Valley Forge (original) (raw)
Valley Forge is also the name of a nearby town: Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Valley Forge was the site of the winter camp of the Continental Army for the winter of 1777-1778. This very harsh winter was a time of testing, formation, and training for Washington's Army.
The army that entered camp on December 19, 1777 was weak, poorly supplied, and ill. They were reeling from defeats at Brandywine and Germantown. The British had occupied Philadelphia.
The departed on June 19, 1778 to again pursue the British forces across New Jersey. The Battle of Monmouth, a needed victory for the main army, was only days away.
The National Park
The site is now a United States National Park. On July 4, 1976 the park was renamed as the Valley Forge National Historical Park.