Hello list. Was there an official date when Washingtons troops first encamped at Valley Forge ? Of the units assigned to VF many had sick troops in "hospital" meaning that they could have been in VF or in any of the hospitals where the sick were sent in the surrounding area. My ancestor served in the VA 12th, assigned to VF and is listed as deceased on December 16, 1777. The NPS administration at VF says that he is not eligible to be on the Muster Roll list. That's the reason for my post ! Your comments please. Lloyd D. Ellis

Lloyd-- > Was there an official date when Washingtons troops > first encamped at Valley Forge ? I can only guess at the criteria used by the NPS but suggest that they use 19 December 1777 which is when Washington arrived and established his HQ there. The sick and wounded were not scheduled to go to Valley Forge. Instead they were supposed to go to Reading PA. Washington listed his HQ as White Marsh through 10 December, then Swede's Ford on 11-12 December, The Gulph 13-18 and Valley Forge 20 et al. [There were no General Orders on the 19th, just "After Orders" published on the 18th. On 19 December Geo. Washingtonn wrote Patrick Henry under the byline "Camp 14 Miles from Philadelphia"] [ref: The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 10] A couple of key extracts: "Head Quarters, Sweede's Ford, December 12, 1777. "Parole --. Countersigns --. " A careful subaltern from each brigade is to repair this " day to the last encampment of the army, to collect and " take care of the sick and conduct them to Reading. " These officers are to apply to the Regimental Surgeons " for information where to find the sick of their brigades. " Every motive of duty and humanity requires the most " exact attention to this order. Drs. Draper and Campbell, " at Mr. West's will give assistance to the subalterns...." "Head. Quarters, at the Gulph, December 16, 1777. "Parole --. Countersigns --. "The tents are to be carried to the encampment of the " troops, and pitched immediately." The Gulph was the place where Gulph (or Gulf) Creek cuts through Gulph Hill and empties into the Schuylkill River at West Conshohocken, Pa. Matsons Ford crosses the Schuylkill at this point Background: Washington's army was at Whitemarsh when Howe, hearing the Washington was preparing to depart, ordered his army out of Philadelphia in an attempt to scatter the Americans. The Brits marched out on the evening of 4 December. After several days of trying to dislodge Washington, Howe gave up and on 8 December returned to Philadelphia with the army arriving there about 10:30pm. Washington's army started its departure on 11 December and was delayed by the forward elements clashing with a large foraging expedition under Cornwallis. I am not knowledgeable enough to say exactly who arrived where when; however, Boatner gives the occupation of Valley Forge Winter Quarters as being 19 Dec 1777 thru 18 June 1778. I have serious reservations as to the existence of a hospital at Valley Forge as early as 16 December. On 12 December, the sick were ordered to be taken to Reading. I hope that someone more knowledgeable than I can give you specific as to the movement of the 12th Virginia Regiment. Bob Brooks