Valley Forge, a village in Chester County, Pa., famous as the site of the quarters of the American colonial army under George Washington in the winter of 1777 and 1778. The army was 11,000 strong when it went into camp, December 17, but owing to mismanagement the supplies were totally inadequate for the accommodation of the army, and fully half the men were soon unfit for duty. The suffering which the soldiers endured during the winter and following spring was almost incredible and tried the patriotism of even the most loyal friends of the colonial cause. General Washington remained with his men throughout this period, and with the aid of Baron Steuben (See STEUBEN, FRIEDRICH WILHELM, Baron von) brought the army to a high state of efficiency and discipline. Camp was broken June 18, 1778, and the army then occupied Philadelphia.