Sold – George Washington at the Turning Point at Valley Forge

"General Howe intends an early Campaign; to take advantage of our weak state."

"What is to be done? We must either oppose our whole force to his, in this Quarter, or take the advantage of him in some other."

With the original Free Frank from Valley Forge still attached

In September 1777, the Continental Army lost the Battle of Brandywine and was forced to retreat before a strong British force led by Lord William Howe. The victorious British then occupied Philadelphia, forcing Congress to flee the city. After another unsuccessful engagement at Germantown the next month, the Americans fled to Valley Forge, a more defensible location from which they could keep an eye on the foe. After an exhausting march,  the undermanned American force arrived there on December 19, and they were in a miserable state (just four days later nearly 3,000 men were reported sick or incapable of duty). The winter came on and the men suffered badly from the cold. Except for officers, they slept in six-foot square tents made of canvas, which were weak and cracked and didn't provide sufficient protection from the snowy and stormy weather. These shortages were especially bad from January to March 1778, mitigating only at the very end of the latter month. The entire American Army thereafter consisted of some 6,000 men huddled around campfires on wet, icy ground. British general Howe, by way of contrast, had some 15,000 well-supplied men in and around Philadelphia, and many more available in nearby New York.

Alexander McDougall was active in the appointment of delegates to the first Continental Congress in 1774, and when the Revolution broke out was named colonel of the 1st New York Regiment. On August 9, 1776, he was made a brigadier-general, and in the retreat from Long Island he superintended the successful embarkation of the troops. In the battle of White Plains he was conspicuous, and in October 1777 he was promoted to major-general. MacDougall was in the battle of Germantown, and  remained with the army at Valley Forge. On March 16, Washington sent him to lead the American forces on the Hudson River north of New York, and thus to keep an eye on the British in New York City. “Upon your arrival at the Highlands,”?Washington wrote, “you are to take upon you the command of the different posts in that Department.” Gen. Samuel Parsons, in command at West Point, would assist him.

On March 24, with ice an inch thick on the ground and the troops cold, there was a sudden break in the weather that lasted a few days and gave the encampment a brief foretaste of spring.

With his army at Valley Forge in a weakened state, Washington fears a British attack and conceives a daring move to the offensive

On March 28 and 29, stormy Winter weather returned, and word of two important events reached Valley Forge. The first was the news that on February 6, France and the United States had signed a Treaty of Alliance in Paris. This meant recognition of American independence, as well as the eventual arrival of supplies, munitions and French troops to participate in the war. Even more urgent at the encampment was information that four British regiments were believed to have left New York by ship, possibly bound for Philadelphia. Washington wrote McDougall about this, saying “I am informed that two Regiments of British and two of Hessians were embarked at New York, and by accounts from Rhode Island it was imagined that the Enemy were about evacuating Newport. This makes me suspicious that General Howe is drawing his reinforcements together to attack us…”

On March 31, Washington and the Continental Army confirmed that the British ships from New York were headed to Philadelphia, buttressing the American concern.  Washington aimed to divert attention away from his defensive and weakened position by proposing an offensive.  According to Ordeal at Valley Forge by John Stoudt, knowing that he must act on both the offensive and defensive, and soon, Washington “busies himself late into the night with plans for the next campaign.” He outlined his plan, which took advantage of the apparent diversion of British troops from New York to Philadelphia to have Continental Army forces on the Hudson launch an attack on New York itself. This was Washington’s first major offensive plan since the Continental Army arrived at Valley Forge the previous fall. In fact, March 31 was the pivot point, when Washington shifted from thinking about defense and turned his attention to the offensive, and when the storied encampment turned from despair to hope.

Letter Signed, Valley Forge, PA., March 31, 1778, to McDougall, discussing Howe’s offensive, the weakness of American forces, his idea for an attack on New York, and his purpose of dividing the enemy. “That part of the Troops at New York have left that place, admits of no doubt. The accts. of their number differ, some say four Regiments (two British and two Hessian), some 2300, and others 2500 Men, all of which, there is reason to believe are arrived at Phila.; as a fleet consisting of near 50 Transports (the same number that left New York passed Wilmington about five days ago. By report, Rhode Island was to be evacuated (as on the 20th. Instt.) and the Garrison brought to Phila. This, if true, evidently proves that General Howe intends an early Campaign; to take advantage of our weak state.

If in viewing of this matter in every light the Importance of it deserves, you shall be of opinion that it can be undertaken with a fair prospect of Success, I shall not withdraw any part of the aforementioned Troops to this Army; if on the other hand, too much danger and difficulty should appear to warrant the attempt, I desire that Vanscoicks Regiment (which has been ordered to Fishkills) may be directed to march without delay to join me. It is unnecessary I am sure, for me to add, that the most pro. found secrecy should attend your operations, if the scheme is adopted; and to drop hints of such a measure being in agitation if it is not, in order to divide the attention of the Enemy.” This letter still has its original signed free frank attached. Our research of records over the past thirty years discloses only three other letters of Washington from Valley Forge during December 1777-March 1778, the time of the greatest desperation and patriotism, and only one had content of this quality.

When the British ships unloaded in Delaware the first week of April, they contained far fewer troops than expected. Because of these factors, the assault on New York was never made, though the misinformation campaign proposed by Washington was likely put in place. The plan provides a fascinating insight into General Washington’s leadership qualities, showing how he mixed careful, practical assessments with a streak of daring and surprise.