<Li> Carlisle Peace Commission </Li> <P> Valley Forge functioned as the third of eight military encampments for the Continental Army's main body, commanded by General George Washington . In September 1777, British forces had captured the American capital of Philadelphia . After failing to retake the city, Washington led his 12,000 - person army into winter quarters at Valley Forge, located approximately 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Philadelphia . They remained there for six months, from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778 . At Valley Forge, the Continentals struggled to manage a disastrous supply crisis while retraining and reorganizing their units . About 1,700 to 2,000 soldiers died due to disease, possibly exacerbated by malnutrition . </P> <P> Today, Valley Forge National Historical Park preserves and protects over 3,500 acres of the original encampment site . </P> <P> In 1777, Valley Forge consisted of a small proto - industrial community located at the juncture of the Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River . In 1742, Quaker industrialists established the Mount Joy Iron Forge . Largely thanks to capital improvements made by John Potts (of Pottstown, Pennsylvania) and his family over the following decades, the small community expanded the ironworks, established mills, and constructed new dwellings for residents . Surrounding the valley was a rich farmland, where mainly Welsh - Quaker farmers grew wheat, rye, hay, Indian corn, among other crops, and raised livestock including cattle, sheep, pigs, and barnyard fowl . Settlers of German and Swedish descent also lived nearby . </P>

Valley forge was a high point in the american revolution