249
This uniform was rare; it is probable, however, that Thomas Marshall procured it for himself and son. He could afford it at that time, and he was a very proud man.
250
Chastellux found the army nearly disbanded from necessity in 1782. (Chastellux, translator's note to 60.)
251
Washington to President of Congress, Jan. 24, 1776;
252
Washington to Reed, Feb. 10, 1776;
253
Washington to Committee of Safety of New York, April 27, 1776;
254
Washington to President of Congress, Sept. 20, 1776;
255
Washington to President of Congress, Sept. 24, 1776;
256
Washington to Major-General Lee, Dec. 1, 1776;
257
General Greene to Governor Cooke, Dec. 4, 1776;
258
Washington to President of Congress, Dec. 12, 1776;
259
Washington to President of Congress, Dec. 24, 1776;
260
Washington to President of Congress, Nov. 11, 1776;
261
Washington to John Augustine Washington, Nov. 19, 1776;
262
Washington to President of Congress, Sept. 8, 1776;
263
Washington to John Augustine Washington, Sept. 22, 1776;
264
Washington to Lund Washington, Sept. 30, 1776;
265
Washington to John Augustine Washington, Feb. 24, 1777;
266
Kapp, 115.
267
268
Marshall (1st ed.), iii, 66.
269
The militia were worse than wasteful and unmanageable; they deserted by companies. (Hatch, 72-73.)
270
Washington to Wharton, Oct. 17, 1777:
271
272
Washington to John Augustine Washington, Oct. 18, 1777;
273
Livingston to Washington, Aug. 12, 1776;
274
Lee to Washington, Nov. 12, 1776;
275
Sullivan to Washington, March 7, 1777;
276
Schuyler to Washington, Sept. 9. 1776;
277
Smith to McHenry, Dec. 10, 1778; Steiner, 21.
278
Chastellux, 44; and see Moore's
279
Washington to Livingston, Dec. 31, 1777;
280
Washington to President of Congress, Dec. 23, 1777;
281
282
Weedon, Jan. 6, 1778, 183.
283
Hatch, 135; and Kapp, 109.
284
285
286
Weedon, 14.
287
288
289
Livingston to Webb, May 28, 1781;
290
One reason for the chaotic state of the army was the lack of trained officers and the ignorance of the majority of common soldiers in regard to the simplest elements of drill or discipline. Many of the bearers of commissions knew little more than the men; and of such untrained officers there was an overabundance. (Hatch, 13-15.) To Baron von Steuben's training of privates as well as officers is due the chief credit for remedying this all but fatal defect. (Kapp, 126-35; also
291
For statement of conditions in the American army throughout the war see Hatch; also, Bolton.
292
The States were childishly jealous of one another. Their different laws on the subject of rank alone caused unbelievable confusion. (Hatch, 13-16. And see Watson, 64, for local feeling, and inefficiency caused by the organization of the army into State lines.)
293
Hatch says that Connecticut provided most bountifully for her men. (Hatch, 87.) But Chastellux found the Pennsylvania line the best equipped; each Pennsylvania regiment had even a band of music. (Chastellux, 65.)
294
"The only garment they possess is a blanket elegantly twined about them. You may judge, sir, how much this apparel graces their appearance in parade." (Inspector Fleury to Von Steuben, May 13, 1778; as quoted in Hatch, 87.)
295
Diary of Joseph Clark;
296
Heitman, 285.
297
Binney, in Dillon, iii, 284.
298
Washington to Committee of Congress, July 19, 1777;
299
Washington to President of Congress, Aug. 23, 1777;
300
Marshall (1st ed.), iii, 126.
301
302
On this subject see Waldo's poem,
303
Weedon, Aug. 23, 1777, 19.
304
Marshall (1st ed.), iii, 127.
305