The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-07-23

a little more than her share, though l
doubt that.
| desire now to cali the attention of the
Senate, or Of those who choose to listen
to this unpleasant discussion, to some facts
which will be found in the writings Of
Washington, edited BY Sparks, third vol
ume, in which General Washington gives
an account of this formidable army which
was gathered bcsorc Boston. 1t is true
that army fought the battle of Bunker
Hill, and behaved galIantly; but they had
as 1t seems, the same notion then which
appears to prevail now, that Massachu.
setts being the center of the world, when
they had done their duty there, they had
done all that was required of them. They
no doubt felt elated for this battle of Bun
kcr Hill was fought before General Wash
ington came to the camp. They arrived
at the conclusion that troops without dis
cipline were just as good as troops with
discipline. General Washington, in a
letter to his brother, John Augustine
Washington, dated, Camp at Cambridge
July p, 1875" says:
Il found mixed multitude of people
here, under very little discipline, order, or
government"
Ina letter 10 the President of the Council
OF Massachusetts Bay, dated August Z,
l715-a month after he arrived there
General Washington SAYS:
"By the general return made to me
for last week, find there are great num-
tcrs of soldiers and non commissioned of.
llccrs who absent themselves from duty,
the greater part Of whom, have reason
to believe, are at their respective homes,
IN different larts Of the country; some
employed by their officers on their farms,
and Others drawing pay from the public
while they are working on their own
plantations or for hire. My utmost cxer-
iions have not been able TO prevent this
base and permicious conduct"
In a letter 10 the President of Congress
dated September 2l, 1915, he says:
The necessities Of the troops having
required pay, | directed that those oi
Massachusetts should receive for one
month, upcn their being mustered and
returning proper roll; but claim was
'mm.IiatcIy made for pay by lunar
months, and several regiments have de-
cined taking W their warrants on this
account"
1t will be found that after this, when
Congiess fixed pay, they took care to pro.
vide that 1t should be for calendar months
Laughter.
In a letter 10 the President of Congress
dated November IL, 1875, General Wash.
ington says:
THE trouble have in the arrange.
ment OF the army is really inconceivable.
Many of the officers sent in their names
TO serve, in expectation of promotion 9th
ers stood aIoof, to see what advantage
they could make for themselves; whilst
a number, who had declined, have 40 ain
sent in their names to serve. So great
has been the confusion, arising from these
and many other perplexing circumstances,
that | found it absolutely impossible to
fix this very interesting business exactly
on the plan resolved on in the conference
though | have kept up to the spirit OF il
AS near as the nature and necessity of the
case would admit. The difficulty with
the soldiers is as great, indeed, more so,
If possible, than with the officers. They
will no: enlist until they know their COLO
mel, lieutenant colonel, major, and captain
so that it was necessary 10 fix the officers
the first thing, which is, at last, in some
manner done and have given out en-.
listing orders"
In letter to the President of Congress,
dated November %, l775-when the
year for which the men had enlisted was
near its close-he says:
"The number enlisted since my last j.
two thousand five hundred and /, ry men
and ] am sorry to be necessitatod to men
ton 10 you the egregious want of public
spirit which reigns here. Inslea.l of press
ing'to be engaged in the cause of Their
country, which | vainly hattered myself
would be the case, find we are likely to
be deserted in most critical time. Those
that have enlisted'must have furlough
which have been obliged to grant to fif.
ty at time, from each regiment"
In letter to Joseph Reed, of date No.
vember %, 1875, he says:
such death of public spirit, and
such want Of virtue, such stock, ,jobing
and fertility in all the low arts to obtain
advantages Of one kind or another, in thin
great change of military arrangement,
pever saw before, and pray Gods mere,
That ] may never be witness to again.
What will be the end Of these maneuver
is beyond my scan. | tremble at th,
prospect. We have been till this time
enlisting abont three thousand five hun,
dred men. To engage those have been
obliged to allow furloughs as far as fifty
men to regiment; and the officers, am
persuaded, indulge as many more. Such
a mercenary spirit pervades the whole
that / should not at all be surprised al
any disaster that may happen. In short
after the last Of this month, our lines will
be so weakened, that the minute men anC
militia must be called in for their defense
and these, being under no kind Of govern
| mont themsclvee will 1astroy ,ha I;,,I,