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:

===============NEW LONDON, Decr?? 4th 1775=====
=====DEAR SIR,===============

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 God 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 ??=====
===============GILBERT SALTONSTALL=====

To explain some of SaltonstalPs 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

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p048 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p049w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p050

v?