Stark reported to Heath on November 29 that he had dismissed all the militia and Levies at Saratoga. The two blockhouses were nearing completion and repairs were underway to the barracks, although resources were very limited. He pled for improved clothing for the New Hampshire Continentals and an adequate fuel supply, refuting Heath’s supposition that fuel was “at command,” for none could be had within a mile and half of the post. As to Heath’s advice that materials were being sent for the regimental tailors to make up clothing, he wrote that there was only one tailor in the New Hampshire Line and he was “a drunken rascal, that could be hardly compelled to make three coats in a winter.” He agreed with Heath’s observation that only a few horses should be kept with the troops and the remainder sent where forage could be had; however, there was not a man in the district who knew where that place was. Naughtily, he added, “But I suppose it is romantic to issue any more complaints, when experience has taught me that they are of so little value.”
Next, he displayed a nice turn of phrase:
I can not sufficiently admire the magnanimous conduct of our soldiers. They certainly put knight errantry out of countenance; and all those whimsical tales which are generally supposed to have existed no where but in the brains of chimerical authors, seem realized in them. But I fear that this virtue will not last forever; and, indeed, it is my opinion that nothing but their too wretched situation prevents an insurrection. However, I have not heard a syllable of the kind yet, and shall take every imaginable precaution to hinder it; and I hope that their firmness and my endeavors will prove efficacious.
He reported that Willett had eighty to one hundred three-years’ men and believed that two hundred men should be kept on the Mohawk River for its protection as less than that would be dangerous, but he cautioned that until the men were clothed, they should not be sent. Currently, the three-years’ men at Saratoga could scarce leave their barracks for lack of clothing. Their distress was so great, it was found difficult to form a guard.
There were few troops left in the district, so Stark intended to retire to Albany when the barracks and blockhouses were finished. As he anticipated little business for a general officer, he requested leave to visit home.
On November 30, General Heath responded to Governor Clinton’s request by advising that the two New Hampshire regiments, of some three hundred to four hundred men each, would winter in the north. Reflecting Washington’s opinion, he suggested they would be sufficient to man the Mohawk Valley posts when the Levies’ terms expired. He was unable to spare any other Regular troops for the other western frontiers, such as the Catskills, and pronounced that the state must provide them, if necessary. Obviously, if Willett’s recommendations were accepted, the governor would have to take the Mohawk into consideration as well. Heath also requested information about what places would “most probably [be] exposed to the incursion of the enemy during the winter, and when and in what numbers the troops will be most advantageously cantoned”.
On receiving Heath’s advice that only two New Hampshire regiments were available, Clinton wrote to Albany County’s brigadiers Peter Gansevoort and Robert Van Rensselaer reminding them that the state legislature had lately empowered him to bring into service militia levies from any of the districts any time he deemed it necessary.
Considering that the United States and their French ally had just achieved a monumental victory in Virginia and their army in the north had successfully warded off two expeditions from Canada, the governor’s message betrayed amazing anxiety. He spoke of New York’s “present distressed situation” and his earnest desire to avoid burdening the inhabitants with unnecessary expenses and trouble. He reported Heath’s plan to leave the New Hampshire brigade in the north to garrison posts on the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers and requested the opinions of each brigade’s field officers and principal gentlemen whether it was necessary to make a levy before spring and, if so, what number of men would be required to protect the frontiers of Albany, Charlotte, and Tryon counties for the winter. The governor clearly recognized the enemy was not yet defeated in the north.
Clinton gave Heath his agreement on December 4 that the two New Hampshire regiments, if as strong as reported, should answer the purpose, particularly if the season was not milder than usual; however, the addition of Hazen’s regiment would ease the burden of the duty, which might otherwise be severe, and give greater security and confidence to the exposed settlements. He listed the posts that were usually occupied over the winter: Saratoga (from where detachments could be made to White Creek and Ballstown); Fort Herkimer, Fort Rensselaer, and Johnstown (from where small detachments were occasionally made to small posts in their vicinities), and Schoharie. He was unable to comment on the relative troop strength required at each place, but thought it best to distribute the largest regiment to the western posts, without making detachments from it to Albany or Schenectady to secure public stores. He thought the Saratoga frontier was neither as extensive, nor as exposed, to the enemy and it was able to “derive more speedy & effectual succor from the militia. The western frontier of Ulster & Orange being more remote from the enemy’s posts & of course less liable to their incursions, expecially in the winter season, may with greater ease be defended by the militia of those counties who are remarkably well affected & favorably situated for the purpose.”8
Well affected, perhaps, but not very motivated or capable, to judge from the raid of the previous August.
There was some upset in the Royal Yorkers’ two battalions. Robert Leake had been appointed 2KRR’s paymaster and requested a list of commission seniorities from Quebec City headquarters, while at the same time he indicated to Captain Mathews the likelihood of a protest from Thomas Gumersall about his seniority relative to Leake’s. He also argued for the seniority of his independent company’s second lieutenant, William Fraser, relative to the ensigns who had been promoted from 1KRR.
Major Gray reported there was some quibbling over the men to be brought to the Royal Yorkers from the Queen’s Loyal Rangers by Lieutenant Jeremiah French and the men of McAlpin’s to be brought by Ensign James McAlpin. Such issues were minor inconveniences in the army’s administration, but very important to those involved.9
On December 1, Butler reported to Mathews that he had taken an inventory of Indian stores and found several critical articles missing. He had asked Powell for permission to purchase them from the merchants, but was told the governor prohibited it; however, the brigadier agreed to allow the exchange of some coarse cloth of little utility to the Indians for some vital items; however, this scarcely met the greater need. Accordingly, Butler enclosed “a list of articles we are principally in want of.” Powell had also supplied a quantity of powder and had promised more, on the understanding that it would be replaced from Indian stores in the spring.
The natives had come earlier than usual to request provisions and gave as their reason the “trifling quantity of Indian corn I issued … for planting.” They claimed that, if they had received plenty of seed last spring, they would have been able to maintain themselves over the winter. “The chief part of the Onondagas are already come in, and I fear many of the different nations will follow their example.” He had recommended hunting to all the natives as an alternative to war, but they were not pleased, so as a compromise, he counselled them “to keep out small parties that the enemy might not think them asleep.”
Surgeon Kerr had earlier reported that refugees were draining the garrison’s provisions, but Butler refuted this charge, saying they were not allowed any, nor were the farmers on the Canadian side, nor the families of the Rangers, except each company’s customary two women.
As