Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/470

438 Washington being strongly entrenched at Harlem Heights, General Howe did not think it prudent to attack him, and remained inactive on the plains below more than three weeks. Much sickness prevailed in the American camp; suitable hospital arrangements were entirely wanting, and the suffering soldiers were compelled to find such accommodation as they could anywhere, in barns, or stables, or even by the road side. Desertions were becoming frequent; and there was a general and scandalous tendency to disobedience of orders, plundering, and various irregularities in the camp. No wonder that the mind of the commander-in-chief was filled with anxiety as to the future : the army, enlisted for one year, was now again on the eve of its dissolution, and the experience of the past year had confirmed all Washington's fears as to the ruinous policy of short enlistments, and of relying on the militia to act against veteran troops.

Borrowing "a few moments from the hours allotted to sleep," Washington, on the night of the 24th of September, addressed an energetic and admirable letter to the President of Congress, showing most conclusively, the inefficiency, insubordination, confusion, and harassing cares and vexations of the present system under which the army was organized. Pointing out the only effectual remedy, in clear and full terms, his letter concludes with these words: "There is no situation upon earth less enviable, or more distressing, than that person's, who is at the head of troops regardless of order and discipline, and unprovided with almost every necessary. In a word, the difficulties, which have forever surrounded me since I have been in the service, and kept my mind constantly upon the stretch; the wounds, which my feelings, as an officer, have received by a thousand things, that have happened contrary to my expectations and wishes; the effect of my own conduct, and present appearance of things, so little pleasing to myself, as to render it a matter of no surprise to me. if I should stand capitally censured by Congress; added to a consciousness of my inability to govern an army composed of such discordant parts, and under such a variety of intricate and perplexing circumstances; induce not only a belief, but a thorough conviction in my mind, that it will be impossible, unless there be a thorough change in our military system, for me to conduct matters in such a manner, as to give satisfaction to the public, which is all the recompense I aim at, or ever wished for."

The expostulations of Washington were finally productive of the result which he so earnestly desired. It was determined that the army should be reorganized and placed on a permanent footing. Eighty-eight battalions were decreed to be furnished in quotas, by the different states, according to their abilities. The pay of the officers was