The Winter at Valley Forge

In December 1777, General George Washington marched his tired army to a spot in Pennsylvania called Valley Forge to spend the winter.

About 12,000 soldiers built little log huts in the snow, but they didn't have enough blankets, shoes, or food.

That winter was very hard — around 2,000 soldiers got sick and died, and many others wanted to give up and go home.

Then a Prussian officer named Baron von Steuben arrived and drilled the soldiers every day until they marched and fought like a real army.

When spring came, the army that walked out of Valley Forge was stronger, braver, and ready to keep fighting for a new country.