What the Short-Term Militia Did
ney corner seized the troops from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts so soon as their time expired, as had wrought upon those of Connecticut, notwithstanding many of them made a tender of their services to continue until the line could be sufficiently strengthened. We are now left with a good deal less than half-raised regiments, and about 5,000 militia, who only stand engaged to the middle of this month, when according to custom they will retire, whether the necessity for their staying be ever so urgent.”
What a sickening picture of the steadfast Washington watching Freedom’s army dwindle away before his very eyes, shifting and changing like the sands of the desert. Believe me, my son. Father was having a batch of trouble with the children.
Cordially as Washington detested the bounty, which he regarded as the twin brother of desertion, he was now forced to waive all objections, nay, even to urge that $20 or
[27]
