VALLEY FORGE

The winter of 1777-78 was doubly memorable in the American struggle for national independence.

That struggle was based upon issues which were alike of civil and military significance. The civil issue was one of right. The military issue was one of force. Policy and strategy were to battle for a conclusion of the war. The ordeal was a fearful one for the colonies, and their peril was nearly desperate; but the slothful indulgence of the British army at Philadelphia was fatal to its efficiency, while affording the American army that essential repose which was required for its discipline and reorganization.

Great Britain had to isolate New England by control of Long Island Sound and the Hudson River; and was equally compelled to isolate the South, through control of the Chesapeake and Delaware, and then strike the centre with vigor, if she would reduce the colonies to a subjective allegiance. From the campaign of 1776, Washington had maintained, within responsible control, the true centre of military action, in the strongholds of New Jersey. His radiating lines of activity affected all operations out of New York, and that alone embarrassed all British movements until his consummate strategy, emanating from the same general base, smote Cornwallis at Yorktown and achieved independence for America.

Valley Forge furnishes the exception to Washington's general plan. Lieut.-General Howe advanced his immediate base of active war to Philadelphia. The resistance which involved the Battle of Brandywine was succeeded by the bold offer of battle at White Horse Tavern, above Winchester, and that more wonderful demonstration at Germantown, which astounded the world, assured French support, locked the British within the city, and placed the Continental army in winter quarters, on the right bank of the Schuylkill River.

The only well-organized army of the new Republic was on trial. On December 19, 1777, it took position, and the camp was formally established by Washington within twenty-six miles of Philadelphia, as indicated by the map. Howe ravaged the suburbs of the city for fuel, food, and support. The theatre, the dance-house, and indiscriminate indulgence, marked the experiences of his command. Washington toiled, hungered, and suffered, while sternly resolved to wring from the winter's discipline a solid preparation for the expulsion of the British army.