pursuit of happiness.Unfortunately, I must do battle before one of those will come true. I can not pursuehappiness if this nation is not free and I am not with you. I look forward to the day whenwe are all able to be a family again.January 3, 1776Dear Elizabeth,It has been a rather cold winter. We are in New Jersey, camped south of theHessians. Our spirits are low. The Army is dwindlig fast. What was once a 20,000 manarmy is now just a few thousand. However, we are riding the heels of two victories in arow. The first one was at Trenton, where we caught the sleeping Hessians after havingrowed across the ice-clogged Deleware. Here we acquired much needed suppliesuncluding guns and ammunition. A few days ago we had another victory, this time atPrinceton.November 7, 1777Dear Elizabeth,The French have agreed to support our effort for Independence. This comes afterthe victory of Horatio Gates and his men over British General Burgoyne at the Battle ofSaratoga. General Howe was no where in sight. He is reportedly already encemped inPhiladelphia for the winter after his victory there. Febuary 28, 1778Dear Elizabeth,It has been a brutally harsh winter here in Valley Forge. Our situatio here is bleak. While the British are spending the Winter in Philadelphia, we are stuck here in a makeshiftcity. There is a house, where Washington and his men stay, a few cabins, and many tents. However, there is reason for hope. Baron Von Steuben, a professional soldier anddrillmaster from Germany, and Marquis De Lafayette, a nobleman from France, are hardat work to turn this bunch into an army.January 27, 1780Dear Elizabeth,It looks like the war will not last much longer. A little more than a year ago,Savannah was taken. Earlier in the month Charlestown was captured. We are headedsouth to stop Cornwallis and help newly appointed general, Nathaneal Greene. However,Greene, with help from the Cherokee Indians, has pushed Cornwallis to retreat i...
