In the winter of 1777, George Washington’s army froze and starved in the snow at Valley Forge — and legend says that one night, as the General knelt alone in prayer, something otherworldly appeared.
Was it an angel? A ghost? Or the reflection of a weary commander’s faith?
This episode explores the 19th-century legend of Washington’s “Vision at Valley Forge” — a ghost story born from war-time folklore — and the real Washington behind it: a man who truly prayed without ceasing. From eyewitness accounts of his dawn devotions to his letters on Providence, we uncover the line between history, myth, and meaning.
Because maybe Washington didn’t need a ghost to guide him. Maybe his unshakable belief — that Providence watched over the American cause — was miracle enough.
Featuring: historical context, primary-source quotes, and a reflection on how faith shaped the Revolution’s coldest winter.
Part of our ongoing “Spooky Season” series and our eight-year RevolutionNJ partnership, “Crossroads: Your Hometown Revolution.”
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