The online tool for teaching with documents, from the National Archives

Winter at Valley Forge

Making Connections

All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.

Introduction

In this activity, you will be asked to analyze four primary source documents relating to the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Consider the documents carefully and then answer each question in the box provided. Be sure to click on the "Details" tab for additional information about each document.


Name:
Class:

Worksheet

Winter at Valley Forge

Making Connections

Examine the documents and text included in this activity. Fill in any blanks in the sequence with your thoughts and write your conclusion response in the space provided.

Valley Forge-Washington & Lafayette. Winter 1777-78. Copy of engraving by H. B. Hall after Alonzo Chappel.


What do you notice about the picture? How do you think the people in this picture are feeling?
Enter your response

General George Washington and a Committee of Congress at Valley Forge. Winter 1777-78. Copy of engraving after W. H. Powell, published 1866.


What do you think the people in this picture are discussing? Why do you think the man on the right has his sword raised?
Enter your response

Letter from George Washington to Henry Laurens


What can you learn from this letter? What must the situation be like for soldiers stationed at Valley Forge?
Enter your response

Baron von Steuben at Valley Forge


How does what you see in this picture differ from what you have learned from the previous documents?
Enter your response
What conclusions can you draw about the winter spent at Valley Forge?
Enter your response



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Activity Element

Valley Forge-Washington & Lafayette. Winter 1777-78. Copy of engraving by H. B. Hall after Alonzo Chappel.

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2

Activity Element

General George Washington and a Committee of Congress at Valley Forge. Winter 1777-78. Copy of engraving after W. H. Powell, published 1866.

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3

Activity Element

Letter from George Washington to Henry Laurens

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4

Activity Element

Baron von Steuben at Valley Forge

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Conclusion

Winter at Valley Forge

Making Connections

Now that you have analyzed the Valley Forge documents, email your answers to your teacher.

Your Response



Document

Valley Forge-Washington & Lafayette. Winter 1777-78. Copy of engraving by H. B. Hall after Alonzo Chappel.

1777-1778 (artwork 1857)

This is a copy of an engraving by H. B. Hall based off of a painting by Alonzo Chappel. It was gathered as part of the George Washington Bicentennial Commission. The Commission's purpose was to celebrate the birth and accomplishments of Washington, and to collect, preserve, and publish writings, artworks, and photographs pertinent to his life and times. The National Archives holds this photograph (from 1931-1932) of the print as part of the records of the Commission.
This primary source comes from the Records of Commissions of the Legislative Branch.
National Archives Identifier: 532877
Full Citation: Photograph 148-GW-189; Valley Forge-Washington & Lafayette. Winter 1777-78. Copy of engraving by H. B. Hall after Alonzo Chappel.; 1777-1778 (artwork 1857); The George Washington Bicentennial Commission, 1931 - 1932; Records of Commissions of the Legislative Branch, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/valley-forge-washington-lafayette, May 3, 2024]


Valley Forge-Washington & Lafayette. Winter 1777-78. Copy of engraving by H. B. Hall after Alonzo Chappel.

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Document

General George Washington and a Committee of Congress at Valley Forge. Winter 1777-78. Copy of engraving after W. H. Powell, published 1866.

1777-1778 (artwork 1866)

This is a copy of an engraving based on a painting by W.H. Powell. It was gathered as part of the George Washington Bicentennial Commission. The Commission's purpose was to celebrate the birth and accomplishments of Washington, and to collect, preserve, and publish writings, artworks, and photographs pertinent to his life and times. The National Archives holds this photograph (from 1931-1932) of the print as part of the records of the Commission.
This primary source comes from the Records of Commissions of the Legislative Branch.
National Archives Identifier: 532876
Full Citation: Photograph 148-GW-184; General George Washington and a Committee of Congress at Valley Forge. Winter 1777-78. Copy of engraving after W. H. Powell, published 1866.; 1777-1778 (artwork 1866); Records of Commissions of the Legislative Branch, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/washington-committee-valley-forge, May 3, 2024]


General George Washington and a Committee of Congress at Valley Forge. Winter 1777-78. Copy of engraving after W. H. Powell, published 1866.

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Document

Letter from George Washington to Henry Laurens

8/11/1778

In August 1778, the paymaster general of the Continental Army informed Gen. George Washington that the military chest was entirely exhausted. Washington passed this letter on to the President of the Continental Congress, South Carolinian Henry Laurens, along with the information that one third of the army had not received pay for March and April 1778. 

Notes on this document written by history scholars are available on Founders Online, a searchable archive of the correspondence and other writings of several of the Founders of the United States government.

Transcript

White plains August 11th 1778

Sir

I take the liberty of transmitting to Congress the Inclosed Letter, which I just now received from the pay Master General. They will perceive by it, that the Military Chest is entirely exhausted, and, that a third of the Army remains unpaid for the Months of April and May. The importance & necessity of an immediate and large supply will at once appear—and I am persuaded it will be ordered and forwarded with all possible expedition.

Since I had the honor of writing by Colo. Heth on Sunday last, I have not received any advices from Rhode Island. I have the Honor to be with great respect & esteem sir Your Most Obedt sert

Go: Washington
This primary source comes from the Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention.
National Archives Identifier: 1663337
Full Citation: Letter from George Washington to Henry Laurens; 8/11/1778; Letters from General George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Army; Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774 - 1789; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, ; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-washington-laurens, May 3, 2024]


Letter from George Washington to Henry Laurens

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Letter from George Washington to Henry Laurens

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Document

Baron von Steuben at Valley Forge

1777 (artwork 1907)

This is a copy of 1907 painting by Augustus G. Heaton entitled "Baron von Steuben at Valley Forge, 1777."
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer.
National Archives Identifier: 530884
Full Citation: Photograph 111-SC-83897; Baron von Steuben at Valley Forge; 1777 (artwork 1907); Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 - ca. 1981; Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/baron-von-steuben-valley-forge, May 3, 2024]


Baron von Steuben at Valley Forge

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