Soldiers at Valley Forge endured harsh conditions in order for the new nation to gain independence from the British. Soldiers had to decide whether or not to
run away before their term of enlistment was complete or stay and fight the British. Despite the extreme difficulties of inadequate shelter, clothing, and food,
soldiers in Washington's army had a duty to stay at Valley Forge. Washington overcame the difficulties by bringing a congressional committee to help supply the
soldiers, by fostering a positive atmosphere at camp, and by making soldiers aware of how they were needed, after so many others had become sick or had died.
First, soldiers at Valley Forge should have stayed because Washington brought the Congressional Committee …show more content…
(Document D) As a result, many soldiers were in good spirits, as shown in the diary of Dr. Albigence Waldo, who wrote that, despite fatigue and illness, the
soldiers “still show a spirit of Alacrity (cheerful willingness) and contentment not to be expected from so young troops.” (Document C). Admittedly, while some will
argue that soldiers had every right to abandon their posts due to famine and other hardships (Document E), Washington’s ability to inspire his soldiers, and his
efforts to provide for them, made abandonment a crime.
Finally, soldiers at Valley Forge should have stayed because their help was even more important as the Continental Army had lost many soldiers. The number of
soldiers at Valley Forge decreased by a third, from 12,000 to 8,000 between December 1777 and February 1778. In addition, between December 23, 1777 and February 1,
1778, the number of soldiers who were ill had increased by more than 1,000, from 2,898 to 3,989, resulting in between 1,800 to 2,500 deaths. (Document A) While some
may argue that these estimates justified abandonment, the remaining soldiers who were still capable of fighting must have realized how critically needed they were in
the battle for independence from the
run away before their term of enlistment was complete or stay and fight the British. Despite the extreme difficulties of inadequate shelter, clothing, and food,
soldiers in Washington's army had a duty to stay at Valley Forge. Washington overcame the difficulties by bringing a congressional committee to help supply the
soldiers, by fostering a positive atmosphere at camp, and by making soldiers aware of how they were needed, after so many others had become sick or had died.
First, soldiers at Valley Forge should have stayed because Washington brought the Congressional Committee …show more content…
(Document D) As a result, many soldiers were in good spirits, as shown in the diary of Dr. Albigence Waldo, who wrote that, despite fatigue and illness, the
soldiers “still show a spirit of Alacrity (cheerful willingness) and contentment not to be expected from so young troops.” (Document C). Admittedly, while some will
argue that soldiers had every right to abandon their posts due to famine and other hardships (Document E), Washington’s ability to inspire his soldiers, and his
efforts to provide for them, made abandonment a crime.
Finally, soldiers at Valley Forge should have stayed because their help was even more important as the Continental Army had lost many soldiers. The number of
soldiers at Valley Forge decreased by a third, from 12,000 to 8,000 between December 1777 and February 1778. In addition, between December 23, 1777 and February 1,
1778, the number of soldiers who were ill had increased by more than 1,000, from 2,898 to 3,989, resulting in between 1,800 to 2,500 deaths. (Document A) While some
may argue that these estimates justified abandonment, the remaining soldiers who were still capable of fighting must have realized how critically needed they were in
the battle for independence from the