'Nothing can be more injurious to the service than negligence in discipline; since this discipline, more than numbers, gives one army superiority over another." These words were spoken by the famous General George Washington and could never have rung truer in American history than during the winter of 1777-1788. The Valley Forge encampment in the colony of Pennsylvania had an enormous impact on the struggle for American independence. Three major forces emerged during Valley Forge: (1) George Washington's leadership, (2) the successful smallpox inoculation, and (3) improved military tactics taught to troops. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayWhen history experts hear the words “Valley Forge,” they usually reflect on the harsh conditions our fighters endured during that fateful winter of 1777-1778 in the midst of the Revolutionary War. The result of that struggle is what is often called the birthplace of the U.S. Army. We famously know George Washington as our first president of the newly formed United States of America. Prior to his presidency, George Washington was chosen as commander of the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, during the Revolutionary War. Before his appointment, Washington had never commanded a large army in the field. After his appointment, George Washington won only three of the nine major battles he oversaw and was often seen retreating from battle. Before his encampment at Valley Forge, Washington's Continental Army suffered defeat at the Battle of White Plains and later at Fort Washington in New York in November 1776. Driven from New York, Washington looked for a place where his troops could retreat and recover. Times were extremely dark and discouraging for Washington and his men; so much so that Thomas Paine wrote his famous quote during this period: “These are the times that try the souls of men…the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot, in this crisis, will retire from the service of their country; but whoever resists now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." George Washington had several options after the defeat in New York. He could have complained and blamed others for the defeat or he could have simply left his post as head of the army, trying to bring independence to our newly formed colonies. Many at the top were ready to get rid of Washington as leader and replace him with Major Horatio Gates who had just been the hero of the Battle of Saratoga. George Washington chose to strive for excellence and continued to lead his troops. Thus retiring to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, for the winter of 1777-1778. The location of Valley Forge was chosen strategically because it would allow American soldiers to challenge British control of the countryside around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Furthermore, General Washington was also looking for a safe place for his tired troops who numbered around twelve thousand people and needed respite and recuperation. It also allowed nearly 500 women and children to accompany the troops. Martha Washington, George's wife, was also admitted to the camp. The admission of women and children was a motivating factor for the troops. Valley Forge would be an optimal location for renewal and combat readiness. With little food and adequate clothing, the troops built log cabins and searched the countryside for straw due to inadequate supplies of blankets for all those housed there. Nearly a third of those in the camp reportedly had no shoes and theirBloody footprints could be seen in the snow as they marched. Washington threatened flogging and death by shooting anyone who attempted to leave the camp. For those soldiers who stood by him, he expressed deep gratitude and supported them to the best of his ability. Washington's dogged approach to training its soldiers helped the revolution obtain mentally indestructible and physically robust soldiers. Many soldiers marched shoeless and with bloody feet in the snow during that legendary winter. George Washington never gave up and added several good men of leadership to his team. As Wayne K. Bodle writes in The Valley Forge Winter: Civilians and Soldiers in War, after the six months of training in the mud and snow of Valley Forge, Washington's troops were imbued with "a deeper identification and pride in their craft". The destruction of the Continental Army was initially caused by smallpox. Smallpox… death, destruction, infection and pandemic; these are various words that people associate with the deadly disease caused by the variola virus,” smallpox. This disease has been a scourge against humanity for centuries, dating back as far as the 3rd century AD. This disease caused massive destruction and killed thousands of soldiers in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. During the Revolutionary War, smallpox killed approximately sixty-three thousand soldiers during the conflict. During the 16th century, European explorers introduced smallpox to America. George Washington is thought to have lost more troops to disease than combat casualties. It was such devastation that John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail in 1777 that “for every soldier killed in battle, disease killed ten.” Washington also fell victim to the disease at age 19 while traveling in Barbados in 1751. His case was thought to be mild, with only a few scars on his nose. During Washington's lifetime, smallpox was one of the most feared diseases of the century and at its peak spread like wildfire through the Continental Army. The disease threatened to bring about the downfall of the Continental Army and cause the colonies to lose their fight for independence from Great Britain. During the Revolutionary War, Continental soldiers were far more likely to “succumb to disease than to the bullets or bayonets of their enemies.” During the early revolutionary period, smallpox broke out en masse due to less than ideal living conditions. People crowded into cities under siege, military camps were filled with men living in close quarters, and fleeing citizens and traveling soldiers often transmitted the disease unintentionally and more quickly than if the colonies were in peacetime. This was largely due to the “two weeks of incubation” of the disease before symptoms appeared, so those who carried the germ “continued to spread the disease as they travel[ed].” Furthermore, the colonists were at greater risk of contracting smallpox than the English, because “they had been exposed much less.” Furthermore, many American colonists suspected that their personal enemies and the British were attempting to wage “bacteriological warfare by deliberately infecting the civilian population.” Like most communicable diseases, smallpox was found most often in highly concentrated centers with large populations, Philadelphia in particular: “Several [former] members of the Continental Congress contracted the disease during their tenure in the City of Brotherly Love.” As a result, George Washington's leadership led to the decline of smallpox in the Continental Army and the final victory of the Continental forces over the all-powerful empireBritish. During the winter at Valley Forge of 1777 to 1778, George Washington's dream of vaccinating the entire army and helping to eradicate smallpox within the army was in trouble. Valley Forge's soldiers, who were long-term enlisted, to Washington's surprise, "still included susceptible men who had somehow escaped smallpox vaccinations." The number of these men was between three and four thousand. As a result, the men of Valley Forge were vaccinated during the harshest winter endured during the Revolutionary War. From Washington's perspective, it was vital that these men were vaccinated "with all possible secrecy" to avoid giving away information about the ever-increasing British Army presence in nearby Philadelphia. At the conclusion of this vaccination period, most of the men were tolerant and resistant to smallpox, like the rest of the Continental Army, and able to help the American colonists win their freedom. Smallpox, the plague of the colonies during the Revolutionary period, the silent killer that threatened to dismantle the American Revolution. Without George Washington's leadership, ingenuity, and courage in fighting this horrible disease, the colonies would likely have lost to the British Empire and never gained the power to determine their own destiny. Military tactics prior to Valley Forge during the American Revolution are commonly remembered as soldiers standing in a straight line with bayonets set for attack. Troops would advance 50 to 100 yards from the enemy, fire, and then charge with bayonets. Standing side by side in a straight line without protection, many men were hit frequently. George Washington had the foresight to bring leadership support to Valley Forge via the Prussian military officer, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, who set the standards for camp layout and troops. The Baron spoke no English, but the knowledge he imparted to the troops through interpreters was invaluable. He trained troops in Prussian-style drills such as marching in rows of four rather than in a straight line and loading, firing, and reloading weapons efficiently. Steuben also wrote training manuals. George Washington was so impressed with von Steuben that he appointed him inspector general. He set high standards and troops had to advance through certain regiments to be able to fight in battles. Von Steuben also taught troops how to attack more efficiently with bayonets. He also wrote a “blue book” on new combat tactics; demonstrating the success that manual had, it was used by the United States Army until 1814-15. New troops emerged in June 1778. Although Washington had no tactical knowledge, he was known as a great unifier of the troops. His critics were proven wrong after seeing the well-trained, action-ready men he had led during the horrible winter of 1777-1778. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayIn summary, “Perseverance and spirit have worked wonders in all ages.” These words were likely George Washington's motto to his soldiers at Valley Forge in that terrible and legendary winter of 1777 to 1778. The perseverance shown by George Washington in these unfathomable, dark times helped the soldiers of Valley Forge and all over the world. the Continental Army to survive the unfavorable winter and defeat the British giant. Furthermore, perseverance in attempting to vaccinate the entire Continental Army against smallpox paid immense dividends, allowing soldiers to be quite.