Inefficiency meanwhile brought terrible suffering at Valley
Forge, and the horrors of that winter remain still vivid in the
memory of the American people. The army marched to Valley Forge
on December 17, 1777, and in midwinter everything from houses to
entrenchments had still to be created. At once there was busy
activity in cutting down trees for the log huts. They were built
nearly square, sixteen feet by fourteen, in rows, with the door
opening on improvised streets. Since boards were scarce, and it
was difficult to make roofs rainproof, Washington tried to
stimulate ingenuity by offering a reward of one hundred dollars
for an improved method of roofing. The fireplaces of wood were
protected with thick clay. Firewood was abundant, but, with
little food for oxen and horses, men had to turn themselves into
draught animals to bring in supplies.
Sometimes the army was for a week without meat. Many horses died
for lack of forage or of proper care, a waste which especially
disturbed Washington, a lover of horses. When quantities of
clothing were ready for use, they were not delivered at Valley
Forge owing to lack of transport. Washington expressed his
contempt for officers who resigned their commissions in face of
these distresses.
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