It is more probable that the communications which must have been made to the British general were discredited; and that he could not permit himself to believe, that an army without bayonets would be hardy enough to maintain the position occupied by the Provincials, if destitute of ammunition.
[Footnote 11: A circumstance attending this transaction, will furnish some idea of the difficulties encountered by those who then conducted the affairs of America.
All-important to the general safety as was the speedy replenishment of the magazines of that army which lay encamped in front of the enemy, the committee of Elizabethtown was under the necessity of transmitting this powder secretly, lest the people of the neighbourhood should seize and detain it for their own security.] The troops were also in such need of tents, as to be placed in barracks, instead of being encamped in the open field; and were almost destitute of clothing.

They had, too, been raised by the colonial governments; each of which organized its quota on different principles.

From this cause resulted not only a want of uniformity, but other defects which were much more important.

In Massachusetts, the soldiers had chosen their platoon officers, and generally lived with them as equals.

This unmilitary practice was the certain index of that general insubordination which pervaded every department.