killed Captain Billings, and, I believe, wounded several of his men.
They then ordered those who remained with the officers to join them or
meet death by the bayonet, and they obeyed. Then General Wayne appeared,
and, by threats and offers of better treatment, endeavoured to put an
end to the revolt. The men all idolized Wayne; they would have followed
him almost anywhere, but they would not listen to his remonstrances on
this occasion. Wayne then cocked his pistol as if he meant to frighten
them back to duty; but they placed their bayonets to his breast, and
told him that, although they loved and respected him, if he fired his
pistols or attempted to enforce his commands, they would put him to
death. General Wayne then saw their determination, and didn't fire; but
he appealed to their patriotism, and they spoke of the impositions of
Congress. He told them that their conduct would strengthen the enemy.
But ragged clothes and skeleton forms were arguments much stronger than
any Wayne could bring against them. The men declared their intention to
march to Congress at Philadelphia, and demand a redress of grievances.
Wayne then changed his policy and resolved to go with the current and
guide it. He supplied the men with provisions to prevent them from
committing depredations on the people of the country, and marched with
them to Princeton, where a committee of serjeants drew up a list of
demands. They wanted those men to be discharged whose term of service
had expired, and the whole line to receive their pay and clothing.
General Wayne had no power to agree to these demands, and he referred
further negociation to the government of Pennsylvania, and a committee
to be appointed by Congress. But the cream of the matter is to come. The
news of the revolt reached General Washington and Sir Henry Clinton on
the same day. Washington ordered a thousand men to be ready to march
from the Highlands of the Hudson to quell the revolt, and called a
council of war to decide on further measures. This council sanctioned
general Wayne's course, and decided to leave the matter to the