The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-09


never could conceive especially when the latter proyi-
ded with every necessary he requires upon the best OF terms
the procure them at any rate Iheo
nothing that gives and renders him n
for command like support that renders him independent OF
everybody but the State he serves
With respect the men, nothing but COED bounty can
obtain them upon permanent establishment and for no
shorter time than the continuance Of the war ought aey
be engaged facts nconestably that the dicu
and cost of enlistment increase with time.
When the army first raised at Cambridge am per-
suaded the ought have been got without bounty for
the war this they began that the contest was
not likely to end speedily as was imagined and 70 iee
their b remarkng that 70 get 10 'Het 10
give them a county.
FOreseeing the evils resulting this and the destrao
sments, took the liberty, in long letter, TO recon
mend the ensments for and during the assigning such
for 1t experience has since convinced me were we
founded At that time twenty dollars would am
engaged the for this term. But II will not do to
persuaded that twelve months more will difficult
ties four fold shall therefore, take the freedom OF giving
offered aided by proer of least hundred hun
dred and fifty Of land and suit Of oothes and blanket
authority saying that high the mems pay
appear barely sufficient in the present scarcity ana
less to afford support 60 their families.
If this encouragement then, given to the mem and
such pay allowed the officers as will induce gentlemen oil
liberal sentiments engage and proper oars
used in the nomination, regard be-
men they enlist should in little time have army
able to with that can be opposed to IT, as there are
excellent
But while the only merit officer possesses is his ability
raise while those consider and treat him as an
than broomstick, being mixed together sauo0onmon
ever ever meet with that respect which is e,ssnt to
o place any dependence upon militia sssuredy rest
s Mn s g s do .ns
tally unacquainted with every kind of military skill (Which
want Of confidence in themselves when op
superior in knowledge and superior In are tmd ana
ready to fly from their own shadows" ITO
bring to proper degree OF subordinaton Is not the
| work of day, month, or even year." "Ihe
jealousy of standing and the evils to be apprehended
remote and in Judgment situated and circumsanced
as we are all be dreaded but the consequences Of
wanting according ideas formed from the present
view OF things, is certain and inevitable ruin"
"An army formed Of good officers moves like clock
there no situation upon earth less envabe OF
distressing than that persons who at the head OF troops
regardless Of order and discipline and unprovded with al
will be impossible unless there is thorough change in
military SYSTEM for to conduct matters in such
to give satisfaction to the public which is all
the recompense aim at wish or."-4 Sparks, p
The importunate appeals of Washington obtained from
Congress this time resolutions for reforming the army
apporoned however among the States and to be levied
oficered, and paid with bounties and bounty lands
The resolutions however proved Intellectual "A Sparks
Arrived at Hacknsack with the remnant of the army,
he reported Congress the 10th ly6 the
disasters of the campaign crowned by the losses OF
and the entire North were exposed to imminent dan
ger. He adds:
at matter Of great grief and surprise to to find
the different States slow and naenve to that essential
business Of levyng their quotas Of In ten days from
this date there will not be above two thousand men, that
Hudson river oppose Howes whole army, and very lit
the other to secure the eastern colonies and the
assa the
Last fall winter, before the army which then to
be raised set about represented in clear and explicit
terms the evils which would arise from enstmen
expense which attend the raising army
with lu prophetic % SPIRIT could not have foetod the evils
1 with more accuracy than did"
be effected, and then in such to bid adeu to
hope of getting army from which any services
qualifications of officer, quarreng about the appoint
nents, and nominating such not tit to be shoe
blacks from the local attachments Of this or that member
al am weared almost death with the retrograde mo
ton Of things; and soemny protest that pecunary re-
to undergo what do and after ALL perhaps to lose char
acter."-4 Sparks, p. 1s3.
On the 9Th of December, l776 at Trenton Washington
reported his continued retreat rendered necessary by the
failure of expected renorcemens and by the refusal of th
New Jersey and Maryland brigades remain in the ser
vice day longer their term having expired He contn
/ ued: N
"These among thousand instances might be ad
duoed show the disadvantages of short enstments
the little dependence the militia in times Of real danger
"My first wish is that Congress may be convinced of the
mpropriety Of relying upon the militia and of the necessity
raising aarGer standing army than what they have voted
i "I mention these things to show that, in my opinion,
any dependence placed the militia another year. Con
gress will be deceived. When danger little removed from
them, they will not turn out at all When il home Il
them the well affected instead Of flying to to deent
themselves busly employed in removing their families
and effects, whilst the dsaeced concerng
around to induce others follow their examples Sparks
/ p. 203. " ##.s' r
Ten days later, December l5, l776 having crossed the
Delaware and there found place of present safety Wash
i ington resumed his appeal to Congress-
"The spirit of dsaecton which appears in this country
think deserves serious attention Instead of giving
any assistance in repeng the enemy, the militia have
commanding officers, but told exult at the approach
i of the enemy and late misortunes. beg leave
therefore, to submit to your consideration whether such
pie to be trusted with in their hands."4 Sparks
| p. 223.
i On the 10th of December, l776 at the same place
i Washington wrote to Congress
large part of Jersey has been exposed to rayaqe an6
to punder nor do know that Pennsylvania would share
better fate could General Howe effect passage across hs
i Delaware with respectable force These consideration
have induced to wish that reliance except such as
arise from necessity should be had militia again
and to make further mention to Congress of
i their earnest attention. "a Spsrks, p. 226. :"
j On the 18th December l776, Washington expressed Al
his dependence and his resolution in touching pr
1 vate letter to John Augustine Washington
Il "Betwcen you and me, think our affairs are in YER,
bad conditions not much from the apprehension of Gen
Howe army from the detection Of New York. the Jer
and Pennsylvania In short the conduct Of the Jer
has been most infamous Instead turning out to de
fend country and aordng aid army they are
making their submissions fast they II the Jerseys
had given us any support might have made stand
Hacknsack and after that a Brunswick But the few mill
dleft