[RWGinger]

We’d had a lot of deserations at Valley Forge, Tarawa, the Bulge, just to name a few right off the top of my head.

actually desertion at VF was a huge problem for Washington.
but that makes sense as they were closer to home instead of being thousands miles across an ocean

[Travis McGee]

And it must be factored that in the revolution, men often enlisted for set periods of months, and those enlistment periods were often extended without their say-so, muddying the waters of what constituted desertion.

[oh8eleven]

actually desertion at VF was a huge problem for Washington.
True, although actual mumbers are hard to find. Nevertheless, not all units lost men.
One of my ancestors was a Company Commander w/ the 2nd PA Regiment at Valley Forge.
From their history ...

"Entered Valley Forge with 148 assigned and 105 fit for duty."
"Left Valley Forge with 148 assigned and 148 fit for duty."