sign in sign up
<<
Home , Continental Army, William Darke

Patrol Leaders Program Outline

Washington’s Generals at

February 12 -13, 2021

Freedom Valley Church 3185 York Rd Gettysburg, PA 17325

General accepted his appointment as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental 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 . After the Battle of White Marsh (or Edge Hill), Washington chose Valley Forge as an encampment because it was between the in York, Supply Depots in Reading, and British forces in Philadelphia. Up until this point in time the Colonist fought in small 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 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 . 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; Generals Baron von Steuben, Nathaniel Greene, Marquis de Lafayette, and William Alexander “Lord Stirling”; Brigadier Generals James Varnum, , and ; 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 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 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 – 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, . 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 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 . 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 ’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. , and perhaps a few other 8th 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 in search of food for the troops. He and his forces had minor skirmishes with the British, returning to camp in March. On , 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 had planned to betray West Point to the British, Wayne moved promptly to safeguard the fort. Brigadier General Wayne will test your ability to use a map and compass. Your patrol will need paper, pencil, ruler and a compass.

Major General Marquis de Lafayette – Flint and steel Marquis de Lafayette born into a wealthy family on September 6, 1757 Chavaniac, France. His father, also known as the Marquis de Lafayette, had been killed in battle fighting the British in 1759, His disdain for the British and also believing the American Revolt was a just cause was his reasoning for joining the continental Army, arriving in the colonies and meeting on July 31, 1777, the 19-year-old French aristocrat would accept a commission as a major-general in the Continental Army without pay, volunteering his time and money to help the Americans. The Continental Army had been overwhelmed by French officers, many of whom could not speak English or lacked military experience and so they would serve under Lafayette. He was able to help the Americans win the war and was treated as a hero. Known as the "Hero of Two Worlds" after returning to his home country in December 1781, Lafayette rejoined the French Army and helped shape France's political structure before and after the French Revolution. Major General de Lafayette will time your patrol in building a fire using only a flint and steel. Your patrol will need to make a tri-pod to hold a pot and bring water to a boil. Patrols will be responsible to bring with them the “Flint & Steel” (Fire striker will suffice) a fire starting kit consisting of natural tinder or char cloth, kindling, and a pot. Note: No accelerants or synthetic materials will be allowed.

Surgeon General Dr. John Cochran– Epidemic Dr. John Cochran was born in 1730 in Chester County, Pennsylvania to Irish immigrants. During the (1754- 1763), he was in the British service as a surgeon's mate. Later, beginning in 1769, Cochran helped found the New Jersey Medical Society and served as its president. At the onset of the Revolutionary War for American, Cochran and William Shippen worked together on ideas and plans in the organization of the army medical department, submitting these plans to General Washington on February 14, 1777. Washington took note of Cochran's initiative and talent and on April 11, 1777, commissioned him Physician and Surgeon General of the Middle Department (part of the War Department). His work on smallpox inoculations was important to Washington who decreed in January 1777 that all men in the Continental Army would be inoculated to prevent large numbers of deaths during the winter at Valley Forge, Cochran oversaw smallpox inoculations, among other medical duties. General George Washington ordered the regimental commanders to assist their surgeons in acquiring as many women of the army as possible to serve as nurses. At that time, medical assistants and nurses were almost all men. In the years to follow John Cochran was appointed Surgeon General of the Continental Army on October 6, 1780, and on January 17, 1781, became Director-General of the Hospitals of the United States, serving as the nation's top medical officer until the end of the war. With the guidance of the Surgeon General, your patrol will learn how to identify and deal with illnesses included influenza, typhus, typhoid fever’ small pox and dysentery plagued the soldiers at Valley Forge. Due to unfit conditions and lack of shoes, blankets and proper clothing. Your patrol will need a scout handbook, first-aid kit, a blanket.

Major General William Alexander “Lord Stirling” – Crossing the

William Alexander, also known as” Lord Stirling” born December 4, 1726 in City, was a Scottish-American Major General during the American Revolutionary War. On April 13, 1776, when Washington assumed command of the 28,500 Continental soldiers defending New York. He gave Lord Stirling command of the Army’s 4th Brigade, made up of regiments from Maryland and Delaware. On August 26 he was captured by the British but release on October 6 in a prisoner exchange. Wife Sarah Livingston Alexander (Lady Stirling) (November 7, 1725) At fifty-six years old, she and their children were among the 500 women and children at the Valley Forge. Major General Alexander will test your patrols ability to maneuver your sled through rugged terrane. A test of skill, teamwork and time.