Diversity of the Camp

Throughout the American Revolution, women and their children attempted to follow the Continental Army in search of food, shelter, work, safety, and family. Since the Continental Army was struggling to feed its own soldiers, therefore the women who were allowed to stay were soldiers’ wives and they had to be of service. These women served as nurses, laundresses, seamstresses or cooks. For this work they were compensated with rations and sometimes payment. The Valley Forge Encampment included hundreds of these year-round camp followers. During the winter encampments the officers’ wives would often join their husbands it an effort to relieve the burdens of war.

In addition to women, the camp included free and enslaved African Americans, some of whom were runaways hoping for freedom. They served side by side in the Continental Army or as civilian servants, medical orderlies, musicians, waiters, waggoneers and armorers.

In the spring of 1778, General George Washington asked to have the Oneida and Tuscarora warriors join his army at Valley Forge. These warriors played a significant role at Valley Forge offering aid and food to the soldiers. During a reconnaissance mission the Oneida warriors ambushed some the British soldiers trying to capture General Lafayette. The warriors provided a delaying action that allowed the Continental Army and General Lafayette to retreat back to the protection of Valley Forge.

Features

Martha Washington

The Women Present
at Valley Forge