I’m standing in the center of our camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The British are 20 miles away in Philadelphia. Men surround me, shivering, starving, and covered in their own vomit. I know I do not want to be a part of this madness. The winter of 1777-1778 has been rough enough already. I’ve been here for 8 months, and in 1 more month I can choose to re-enlist, or go home. My decision has already been made. Although George Washington is trying his best, his monotonous words will not be enough to keep me in this graveyard. I refuse to risk my health and in all likelihood die from the sickness and disease going around camp. I refuse to starve, be frigid, live in smolder-filled huts, and remain unclothed and unhealthy. I refuse to die under these circumstances. I am going to leave Valley Forge in one …show more content…
Things have become so atrocious that George Washington had to ask the Congressional Committee for more money. I doubt they have any to give, for they are more focused on the bigger picture, rather than a few deteriorated soldiers (Doc B). Dr.Waldo wrote in his journal, “A general cry thro’ the camp this evening among the soldiers, “No meat! No meat!” -The distant vales echoed back the melancholy sound- “No meat! No meat!” This tells how us soldiers have been starving for quite a while now, and most of us are done dealing with the hardships. As Waldo also questioned, “Why are we sent here to starve and freeze? I can no longer endure it (Doc C). I am willing to admit that I am a summer soldier, as Thomas Paine wrote (Doc D). I’ve already risked my life for this country; now it is someone else’s turn. In conclusion, I am happy to be leaving Valley Forge in one month. I do not want to risk getting sick and dying. I am weary of the starvation, bitter cold, and lack of decent clothing. I am tired, hungry, and ready to go home. My time to retire has come, therefore, I will not be