The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-02-15


the most courage toward the enemy and the most
Kindness and good humor to each other.
If any be so lost to virtue and love of country as
to continue In such practice after this order they
will be severely punished and discharged from the
service in disgrace"
After the disastrous battle of Long Island WASH
ngton "once took the liberty of mentioning to
congress that no dependence could be put in militia
or other troops than those enlisted and embodied
for longer period than regulations have
heretofore prescribed.
"Our liberties must of necessity be greatly haz-
arded If not entirely lost If their defense is left to
any but permanent standing army. 1 mean one
to exist during war Men who have been free and
subjected to control cannot be reduced to order
in an instant.
"There is situation earth less enviabe or
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 since 1 have been in the service have
kept my mind constantly upon the stretch; the
wounds which nv feelings officer have
ceived by u thousand things that have happened
contrary to my expectations and wishes; the ef-
feet of my own conduct and present appearance of
things little pleasing to myself as to render 1t
matter of surprise to me If l stand capially
sured by congress :. Induce thorough con-
vction in my mind that 1t will be impossible. unless
there is a thorough change In our military system,
for me to conduct matters to give satisfaction to
the public, which is all the recompense 1 aim at or
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
Washington's campaign and to the detriment of the
cause. Congress finally prevailed upon by
Washington's representations and the tardily
dawnng consciousness that was enevtable
and that, being so, unpreparedness meant calamity
On December 20, 1776 he wrote to the president
of congress: "Short enlistments and mistaken de-
pendence upon our militia have been the origin Of
all our misfortune and the great accumulation OF
debt. l beg leave to give 1t as my
humble opinion that eighty battalions are by
equal to the opposition you are to make.
and that not moments time Is to be lost in rails
ing a greater number, not less. In my opinion
and that of my officers, than hundred and ten.
. . . In my judgment this is not n time to stand
upon expense; funds not the only object of
consideration. . . It may be thought that
am going a good deal out of my line of duty to
advise thus freely. character to lose, an estate
to fortell, the inestimable blessings of liberty at
stake and life devoted must be my excuse"
Far from holding himself aloof and wanting to
keep all power in his own hands. Washington well
coined cooperation.
After he had been invested with the dictatorial
powers necessitated by the emergency of public af
fairs the Council of Safety of New York apollo
gized for certain measures they had taken in re-
gard to New York troops which were later dscov-
cred to have been infringement of his authority.
Washington replied 81 should be unhappy in the
belief that any part of my letter to you could be
construed into the slightest hint that you wish to
interfere in the military line. Heaven knows that
/ greatly want the aid of every good man. and that
there are not such enviabe pleasures attending my
situation as to make too jealous of its preroga-
tives Rather than complain of your efforts in the
military way. you deserve the thanks of us all, and
/ feel myself happy in this opportunity of return
ing YOU mine in the greatest truth and sincerity"
At Valley Forge, where Washngton's troops were
almost naked had few blankets and scanty food
he was moved to resentment against 'the gentle
men, without knowing whether the army was real
ly going into winter quarters not. reprobating
the measure as much as If they thought the SOL
ders we're made of stocks and stones and equally
insensible of frost and snow, and, moreover as If
they conceived it easily practicable for an inferior
army under the disadvantages have described
ours to be confine superior In all respects
well appointed, within the city of Philadelphia and
to cover from depreciation and waste the states of
Pennsylynnia and New Jersey . |