One of the most important turning points in the history of the United States of America was the American Revolution. When applauding our fellow citizens’ military accomplishments, we should remember how costly such victories were to acquire. Veterans of the conflict devoted their lives to battle and for noble causes. Despite this, death claimed the lives of several men both on the battlefield and in the camps, specifically Valley Forge. The case study’s first major issue is the bad camp architecture and sanitary plan, which endangers the lives of all conflict participants’ lives (Winter at Valley Forge, n.d.). The second issue, the spread of numerous illnesses and ailments, is brought up by this query (Winter at Valley Forge, n.d.). To be successful, it is essential to guarantee the survival of troops, non-commissioned officers, commanders, and other military staff in the camps. Thus, the paper aims to discuss the low morale and inefficient sanitary and supply plan during the operation in Valley Forge.
Philadelphia, the rebels’ capital, was captured by the British. In addition to being cold, hungry, and exhausted as the army entered Valley Forge. They also suffered from poor morale following the dismal Philadelphia Campaign (Winter at Valley Forge, n.d.). Valley Forge in eastern Pennsylvania, about 20 miles from British-held Philadelphia, was a strategic site that allowed George Washington’s army to be near the city while retaining a defensive position that provided access to clean water and fuel (Winter at Valley Forge, n.d.). Nevertheless, despite these benefits, Washington’s army was unprepared for the six-month encampment. The army’s supply of essentials, including food and clothes, was never enough; this shortage, along with the harsh winter weather and the infectious illnesses that ravaged the camp, contributed to the notoriously dismal circumstances at Valley Forge.
The military’s living circumstances should be improved to solve this issue. Washington could avoid filthy circumstances if the area were not too crowded. However, the army’s budget was modest given the circumstances of battle, particularly the American Revolutionary War (Winter at Valley Forge, n.d.). Therefore, most of the funds were used to arm the American forces, who were meant to oppose the British crown’s professional warriors. As a result, Washington and the other members of the military’s upper class lacked the resources to guarantee comfortable living circumstances.
Thus, the army should be trained in specialized techniques to attain this aim, namely camp survival. As the unquestioned commander and brains of the American Revolution, George Washington had to teach his army vital skills (Winter at Valley Forge, n.d.). The army’s success on the battlefield must also be up to the general, who is in charge of thousands of men. It is becoming increasingly obvious that winning the war depends heavily on military morale. As a result, the high incidence of mortality from numerous illnesses and the poor living circumstances in the camp dampened this spirit. In this regard, Washington was in a position to guarantee the army’s health and prosperity.
Overall, the development of professional training for the army is one of the answers to the issue of unhygienic circumstances and the spread of illnesses among troops. Successful outcomes can be achieved by troops who have completed professional training since they can withstand such circumstances. Such instruction should cover defensive tactics, strategic thinking, and survival techniques. The army of Washington would be able to comprehend what must be done to secure the troops’ optimum survivability in the camps, thanks to their survival abilities. As a result, the army’s commander was able to prevent the spread of numerous viruses and diseases in the camps with the aid of professional training, assuring the troops’ survival.
Reference
Winter at Valley Forge. (n.d.). American Battlefield Trust. Web.