The Eastern States had likewise been overrun by the enemy, with fire and sword And to add to the general gloom which now overspread the United States, the small army that was left was reduced to the greatest distress and misery ; and nothing, it is believed, but the wisdom and prudence of the immortal Washington, could have kept it together ; for, in the language of a committee appointed by Congress, to visit it, the soldiers were unpaid for months together -- seldom having more than six days provision in advance ; and on several occasions, for several successive days, entirely without meat. The medical department having no supplies whatever for the sick, and every department of the army being alike without money, and not even the shadow of credit left. Discontent to an alarming extent, at the same time among the officers and soldiers, on account of the depreciated currency of the country. The pay of a private for a year, would not subsist his family for a single week ; nor would the pay of an officer procure forage, or even oats, for his horse.
And in addition to these evils which fell so heavily upon the army, others not less deplorable, had, by reasou of the embarrassed state of the country, fallen upon the community at large. For the aged and infirm, who had retired to enjoy the fruits of their industry, found their subsistence reduced to a scanty pittance : and the widow and the orphan were obliged to accept a dollar, where hundreds were their due.