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Following the Drum: Women at the Valley Forge Encampment Hardcover – April 1, 2009

by Nancy K. Loane (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 67 ratings
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Friday, December 19, 1777, dawned cold and windy. Fourteen thousand Continental Army soldiers tramped from dawn to dusk along the rutted Pennsylvania roads from Gulph Mills to Valley Forge, the site of their winter encampment. The soldiers’ arrival was followed by the army’s wagons and hundreds of camp women. Following the Drum tells the story of the forgotten women who spent the winter of 1777–78 with the Continental Army at Valley Forge—from those on society’s lowest rungs to ladies on the upper echelons.

Impoverished and clinging to the edge of survival, many camp women were soldiers’ wives who worked as the army’s washers, nurses, cooks, and seamstresses. Other women at the encampment were of higher status: they traveled with George Washington’s entourage when the army headquarters shifted locations and served the general as valued cooks, laundresses, or housekeepers. There were also the ladies at Valley Forge who were not subject to the harsh conditions of camp life and came and went as they and their husbands, Washington’s generals and military advisers, saw fit. Nancy K. Loane uses sources such as issued military orders, pension depositions after the war, soldiers’ descriptions, and some of the women’s own diary entries and letters to bring these women to life.
 
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    POTOMAC BOOKS
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1597973858
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1597973854
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“[Loane] pulls together a rich array of sources to offer great detail about women’s lives, and she is diligent to tread carefully through recollections written down years after the fact. . . . Loane has found some great stories.”—Journal of American History
 
  Published On: 2019-10-22

"Nancy K. Loane has cleared away the myths surrounding the women at the Valley Forge encampment, from Martha Washington to Mrs. Mary Geyer. Her careful documentation and relaxed writing style make this a not-to-be-missed book for historians and re-enactors."—Clarissa F. Dillon, Valley Forge historian

"In addition to the details . . . about the women at Valley Forge, Ms. Loane gives us many other fascinating general details about life in the camp among all of the social groups who were there."—Tredyffrin Easttown History Quarterly Published On: 2009-07-15

“Dr. Nancy K. Loane’s fascination and passion regarding the women who supported General George Washington . . . during their encampment in Valley Forge, PA, shines through in her new book.”—Phoenix Published On: 2009-08-17

About the Author

Nancy K. Loane is a former seasonal ranger at Valley Forge National Park, a founding member of the American Revolution Round Table of Philadelphia, and an honorary lifetime member of the Society of the Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge. She lives in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ POTOMAC BOOKS (April 1, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1597973858
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1597973854
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 67 ratings

About the author

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Nancy K. Loane

Nancy K. Loane

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Soon after I moved to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, I visited Washington’s Headquarters at Valley Forge National Historical Park and casually asked the ranger on duty this question: “Did Martha sleep here?” To my surprise, she had. And so began an odyssey – now a passion – to research, write, and speak about the women at the 1777-78 Valley Forge encampment.

I love all things Valley Forge - I’m a former seasonal park ranger there, currently volunteer at the park, on the board of the Friends, and an honorary lifetime member of the Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge. I’ve written several articles about the women at camp and have presented over 150 lectures in 7 states on the topic. Following the Drum, lauded for being both exceptionally well-researched and easy to read, has been nominated for two book awards. It is the first book ever written on the women at the Valley Forge encampment.

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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging, with one describing it as a fact-filled enjoyable read. Moreover, the research quality receives positive feedback, with customers noting it is very well researched, with one mentioning the author gathered documentation from many sources.

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9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as a fact-filled enjoyable read and another noting its comprehensive truth about women's experiences.

"...in this book: First, Her material is well researched with excellent notes; Second, She makes no embellishments to glorify her subjects - in fact,..." Read more

"...I especially enjoyed the interesting stories of each of the wives such as Kat Green and Martha Washington" Read more

"I'm a history geek - this is a great book on women during the American Revolution...." Read more

"Enjoyed the entertaining style of the facts. Gave a review for our club and was very well received...." Read more

8 customers mention "Research quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's thorough research, with one customer noting how the author gathered documentation from many sources, while another mentions how it dispels myths and misinformation found in other books.

"...Three aspects standout in this book: First, Her material is well researched with excellent notes; Second, She makes no embellishments to glorify..." Read more

"A well researched read about the woman who traveled with George Washington and the army encampments. The author is a good story teller." Read more

"...This book does a good job in putting what little scraps of info. we have to, like Abigail Adams said to her husband John, "Don't forget the ladies"!..." Read more

"This book was very well researched and dispelled the myths and misinformation of books written in the mid 1800's about ladies residing within the..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Following the Drum: Women at the Valley Forge Encampment
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    Following the Drum: Women at the Valley Forge Encampment, by Nancy Loane, is a fact filled enjoyable read. Three aspects standout in this book: First, Her material is well researched with excellent notes; Second, She makes no embellishments to glorify her subjects - in fact, she includes an Appendix where she painstakingly exposes the myth surrounding Martha Washington; and Third, she helps us realizes these were different and difficult times. Travel, particularly in winter, was horrific; a class system clearly existed between the upper class (Officers and Ladies) and the `common sort'. Sickness and death were ever present even in the privileged class - the percentage of infant and child deaths during this period is startling and the pain unimaginable. This book provides an excellent reality check should we begin to romanticize life during the American Revolution.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Eric Williams
    4.0 out of 5 stars Following the Drum: Women at the Valley Forge Encampment
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2009
    Following the Drum: Women at the Valley Forge Encampment. Author; Nancy K. Loane. 206 pages. 2009.

    I had seen a poster advertising this book and the talk the author was going to give about the book and the subject at a local library branch. Purchasing the book was already a forgone conclusion living at the back door of Valley Forge as we do.

    The book reads very much like the talk that the author gave. The title of the book however is deceptive, this book is about much more than the story of women at the Valley Forge Encampment, in fact the actual stories of the Valley Forge Encampment is perhaps only half of the book.

    The book divides itself into three sections; the ladies, the military family, and the camp followers. These division follow the divisions of society and it's military in the 18th century. The stories of the ladies comprise the bulk of the text. This section focuses on Lady Washington, Catherine Greene, Lucy Knox, Lady Stirling and one or two others. The experience of each of these women at the Valley Forge encampment is told in as much detail as could be expected given the general paucity of documentary evidence. Their stories are added to by following each woman through all eight encampments of the war and into their lives after the war until their death and the death of their spouses and children. It is in the passed on oral histories and remembrances often of their children and grandchildren recorded later that we get a truer sense of what was experienced and accomplished.

    The second section is devoted to those women who traveled with Washington's Headquarters doing laundry, sewing, cooking, cleaning and other day to day tasks needed for a platoon sized staff and retinue. These women were accorded a greater status than commoners due to their proximity to His Excellency. Their stories are told in some detail even unto their deaths after the conflict. Details though are scarce as these people were hired servants or slaves who did their job best when only their actions were proof of their existence.

    The last section is devoted to the other women, the camp followers, the laundresses, wives, cooks, hangers on, and whores. The lives, experiences and even identities of these women have been mostly lost in the mists of time. They existed, they drew rations, they are referenced, though not usually in a positive manner and they were tolerated as a necessity. This book does an adequate job of introducing their history and plight during the eight long years of war. For a more in depth look I would recommend; Belonging to the Army: Camp Followers and Community During the American Revolution by Holly A. Mayer, which is referenced several times in this book.

    The writing is generally crisp and it really only bogs down near the beginning when the author lays out lists and items taken from local farms, families, and communities during the Philadelphia Campaign as the armies marched through the Great Valley. The point of hardship is made and then we are overburdened with it. This is the only real drawback to the book.

    On the whole this book is more than a mere niche book. It takes a specialized subject and makes it into a popular history. It will satisfy many a casual reader and spark the desire for deeper study in students of the war, society, rolls, and relations. It helps to provide a needed holistic view of the army and it society.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Revlynne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Women at the Valley Forge and Other Encampments
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A well researched read about the woman who traveled with George Washington and the army encampments. The author is a good story teller.
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  • Nancy Jean Pecca
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of only a few informative women's history books.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    There is not much documented information about women's contribution supporting the Revolutionary War. This book does a good job in putting what little scraps of info. we have to, like Abigail Adams said to her husband John, "Don't forget the ladies"! Seamless transaction with Amazon.
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  • Barbara Greeley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I’m almost finished reading this book and have enjoyed it immensely. I especially enjoyed the interesting stories of each of the wives such as Kat Green and Martha Washington
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  • Tracy Fazekas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Women of Valley Forge
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Did you know that women were involved in the war for our independence. From the beginning of the American Revolution women were, this book looks indepth at the women of Valley Forge.
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  • stephanie206
    4.0 out of 5 stars Valuable, well-researched, clearly written resource
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2009
    Well-researched and clearly written, Following the Drum avoids hyperbole while bringing to life the stories of the "common women" and "ladies" who traveled to the Valley Forge encampment to cook, sew, socialize -- and even engage in battle. Loane goes out of her way to use primary sources (letters, journal entries and public records), of which there are precious few; to her writing credit, thoroughness is not affected by the book's brevity.

    Instead, the length is a reminder of how little women were valued in the 18th Century -- even the upper-class ladies who were ostensibly beloved by their high-ranking officer husbands. Though Follow the Drum offers only a glimpse, women were clearly crucial to the Revolutionary War effort; their contributions have been largely overlooked and often forgotten as the history books have been compiled.

    That's not to say Loane needs to embellish women's efforts. In fact, one of the best parts of the book is the appendix, in which she breaks down the myths surrounding Martha Washington. In all, this is a valuable resource for anyone interested in women's history, the Revolutionary War or 18th Century America in general.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • J. Emery
    5.0 out of 5 stars Real!!! Not out in space!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It is our History- and very REAL!!
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