forge. Washington knows that to win this war, his army will need serious, disciplined training.
The weather seems even more brutal to the Continental Army, which is barely clothed and barely fed. In December, they reach a low of 6° Fahrenheit. In February, the weather peeks at 16° before dropping back down to 8° at the end of March. The first thing they need to do is build shelters to help with the harsh conditions.
Washington gives explicit instructions. Each hut is to be built 14’x16’ made with logs cut down from the area, with a wooden fireplace and clay in between the logs, not only to secure them, but to keep the wind from blowing in. Twelve bunks are built into the walls. About a thousand huts are built in this new encampment. Soldiers write to their loved ones describing how comfortable they are. After all, they only have tents to compare them to.
Our Continental Army is properly trained, turning the tide of the war to defeat the greatest army in the world.
If 12,000 troops can survive through such a harsh winter with only a fire to keep them warm in 1777, imagine what we are capable of with modern technology. So, the next time you’re walking in the cold, ready to complain about it, just be thankful that you didn’t have to live in The Huts of Valley Forge.
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Photographer's Guide (EXIF):
Camera: Canon Rebel T-6
Aperture: F11
Shutter Speed: 1/400
ISO: 100
Exposure Bias: 0
Focal Length: 18mm
Mode: Manual
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All content by Keith J. Fisher
©2021 Grazie Santangelo.
All Rights Reserved.
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