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Washington's Generals at Valley Forge February 12

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Washington's Generals at Valley Forge February 12 Patrol Leaders Program Outline Washington’s Generals at Valley Forge February 12 -13, 2021 Freedom Valley Church 3185 York Rd Gettysburg, PA 17325 General Washington accepted his appointment as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and until after the American victory at Yorktown in 1781. Even under the most trying conditions, including his army's winter encampments, Washington remained with his soldiers. During the winter of 1777 to 1778, Washington camped with his troops at Valley Forge, nearly twenty miles north of Philadelphia. After the Battle of White Marsh (or Edge Hill), Washington chose Valley Forge as an encampment because it was between the Continental Congress in York, Supply Depots in Reading, and British forces in Philadelphia. Up until this point in time the Colonist fought in small Militias engaging the British in hit and run Guerrilla warfare. It was the intention of Washington to form one well trained Army with long term commitments from his soldiers. That winter was considered a very harsh winter. Images of bloody footprints in the snow, soldiers huddled around lonely campfires, and Washington on his knees, praying that his army might survive often come to mind when people hear the words "Valley Forge." But truer images of the place would show General Washington using the time between December 1777 and June 1778 to train his men and to fight to maintain his position as the head of the Continental Army. On December 19, 1777 Washington marched into Valley Forge with 11,000 men and about 500 women and children. As the winter dragged on it became apparent that the Army was woefully under prepared. They lacked food and provisions such as blankets and shoes and were militarily untrained. Undernourished and poorly clothed through the harsh winter, Washington's troops were ravaged by disease, suffering as many as two thousand losses, with thousands more listed as unfit for duty. Despite the conditions, the winter at Valley Forge proved invaluable for the young army, which underwent its first uniform training regimen, under the guidance of Washington and his Generals. Theme: This event will be based on the challenges faced by the First Continental Army during their winter encampment at Valley Forge. Saturday's program will consist of various skills stations, a sled inspection for supplies, trivia of your knowledge of Washington’s generals, sled race after all the stations are completed, and a closing campfire to present awards. Scouts will learn from; Major Generals Baron von Steuben, Nathaniel Greene, Marquis de Lafayette, and William Alexander “Lord Stirling”; Brigadier Generals James Varnum, Peter Muhlenberg, and Anthony Wayne; and Surgeon General Dr. John Cochran. The Generals and the Stations: Major General Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben – Splint and Carry Friedrich Wilhelm-Von Steuben – born Sept.17, 1730 in Magdeburg, Germany also referred to as Baron von Steuben, when he was a Prussian and later an American military officer. Coming to the colonies on Sept.26, 1777 later arriving at Valley Forge Feb. 23, 1778. Gen. Washington initially appointed him as Inspector General and later promoted to rank and pay of Major General training soldiers in close-order drill, instilling new confidence and discipline in the demoralized Continental Army and was responsible for writing the Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States which was followed by the U.S. military for over 150 years. There had previously been no set arrangement of tents and huts. Steuben picked 120 men from various regiments to form an honor guard for General Washington, and used them to demonstrate military training to the rest of the troops. These men in turn trained other personnel at regimental and brigade levels. In full military dress uniform, he twice a day trained the soldiers. General Von Steuben will expect your patrol to demonstrate how to treat broken a leg or ankle and then get your comrades in arms off the battlefield to safety in a quick manner. Your patrol will need to bring ropes, staves and a blanket to make a splint and build a make-shift device to carry the victim to safety. Major General Nathanael Greene – Kitchen Duty Nathanael Green was born August 7, 1742 in Warwick, Rhode Island. In December 1777, Greene joined with the rest of Washington's army in establishing a camp at Valley Forge. Later March 1778, Greene reluctantly accepted the position of quartermaster general, making him responsible for procuring supplies for the Continental Army. Along with his top two assistants, Greene reorganized his 3,000-person department, establishing supply depots in strategic places across the United States. As quartermaster general, Greene continued to attend Washington's councils-of-war, an unusual arrangement for a staff officer. In June 1778 Greene had resigned his position as Quartermaster General as he desired to give his entire time to his command. On October 14, 1780, Greene returned to the field when Congress agreed to Washington's request that the Rhode Islander be appointed to command American forces in the south. Quartermaster General Greene will instruct your Patrol to fry as many hotcakes as you can in the allotted time. Camp stoves and frying pans will be supplied but your Patrol will need to bring enough complete pancake mix, water, spatula, measuring cup, mixing bowl, mixing spoon/whisk and cooking oil. You will mix and make your hotcakes at this station. Each patrol member will take a turn at making a hotcake (hotcakes must be completely cooked before moving on). How many hotcakes can your patrol make in 20 minutes? (Patrols will not mix their batter until they are instructed to at the station, pre-made batter will disqualify the patrol) Brigadier General James Varnum - Courier James Mitchel Varnum was born on December 17, 1748 in Dracutt, Massachusetts. He eventually took an active interest in military affairs, since he felt a conflict with Great Britain was inevitable. He studied the art and science of war with the same enthusiasm and grim determination of his law practice. In October 1774, at the age of twenty-six, he became a charter member and commander of the Kentish Guards, and infantry Militia Company residing in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. While serving in this unit he became good friends with Nathaniel Greene, who later became a Major General in the Continental Army. In the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge, Varnum, corresponding with his home state and Congress, attempted to procure provisions for his troops. His administrative skills caused Washington to refer to Varnum as “the light of the camp”. In June, Varnum left his troops to return home to Rhode Island for special duties. Varnum suggested to Washington that Rhode Island raise a battalion of African-American troops. After General Washington sent the proposal to the governor of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island General Assembly promptly passed legislation authorizing the enlistment of African and Native Americans. Brigadier General Varnum will task your patrol to memorize a message and deliver it to the next outpost. It’s possible that you could be captured, so we can’t take the chance of this important information falling into the enemy’s hands. Your patrol will need a good memory and communication skills. Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg – Hut Building John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, born October 1, 1746 in Trappe, Pennsylvania. Like his father and his brother, he was an ordained minister. But after hearing Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” he convinced 300 of his congregation to join him in enlisting in the Continental Army saying “there is a time to preach and a time to fight”. Later joining Washington at Valley Forge as a cornel (later rising to the rank of General) under the command of Major General Nathanael Greene. Muhlenberg's men were among those who arrived in Valley Forge on December 19, 1777, where Muhlenberg's men were encamped. Many of their huts were built in a matter of days within arriving at Valley Forge, turning it into a competition among the men to see who could build fastest. The huts could house up to 12 men. On October 19, 1781 Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington at Yorktown. General Peter Muhlenberg, Lt. Colonel William Darke, and perhaps a few other 8th Virginia veterans were there along with Washington. Under the direction of General Muhlenberg Patrols will need to build a hut/shelter large enough for the entire patrol. There will be wooden poles and other timber on site. You may want to bring a tarp or blanket and some ropes for lashings to build your hut. Consider the season and wind when building your hut. Brigadier General Anthony Wayne – Navigating the Wilderness Anthony Wayne was born in Paoli, Chester County, Pennsylvania, on 1 January 1745. He was a surveyor and a reader of military history. He organized a militia company and in 1776 and was appointed as the colonel of the 4th Pennsylvania Battalion. In February, 1778, Washington promoted Wayne to the rank of Brigadier General. It was then that he sent Wayne to New Jersey in search of food for the troops. He and his forces had minor skirmishes with the British, returning to camp in March. On March 4, 1778, he wrote to Washington, describing the details of recent skirmishes, noting towards the end that he was not returning to camp until he could procure shoes for the troops who were almost barefoot. Wayne earned the name “Mad Anthony” because of his tactical boldness and his personal courage in the field. In September 1780, when it was learned that Benedict Arnold had planned to betray West Point to the British, Wayne moved promptly to safeguard the fort.
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