Winter at Valley Forge (PA) A time of suffering Americans lost 2,000 due to disease, lack of clothing, food, etc. 2,000 deserters A time of rejuvenation Intense training, drilling Foreign Blood Marquis de Lafayette Baron Von Steuben

Marquis de Lafayette 20 year old, wealthy French officer Inspired by the Patriot cause, he volunteered for the Continental Army Requested no pay First arrived in June 1777, fought at Brandywine Would give $200,000 of his own to support army Would become close friends with Washington Would be promoted to Major General and play a large part in the American army

The Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben Baron Von Steuben Spoke no English Supposed high ranking Prussian officer Offered his services for no pay Demanded respect; feared Washington made him Inspector General of the Army In charge of training and sanitation Later found out to be a fake Didn’t matter Baron Von Steuben Drilling Troops at Valley Forge  by Edwin Abbey

George Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge by John Ward Dunsmore

French enter the War On Feb 6, the French would formally ally with America pledging support Recognized new nation, trade, military alliance Ally with each other until Britain is defeated Neither side would negotiate peace without the other Due to Ben Franklin’s diplomacy efforts in Paris throughout 1777 Impressed by Saratoga, Washington

British leave Philadelphia William Howe would resign command Replaced by Henry Clinton After the French enter the war, Clinton decides to abandon Philadelphia to reinforce New York Now open to French navy, attack Washington’s troops shadow British on their march

Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze Battle of Monmouth, NJ June 28, 1778 Washington (13,500) attacks British (15,000) on their march to New York Charles Lee in charge of initial attack retreats prematurely Had rejoined army in prisoner exchange earlier in 1778 Washington meets Lee’s retreating army Disgusted with Lee, rallies troops himself Molly Pitcher Mary Ludwig Hayes Delivers water to soldiers on hot battlefield Mans husbands cannon when he falls wounded After a full day’s fighting, British continue on their retreat during the night No clear winner, but the British withdrew first Casualties British - 300 Americans - 350 Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze

Mary Ludwig Hayes a.k.a Molly Pitcher Molly Pitcher at the battle of Monmouth