Valley Forge Dbq Essay

Almost 2,500 people died in three months. In the winter of 1777 and 1778, George Washington and his army decided to camp at Valley Forge, about 18 miles away from Philadelphia. Disease and famine were not far behind though. In one month, an estimate of 2,898 soldiers were already getting illness. Some stayed and others left. Would you have given up if you were at Valley Forge? I would have quit because of disease, supplies, and weather. The first reason I would have left was because of disease. One source, document A, estimates that on December 23 of 1777, there was about 2,898 soldiers suffering from illness. Then by February 1 of 1778, there was about 3,989 soldiers with disease. In just a month and a half almost twice as many soldiers had disease. Then in document C, it states, “I am sick-disconnected-and out of humour.” This was Dr. Albigence Waldo words who was a surgeon at the time. The fact that Dr. Waldo himself was sick, shows how bad disease was. Also in document C, Dr. Waldo stated, “The army which has been surprisingly healthy hitherto, now begins to grow sickly from the continued fatigues they have suffered this Campaign.” Dr. Waldo, as a surgeon, observed the continuous flow of disease throughout the camp. The second reason I would have left …show more content…
In document B, the soldiers are shown wearing very little clothes while it is snowing outside. Not only are the soldiers low on clothes, but it is so cold outside that there is snow. In document C, Dr. Waldo states, “Poor food-hard lodging-Cold Weather…” Dr. Waldo, who was there at Valley Forge, witnessed the cold temperatures and stated that is was cold. Dr. Waldo again states in document C, “Why are we sent here to starve and Freeze.” Dr. Waldo is again saying how cold it is, even calling it freezing. He said both of these statements in the same letter, which shows he wants to emphasize the chilling temperatures at Valley

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DBQ Essay: Valley Forge