It concerns Washington's struggle to keep faith with his soldiers amidst intrigue from General Howe and the British Army in Philadelphia, and despite little support and outright treachery from the Continental Congress.

When General Washington comes by with the Marquis de Lafayette to inspect the encampment, the men tell him of their wants and fear that Congress will neither pay nor supply them.

Meanwhile, at a ballroom in Philadelphia where British officers are being entertained by loyalist families, General Howe meets Mary Philipse, now Mistress Morris, who was once close to a young George Washington.

"[6] The first public notice of this play came with a newspaper article in late September 1934 stating the Theatre Guild was trying to decide whether Valley Forge or Rain From Heaven by S. N. Behrman would be the second production of their subscription season.

He also appreciated the dramatic contrast afforded by the juxtapostion of the bunkhouse and ballroom scenes, and praised the acting of Stanley Ridges and Ruth Weston.

[13] The stage production removed this scene, strengthing the drama of Washington's eventual decision to not negotiate, at the expense of the Mary Philipse character, whose visit now seemed inconsequential.

"[14] Originally scheduled to hit Broadway on December 3, 1934,[15] the production instead made a last minute detour to Ford's Theatre in Baltimore for another week's tryout.

[17] Critical reaction was positive, but nuanced with a general sense the play was neither the equal of Anderson's previous efforts nor quite up to the usual Guild production standards.

Brooks Atkinson thought the scene where Mary Philipse meets Washington "runs perilously close to theatrical solemnity" but was saved by the "craggy candor of Mr. Merivale's acting.

[17] He also felt the production values were "skimpier than usual", but praised the acting of Philip Merivale, Stanley Ridges, Margalo Gilmore, and Victor Kilian.

[17] Rowland Field wrote that Valley Forge "is a magnificent analysis of the character of a great man", complimented the playwright and all the leading performers, but spent most of the space recounting the story as if he were writing a history rather than a review.

[18] According to Burns Mantle, the play was successful and still making money, but the Guild wanted Philip Merivale, Margalo Gilmore, and Stanley Ridges to join Helen Hayes in a tour for Mary of Scotland, which would provide greater financial returns.

[fn 3][19] On January 3, 1935, while the original production was still running, Philip Merivale performed an extract from it on Rudy Vallee's radio show over the WEAF chain.