The Valley Forge Winter (Ep9)

July 1777 to June of 1778 was the pivotal year of the American Revolution. With the exception of the Battles of Saratoga, the most crucial events either happened in Pennsylvania (like the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown, the occupation of Philadelphia by the British, and the York Congress), or Pennsylvanians were at the heart of it (like Benjamin Franklin negotiating with the French in Paris). It was the Year of Pennsylvania. On the last episode we described those events but ended in December of 1777. We pick up where we left off, with Franklin at his residence outside of Paris hearing the delayed news of the victory in the Battles of Saratoga, and Washington’s Army leaving Whitemarsh for its winter encampment at Valley Forge.

During this episode, and while at Valley Forge, General Washington and his staff successfully tackle the most difficult problems bedeviling the army – supplies, training and re-enlistments – and beat back efforts to replace the General or make him subservient to other military leaders. Meanwhile, in France, Benjamin Franklin parlays the American victory in the Battles of Saratoga to official French recognition of and a military alliance with the American state.

Timestamps for major events/discussions:

[01:36] – Ben Franklin returns to America in 1775

[05:06] – Franklin heads to France as emissary in October 1776

[15:37] – The Continental Army moves to Valley Forge for its winter camp

[19:55] – “Starve, dissolve, or disperse”

[22:22] – The plot against General Washington

[37:23] – Tackling the supply problem

[39:55] – Introducing Baron von Steuben

[53:40] – The Congress votes for army pensions

[55:14] – Franklin swings into action after Battles of Saratoga

[59:59] – Franco-American treaties signed in Paris in February

[1:02:33] – A trans-Atlantic race

[1:06:00] – Congress ratifies the treaties with France

[1:10:28] – Places to visit

Books to read:

· “Valley Forge” by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin

· “The Drillmaster of Valley Forge – Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army” by Paul Lockhart

· “Benjamin Franklin – An American Life” by Walter Isaacson

· “A Great Improvisation – Franklin, France and the Birth of America” by Stacy Schiff

· “Robert Morris – Financier of the American Revolution” by Charles Rappleye

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