Winter in Wartime
Bad weather and impassable roads made the Winter a difficult time for 18th and 19th century armies. Military leaders during this period — including the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War — tried to avoid military operations during this trying season. Yet, even when not on active campaign, soldiers struggled against the weather and the boredom of life in winter quarters to try and bring some semblance of home and comfort to the holiday season. And, of course, there were those rare instances in which Americans had to wage war against the enemy and the elements.
Explore the battles and activities that carried soldiers through the bleak months.
Valley Forge in American Memory
It’s a gripping story – the Continental army, on the brink of defeat, huddled together to survive the winter of 1777-1778 while Philadelphia, the...
Valley Forge: "Why are we sent here to starve and Freeze?"
Albigence Waldo was a surgeon in the Continental Army and kept a diary during the winter at Valley Forge.
"In a truly forlorn condition"
This article discusses battles that were fought in the winter during the American Revolution, The War of 1812, and the Civil War.
Civil War | Inspire
Culpeper Battlefields State Park
Piece by piece, private preservation efforts saved a critical mass of the endangered battlefields at Brandy Station, Cedar Mountain, Kelly's Ford and...
Morristown: Ice-cold Winter Encampment
VIDEO | Valley Forge may be the winter encampment that is most remembered as testing Patriot troops to the limits of their endurance – but the winters...