Why did the winter at Valley Forge happen?
Although the suffering of troops during the winter of 1777-78 is part of American folklore, other winter ordeals were probably worse; Valley Forge is well known because Washington stressed his army’s suffering in order to gain political support. However, the army’s discipline and efficiency improved during the winter, which marked a turning point in the war, and the encampment became a symbol of endurance in adversity. It was common in the military actions of that era to camp in the worst of the winter, and remain until the weather began to warm up.
