Spartan Conditions

On average each hut at Valley Forge contained accommodations for six men. Included inside were rough bunk beds, a fireplace, and some space for the men to socialize. Though some of the troops suffered from a lack of clothing, contrary to popular belief, the majority of Washington's men were fully uniformed. To supplement the limited supplies the army received from Congress, the troops were kept busy foraging and patrolling for food and livestock. While the men's diet was simple, they did suffer heavily from a variety of diseases such as influenza, typhus, typhoid, and dysentery. These were ultimately curtailed by sanitation regulations, inoculations, and the work of surgeons. Records show that over two-thirds of the 2,000 men who perished at Valley Forge died in the warmer months of March, April, and May, when supplies were more abundant, but also when disease was more prevalent.