Here the Commander-in-chief communicated to his army, in general
orders, the manner in which he intended to dispose of them during the
winter. He expressed, in strong terms, his approbation of their
conduct, presented them with an encouraging state of the future
prospects of their country, exhorted them to bear with continuing
fortitude the hardships inseparable from the position they were about
to take, and endeavoured to convince their judgments that those
hardships were not imposed on them by unfeeling caprice, but were
necessary for the good of their country.

The winter had set in with great severity, and the sufferings of the
army were extreme. In a few days, however, these sufferings were
considerably diminished by the erection of logged huts, filled up with
mortar, which, after being dried, formed comfortable habitations, and
gave content to men long unused to the conveniences of life. The order
of a regular encampment was observed; and the only appearance of
winter quarters, was the substitution of huts for tents.




CHAPTER X.

Inquiry into the conduct of General Schuyler.... Burgoyne
appears before Ticonderoga.... Evacuation of that place,...
of Skeensborough.... Colonel Warner defeated.... Evacuation
of fort Anne.... Proclamation of Burgoyne....
Counter-proclamation of Schuyler.... Burgoyne approaches
fort Edward.... Schuyler retires to Saratoga,... to
Stillwater.... St. Leger invests fort Schuyler.... Herkimer