“Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery.” These words of Washington on the National Memorial Arch describe the suffering the Continental Army endured at Valley Forge, certainly one of the most recognizable icons in all American history.  Our May tour of the American Revolution will trace the second part of the Philadelphia Campaign, from Washington’s defeat at Germantown through the American army’s march out of Valley Forge heading to its success at the battle of Monmouth in June, 1778.

 

We will begin on Thursday evening with a brief overview of the strategic situation facing Washington after Germantown, as well as the critical military geography of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers region. We’ll introduce some of the key commanders on both sides, as well as review the composition and conditions of the British and American armies.

 

Friday morning will begin with a brief visit to Coopers Ferry, the site of the Hessian crossing from Philadelphia into New Jersey prior to their attack on Fort Mercer.  We will next move on to National Park, a uniquely named community, to explore the remains of Fort Mercer, the site of the critical American victory in the war to control the Delaware.  It was here that Col. Christopher Greene and his Rhode Island troops defeated Col. von Donop’s Hessians.  Returning to Pennsylvania, we’ll next tour Fort Mifflin.  It was at this off-the-beaten-track gem that Lt. Col. Samuel Smith’s troops endured fierce British bombardment before conceding the fort and the river to Lord Howe.

 

Our afternoon will be spent at Fort Washington, the Continental encampment after Germantown.  Here at Whitemarsh in early December, Washington was unsuccessful in luring Howe into an attack against his strong entrenchments.  We’ll visit the site of entrenchments on Fort Hill and Militia Hill.

 

Our Saturday will begin by tracing Washington’s route from Whitemarsh through the Gulph to Valley Forge.  We will learn why Valley Forge was selected as a winter camp, reviewing its strengths and weaknesses. Most of our day will be spent in an in-depth exploration of the hard winter of 1777–1778, with consideration of some popular myths.  We will visit the camp sites of the 16 continental brigades, Washington’s Headquarters, the National Memorial Arch, the Washington Memorial Chapel, and the park Visitor Center, with its excellent exhibits.  We’ll discuss the evolution of Valley Forge as one our most revered national historical treasures.

 

The day will conclude with a stop at Barren Hill, where, in May, 1778, General Lafayette was nearly snared by Howe and Clinton.  We’ll discuss why Lafayette sallied from Valley Forge and how he eluded the redcoats in this prelude to Monmouth.  Throughout the tour, we will review the extensive literature of the campaign and winter encampment.

 

Please join us to trace the final maneuvers and battles of the Philadelphia Campaign and experience the suffering and rebirth of the Continental Army at Valley Forge.           

 

About Our Tour Leaders

Rich Bellamy is a veteran tour leader of American Revolutionary War tours and is also a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg.

 

William M. Welsch, a retired college administrator, is an expert on the American Revolution. He is a veteran tour leader of Brandywine, Valley Forge, Trenton, Princeton, Morristown, Springfield and other Revolutionary War sites.

 

Thursday, June 7

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM       Campaign Overview – at Best Western - The Inn at King of Prussia

Friday, June 8

8:00 AM                      Depart for Tour

4:30 PM                      Arrive Back at Best Western - The Inn at King of Prussia

Saturday, June 9

8:00 AM                      Depart for Tour

5:00 PM                      Arrive Back at Best Western - The Inn at King of Prussia

REGISTRATION FEES (lodging not included):   

 

Adult Regular:            $ 295         Under Age 23:              $   95

 

 

If You Must Cancel we will refund 100% of your fees paid. However, to receive a 100% refund, you must allow 30 days from the date of our receipt of your notice of cancellation

 

What is Included in your Registration:

·        the services of expert historians chosen for their knowledge and experience  

·        Friday & Saturday lunches

·        refreshments during the tour

·        information package

             

Base Location & Lodging: We will be based at the Best Western – The Inn at King of Prussia, 127 South Gulph Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406 where we have reserved a block of sleeping rooms at the special nightly rate of $95.00 – Single or Double. To reserve a room under our block, call 610-265-4500 and identify yourself as a registrant for the American History Forum tour.