6. The weather protected the American army at Valley Forge
Much of the story of the winter encampment at Valley Forge during the American Revolution is a myth. The weather during the winter of 1777-78, the season of the encampment, was relatively mild. Temperatures were normally above freezing during the daylight hours, snow was light, and there were few ice storms. In fact, though normally 18th century armies did not campaign in winter, conditions were such that Washington was constantly concerned that the British in Philadelphia would sortie to attack the encampment. His troops were weakened from disease and hunger, and they were ill-equipped, but nobody froze to death, as American myth presents.
The weather was such that the British could not sortie, not because it was too cold and snowy, but because it was too warm. The roads were muddy and nearly impassable for horses and drawn vehicles. Had the weather gone colder, troops would have moved on frozen roads, as Washington had during the Princeton campaign. Several winter encampments during the Revolutionary War featured more severe cold and heavier snows, including the Morristown winter camp in 1778-79. The following year was recorded as one of the worst winters, in terms of cold and precipitation, in the 18th century. Washington’s army emerged from Valley Forge as a disciplined, professional military unit.