Valley Forge National Historical Park

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Valley Forge National Historical Park

Refuge. Resolve. Renewal. Where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778.

A park with 3,500 acres of meadows and woodlands honoring the resolve and power of people to find renewal through transformation. Valley Forge National Historical Park is nationally significant as the location of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army under General George Washington.

06/21/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago Dr. James McHenry wrote to in his diary on June 21, 1778.

“A Rapid Mornings March. Excessive hot. Some of the Soldiers die suddenly. Reach Coryls Ferry—Encamp on the Pennsylvania side.

The General crosses with the spare baggage and artillery.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 247 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

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06/20/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago 16-year old civilian Sarah Wister wrote in her diary on June 20, 1778.

“Our brave, our heroic General Washington was escorted by fifty of the Life Guard, with drawn swords. Each day he acquires an addition to his goodness. We have been very anxious to hear how the inhabitants have far’d. I understand the Gen’l Arnold, who bears a good character, has the command of the city, and the soldiers conducted with great decorum. ... I now think of nothing but returning to Philadelphia.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 247 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

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06/19/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago Dr James McHenry wrote in his diary on June 19, 1778.

“The whole army in motion. — March to Norring-town Town-Ship—Encamp on Stoney run—Head Quarters at a Dr Shannons—a good Farm House—good Cheer—& a pretty situation.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 248 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

As the army leaves Valley Forge, marching towards victory at Monmouth, this is the last post for the year in this series. We hope to continue sharing these stories in future years as well, so keep checking back for the history as it was experienced by those who lived through it.

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06/18/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago Philadelphia resident Elizabeth Drinker wrote in her diary on June 18, 1778.

“Last night it was said there was 9000 of the British troops left in town, 11,000 in Jersey. This morning when we arose there was not one redcoat to be seen in town (Phila.). The encampment in Jersey also vanished. Col. Gordon and some others had not been gone a quarter of an hour before the American light-horse entered the city – not many them, but they were in and out all day. A bellman went about this evening, by order of Col. Morgan, to desire the inhabitants to stay within doors after night; that if any were found in the streets by the patrol they would be punished. The few that came in today had drawn swords in their hands. They galloped about the streets in a great hurry. Many were much frightened at their appearance.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 248 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

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06/17/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago Captain Charles Willson Peale wrote in his diary on June 17, 1778.

“the Enemy avacuated the City of Phia:, we had the news of it at Head quarters about 11 Oclock and I would have set out for the City but Listen those to stay till the next Day.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 248 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

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06/16/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago Major General Lafayette wrote to his wife Adrienne de Lafayette on June 16, 1778.

“What a dreadful thing is absence! I never experienced before all the horrors of separation. My own deep sorrow is aggravated by the feeling that I am not able to share and sympathize in your anguish. The length of time that elapsed before I heard of this event had also increased my misery. Consider, my love, how dreadful it must be to weep for what I have lost, and tremble for what remains. The distance between Europe and America appears to me more enormous than ever. The loss of our poor child is almost constantly in my thoughts: this sad news followed immediately that of the treaty; and whilst my heart was torn by grief, I was obliged to receive and take part in expressions of public joy.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 248 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

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06/15/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago Sergeant Jeremiah Greenman wrote in his diary on June 15, 1778.

“this day a Number of prisoners came from philidelphy who informs us that the enemy is gitting every thing in readyness to go to New York & we hear that the french is proclamed war against great britton.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 248 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

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06/14/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago Christopher Marshall wrote in his diary in Lancaster on June 14, 1778.

“Took a walk to view the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment marching through the town with their baggage wagons, women, &c., for the back countries in order to protect them from the incursions of the Indians there.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 247 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

You can find today's excerpt and many more on the Valley Forge National Historical Park website at

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06/13/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago General Washington wrote in General Orders on June 13, 1778.

“A fatigue Party is to be ordered from each Brigade for the Purpose of cleansing the old Encampment, filling up the Pitts and burying all kind of Garbage & Carrion that may remain.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 247 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

You can find today's excerpt and many more on the Valley Forge National Historical Park website at

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Address

1400 N Outer Line Drive
King Of Prussia, PA
19406

Telephone

+16107831099

Website

https://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm

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