applesanity
New member
I wouldn't say "nobody" did. I think an estimated 2000-2500 did die from starvation or disease,
Oh see now you've done it. It's Wikipedia, buddy. Useful to an extent, but not ever definitive - especially on a page with two citations.
I shall refer you to Barbara Macdonald Powell of Cornell, one of the most definitive sources on Valley Forge:
Everyone knows that Washington told the Continental Congress horrible stories - so what was the result? More rations, more supplies, and no orders to fight or march during wintertime. Excellent tactics, I'd say.
Studies done by the National Park Service during the 1970's show that nobody - as in nada, zip, el zilcho - starved or froze to death, and that morale was high. The 10,000-man army encamped there received a million pounds of flour and a million pounds of meat and fish every month. - which amounts to more than 3 pounds of flour and 3 pounds of meat and fish per day. The only fear was in the supply chains getting interrupted - hence the abundance of food. Additional studies showed that that winter at Valley Forge was no worse or better by any significan measure than any other winter. In fact, the winter spent in Morristown, New Jersery was worse - but not by a lot.
Also, language changes over time, buddy.
The 18th-century use of the term "naked" meant that you were going without "proper" clothing, as opposed to no clothing.
Pilgrims didn't dress in black or wear those funny hats and buckles. Paul Revere was apprehended before being able to make any midnight ride. GW never carried the U.S. flag as we know it into battle.
Thanks for playing.