ery
were shot. "He assumed the command, and, refusing to retreat, fought his
pieces to the last. The bayonets of the soldiers were just upon him,
when a British officer, admiring his chivalrous and desperate courage,
interfered and saved him."[115] Washington ordered the record of
Callender's sentence to be expunged from the orderly book, effected his
exchange, and restored him his commission.

Yet in too many of the cases the sentence of incompetence or cowardice
was just. Even when simple laxity of discipline was at the bottom of
trouble, the effect was exasperating. Washington had much to teach the
minor members of his army. That it was in all outward aspects a truly
volunteer assemblage, we have the testimony of an eye witness. "It is
very diverting," wrote the Reverend William Emerson, "to walk among the
camps. They are as different in their form as the owners are in their
dress; and every tent is a portraiture of the temper and taste of the
persons who encamp in it. Some are made of boards, and some of
sailcloth. Some partly of one and partly of another. Again others are
made of stone and turf, brick or brush. Some are thrown up in a hurry,
others curiously wrought with doors and windows, done in wreaths and
withes in the manner of a basket. Some are your proper tents and
marquees, looking like the regular camp of the enemy.... However, I
think this great variety is rather a beauty than a blemish in the
army."[116]

When we consider, however, that the men were dressed as variously as
they were housed, and armed as from a museum of historical curiosities,
we can easily see that the commander would not agree with the clergyman
that such variety was to be admired. We find him advocating the purchase
of uniforms. If nothing better can be had, he will be content with
hunting-shirts, since a common costume would have a "happy tendency to
unite the men, and abolish those provincial distinctions, that lead to
jealousy and dissatisfaction."[117] Washington strove also, but by the
end of the siege was still unable, to provide for his men some form of
regulation firearm.

He found, further, that the number of the troops had been overestimated.
After waiting eight days for returns which he expected in an hour after
his requisition, he found that, instead of the twenty thousand troops he
had been led to hope for, he had but sixteen thousand effective men.
With these he had to maintain a front of eight miles, against an enem