Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 1.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

It required, nevertheless, all the organizing mind of Washington, all his devotedness, all his tact and patience, to be able, almost without resources and in the midst of a thousand intrigues, to maintain unity among elements so difficult to unite, and to mould them to the hard exigencies of the military profession.

The provincial militia which had taken part in the Seven Years War was formed on the model of those of the English counties. At the beginning of the struggle with England, each colony added to her militia some regiments of volunteers enlisted for a short period, and thus raised a small independent, private army. United by Congress under the authority of Washington, they nevertheless maintained for some time their distinct organization; and when the first flush of enthusiasm and self-denial was once over, one may imagine the obstacles which such a system opposed to the zeal of the general-in-chief. He, who never courted popularity by flattering his countrymen, knew how to enforce a severe discipline. ‘It is necessary,’ he said to them, ‘that a most perfect despotism should exist in an army.’ The testimony of that great citizen deserves to be pondered by those who, in the name of liberty, seek to introduce a spirit of criticism and independence in the army, which always engenders insubordination. Besides, his despotism was strictly confined to his military character, and tempered by the regard which he inspired among all his inferiors; it was only, however, by means of seasonable severities and necessary concessions that he was able to maintain that organization in his army which enabled him thoroughly to accomplish his task.

The militia, recruited from the lowest dregs of society, as in England, were a perpetual source of anxiety to him. On the field of battle they more than once occasioned disastrous panics; in camp they frequently fomented a spirit of revolt. The volunteer regiments, formed at a moment of patriotic impulse, were composed of far better material; but they were only enlisted for a few months, and during the early stages of the war the negotiations set on foot to prolong their term of service were constantly paralyzing military operations.

The national army was at last organized in 1776. It has served as the type of all the levies of volunteers which have been