The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1917-02-16

the most courage toward the enemy and the most
Kindness and good humor to each other
III any De SO lost to virtue and love of country as
10 continue In such practice after this order they
VII oe severely punished and discharged from the
service In disgrace"
After the disastrous battle Of Long Island Wash
lngton once more took the liberty of mentioning tn
congress that no dependence could be put In militia
or other troops than those enlisted and embodied
Tor g longer period than our regulations have
heretofore prescribed
Our liberties must of necessity be greatly haz-
arded II not entirely lost If their defense is left TO
any but n permanent standing army | mean one
TO exist during war Men who have been free and
subjected TO no control cannot be reduced to order
In an instant
There Is no situation on earth leso enviable or
more distressing" continues Washington than
that person who Is at the head of troops regardless
OF order and discipline and unprovided with almost
every necessity. The difficulties that have sur.
rounded me since have been In the service have
kept my mind constantly upon the stretch; the
wounds which my feelings as an officer have re-
celved by thousand things that have happened
contrary to my expectations and wishes. the Of.
feet OF my own conduct and present appearance OF
things so little pleasing to myself to render Il
matter of no surprise to II stand capltally CEN
sured hy congress Induce a thorough con-
vcton In my mind that It will be impossible unless
there Is thorough change In our military system
for me to conduct matters 10 give satisfaction TO
the public, which is all the recompense aim ut or
ever wish for"
This unhappy state of things was almost wholly
due to the feeling manifested In several sections Of
the country persisted In to the hampering of
Wnshington's campaign and 10 the detriment of the
cause, Congress was finally prevailed upon by
Wnshingtons representations and the tnrdlly
dawning consciousness that war was inevitable
and that being So unpreparedness meant calamity
ON December 20 lTT6, he wrote to the president
of congress: "Short enllstments and a mistaken de-
pendencc upon our militia have been the origin OF
all our misfortune and the great accumulation OF
our debt | beg leaye IN give n no NV
humble opinion that eighty-eght battallons are by
no means equal to the opposition you are 10 make
aud that not moments time Is to be lost In rnis-
Ing greater number. not less In my opinion
and that OF my officers, than one hundred and ten
In my Judgment this is not a time TO stand
upon expense our funds are not the only object Of
consideration. II may he thought that
am going good deal out Of my line OF duty to
advise thus freely. A character to lose an estate
to fortell. the inestlmahe blessings Of liberty at
stake and a life devoted must be my excuse"
Far from holding himself aloof and wanting 10
Keep all power In his own hands, Washington vel
coined cooperation
After be had been invested with the dictatorial
powers ueccSSitated by the emergency OF puhlic af
fairs the Council Of Safety Of New York apolo-
gixed for certain measures they had taken In re-
AttiN W WV ANEA AlttlN winch were later UlSCnV-
errd 10 have been an infringement Of his authority
Washington replied Il should he unhappy IN the
belief that any part ~ my letter Ia you could be
construed into the slightest hint that vou wish IN
Interfere In the military line. Heaven knowS,that
greatly want the aid 81 every good man and that
there are not such euytahle pleasures attending NV
situation as TO make too Jealous OF its prrrrr-a
uNcs, Rather than complain ~ your efforts in the
military way. you deserve the thanks OF Us all and
feel myself happy in this opportunity " return
ing you mine In the greatest truth and sincerity"
AZ Valley Forge, where WaShington'S tronpS were
almost naked. had few blankets and S,,anty food
be was moved To resentment against "the gentle
men, without knowing whether the army was real.
" going into winter quarters or not reprnhatfng
ne measure a. much II they thought the sol.
dierS were made ~ stocks and stones and equally
inSenSthe Of frost and snow. and moreover as II
they conceived 1t easily practicable for an inferior
army under the disadvantages I have described
ours TO be to coutne superior one in an respects
wei appointed within the cItE Of Philadelphia and
10 cover from depreciation and waste the states OF
pennsylvania and New Jersey. can as