A YOUNG MAN'S MEMORIES OF VALLEY FORGE
Grades 4-6
Carolyn Hohman
My feet were numb. My hands were numb. In fact, just about my whole body was numb, almost paralyzed. I had never experienced such extremely cold temperatures in all of my 18 years on this earth. I had no coat, no gloves, and no shoes to wear; blankets were almost non-existent. Have you ever daydreamed about a hot bowl of hearty soup or Ma's homemade bread straight from the oven? I did. This thought was with me every time I breathed in a breath of frosty air. The hard reality set in each time I gazed at the food supply across the room. There was next to nothing to eat that winter. If I was lucky, I was allowed to eat once a day.
I was continually cold and hungry throughout those winter months at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War. I was in a constant state of illness. I never knew joining General Washington's army would mean giving up so much that I always had before. I always had warmth during the winters at home, but that winter at Valley Forge I lived in a log hut I helped to build. With limited building supplies, our hut did not protect us from the fierce winds and arctic temperatures of that strong winter. At home, I always had plenty of food, but that winter I found out what starvation was like. At home, I always had friends and family to turn to for comfort and strength, but that winter I found myself living with hundreds of strangers. Hundreds of others were around me, but I never felt so lonely in all of my life.
Because the British captured Philadelphia before the winter set in, their troops were forcing families in Philadelphia to house them for the winter. General Washington's troops were forced out of the city to spend the cold winter in Valley Forge.
Sacrifices were made daily; in fact, sacrifices were made every minute while in Valley Forge, sacrifices for America, for freedom, for family and friends. For many of my comrades, these sacrifices were too great a cost to pay. Many retreated to their homes and bid farewell to the army, but somehow, I made it through that winter at Valley Forge. I often wonder how I ever made it through those months of utter sacrifice and sadness. I know General Washington was a strong leader. He was full of courage and perseverance. It was he who brought us the desire to push on for freedom's sake. He never gave up, although I'm sure there were times he wanted to give up.
One day, I glanced outside and saw General Washington. It was a sight I will never forget. General Washington was kneeling on the cold, wet snow. He was praying. You know, I think many of us did quite a bit of praying that winter, and I know that our prayers were answered, for we not only survived winter's battle, but we eventually won war!
Questions
Story Telling Outline
I. The reality of that winter
A. Lack of warmth and supplies
B. Lack of food
II. Giving up so much by joining army
A. Constant illness/continually cold and hungry
B. Not like home
III. British troops
A. Captured Philadelphia
B. Staying in homes
IV. Sacrifices
A. Daily sacrifices for freedom, family, friends
B. Several men retreated
C. General Washington's courage and leadership
V. A memorable sight
A. Washington praying in snow
B. Our prayers answered
Answers:
Props:
Worn blankets, small portions of food
Don't wear shoes during presentation/ wear worn socks
Sources:
Moore, Judy Hull & Hicks, Laurel. (1981). The History of Our United States, fourth
grade. Pensacola, FL: A Beka Books. (Source Used)
Helms, Timothy M. (1988). The United States Yesterday and Today, fifth grade.
Lexington, MA: Silver Burdett and Ginn.