Road to Valley Forge

916 Words2 Pages

The Road to Valley Forge The book that I choose to review was The Road to Valley Forge, How Washington Built the Army that Won the Revolutionary War, written by John Buchanan. This is a book that covers the beginning of the revolutionary war in America from the time that George Washington is selected as commander-in-chief of the army, until his army enters winter quarters at Valley Forge. It encompasses the weather conditions that Washington and his army had to endure as well as the scrutiny that Washington always seemed to be under. The scrutiny came from people in congress who believed that the war was going to be quick and wanted a large, decisive battle fought. George Washington took control of the revolutionary army on 2 July 1775. He took over at outside of Boston, before this his experience was limited to wilderness travel and soldiering. His soldiering experiences had been mainly for his home state of Virginia. The first battle that was of significance in this book was the Battle of Long Island. At this battle Washington and the rebel army are soundly defeated by General Sir William Howe and the British army. After this battle was fought Howe did not follow-up the victory with quick action as the Americans retreated. It could be said that if Howe and the British would continued the attack this rebellion could have been put down right away. This will not be the first time that Howe fails to do this, and it will lead to him being replaced later in the war Sir Henry Clinton. Even though his army was thoroughly defeated Washington is able to get his troops off of Long Island back to Manhattan in the middle of the night, this will also not be the last time that Washington is able to get his 2 army out of harms way. The author briefly discusses the troubles at Kip’s Bay and Fort Washington. The next subject that Buchanan goes into is Washington’s retreat through the state of New Jersey. The key part of this retreat is when Washington crosses the Potomac River he collects all boats from both shores of the river. He later uses them to cross the icy Potomac to win the very important Battle of Trenton. The importance of this battle is that raised the morale of the soldiers. After this Howe decides to go into winter quarters.

Show More
Related

  • Valley Forge Case Study

    616 Words  | 2 Pages

    Point 2: What this area was like before the encampment, why was this area so important during the Revolutionary War: (Location to Philadelphia, supply lines, and topography of the land.)

    Read More

  • Washington's Crossing Sparknotes

    547 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Washington's Crossing, the book states that soon after England came with their 33,000 soldiers in New York in summer during the year of 1776, the much smaller army that made up the American military was close on their heels. Sadly, the American military was pushed from Long Island, Manhattan, and after that continued on to lose a lot of New Jersey and Rhode Island. Large numbers of Americans also proceeded to start signing their loyalty over to the English crown, and Washington's military began to be faced with a shortage of manpower. The remainder of Washington's army retreated to the Western shore of the Hudson River.

    Read More

  • Book report

    1152 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1776, David McCullough gives a vivid portrayal of the Continental Army from October 1775 through January 1777, with sharp focus on the leadership of America’s greatest hero, George Washington. McCullough’s thesis is that had not the right man (George Washington) been leading the Continental Army in 1776, the American Revolution would have resulted in a vastly different outcome. He supports his argument with a critical analysis of Washington’s leadership during the period from the Siege of Boston, through the disastrous defense of New York City, the desperate yet, well ordered retreat through New Jersey against overwhelming odds, and concludes with the inspiring victories of Trenton and Princeton. By keeping his army intact and persevering through 1776, Washington demonstrated to the British Army that the Continental Army was not simply a gang of rabble, but a viable fighting force. Additionally, Mr. McCullough supports his premise that the key to the survival of the American Revolution was not in the defense of Boston, New York City, or any other vital terrain, but rather the survival of the Continental Army itself. A masterful piece of history, 1776 is not a dry retelling of the Revolutionary War, but a compelling character study of George Washington, as well as his key lieutenants, and his British adversaries, the most powerful Army in the 18th Century world. When I read this book, I went from a casual understanding of the hero George Washington to a more specific understanding of why Washington was quite literally the exact right man at the exact right place and time to enable the birth of the United States.

    Read More

  • The Battle of Brandywine

    2037 Words  | 5 Pages

    “Although Howe might logically be expected to resume his overland offensive through the Jerseys, he had already decided to move against Philadelphia by water; Washington had no way of knowing what Howe’s objective would be, but he did have reason to believe that the British would move by water. These points are mentioned because many accounts of the maneuvers about to be discussed are written from the viewpoint that Washington expected Howe to march toward Philadelphia in a continuation of his 1776 campaign (chesco.org).”

    Read More

  • Colonists Won the War more than the British Lost It

    438 Words  | 1 Pages

    Although unknown to the Congress when they appointed Washington to lead the colonies, he would prove to be a great military genius. Washington was simply selected because he was a rich Virginian with everything to lose. In 1776 at the Battle of Long Island, Washington proved that he was a great military leader. Washington narrowly escaped to Manhattan Island, crossed the Hudson and finally reached the Delaware Rive with the British on his tale. Washington was known as a " sly fox" because of his tricky maneuvers to get his troops out of dangerous situations. A few weeks later Washington showed his sly ways once again when he captured a thousand Hessians the day after Christmas. Without Washington's amazing military mind, and his sly maneuvers the Americans never would have defeated the British.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Jeff Shaara's The Glorious Cause

    1295 Words  | 3 Pages

    By presenting the Revolutionary War as a tale of a novel instead of just stating boring facts and military terms, Shaara captivates his reader. Once the book captivates the reader, the information flows through the novel allowing a large understanding behind the Revolutionary War that consist of more than just who won what battle. Then by telling the story through multiple viewpoints, the reader can make his own opinions of each person, rather than relying on an author’s opinion. Shaara does all of this while still maintaining great historical accuracy, which makes the novel superior to any other historical fiction novel about the American Revolution. As a highly entertaining and educational read, Jeff Shaara does an excellent job in insuring that inquisitive readers will enjoy reading, The Glorious Cause, for many years to

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of George Washington's Newburgh Conspiracy Speech

    1955 Words  | 4 Pages

    "His mind was great and powerful, without being of the very first order; his penetration strong . . . Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed." (Thomas Jefferson, as cited in "George Washington," 2006, para.19) George Washington is one of the most recognized and famous leaders in all history of the United States of America. He contributed greatly to the establishment of this prosperous country, from leading the Revolutionary armies into battle, to running the country as the first president, Washington has set precedence and example for all who have and are yet to follow. He was a noble man who demonstrated characteristics one would expect from a hero figure. He was not power-hungry, but did things and played his role for the good of the country, for patriotic purposes, to help America become the success it is today. In March of 1783, the soldiers of the American military were restless, bored and in a terrible state of doubt and distrust concerning the newly formed congress of the country. When these soldiers joined the army, they were promised a certain amount of money according to their service, but by the war's end, congress was nearly broke and not in a position to pay them all they had earned. The soldiers planned a rebellion against congress for their unjust treatment, and attempted to hold an unauthorized meeting of the officers on the matter. Washington forbade the meeting, but called for one a few days later, in which he gave his speech concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy ("The Rise and Fall," 2006, para.2). General Washington was a highly respected man among his peers, soldiers, and fellow men. His opinions, approval, and presence alone were enough to validate many plans, documents, and meetings throughout his life, so it is no wonder that even simple words or acts performed by General Washington were respected, and more often than not, taken to heart by his audience; perhaps this is why it may seem surprising that one of the most important speeches he ever gave fell on relatively deaf ears, leaving the audience hesitant, confused, seemingly unaffected by his powerful use of diction, and emotional appeal.

    Read More

  • Valley Forge Would You Have Quit?

    1258 Words  | 3 Pages

    These times are not the best, but the spirit within us troops is still intact and helps us push forward so we may take what we deserve, what we need, the most precious thing to man desires ...Freedom. 1777-1778 Valley Forge was horrific and deadly, the conditions were dreadful, I can’t imagine someone who can live with these conditions. I want to reenlist because I have spirit, I want to serve for my country, and I want freedom from the Britishes filthy hands.Why did general Washington go to valley forge and have us camp there? I mean it’s killing us, but the real question is, should I stay or should I go now?

    Read More

  • 1776 Book Review

    1084 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ct most of his military blunders came in the year 1776. But he always learned from his mistakes. McCullough also examines the mistakes the British made, that may have cost them the victory in the war. 1776 is truly eye opening. It takes a more human look at men like Washington and his generals, and is full of letters and stories written by actual soldiers from both the British and American armies. One of the things that I enjoyed about this book was the way McCullough manages to also show the way the British felt towards the Americans and their opinions and thoughts about the rebels. The book ended on a high note, with Washington's historic crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night. It was the turning point of the war for the future president and his army, and it provided the first great victory for the young American county. The rest, as they say, is history.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Unknown American Revolution

    1147 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the book, Gary B. Nash narrates the war in chronological order to recount the war as it happened and emphasize the events that allowed for people of different class, gender, and/or race to stand up and call for American Independence or to turn on their country and join the British forces. In short, Nash emphasizes that the revolution was a “people’s revolution” [Page XV] and as such divided each chapter with

    Read More

  • Comte de Grasse Won the American Revolution

    838 Words  | 2 Pages

    With colonial, French, and British armies awaiting battle, tension during 1781 rose dramatically. Continental Army General George Washington and French army General Comte de Rochambeau were deliberating the decision of what move to make next on the American side. Unknown to either man, the decision that they were about to make could forever change the outcome of the Revolution. With Washington pushing for battle in New York City and Rochambeau pushing for battle in Virginia, French Admiral Francois-Joseph-Paul de Grasse made the ultimate decision in the next battle plan of the Revolution. It was Comte de Grasse's intelligent planning and performance in the Battle of the Chesapeake Capes that led to the defeat of the British in Yorktown. If not for Comte de Grasse's military move to blockade Cornwallis in the Chesapeake, the entire outcome of the American Revolution might have been different.

    Read More

  • The Battle of Yorktown

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    The plans for Yorktown actually started up in May of 1781 when General Washington joined up with French General Rochambeau. The American forces at this time were stationed in the area of New York City closely watching British General Clinton’s forces. Washington knew that General Cornwallis who had been dominating in the south would soon be moving northward to rendezvous with Clinton’s and General Nathaniel Green’s forces. He also knew that if this happened it would be near impossible of defeating the British. As Cornwallis continued his northern track he ran into trouble at the Battle of Cowpens. In fact he lost much of his light infantry and cavalry in the Carolinas. He did score a victory at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, but this would prove to not help him much as he took severe losses and consumed a lot of time.

    Read More

  • The Issues Of George Washington

    668 Words  | 2 Pages

    Another extremely important issue Washington faced was that of the Whiskey Rebellion. The whisky rebellion started when a tax was placed upon distilled liquor. The farmers of Pennsylvania completely infuriated at the taxed because Whisky was their most profitable product and their form of money. In 1794, they set up an armed uprising against the taxes. Alarmed by the attack, and following Hamilton’s advice, Washington sent over 12,000 troops into Pennsylvania for peace keeping. This was the first time a national militia was ever used in the new country. Washington’s decision proved to the people that Congress finally had th...

    Read More

  • Influence Of George Washington

    798 Words  | 2 Pages

    The battle of Lexington and Concord was the start of the American Revolutionary War. The colonies and the British had a political dispute which turned into an armed conflict. A second Continental Congress was called and created the continental army. George Washington was chosen to be the commander of the army because of his great leadership skills and his military

    Read More

  • George Washington's Life: The Life Of George Washington

    1142 Words  | 3 Pages

    On July 3rd, 1775, Washington took control of the Continental Army. He accepted the position without pay and left for Boston. The troops were under trained and supplies were limited. As a leader, Washington was fearless and never acted until he considered any and every outcome and would push through if conflicts did emerse. The army had won few battles but stood strong and endured the war. Finally, with the help of the French, Washington and his troops managed to capture the British during the Battle of Yorktown. Thus, the eight year Revolutionary war was at an end on October 17th,

    Read More

More about Road to Valley Forge

Open Document