In December 1777, 12,000 men of Washington's continental army marched in Valley Forge to escape the British who had just captured the capital of the revolutionary state, Philadelphia. What followed was a brutal winter that should have decimated the army but instead the opposite happened, they came out stronger. This, was as a result of Washington's leadership and the tactics of Friedrich Wilhelm Baron von Steuben.
But what made Washington so effective;
Inspirational/ Motivational
George Washington was an inspirational leader who throughout the war managed to inspire and motivate his troops and when this was massively needed in Valley Forge, he did not falter. His army had been defeated time and again and now were in a very precarious position yet they did not desert and break apart. This was because Washington was able to inspire them and just as he did in the battle at Monmouth, he did again here.
In the camp, Washington also initiated some recreational activities to keep the spirits of the men up such as theatre. At Valley Forge Washington had Addison’s play “Cato” acted.
Effective
As soon as they arrived at Valley Forge George Washington did not waste time in getting the camp organized. Within days it was reported that over 1,600 log huts had been built with Washington even giving exact measurements for the houses. Roads and trenches were also built such that the place looked like a small city.
Tactical
Even the choosing of Valley Forge as their base was a show of his leadership abilities because Washington proved his tactical mantle when he picked this location. It was chosen such that Philadelphia was close enough to watch the British and yet far enough that the British could not launch a surprise attack.
Willing to accept help
Some leaders are too proud to accept help but George Washington was not like that. When the Prussian officer Friedrich Wilhelm Baron von Steuben offered to transform the Americans into a solid and modern fighting force, he did not let pride get in his way but rather support the Prussian who then went on the make the men of the Continental army, a brilliant modern force.
Washington marched into Valley Forge with some people doubting his leadership acumen and even thinking of replacing him but marched out of Valley Forge at the head of an army that supported him and could not wait to beat the British under him. This on its own is perhaps the greatest showcase of his leadership.
