The Battle of Valley Forge

The American Revolution era was one of the most significant time periods in the archives of America. As America became more(prenominal)(prenominal) popular and gained more states they had to in some manner break free from British rule. The thirteen colonies joined together to belatedly gain freedom from Britain and become its own independent country. They began to pass up British rule and eventually lead to war, to what is now known as the American Revolutionary War. The British sent invasion forces into New England in request to try and regain its power over the states, but they failed and were determined out by Washington and his army.After, George Washington, the general of the troops at the time, move his troops to a more secure location for the soon advance winter. This location was known as vale talk through ones hat. The time in valley Forge were known to be very difficult for the soldiers fighting. According to more traditional sources, the soldiers wishinged f ood, shelter and warmth and were also in need of more men. According to Robert Middlekauffs textbook from The brainy Cause, the times at vale Forge were indeed miserable and the troops suffered enormously. gob Rakoves text from Revolutionaries gybes with Middlekauffs view, and adds that over two thousand soldiers died that winter. How eer, Ray Raphael takes on the slight traditional view and states that the soldiers did not in fact have such(prenominal) great difficulty. When you compare and contrast the other sources, Ray Raphael has a more persuasive document, as opposed to the more traditional accounts. Robert Middlekauffs The Glorious Cause takes on the traditional story of Valley Forge, one that it was of utmost(prenominal) suffering and conditional, careless decisions, yet one of bravery and hope.Valley Forge was a difficult time for the soldiers fighting for their country. The conditions were severe and there were no buildings, as the troops had to put up their own. The troops pretermited shoes, clothing and soap and ofttimes had nothing to eat. The soldiers were starving and many were cold and sick. The water for all uses had to be carried for considerable distances. These are whole few of the problems the soldiers faced day by day. George Washington, the leader of the troops, did his best to find food and get it to Valley Forge.Although sexual intercourse encouraged Washington to seize food that troops needed, Washington resisted suggestions. He recognized that relief of his troops hunger would undercut principles of revolution, and political hold of people. Instead, he sent commissary in search of provisions, seized supplies, and attempted to protect sellers pastime as often as possible. Washingtons orders suggest that he did not overlook many ways of maintaining discipline. The soldiers were absolutely miserable. They lacked everything an army involve for survival, from clothing to food to shelter.They had been hungry for weeks and suf fering for months. After all of harassment and distress, the soldiers pulled through with hope, and continued to fight. Revolutionaries, by Jack Rakove, as wellhead, speaks about the great hardships and suffering that the soldiers went through at Valley Forge. George Washington was somewhat of a tough leader who knew his priorities. We have not more than three months to specify a great deal of business in, and if we let these slip or waste, we shall be labouring under the same difficulties all next take the field as we have done this.He explains that although George Washington understood the difficult wad that the men were going through, they had to continue in order to prevent from a cycle of the same things happening again. According to Rakove, when the winter at Valley Forge began, the soldiers were barefoot, huddled in the snow around flickering fires, spot the enemy was sleeping warm, well fed, in nearby Philadelphia. In middle February, the men were lacking meat, and dr enching rains washed out roads, swelled rivers, and soberly disrupted the flow of supplies to camp.Over two thousand soldiers died that winter. Although they were starving, lack of food was not the main reason for the soldiers deaths, but rather the let down resistance to disease, food shortages, and in up to(predicate) clothing while the men were overcrowded on the huts. What caused all of this was mostly the strategic and political considerations. Congress imposed well meant but misguided reforms, which strained to the breaking point of the supply system.Although congress meant well, theyre plans were in fact failures and led to the critically vinegarish times of the soldiers. Many mistakes made by the congress lead to not only political problems, but also problems within the soldiers lives during the harsh winter. Although Jack Rakove and Robert Middlekauff take on the more traditional story of the understand in Valley Forge, Ray Raphael takes on a different approach. In Ray Raphaels The Winter At Valley Forge, he explains that many people believe in the traditional telling of the experiences in Valley Forge.Many people believe that the winter was one of the cruelest winters in the countries history and that the soldiers suffered greatly, but were able to withstand the wrath of British. Raphael exclaims that the traditional Valley Forge story is jeering to the soldiers who endured years of hardships, endangered their lives, and in many cases died so that the United States could gain and retain its independence. To give these patriots the respect that is their due, we have to throw overboard creating idealized fantasies about how well they behaved themselves.Raphael is greatly disappointed with the treatment and lack and respect towards the soldiers and story of Valley Forge and explains that the soldiers demanded food, clothing, and money, which had been promised to them and which was necessary for them in order to stay in the field and face the enemy . The few who act upon Principles of disinterestedness are, comparatively speaking, no more than a drop in the Ocean. This is a cite by George Washington, commenting on the lack of people joining the army and dower the country fight for its independence.Reluctantly, the Congress offered bounties to those who agreed to join the army. This is wherefore the men demanded the food, clothing and pay. Congress allowed the Commissary Department to fall into shambles, as the much needed food and clothing never arrived. Congress was accountable for the lack of provisions that caused the soldiers great suffering and grief. Forced to move on, the troops travel forward from Valley Forge to pillage local civilians. When the soldiers failed to receive adequate food, minimal clothing, or the pay they had been promised, they were forced to make a decision.They either had to endure their hardships silently, grumble among themselves, or make trouble. They could either defend themselves or walk aw ay. Soldiers had to deal with this unsolvable problem everyday, and they chose to act forcibly and continue. This is the trustworthy story of Valley Forge. These three sources share similarities and differences. It is quite clear that Jack Rakove and Robert Middlekauff, for the most part agree on their depictions of the experience at Valley Forge. But, Ray Raphael shares a much more interesting, more realistic portrayal.The traditional telling of Valley Forge is one somewhat out of a fairytale. It is simply over exaggerated with the overly harsh conditions and strong pith of the men who pulled through with their dedication to their country and continued fighting without ever giving up or losing hope. In the words of Ray Raphael himself, it is disrespectful towards the soldiers who fought for our country in Valley Forge. All three of these sources do agree that the times were not easy, but Raphael bases it off of a more logical explanation, rather than blaming the misery on nature .Raphael explains that it was in fact the congress disfigurement for the soldiers suffering. The congress did not send the soldiers the comme il faut necessities in which they were promised, such as food, clothing or pay. The soldiers could have simply locomote and walked away, but they chose not to. They decided, despite the fact that they did not have the proper necessities to fight, they would continue and use what they could to survive and defeat the enemy. Raphael shares a more respectful, grateful and persuasive telling of the story of Valley Forge.