Page 66 - ASM Book 9/2020

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Baron von Steuben Arrived at Valley Forge
First, Major General Steuben wrote a training manual. Then he trained a “model company” of 100 men using Prussian style drills. Each man from the model company then trained another group who trained another brigade. This process continued until every able bodied man was trained to be a skilled and confident soldier.
When the Continental Army marched out of Valley Forge with a renewed spirit
on June 19, 1778, Washington knew his disciplined, revitalized, reorganized, and highly trained army was better prepared than ever to face the British army. The officers and soldiers felt a renewed sense of confidence and determination. They were now focused on completing their mission.
T
he arrival of Baron von Steuben on February 23, 1778, with his offer of service brightened the spirits throughout the camp. Washington gladly accepted Steuben’s proposal to train the Continental Army – Prussian-style. He did not speak English.
British Forces Raided & Burned
1779
• MAY 10 - BRITISH ACTION: British troops burned Portsmouth and Norfolk, Virginia.
• JULY 5 to 11 - BRITISH ACTION: Loyalists raided coastal towns in Connecticut, burning Fairfield, Norwalk and the ships in New Haven harbor.
• JULY 10 - BRITISH ACTION: American naval ships from Massachusetts were destroyed by the British while attempting to take the loyalist stronghold of Castine, Maine.
• SEPTEMBER 3 to OCTOBER 28 - AMERICAN ACTION: Americans suffered a major defeat while attacking the British at Savannah, Georgia.
• OCTOBER 17 - AMERICAN ACTION: Washington established winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey.
• DECEMBER 26 - BRITISH ACTION: British General Clinton and 8,000 troops sailed from New York to Charleston, South Carolina.