Valley Forge, the ground where the Continental Army became professional, offers a lot to the visitor. Although Washington did not fight any battles here, he chose the location for its natural defenses, which he enhanced during his time there. The Schuylkill River forms the northern border of Valley Forge. To the east is Mount Misery, a piece of the Appalachian Mountains.
If the British ever found Washington’s army during the winter of 1777-1778, then he had plans for defense on the exposed eastern and southern borders of the camp. He formed an outer defense that connected with Mount Misery in the southwest and ran to the northeast, connecting with the Schuylkill, giving the camp an almost right-triangular shape. Inside the outer defenses, he formed an inner line, which ran parallel with Mount Misery on some elevated ground, ideal for defense.
In between the outer and inner lines, is the Artillery Park. Washington’s troops used this park to house, repair, and fire their cannons, typically 6-pounders. In the event of an attack, Washington could quickly move troops and cannons anywhere along his outer defenses.
Today, the park has nearly two-dozen replicas to recreate the scene. General Henry Knox was Washington’s artillery chief and the location takes his name–Knox’s Artillery. Dawn Manning took these photos on October 22, 2011.
If the Colonials followed regulations, then each cannon required 14 to 15 men to operate it. However, most often the troops had to work with much smaller crews.
Craig Swan has an interesting article on the evolution of 6-pounders from the Revolutionary War into the Civil War.