Upper Merion Township near King of Prussia in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Advance Redoubt
Earthwork Defense System
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
1. Advance Redoubt Marker
Soldiers constructed earthen fortifications called redoubts (French for a place of retreat). These redoubts were connected by miles of entrenchments designed to strengthen the natural advantages of the terrain here. These fortifications were part of the carefully planned system of defense at Valley Forge. This redoubt was one of five. It was located so that it could overlook the approach from Philadelphia, which was occupied by the British, and also protect the far eastern end of the outer line of defense from attack.
General DuPortails Map of Valley Forge Encampment
French General Louis Lebegue Duportail designed and mapped the defensive system for the encampment at Valley Forge. It included redoubts at high points and miles of earthworks.
Erected by Valley Forge National Historical Park, National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 40° 5.925′ N, 75° 25.502′ W. Marker is near King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. It is in Upper Merion Township. It is on North Outer Line Drive, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in Valley Forge National Historical Park at Stop 2
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Protection from Attack (a few steps from this marker); On the Lookout (a few steps from this marker); Are the British Coming? (within shouting distance of this marker); Greenes Division (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A City of Huts (about 500 feet away); Log City (about 500 feet away); Road to Valley Forge (about 500 feet away); An Essential Position on the Front Line (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in King of Prussia.
More about this marker. The marker features a map of the Valley Forge encampment, showing the locations of the fortifications including earthworks and redoubts, and Washingtons Headquarters. Map courtesy of Jared Sparks Copy, Cornell University.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
2. Advance Redoubt Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
3. Marker at Valley Forge
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
4. Advance Redoubt at Valley Forge
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
5. Inside the Advance Redoubt
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 649 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 16, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
