Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-07-08
discovered with surprise and alarm. that they con.


In such pressing danger ola total famine, and the
entire dissolution Of the army, it became necessary
not only 10 rclnquish the design OF marching against
the English, bnt instantly to detach parties different
ways TO seize, as in an eneieys country the provis-
ion requisite to satsfy the present wants OF :e ar-
my. Washington was authorised to take this mea-
by the urgency OF the con juncture, and by the
decree Of Congress which conferred upon him die
fstorial powers. The ioragers executed their COM
missions, and by incredible exertions, and not with
out exciting the greatest discomfort among the
country people, victualled the camp for lew
days; but the distress was felt anew, and
the same resource coald not second time alord
relief Whatever efforts we're made, little could be
eeanel, rs well because the adjacent country was
already nearly exhausted because the inhabitants
were careful to conceal ia the woods and swamps,
their cattle and other articles, liable to be taken tor
the use Of the army they acted thus either IRON
Contrarety ofopinion, or from love OF gain. They
preferred encounter all the pers OF carrying their
supplies TO Philadelphia, where they were paid Tor
Them in ready money, to reserving them to the use
of their soldiers because in the latter case, they
only received certificates TO be discharged at some
future time. They much doubted whether they
would ever be hquidated, so great was their want
Of confidence in the stability Of the government,
and they not ignorant that some o these bills
mad been refused payment when fully due.
The commander -in-chicf had not neglected TO
write in the most psessing terms, to the governors
II New-E England, requesting them TO send toward
Subsistence for The army with all possible exped:t-
ion and especially supplies OF cattle which abound
Cd there.
Famine began to prevail in the camp of Valley
Forge: already the most alarming consequences
were apprchenlcd. Notwithstanding their admira-
BILE patience, the soldiers murmurei, and mu,!ny
appeared inevitable. The Congress. at length con-
strained by the force Of things rctraced their steps
recommended TO The several State Legislatures
~ a. Las, s,,I; t.,f,
The contracts Of the purchasing commissaries
we're allowed to take effect But the difficulty Of
procuring a sufficient number Of wheel-chrriages,
still delayed the arrival Of the conveys. Washing
ioD TO prevent the total dissolution of his nrmy,
derei general forage in the nci ishborood Of Gen.
Greene. Captains Lee and MacInne, officers no
less sagacous than active, were charged with q
similar commission in the States of Maryan and
Delaware, and Colonel Tilghman in New-Jcr-
sey. Each Of these executed the orders Of the
Commander.in Chief with equal zeal and effect
they penetrated into the most retired places OF con-
cealmcnt, where they found grain and cattle in abu
dance. Captains Macl.ane and Lee, in particular,
discovered large droves in the marshy meadows on
the Delaware, ready TO be expedited for Philadel-
pha. which they soon caused to take the direction
N Valley Forge. Thus the camp found itself again
yictuaiied for the present. II may perhaps appear
rmaccountabie, that the American government
should not scasonably have employed those means
a.
II is, however, certain, that soon after the COM
Jnencemept OF hcstiliies the Congress had appoint
ol Col. Trumbu, man Of excellent abilities, and
zealon. patriot, 10 supermtend the purchasing Of
necessaries for the troops. But from his went of
experience aud perhaps Of sufficient support on the
Part of the Government, ne yet not well consnlida
TED, it had resulted, that the army often the
point Of suffering from the deficiency Of supplies;
hence the plans of the commander-in-chiefvcre
frequently frustrated, and the movements of his
army embarrassed, TO the loss OF many fair opppor
tun''ies tor the most important strokes
Some few had one shirt, but many had only q
moiety Of one, and the greater part none at ALL
Many. for want of shoes walked barefoot CA the
frozen ground. Few, ii any, had blankets f,r the
night. Great numbers sickcned: Others, ur.iitted
for service by the cold and their nalednc.s, were
excused by their officers from all military duty,
and either remained in their barracks were
lodged in the houses ofthc neighboiIDg turner's
Near 3O0J men were thus rendered incapable of
bearing erma. Congress had neglected
to provide.a remedy for so alarming evil
They had authorized the commander-in- chief, as
we have already said, TO seize, wherever lie might
be, and from any person whatever, all articles Of
necessity for the army and nothing could be more
essential than to clo,he it, But Washington felt
great repugnancc 10 using this power as, on the
other hand il exaspernted the citizens, and, the
other, il accustomed the soldiers to lay hands the
property ofothers. The Congress considered these
scruplcs unreasonable; they recommended to the
legislature Of each state TO enact laws, appointing
suitable persons TO and take for the Of the
army, all articles proper for the clothing of soldiers,
ON condition, however, cfpaying the proprietors for
the articles so taken at rate to be fixed by the
convention of the committees appointed for this pur
pose by the several states.
To all the miseries o' the army already cnume.
rated, must still be added the want of straw. The
soldiers, overwhelmed with lassitude, enfeebled by
hunger, and benumned with cold in their service by
day and by night had other bed in their hus ex-
cept the cold and humid ground. This cause, join
ed to the others that have been related propaga-
ted diseases: the hospitals were rapidly re-
plenished as death evacuated them their admins
tration less defective in its organization than
that Of the camp. The unsuitableness Of the build
ings in which they had been established, the excess
tive pcnury every kind Of furniture, and the null
titude ofsick that crowded them, had generated an
insupportub" fetor. The hospital fever broke out
in them, and daily swept of the most robust as well
as the feeble. II was not possible TO remedy it by
Of en- changing the linen, for Of this they were ut
teriy unproyided I; nor by more salubrious diet,
when the coarsest scarcely attainabe nor even
By medicines, which were either absolutely want
ing Of the worst quality, und adutoraed through
the cupdityoi the contractors: For such, in gene
ra has been the nuture ofthese furnishers tarmes,
thatthey should rather be denonna,ed the artisans
ofscarcity; they have always preferred money. to