Final answer:
At Valley Forge, the Continental Army endured a harsh winter with significant casualties, but the troops that survived were better trained and became more professional.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Continental Army at the Valley Forge encampment experienced a dire winter from 1777 to 1778. Due to a severe lack of supplies and harsh conditions, they suffered greatly with approximately 2,500 soldiers dying of starvation, malnutrition, and disease. Despite the hardship and desertions, the troops that remained, under the leadership of George Washington and the later arrival of Baron von Steuben, were effectively drilled and transformed into a more professional fighting force.