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George Washington: The Two Miracles of Valley Forge

5/25/2022

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After the miracle of Saratoga, British General William Howe struck back on December 19, 1777, and drove the 11,000 American troops out of Philadelphia into an encampment at Valley Forge for the winter. This is arguably the worst time of the war for the American forces. Without food or winter clothing, 12 Americans died per day! Incredibly, a total of 2500 men perished at Valley Forge from hunger, cold, and disease! The encamped army made up of primarily White men, some Blacks, and even a few Indians ranging in age from as young as 12 years old to as old as 60, all suffered immeasurably.
  Later, General George Washington wrote to Lt Colonel John Banister describing the scene:
“No history...can furnish an instance of an army’s suffering such uncommon hardships as ours has done, and bearing them with the same patience and fortitude -To see men without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lay on, without shoes, by which their marches might be traced by the blood from their feet, and almost as often without provisions...marching through frost and snow, and at Christmas taking up their winter quarters within a day’s march of the enemy, without a house or hut to cover them...and submitting to it without a murmur, is a mark of patience and obedience which in my opinion can scarce be paralleled.”*

A committee of Congress also wrote of the event,
“Feet and legs froze till they became black, and it was often necessary to amputate them.”**

  How can these horrible sufferings be considered a miracle from God? In God’s plan of salvation for man through Christ, the just had to both suffer (Acts3:18) and die for the unjust (1Pet3:18). This is called Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice which was a one-time work for all time (Heb9:12; 1Pet3:18). However, using this principle, there are times when God will require some to stand-in-the-gap, i.e.intercede for another, in order to win them, and it will require suffering. Philippians 3:10 calls this “fellowship of His sufferings”, where we must endure some of Christ’s sufferings on behalf of another to win him/her to Christ. 2500 brave, selfless men paid the ultimate sacrifice of their lives at Valley Forge…in our place!

This was the miracle of sufferings at Valley Forge!

  Hessian Major Carl Leopold Baurmeister noted the only thing that kept the American army from disintegrating was their “spirit of liberty.”*** In other words, only the power of God kept the soldiers of Valley Forge from quitting and abandoning the cause for freedom!
   On April 12, 1778, Washington issued the order from his camp at Valley Forge: “The Honorable Congress having thought proper to recommend to the United States of America to set apart Wednesday, the 22nd inst., to be observed as a day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, that at one time, and with one voice, the righteous dispensations of Providence may be acknowledged, and His goodness and mercy towards our arms supplicated and implored: The General (Washington) directs that the day shall be most religiously observed in the Army; that no work shall be done thereon, and that the several chaplains do prepare discourses” (sermons).
   The second miracle of Valley Forge happened with Shad. As I have already noted, the men of Valley Forge died of hunger, cold, and disease. However, Historian Peter Marshall* tells the story of God’s supernatural provision even in the midst of grave suffering and death.
  Sentries were riding along the river when they discovered what they called “the waters boiling”. As they took a closer look at this phenomenon, they discovered that the waters were not boiling but were teeming with Shad. In other words, out of season, thousands of Shad swam against the stream and were thrashing around in the waters ‘waiting’ to be harvested. The riders rode into the river behind them and simply began tossing as many as possible onto the shore.
  Claire Willett offers her version, but cannot outright deny the hand of God in this provision.
  Later that year, on August 20, 1778, Washington wrote: “The Hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this-the course of the war-that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more wicked that has not gratitude to acknowledge his obligations, but it will be time enough for me to turn Preacher when my present appointment ceases.”*


Susie Federer, Miracles in American History*, Amerisearch, Inc., (P.O. Box 20163 St. Louis, MO 63123), pg60.
**Susie Federer, Miracles in American History, Amerisearch, Inc., (P.O. Box 20163 St. Louis, MO 63123), pg59.
***Susie Federer, Miracles in American History, Amerisearch, Inc., (P.O. Box 20163 St. Louis, MO 63123), pg59.
****Susie Federer, Miracles in American History, Amerisearch, Inc., (P.O. Box 20163 St. Louis, MO 63123), pg61.
*Peter Marshall, Restoring America, 1993
https://clairewillett.com/2018/03/21/shad-valley-forge/
*****Susie Federer, Miracles in American History, Amerisearch, Inc., (P.O. Box 20163 St. Louis, MO 63123), pg61.

The most famous image of Valley Forge is George Washington on one knee in prayer.

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We must learn to apply all that we know so that we can attract all that we want.- jim rohn

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George Washington: The Miracle Victory of Saratoga

5/12/2022

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General George Washington wrote his brother John the day after Saratoga: “I most devoutly congratulate my country, and every well-wisher to the cause, on this signal stroke of Providence.”
  When Roger Sherman of Connecticut, a signer of the Declaration of Independence heard of the Saratoga Victory, he declared, “This is the Lord’s doing, and marvelous in our eyes!”
  Historian Edward Creasy identified* Saratoga as one of the 15 most important battles in World history!!
  What makes the Saratoga victory so miraculous is the Providence of God that created the atmosphere and directed the steps of battle, and its results, to reveal His glory; or as Washington called it: “signal stroke of Providence.”
   As I unpack this incredible story, it is critical that you look for God’s providence, which means God sovereignly works in history behind the scenes, using both good and evil, to bring about His good will.
  The miracle victory of Saratoga does not begin on the battlefield but with two providential events happening simultaneously on two different continents.
1.First, even after the miracle victory at Trenton, the Colonial army was still losing more battles than they were winning. For example, at the battle of Brandywine**, the Americans encountered a horrific defeat, losing over 1200 soldiers. Emboldened by such a lop-sided victory, the British determined to attack quickly having regained the momentum. British Prime Minister Lord North decided to move General Howe’s 30,000 troops north from New York to Saratoga to join Burgoyne’s 7,000 for nearly 38,000 men, to crush the 9,000 American troops. However, rushing to go on a holiday, the Prime Minister forgot to sign the orders. In addition, reinforcements who were sent across the Atlantic were delayed by unexpected weather and arrived late to the eventual battle.
2.Second, simultaneously while the movements of troops were occurring Jane McCrea was murdered. After British General John Burgoyne, a.k.a. “Gentleman Johnny” captured Fort Ticonderoga, he marched his 7,000 man force down the Hudson River Valley, and made a treaty with the Mohawk Indians that included attacking and harassing the American settlements. However, what Burgoyne did not know was that one of his recruits was David Jones, who was an American ‘turncoat’. David is central to this story because he recently proposed marriage to Jane McCrea. So, after a recent Mohawk Indian raid, they returned to show Burgoyne some of the fruit of their labors. When they pulled out a female scalp, David was horrified, recognizing it as his fiancee’s, Jane McCrea. General Burgoyne was caught between a rock and hard place and was forced to tell the Indians to show restraint. The Indians were immediately insulted and left Burgoyne stranded deep in the forest. Immediately, the news hit America, and 15,000 men rallied to the cause.
  Ironically, in direct defiance of General Horatio Gates's orders, and before becoming a traitor, Benedict Arnold took a regiment of American soldiers and attacked the British flank which directly led to the surrender of between 5000-6000 British troops! Arnold’s action propelled him to national prominence, and declared him the hero of the Saratoga!!
  When King Louis XVI of France heard of the British surrender***, he entered the war on the side of the Americans, making the War for Independence a global war. Congress**** immediately proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving and praise*****.
  This incredible story is not over yet! The Americans asked and received a pledge from the British prisoners of war that they would not again take up arms against the Americans, who subsequently returned to the British their arms---and three armed Americans---marched 6,000 British prisoners back to Boston and put them on ships back to England******!!

Oh my!!! The liberties of America were/are secured by the Sovereign God!!!

“That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is none else!”
-1Kgs8:60

*Sir Edward Creasy. ‘The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World from Marathon to Waterloo’, (New York, Harper Brothers, 1918) pg298.
** David Barton, ‘The American Story’, Wallbuilder Press, (Aledo Texas), pg 189-190.
***Susie Federer, Miracles in American History, Amerisearch, Inc., (P.O. Box 20163 St. Louis, MO 63123), pg55-56.
****Obviously, this debunks the liberal re-definition of the Separation of Church and State!!!!!
*****Journals of the Continental Congress (1907), (:854-855, day of thanksgiving and praise, November 1, 1777 [Evans #15679].
****** David Barton, ‘The American Story’, Wallbuilder Press, (Aledo Texas), pg 190.

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George Washington: The Miracle of Crossing the Delaware & The Battle of Trenton

5/3/2022

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The miraculous of God authenticates the one through whom or for whom God works the miracle (Acts2:22; Heb2:4). The miracles at America’s founding authenticate God’s stamp of approval upon this nation.
  Just a few months after the miracle of the Battle for Brooklyn Heights in August of 1776, aka the retreat from Long Island, Almighty God once again confirmed His calling on both George Washington and America at the miracle of the Battle of Trenton.
  At the beginning of the War for Independence, Washington asked Americans to sign a one-year enlistment agreement which ran through the end of December 1776. Tragically, because the Continental army had experienced more defeats than victories in that first year, the morale of the enlisted men was at an all-time low.  Accordingly, at the beginning of December 1776, it was widely understood that many soldiers would not be reenlisting at the end of the month for another year/term.  If this expectation proved to be true, the war would be over, and the American dream would have been turned into a nightmare.
   In this context, God works His divine providence. Watch closely how the only Sovereign fits people, events, and even the weather to all work together, to create an impossible scenario, in order to:
1.make His great Name known to the present and future
generations
2.to confirm His calling upon George Washington and America

  With less than five days remaining until the re-enlistment deadline, another British victory would in all likelihood destroy any remaining hope for American liberty. Washington knew he had to do something quickly to keep his army together and the war for independence alive.
   Across from Washington on the other side of the Delaware River, in Trenton, New Jersey stood the Hessians, an armed force of over 1000 German mercenaries fighting for the British. On December 25, 1776, Washington decided to cross the partially frozen Delaware river beginning just before dawn to hide their attack under the cover of darkness. Adding to the already impossible odds, a sudden raging snow and hail storm erupted that reduced their visibility to zero. What they did not know was that the storm ALSO sent the Hessian sentries scrambling from their posts seeking shelter. In addition, the night before the Hessians had been celebrating the holiday by drinking themselves into a drunken stupor. The Continental Army crossed the river in total secrecy and entered Trenton without resistance. The battle was short, lasting only 45 minutes, and was completely lopsided. The Americans killed 20 Hessians, wounded over 100, and captured over 1000 men. On the American side, 3 were wounded, and only two American casualties died from freezing to death. I repeat, not one American soldier was killed in the battle! A Christmas Miracle!!
   Furthermore, General Henry Knox, who was in charge of the Delaware crossing declared, “the hurry, fright, and confusion of the enemy was not unlike that which will be when the last trump will sound”*. He continued, “Providence seemed to have smiled upon every part of this enterprise.”**
   Incredibly, in the middle of the Trenton miracle, God worked yet another miracle.  One of the three Americans wounded was James Monroe, who would later become the 5th president of the United States.
   While marching under the cover of the morning darkness toward the Hessian encampment, the Continental army passed the home of Dr John Riker who was awakened from a deep sleep by the noise of barking dogs. Throwing on an overcoat, he angrily rushed out into the darkness to see what was going on. Once outside, his anger immediately turned to patriotism as he discovered the intent of the Americans. He declared, “I know something is to be done, and I’m going with you. I’m a doctor, and may help some poor fellow.”*** In the providence of God, as it turned out, as the battle raged, James Monroe was shot in the chest, severing an artery. Monroe later testified: “I would have bled to death if this doctor had not been near.”**** In other words, barking dogs saved the life of the future fifth president of the United States!!! Jeremiah 23:23 declares: “Am I a God near at hand, says the Lord…”
  The miracle(s) of Trenton provided the American war effort not only with a much-needed victory but was also a morale booster breathing new energy and encouragement for the patriots to fight on. George Washington’s leadership, grounded in his trust and reliance on God’s providence, provided strong leadership inspiring the Continental Army to persevere against impossible odds and on to victory!
  In Job 12:9, he cried, “Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this.”

*The General was quoting from 1Corinthians 15:42. I repeat, this American General was a man of God, who knew the scriptures.
**Drake, Life, and Correspondence of Henry Knox, Major-General in the American Revolutionary War (Boston; Samuel G. Drake, 1873), 36, to Mrs. Knox on December 28, 1776.
***The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography (1880), 5:152-153, Lewis S. Coryell’s account of what was personally told to him by James Monroe.
**** The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography (1880), 5:152-153, Lewis S. Coryell’s account of what was personally told to him by James Monroe.

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The two great words of antiquity are behold and beware. Behold the possibilities and beware the temptations. – Jim Rohn

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George Washington: The Two Miracles of Valley Forge

George Washington: The Miracle Victory of Saratoga

George Washington: The Miracle of Crossing the Delaware & The Battle of Trenton

Derrick Jackson

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