From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 147<br />
"I shall now, sir, close my correspondence with you, perhaps forever. If your officers, our prisoners, receive a<br />
treatment from me different from that which I wished <strong>to</strong> show <strong>the</strong>m, <strong>the</strong>y and you will remember <strong>the</strong> occasion<br />
of it."<br />
Subsequently, Washing<strong>to</strong>n ordered British officers at Water<strong>to</strong>wn and Cape Ann, who were at large on parole,<br />
<strong>to</strong> be confined in <strong>the</strong> jail at Northamp<strong>to</strong>n, explaining <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m that it was not agreeable <strong>to</strong> his feelings of<br />
humanity, but according <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> treatment of Americans whom <strong>the</strong> officers of <strong>the</strong> crown held as prisoners. But<br />
he could not <strong>to</strong>lerate even this mild form of retaliation, and <strong>the</strong>refore in a short time he revoked <strong>the</strong> order, and<br />
<strong>the</strong> prisoners were at large again.<br />
"I was never more distressed in mind than I am now," remarked Washing<strong>to</strong>n <strong>to</strong> a member of his staff.<br />
"Why so?"<br />
"Within a few days this army will be reduced <strong>to</strong> less than ten thousand men by <strong>the</strong> expiration of enlistments,"<br />
answered Washing<strong>to</strong>n; "and when we can ever attack Bos<strong>to</strong>n is a problem. For six months I have been waiting<br />
for powder, fire-arms, recruits, and what-not; and here we are with <strong>the</strong> 1st of January, 1776, right upon us,<br />
when several thousand soldiers will leave."<br />
"A very discouraging fact indeed," answered <strong>the</strong> staff officer; "and how will you fill <strong>the</strong> breach created by<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir going?"<br />
"That is what troubles me. We shall be forced <strong>to</strong> require soldiers whose term of enlistment expires, <strong>to</strong> leave<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir muskets, allowing <strong>the</strong>m fair compensation for <strong>the</strong> same. And <strong>to</strong> encourage <strong>the</strong>ir successors <strong>to</strong> bring arms,<br />
we must charge each one of <strong>the</strong>m who fails <strong>to</strong> bring his gun one dollar for <strong>the</strong> use of <strong>the</strong> one we provide."<br />
"A novel way of recruiting and supplying an army, truly," said <strong>the</strong> staff officer.<br />
"The only way left <strong>to</strong> us," remarked Washing<strong>to</strong>n.<br />
"Yes; and I suppose that any way is better than none."<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n wrote <strong>to</strong> a friend on <strong>the</strong> 4th of January:<br />
"It is easier <strong>to</strong> conceive than <strong>to</strong> describe <strong>the</strong> situation of my mind for some time past and my feelings under<br />
our present circumstances. Search <strong>the</strong> volume of his<strong>to</strong>ry through, and I much question whe<strong>the</strong>r a case similar<br />
<strong>to</strong> ours can be found; namely, <strong>to</strong> maintain a post against <strong>the</strong> power of <strong>the</strong> British troops for six months<br />
<strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r without powder, and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>to</strong> have one army disbanded and ano<strong>the</strong>r raised within <strong>the</strong> same distance<br />
(musket shot) of a reinforced enemy.... For two months past I have scarcely emerged from one difficulty<br />
before I have been plunged in<strong>to</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r. How it will end, God, in His great goodness, will direct. I am<br />
thankful for His protection <strong>to</strong> this time."<br />
A few days later he wrote:<br />
"The reflection of my situation and that of this army produces many an unhappy hour, when all around me are<br />
wrapped in sleep. Few people know <strong>the</strong> predicament we are in on a thousand accounts; fewer still will believe,<br />
if any disaster happens <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>se lines, from what cause it flows. I have often thought how much happier I<br />
should have been, if, instead of accepting <strong>the</strong> command under such circumstances, I had taken my musket on<br />
my shoulder and entered <strong>the</strong> ranks; or, if I could have justified <strong>the</strong> measure <strong>to</strong> posterity and my own<br />
conscience, had retired <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> back country and lived in a wigwam."<br />
Still, through his tact and indomitable perseverance, Washing<strong>to</strong>n found his army in a condition <strong>to</strong> attack