Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge

On September 11, 1777 British, and American troops met and fought at the Battle of Brandywine. It was a defeat for the Revolutionary Army enabling the British to occupy Philadelphia, the American capitol. Congress had fled to York where the seat of government was established. Valley Forge was chosen as the location for the winter encampment of 1777 - 1778 because it was located near the main road between Philadelphia and York. The area had natural defense barriers of Mount Joy, Mount Misery and the Schuylkill River. On December 19, 1777 the army marched in and began to set up the encampment. Between December and June the army would undergo reorganization and re-supply. General von Steuben arrived during the encampment and volunteered his services to train the soldiers. Recruits arrived to join the army as replacements for those lost due to end of enlistment, sickness, or desertion. They also increased the ranks of the army. By the end of the encampment a new army emerged from Valley Forge and successfully met the highly trained and professional British Army on the field of battle at Monmouth, New Jersey.