History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1777] REVOLUTION—DEATH OF REV. MR. HOOKER. 407
this it appears that liquids predominated, and that " Dutch
courage " was deemed of great importance.
Reinforcements Or- On the 2*^ of July, Hampshire and Berkdered
to the North- shire Counties Were ordered to march " all
61*11 Armv
they can " to Fort Ann or Fort Edward
to reinforce the northern army, every seventh man being
called for, and in August, every sixth man was ordered out
from Hampshire. This second call following the other so
quickly, was needed because the first one ordering out every
seventh man, had been but partially filled. These men
were to be in the service till November SO**", and were to be
paid 50s. per month in addition to their Continental wages.
By the 22^^ of September, at least one half the militia in
Hampshire and some other counties was required to re-
inforce Gen, Gates.
Third Year of the Tliough irradiated by the capture of Bur-
^'^'^- goyne, the third year of the conflict brought
no relief to the harassed and hard pressed
colonists. The defeat at Brandywine was followed by the
capture of Philadelphia, while the repulse at Germantown
drove the dispirited and dejected army of Washington into
the miseries, hardships and sufferings of Valley Forge.
Little had been gained by either side, though the Americans
had much about which to congratulate themselves.
Their gallant struggle was attracting attention across the
ocean, bringing to their aid such men as Lafayette and
Pulaski, reinforcements of untold value to the budding
republic.
Smallpox Invades Duriug this j^ear of constant warfare and
the Town. coutiuued privatiou, when Northampton
was sending one half of its able-bodied men
into the army, the town was visited by that dreaded
scourge, smallpox. This disease had not previous to this
time extended inland very generally. Seventeen years before,
a few straggling cases had found their way into the
Connecticut Valley, and a hospital for their treatment had
been established at Springfield. This year it appeared sud-
denly, and though vigorous measures were adopted to pre-