Remarks on a Reprint of the Original Letters of Washington to Joseph Reed

32 Judge Marshall’s Text. fected another part of the army ; that their want of discipline, and refusal of almost every kind of restraint and government, have rendered a like conduct but too common in the whole ; and have produced an entire disregard of that order and subordination necessary for the well-doing of an army, and which had been before inculcated as well as the nature of our military establishment would admit, our condition is still more alarming.” — Vol. II. p. 455. LETTER TO “It is now extremely obvious from their movements, from our intelligence, and from every other circumstance, that, having their whole army upon Long Island, except about four thousand men who remain on Staten Island, they mean to inclose us in this island by taking post in our rear, while their ships effectually secure the front; and thus, by cutting off our communication with the country, oblige us Text of the Letter-Books. army, when their want of discipline, and refusal of almost every kind of restraint and government, have produced a like conduct but too common to the whole, and an entire disregard of that order and subordination necessary to the well-doing of an army, and which had been inculcated before, as well as the nature of our military establishment would admit of, our condition is still more alarming-” CONGRESS. Sept. Sth, 1776. “ It is now extremely obvious, from all intelligence, from their movements and every other circumstance, that having landed their whole army on Long Island (except about four thousand on Staten Island) they mean to inclose us on the Island of New .York by taking post in our rear, while the shipping effectually secures the front, and thus either by cutting off our communication with the country, oblige us to fight them J z o o

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