Posted on Dec 11, 2025
British delay Washington’s march to Valley Forge | December 11, 1777 | HISTORY
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On December 11, 1777, General George Washington begins marching 12,000 soldiers of his Continental Army from Whitemarsh to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, for the winter. As Washington’s men began crossing the Schuylkill River, they were surprised by a regiment of several thousand British troops led by General Charles Cornwallis. Cornwallis came across the continental forces by chance as he followed General William Howe’s orders to forage for supplies in the hills outside Philadelphia.
Upon spotting General Cornwallis and the British troops, General Washington ordered his soldiers to retreat across the Schuylkill River, where they destroyed the bridge to prevent the British from pursuing them. After engaging the British for a short time from the opposite side of the river, Washington and the Continental Army retreated back to Whitemarsh, delaying their march to Valley Forge for several days.
Upon spotting General Cornwallis and the British troops, General Washington ordered his soldiers to retreat across the Schuylkill River, where they destroyed the bridge to prevent the British from pursuing them. After engaging the British for a short time from the opposite side of the river, Washington and the Continental Army retreated back to Whitemarsh, delaying their march to Valley Forge for several days.
British delay Washington’s march to Valley Forge | December 11, 1777 | HISTORY
Posted from history.comPosted in these groups: 
War of Independence
Valley Forge
War of Independence Valley Forge
Posted 19 h ago
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@john McClellan I do not remember this tidbit from History. There is so much to absorb that there is room to keep learning.
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SGT Aaron Atwood
Overall it's a very spacious site. I'd recommend a week just for Valley Forge so you're not necessarily feeling the crunch of time as you go from one area to the next.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
SGT Aaron Atwood I have recently said about life in general that it takes ten lifetimes to learn everything. Thank you.
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This just reminded me that I spent a month in Vally Forge Army Hospital, 1970. Recovering from combat wounds from Vietnam.
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I took the family there twice. Once was during summer vacation and the other was while moving us to a new duty station. I pointed out to the kids approximately where their ancestors would've camped. No idea if any of the four were involved in engaging the British or destroying the bridge, but considering all four were from Massachusetts it wouldn't surprise me if they were.
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