"  When  in  compliance  with  the  expectations  of  Con-
gress and  the  wishes  of  the  country,  the  army  was  thrown
into  huts,  instead  of  retiring  to  distant  and  more  conven-
ient quarters,  the  troops  justly  expected  every  comfort
the  surrounding  country  could  afford.  Among  these,  a
providential  care  in  the  article  of  straw  would  probably
have  saved  the  lives  of  many  of  your  brave  soldiers,  who
have  now  paid  the  great  debt  of  nature.  Unprovided
with  this,  or  materials  to  raise  them  from  the  cold  and  wet
earth,  sickness  and  mortality  have  spread  through  their
quarters  in  an  astonishing  degree.     Notwithstand'ng  the


1778.]  LIFE   OP   NATHAN AEL   GEEENE.  45

diligence  of  the  physicians  and  surgeons,  of  whom  we
hear  no  complaint,  the  sick  and  dead  list  has  increased  one
third  in  the  last  week's  return,  which  was  one  third  greater
than  the  week  preceding ;  and  from  the  present  inclement
weather,  will  probably  increase  in  a  much  greater  propor-
tion. Nothing  can  equal  their  sufferings,  except  the  pa-
tience and  fortitude  with  which  the  faithful  part  of  the
army  endure  them.  Those  of  a  different  character  desert
in  considei'able  numbers.
"  We  must  also  observe  that  a  number  of  the  troops
have  now  for  some  time  been  prepared  for  inoculation  ;
but  the  operation  must  be  delayed  for  want  of  this  (straw)
and  other  necessaries  within  the  pi-ovidence  of  this  depart-
ment. We  need  not  point  out  the  fatal  consequences  of
this  delay,  in  forming  a  new  army,  or  the  preservation  of
this.  Almost  every  day  furnishes  instances  of  the  small-
pox in  the  natural  way.  Hitherto  such  vigilance  and  care
have  been  used,  that  the  contagion  has  not  spread;  but
surely  it  is  highly  incumbent  on  us,  if  possible,  to  annihi-
late the  danger.
