In most wars irresponsible men sitting by comfortable firesides are sure they knew best how the thing should be done.
The bleak hillside at Valley Forge was something more than a prison.
Washington's staff was known as his family and his relations with them were cordial and even affectionate.

The young officers faced their hardships cheerily and gave meager dinners to which no one might go if he was so well off as to have trousers without holes.

They talked and sang and jested about their privations.

By this time many of the bad officers, of whom Washington complained earlier, had been weeded out and he was served by a body of devoted men.

There was much good comradeship.
Partnership in suffering tends to draw men together.