I had always thought of the 1777 encampment at Valley Forge as simply a repeat of the 1776 winter encampment along the Delaware River. The Continental Army had suffered another bad year, morale was low and all looked hopeless. Then they left and won some battles.

But I was to discover that despite similarities, it was also much different. Valley Forge was no short stay before marching out to battle. Rather, the army stayed for over six months. An entire settlement was constructed with cabins and storerooms, redoubts and defenses. And families! Wives and children joined their soldier husbands in this settlement, making it temporarily one of the largest "cities" in the country.

And there was Von Steuben! A Prussian soldier, von Stueben visited the army and was appalled at their training, discipline and general military bearing. With Washington's approval, he began training them in European tactics, discipline, and basics like not running latrines by the kitchens!

A far different army left Valley Forge in June 1778 than had arrived. This army promptly met the British in Monmouth, New Jersey in a battle that sent the Brits back to the safety of New York City. Three years later, Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown.