[Jolla]

I have always wondered why Washington did not march the army to Virginia or Maryland, they could have camped on the Chesapeake and had more food and warmer weather. It would only take about 3-4 days to hike.

[j.havenfarm]

Happy to answer: the British had occupied the capital, Philadelphia, and he needed to overwinter close enough to keep an eye on them should they make a surprise winter move out of the city to some other objective, but far enough away as to not be subject to a surprise attack. Valley Forge is about 20 miles from Philadelphia