The Franklin Mint History Of The United States, 1776-1973
Manufacturer
The Franklin Mint
DateNo Date
MediumSilver
DimensionsOverall: 1 3/4 in. (45 mm.)
ClassificationsDecorative arts
Credit LineGift of Dr. Eugene F. Poutasse
Object number76.81.3
On View
Not on viewThe 1778 medal: Winter at Valley Forge
When General Washington was unable to dislodge the Brisitsh from Philadelphia in the fall of 1777, the Continental Army went into winter quarters at Valley Forge. Why not farther South where it was warmer?
Located 22 miles northwest of Philadelphia, Valley Forge was selected for strategic reasons. There the Continental Army gave protection to the Continental Congress which had fled to York, Pa. and to the much needed munition works in the area which the British might have seized. It was also within easy marching distance of main roads from the South to the North and was in a good defensive location.
Washington and his 11,000 men were at Valley Forge from Dec. 13, 1777 until June 19, 1778. Plans for the encampment had been well-laid but through selfishness and mismanagement the whole army was in jeopardy. The soldiers did not have enough clothing, the hurriedly built log huts offered insufficient shelter from the freezing cold, food failed to arrive and in desperation Washington had to forage. Transport wagons had to be abandoned in the January mud, hundreds of men died of disease, a fifth of them deserted, and Washington several times expressed fear that the entire army might bisband.
As we know, it did not disband, and the desire for freedom passed on of its greatest tests.
