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Valley Forge
History
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The beautiful hillsides of 3,600-acre Valley Forge National
Historical Park are a peaceful reminder of freedom won long ago by men's
sacrifices. It was there that General George Washington forged his
Continental Army into a fighting force, during the winter encampment in
1777-78. Valley Forge is the story of an army's huge struggle to survive
against very bad odds, hunger and disease. There were no battles fought, but
still about 2,000 soldiers died. That is more Americans than were killed at
the battles of Brandywine and Germantown combined. This Park is also a
reminder of our nation's diversity. Washington's troops were the most
racially combined of any army in our country, up until Vietnam. There were
about 5,000 soldiers of African descent. There were Native Americans and
members of the Oneida Indian Nation that all had an impact during the Valley
Forge encampment.
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