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细节
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed, ("Go. Washington") as Commander in Chief (text in the hand of Tench Tilghman), to the Rhode Island signer WILLIAM ELLERY, JR. (1727-1820), Head Quarters, Middle Brook, 22 April 1779. 1p., 4to, matted and framed.
TURNING MILITIAS INTO CONTINENTALS: WASHINGTON WRITES A SIGNER ABOUT RHODE ISLAND COMMISSIONS
Washington's correspondent represented Rhode Island in the Continental Congress from May of 1776 until 1786, and was very active in the legislature's military affairs committees. He writes: "Your favor dated 14th Feby. only reached me Yesterday. The arrangement of the two Rhode Island Regiments has been settled, and the Commissions are now in my hands waiting an opportunity for forwarding them." Washington refers to his ongoing effort to convert militia outfits into Continental Army regiments. The case of Rhode Island proved vexing since British troops occupied the state. After failing to dislodge the Redcoats from Providence, the troops under command of General John Sullivan had been greatly thinned by desertions. Local authorities wanted to continue paying a militia signing bonus to reward new enlistees. While sympathetic, Washington refused to condone a privilege for the Rhode Islanders that he could not afford to extend to all the other regiments in the Army. State officials took the matter to Congress, which, in May, upheld Washington's refusal to pay the bonus.
Washington writes from his winter encampment in Middle Brook, New Jersey, where the Continentals enjoyed greater material comforts than the year before at Valley Forge, but suffered from declining morale. Desertions were a problem not only in the Rhode Island regiments, but throughout the Army. Washington tried carrot and stick in response, meting out swift executions as an example while also offering mercy. The same day as this letter he proclaimed an extension of an amnesty deadline for deserters, because the offer "has not had sufficient time to circulate" and "to answer fully the benevolent purpose for which it was designed" (Writings, 14:430). To a friend, he lamented: "What is virtue come to; what a miserable change has four years produced in the temper and dispositions of the Sons of America! It really shocks me to think of it!" (Writings, 14:432)
TURNING MILITIAS INTO CONTINENTALS: WASHINGTON WRITES A SIGNER ABOUT RHODE ISLAND COMMISSIONS
Washington's correspondent represented Rhode Island in the Continental Congress from May of 1776 until 1786, and was very active in the legislature's military affairs committees. He writes: "Your favor dated 14th Feby. only reached me Yesterday. The arrangement of the two Rhode Island Regiments has been settled, and the Commissions are now in my hands waiting an opportunity for forwarding them." Washington refers to his ongoing effort to convert militia outfits into Continental Army regiments. The case of Rhode Island proved vexing since British troops occupied the state. After failing to dislodge the Redcoats from Providence, the troops under command of General John Sullivan had been greatly thinned by desertions. Local authorities wanted to continue paying a militia signing bonus to reward new enlistees. While sympathetic, Washington refused to condone a privilege for the Rhode Islanders that he could not afford to extend to all the other regiments in the Army. State officials took the matter to Congress, which, in May, upheld Washington's refusal to pay the bonus.
Washington writes from his winter encampment in Middle Brook, New Jersey, where the Continentals enjoyed greater material comforts than the year before at Valley Forge, but suffered from declining morale. Desertions were a problem not only in the Rhode Island regiments, but throughout the Army. Washington tried carrot and stick in response, meting out swift executions as an example while also offering mercy. The same day as this letter he proclaimed an extension of an amnesty deadline for deserters, because the offer "has not had sufficient time to circulate" and "to answer fully the benevolent purpose for which it was designed" (Writings, 14:430). To a friend, he lamented: "What is virtue come to; what a miserable change has four years produced in the temper and dispositions of the Sons of America! It really shocks me to think of it!" (Writings, 14:432)