Part 3 (2/2)
CAMP WINTER HILL, Octr 19th 1775
DEAR BETSEY
I hope you will excuse my freedom in writing to you, as I cannot have the pleasure of seeing and conversing with you. What is now a letter would be a visit were I in New London but this being out of my power, suffer me to make up the defect in the best manner I can.
I write not to give you any news or any pleasure in reading (though I would heartily do it if in my power) but from the desire I have of conversing with you in some form or other.
I once wanted to come here to see something extraordinary--my curiosity is satisfied. I have now no more desire for seeing things here, than for seeing what is in New London, no, nor half so much neither. Not that I am discontented--so far from it, that in the present situation of things I would not except a furlough were it offered me. I would only observe that we often flatter ourselves with great happiness could we see such and such things; but when we actually come to the sight of them our solid satisfaction is really no more than when we only had them in expectation.
All the news I had I wrote to John Hallam--if it be worth your hearing he will be able to tell you when he delivers this. It will therefore not (be) worth while for me to repeat.
I am a little at a loss how you carry at New London--Jared Starr I hear is gone--The number of Gentlemen is now so few that I fear how you will go through the winter but I hope for the best.
I remain with esteem Yr Sincere Friend & Hble Svt.
N. HALE
TO BETSEY CHRISTOPHERS At New London
The next letter refers to the time when, on account of their personal privations, the Connecticut troops were thinking seriously of withdrawing from the struggle, and returning to their homes:
DEAR SIR NEW LONDON Decr-4th 1775
The behaviour of our Connecticut Troops makes me Heart-sick--that they who have stood foremost in the praises and good Wishes of their Countrymen, as having distinguished themselves for their Zeal & Public Spirit, should now shamefully desert the Cause; and at a critical moment too, is really unaccountable--amazing. Those that do return will meet with real Contempt, with deserv'd Reproach. It gives great satisfaction that the Officers universally agree to tarry--that is the Report, is it true or not?--May that G.o.d who has signally appear'd for us since the Commencement of our troubles, interpose, that no fatal or bad consequence may attend a dastardly Desertion of his Cause.
I want much to have a more minute Acct. of the situation of the Camp than I have been able to obtain. I rely wholly on you for information.
Your G. SALTONSTALL.
To explain some of Saltonstal's references to the feelings of some of the Connecticut troops, we quote from Captain Hale's diary of October 23:
”10 o'clock went to Cambridge with Field commission officers to General Putman to let him know the state of the Regiment and that it was through ill usage upon the Score of Provisions that they would not extend their term of service to the 1st of January 1776.”
Other letters to Hale from New London friends, among them one from an officer absent on furlough, speak freely of the anxieties of those watching the progress of the reenlistments, and the home reception that would be given to any leaving the army.
Another letter from Saltonstall reads as follows:
NEW LONDON Decr. 18th 1775
DR. SIR....
I wholly agree with you in ye. agreables of a Camp Life, and should have try'd it in some Capacity or other before now, could my Father carry on his Business without me. I proposed going with Dudley, who is appointed to Commn. a Twenty-Gun s.h.i.+p in the Continental Navy, but my Father is not willing, and I can't persuade myself to leave him in the eve of Life against his consent....
Yesterday week the Town was in the greatest confusion imaginable; Women wringing their Hands along Street, Children crying, Carts loaded 'till nothing more would stick on, posting out of Town, empty ones driving in, one Person running this way, another that, some dull, some vex'd, more pleased, some flinging up an Intrenchment, some at the Fort preparing ye Guns for Action, Drums beating, Fifes playing; in short as great a Hubbub as at the confusion of Tongues; all of this occasioned by the appearance of a s.h.i.+p and two Sloops off the Harbour, Suppos'd to be part of Wallace's Fleet,--When they were found to be Friends, Vessels from New Port with Pa.s.sengers ye consternation abated....
A postscript runs as follows:
The young girls, B. Coit, S. and P. Belden [Hale's pupils] have frequently desired their Compliments to Master, but I've never thought of mentioning it till now. You must write something in your next by way of P.S. that I may shew it them.
<script>