In the following week of the camp's struggles, smallpox and a severe illness known as the bloody flux began to spread among the soldiers. General Washington attributed the outbreak of the flux to soldiers drinking unfermented cider, suggesting a connection between their choice of beverage and the illness. Despite his warning, the consumption of cider persisted among the troops.

This stubborn adherence to drinking cider led to a relentless continuation of the bloody flux, a disease characterized by painful and bloody bowel movements that ultimately resulted in a horrific death. The situation illustrates the dire conditions faced by the soldiers and the challenges of maintaining health amidst such hardships.