The Fall of Philadelphia and Valley Forge

The citizens of Philadelphia, over 20,000 strong despite over half that number having already absconded dragging wagons and horse carts piled high with small children and as many of their possessions that could be carried, watched as the second army in a month trudged down their cobblestone streets. These particular troops marched in complete lockstep, their black, thigh-high gaiter boots clapping perfectly to the beat of drums thumbed by a throng of freckled, smooth-faced boys many of whom had followed fathers or older brothers into his majesty’s service.