Ebenezer Smith, A.L.S. Camp Orange Town August 25th 1780 : to Mrs. Sarah Smith at New Marlborough, [Mass.]
1780
MSS L2013F168 M
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Title
Ebenezer Smith, A.L.S. Camp Orange Town August 25th 1780 : to Mrs. Sarah Smith at New Marlborough, [Mass.]
Published
Orangetown, [N.Y.] 1780
Description
[4] p. on 2 conjugate leaves ; 35 cm.
Call Number
MSS L2013F168 M
Note
Letter from a captain in the Massachusetts line to his wife from Washington's headquarters with war news & family communication.
Began at "Camp Orange Town," Washington's headquarters & ended at "Tenney Flye August 25th 1780."
"It is said that Congress has reduced the officers pay, a captain to eight pounds, and all others in proportion. If we could receive it in good money it would be sufficient, but if in depreciated stuff it matters not whether much or little. In all services but American it is viewed as an honor to be a soldier, but that narrow contracted spirit of many in the country renders ours quite different. I see the necessity of having the old officers continue in service, if we cannot get men for the war. By having experience officers, our men are quite disciplined. Whereas if all were new there would be none to instruct. But it is my prevailing thought that we do not have a peace settled until we get a good Army for the war. Men that enter the service for a few months will not pay that attention to the service as one that knows the war is imply (perhaps for life). Our recruits come on exceedingly well, but they begin to count days. The man that enters service for a great sum of money never comes for the good of the service, but means to live to go home to enjoy it…."
Loss of some words from wax seal.
Began at "Camp Orange Town," Washington's headquarters & ended at "Tenney Flye August 25th 1780."
"It is said that Congress has reduced the officers pay, a captain to eight pounds, and all others in proportion. If we could receive it in good money it would be sufficient, but if in depreciated stuff it matters not whether much or little. In all services but American it is viewed as an honor to be a soldier, but that narrow contracted spirit of many in the country renders ours quite different. I see the necessity of having the old officers continue in service, if we cannot get men for the war. By having experience officers, our men are quite disciplined. Whereas if all were new there would be none to instruct. But it is my prevailing thought that we do not have a peace settled until we get a good Army for the war. Men that enter the service for a few months will not pay that attention to the service as one that knows the war is imply (perhaps for life). Our recruits come on exceedingly well, but they begin to count days. The man that enters service for a great sum of money never comes for the good of the service, but means to live to go home to enjoy it…."
Loss of some words from wax seal.
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