Page:Harris Dickson--The unpopular history of the United States.djvu/51

 had it not been for this resolute group the cause of liberyliberty [sic] was lost.

On the other hand, their inefficient brothers of the militia generally spread disorder, mutiny, and panic until Washington said that “the militia was more hurtful than helpful to the cause of independence.”

Washington had about 8,000 militia of this kind to oppose Lord Howe on Long Island. The British outnumbered him two to one. Washington was beaten. A repulse does not necessarily destroy an army of trained soldiers. A good drubbing may only make a bunch of veterans grit their teeth and stand firmer. It riles ’em. But if you defeat the militia and start ’em to turning tail, they take the route to scatteration. It is mighty pitiful to hear the old General telling about how his troops behaved on this humiliating day. Washington heard the first shots of the battle and galloped to the front. Instead of finding his men fighting valiantly on the battle line, they were flying in every direction, with their officers striving in vain to rally them.