The Continental Army, under the command of George Washington, spent a long and difficult winter at Valley Forge. Washington and his troops had to march thirteen miles from Whitemarsh to Valley Forge leaving a trail of bloody footprints behind. It took them a week to travel the thirteen miles due to the harsh conditions. Teams were formed to build log cabins as shelter, and a prize of twelve dollars was offered to the team that could build a well made cabin the fastest. After Christmas everyone had shelter. It protected them from rain and snow, but it did not supply much warmth or protection from icy winds. People ate pastes made from a mixture of water and flour, or they cooked hot cakes on heated stones. A man named Allen McLane, the "most dashing of all raiders", cut British expeditions off and stole their cattle. Other men provided food by foraging from farmers and from other sources. The German, Baron Von Stueben, trained the men by teaching them important skills such as how to use bayonets effectively. On the night of December 26, Washington led his troops across the frigid Delaware, and they surprised the Hessian mercenaries working for England. It was a quick and easy victory for America.
