Our camp very thin;
not more than three relieves of officers and men for the ordinary duties.
Hospitals crowded, and great many sick in camp; deaths so frequent, the funeral
ceremony dispensed with. Provisions scarce and very indifferent; the beef
brought from the back counties of North Carolina, by the time they reach the
camp, poor indeed, and must be unwholesome. Commissary's yard and slaughter
place commonly short distance from camp. Soldier going there in morning about
killing time, met his comrade returning in; asked how was the beef this
morning? other replied, that it took two men to hold up the creature until the
butcher knocked it down. Says the other, And why didn't he knock it down as it
lay? Flour a rare article. Troops have lived chiefly upon rice, now and then a
small allowance of Indian meal served out - rice very good for the sick, but
rather washy for duty men. Governor Hamilton, of this State, himself and
family, quarter at a pleasant seat, two miles in rear of camp General Green not
quite so far; each has a subaltern's guard. Very fond of getting one or other
of these guards better fare than we have in camp. Officer considered and
treated as one of the family.
SOURCE: J. B.
Lippincott & Co., Publisher, The Record of the Court at Upland, in
Pennsylvania. 1676 to 1681. And a Military Journal Kept by Major E. Denny, 1781
to 1795, pp. 251-2
