How to Survive Your "Valley Forge"

In the annals of American history, the survival at Valley Forge ranks among our nation's most memorable. To keep the British at bay, General George Washington decided to house his troops at this Pennsylvania encampment for the winter. They were totally exhausted, ill-equipped, had little provision, became fatally disease-ridden ~ it was literally a strength of will that would see the 12,000 soldiers (less 2,500 that died) through.

I expect that many of you reading this post are in a million times better shape than was the case at Valley Forge long ago. We do, however, live in a time of unprecedented challenges. (Don't we?) And they seem to be mounting. And so it's helpful (I think) to understand just how George Washington and his men (the survivors) survived.  It's helpful for us to be reminded.

And so how did they do it?

Well, among other things, they had (spell it) s-u-p-p-o-r-t ~ support. That's how George W (the original) and the surviving men survived. They were supported and by so-called "Camp Followers." A wikipedia entry reads...

A group of people called Regimental Camp Followers also helped increase the morale of the soldiers and provided necessary support to the men. Camp Followers at Valley Forge consisted of the families, wives, children, mothers, and sisters of the soldiers.

These camp followers often served as laundresses, cleaning and mending the uniforms of the soldiers. Washington understood a soldier would die quickly from disease if his uniform was dirty and threadbare. These women and children also provided the emotional support to a soldier, allowing them to remain at camp and continue on training and soldiering during the winter months. (Also read: The Role of Camp Followers in the American Revolution)

And so people support (there were men "Camp Followers", too) ~ the company of others, their services, their touch ~ was crucial in insuring the survival of thousands of men at Valley Forge. There's no telling how many more lives would have been lost without it.

It's how we all survive (isn't it?) no matter what the severity of our "Valley Forge" experience might be (if we should be facing one).

We need others. We really do.

(Picture above in the public domain: click here.)

You might also be interested in:

• How to Survive Extreme Circumstances
• The Story of the Old Mule