Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/533

No. 179] Lake ; and from all appearances, there will be a demonstration against it without waiting for the arrival of the two thousand Brunswick troops, which left at the same time as I did, and are destined to act with us. The Rebels are said to be strongly entrenched on the other side [end] of the Lake among the mountains, and from 600 to 1000 Savages are said to form the attacking force of the right wing. We are all on foot ; and I am sorry to say that I, also, am in the same fix. We cannot get a two wheeled calash — for which, too, we have to pay one shilling an hour — without trouble and asking permission of one or another general. We even have to pay out of our own pocket, the above price per hour for the small carts of the peasants on which to transport the Company's baggage, clothing and other necessary articles. This expense I hope his Majesty, the King, will most graciously consent to make up to our Company ; for we cannot, as yet, tell whether our means, including the money for our rations, will, or will not be sufficient.

For these several reasons, I cannot take into consideration those things which belong and are essential to, position ; nor, can I form an idea, until God leads me there on foot, where we shall all meet together for action. This state of affairs will certainly make campaigns —such as no man, since the existence of Hessian troops, has ever witnessed in this world ! According to an old history by a certain Italian King and Campaigner, the Hessian troops had, generally, one ass for the baggage of two officers ; but I am very much afraid — and the English prophesy the same thing that in a short time, each officer will have to gird a saddle on his own back and carry his own baggage ! . ..

[November 8.] Indeed, I have been, from the start, the most miserable and unfortunate of all the commanders of the German Companies. Each of my men who was sent to the Hospital was not only afflicted with dysentery, but, as the hospital doctors told me, talked day and night of fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, cousins, and aunts — besides, also, talking over and repeating all kinds of German village deviltry — calling now this one, and now that one by his baptismal name until they had to stop for actual want of breath ! For this disease there is, as is well known, but one remedy in the world, viz : dear peace, and a speedy return ; and with this hope I comfort my sick daily. With those still alive and well, I am perfectly satisfied ; for they find plenty of solace in the Canadian girls and women. For this reason, and in their companionship they are happy and contented. . ..

April [1777]. All the officers have to add money of their own, or