Valley Forge

These are the Times that Try Men’s Souls

/ sandramervillehart

 

by Sandra Merville Hart

Thomas Paine lived in England until traveling to the colonies in 1774. He wrote articles about issues of the day, such as slavery and women’s rights, for the Pennsylvania Magazine.

It was a time of unrest in the colonies. There was growing dissatisfaction with Great Britain. After the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April of 1775, George Washington was appointed as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Though already at war with England, many colonists hesitated to split from England.

On January 10, 1776, Thomas Paine published an important pamphlet called Common Sense. Written in clear, easy-to-read language, it quickly sold about 500,000 copies, becoming an overnight best-seller. Many newspapers around the country reprinted quotes from this pamphlet.

 In Common Sense, Paine argued for separation from England and urged the colonists to declare independence. He also stated that he’d never met a man in America or England who didn’t believe the two countries would eventually part ways, but they couldn’t agree on the timing. Paine wrote that “the time hath found us.”

People praised his work, and it convinced many to act immediately. Paine volunteered for the army and served as aide-de-camp to General Nathanael Greene.

Washington’s army had been badly defeated in the Battle of Long Island in August of 1776. The soldiers’ confidence took a beating.

Paine noticed everyone’s dejected spirits. He sat beside a campfire near Newark, New Jersey, and wrote another article encouraging people not to lose their courage in this time of crisis. The Pennsylvania Journal published it on December 19, 1776. It was the first article in a series of writings that became known as The Crisis. This is part of his opening lines:

“These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.”

Impressed and encouraged by Paine’s article, General George Washington had it read to his soldiers. It inspired those brave men. They crossed the Delaware River during a snowstorm that turned to sleet on Christmas night in 1776. The American army surrounded the British forces at Trenton and won the battle, earning citizens’ trust in Washington’s leadership. Their victory restored the soldiers’ confidence.

Paine’s article stated his agreement that times were tough. As he said, the harder the fight, the happier we feel when we win.

His words encouraged the new nation.

 

Sources

“Ft. Washington Captured – Washington Retreats through N.J -1776,” History Central, 2015/07/27 http://www.historycentral.com/Revolt/Retreatnj.html.

Paine, Thomas. “The Crisis,” USHistory.org 2015/07/24 http://www.ushistory.org/paine/crisis/c-01.htm.

“Thomas Paine,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020/06/29 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Paine.

“Thomas Paine,” USHistory.org 2015/07/24 http://www.ushistory.org/paine/.

“Thomas Paine Publishes American Crisis,” History.com, 2015/07/28 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-paine-publishes-american-crisis.

 

 

 

Revolutionary War: Washington Battles Supply Shortage at Valley Forge

/ sandramervillehart

The winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge was rainy and moderate rather than snowy and cold, yet General George Washington’s colonial soldiers still suffered.

They were hungry. Provision shortages prompted Washington to write to the President of Congress, Henry Laurens, three days after their arrival at Valley Forge. His letter, dated December 22, 1777, reported alarming deficiencies in food supplies that, unless solved, must dissolve the army.

Incompetence in the Commissary and Quartermaster Department were partly to blame, though the practice of Purchase Commissaries working on percentages encouraged dishonesty.

William Buchanan served as Commissary General that winter. Washington asked Buchanan to rise to the challenge in a December 28th letter. He asked that at least a 30-day supply be stored near camp. Buchanan’s response wasn’t effective.

Nearby farmers, knowing the army’s great need, charged high prices. Local government passed legislation to fix prices to control this problem.

To supplement the food supply, Washington sent soldiers out to forage.

Members of the Continental Congress visited Valley Forge in mid-January. Washington reported the serious shortage.

In early February, Washington appealed to state governments for aid, who responded by sending droves of cattle to Valley Forge in March. One drove was captured by British soldiers.

The March 2nd appointment of Major General Nathanael Greene to Quartermaster General greatly improved the whole supply system along with the help of a new Commissary General, Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth.

Greene and Wadsworth worked well together. Their previous commissary experience was a refreshing change and helped turn a bad situation around at Valley Forge.

-Sandra Merville Hart

 

Sources

“Provision Shortages at Valley Forge,” UShistory.org, 2018/03/20 http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/history/provisions.html.

 

“Ten Facts about Washington and the Revolutionary War,” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 2018/03/11 http://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-revolutionary-war/ten-facts-about-the-revolutionary-war/.