Martha Washington and Valley Forge
America's First, First Lady Brings Relief to the Continental Army
Aug 4, 2008
The Continental Army (roughly 11,000 men) at Valley Forge (1777-1778) were on the verge of starvation and shivering from the winter cold. Soldiers wore shreds of clothing, many were shoeless. General George Washington offered a monetary award for any soldier who could design a durable pair of shoes from tree bark.
Blankets were scarce and often ragged. When the soldiers were assigned to guard duty fellow soldiers pooled their rags together to give to them. Their stockingless feet often stood on their hats for protection from the snow.
Washington wrote to Congress describing the ragged conditions of his soldiers, but received little to no help. It is fortunate that these American soldiers were not attacked by the British. With small pox and dysentary, frostbite and other ailments plaquing them, it is doubtful they would've survived a British attack, yet, Washington observed, they were loyal fighters.
However, they did receive a,... few handfuls of rice (gil) and a tablespoon of vinegar..., from the American Congress to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Martha Washington Brings Supplies to Valley Forge
Martha had joined her husband previously at other camps. She saw the conditions of the troops, though Valley Forge was to this point the worst of the conditions she had so far witnessed.
She brought with her as much food and supplies from Mt. Vernon (her residence in Virginia) as her carriages could hold. Besides food she brought wool, cloth, sewing materials and home medicines. Delayed at Brandywine Creek, due to a snowfall and desparingly poor road conditions, she hired a local sleigh to take her and her company of slaves as well as the provisions to her husband's camp.
Camp morale was low. Her presence not only lifted her husband's spirit, but the overall morale of the encampment. When she arrived she was greeted with adulations of, God Bless Lady Washington!
The Women of Valley Forge
Martha wasted no time organizing the women of the camp into a womens' relief squad. They sewed shirts and knitted stockings for the men as quickly as possible. They mended the rags the men were already wearing, starting with the most needy. This must've been a daunting task given the number of men, for all were in dire need of warm clothing. Officers fared somewhat better--able to take lodging at local farms.
Frostbite was a major concern. Limbs of soldiers were amputated due to this condition without the use of pain medication--there wasn't any. Martha and the women did their best to comfort the suffering.
Social Life at Valley Forge
Martha knew the importance of social activities to lift the company's morale. As often as possible she arranged gatherings and activities for the men and their families to engage in. Singing was encouraged. Meals, meager though they were, were prepared.
Later, when she became the First Lady of the American nation, she gave an Oneida Indian Woman (Polly Cooper) an elegant shawl and bonnet for her help during this time. The Oneida tribe became aware of the lack of food at Valley Forge. Of their own accord they delivered 600 bushels of dried corn. They showed the women and soldiers how to prepare it. In its dried state, it would only swell in the stomach and cause death. Polly remained at Valley Forge to help the women.
As spring came, the orders and location of the troops changed. Martha returned to her responsibilities at Mt. Vernon.
Source
Helen Bryan, First Lady of Liberty Martha Washington, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY., New York, 2002, pgs. 218-233.
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