General Washington on Supply

[Webstral]

I’m reading “A Short History of the Revolutionary War” as my bathroom reading. I’ve reached the chapter on Valley Forge. The author relates George Washington’s refusal to requisition supplies and reasoning behind his philosophy. His troops went cold and hungry at a time when the civilian population was eating reasonably well and enjoying decent shelter. I find this very interesting. I also find the idea antithetical to the SOP for Twilight: 2000. Let’s face it: the Fort Huachuca government is a socialist regime at best, a communist lite regime at worst. (I say communist lite because there really isn’t much of an internal security apparatus.) But then most of the cantonments in 2001 are going to be like this. I suppose there’s room for some fascism and a number of plain ol’ chieftaincies. Alas…

[DigTw0Grav3s]

What was the rationale? Maintaining good relations with settlements and undermining the British, I'm guessing?

[mikeo80]

Originally Posted by DigTw0Grav3s

What was the rationale? Maintaining good relations with settlements and undermining the British, I'm guessing?

IIRC, one of the main reasons Washington did not reach out to the surrounding citizens was security. Approx 1/3 of the colonist were in favor of the revolution, 1/3 neutral, 1/3 pro monarchy. Washington and his men could not know who they were talking to if they approached a house. THat person could have run straight into Phialadelphia with news of Washington's exact position.

My $0.02

Mike

[stormlion1]

I am pretty certain the British were reasonably certain of Washingtons position in Valley Forge. They just were in warm garrison quarters for the winter and were willing to let the cold and snow do what bullets could not. Decimate Washingtons army. A chief reason Washington did not seek supplies was money, as in he had none, no credit to speak of and the local suppliers were not taking moneys printed by Congress which were essentially IOU's.

[Webstral]

The Brits were not interested in winter campaigning. True enough that they were content for the Americans to suffer in the field during the bad weather. Washington believed that requisitioning would be the beginning of the end. The locals would sour on the revolutionary cause if the cause stole their cattle and corn.