The Virginia Gazette

The following ADDRESS, from the General Officers, has been communicated to the Soldiery of the GRAND CONTINENTAL ARMY.

CAMBRIDGE, November 24, 1775.

The Generals have observed that the new establishment of the army will be not less agreeable to the men in general than it is calculated for action and economy; that they shall find in them the same forwardness and zeal to continue in the service of their country at this critical juncture, which they demonstrated when they were first called out. It gives them great concern, that the circumstances of the continent renders it absolutely necessary to lay aside so many deserving officers, and worthy citizens; but the vast expense attending the maintenance of so many regiments might have disabled the continent from persevering in it's resolution of defending their liberties, if the contest should be of any continuance. With this view, therefore, the regiments have been reduced from thirty eight to twenty six. No prejudice or partiality has had place in the appointment of officers. Those who have appeared to be best qualified to perform all the duties, and undergo all the fatigues, of a military life, have been chose. In the formation of a new army, though courage, integrity and zeal for their country, are requisites, they are not sufficient alone. A tolerable constitution, a certain degree of bodily vigour and activity of mind, must be joined to these qualities. Men subject to bodily complaints, or who are possessed of a vivacity of disposition, though brave, and in all other respects unexceptionable, are totally unfit. The present campaign, far from a hard one, furnishes many instances of this truth: For it is notorious, that a very considerable number of the officers have, from a puny habit of body, found themselves incapable of fulfilling the duty of their station, that they have from time to time been obliged to absent themselves from their post, and that consequently the duty has fallen very heavily upon those who remained. These considerations alone have weighed in the present selection of the officers.

The affairs of America have now (thanks to the Almighty God) a more promising aspect. The ministerial army, with three of their most boasted Generals at their head, have been able to effect nothing. Instead of over-running and ravaging the continent from north to south, as they boasted they would do, they find themselves ignominiously cooped up within the walls of a single town (and even that they possessed themselves of by treachery) suffering all the distresses of a siege. Instead of the defection of any of the provinces, which the Ministry pledged themselves to the deluded people of England would be the case, the union grows stronger every day. Georgia has acceded to the general association. Nova Scotia is manifestly well affected to the cause, and Canada, from whence your tyrants proposed to pour forth whole hosts for your destruction, keeps pace with, if not surpasses, the English colonies themselves in zeal and ardour for the common rights of America; Considering, therefore, all these happy circumstances, so much transcending our most sanguine hopes, it may be deemed a something hint we owe to you, lest amid want of perseverance should open the least glimpse for your enemies, the cause of liberty can by no means spare New England provinces are more immediately destined the first brunt. You are the chief object of ministerial hate and vengeance. Therefore are more heavily tasked, and here is the greatest reason to think that if the colonies done more base enough to bargain with those tyrants, they might, by sacrificing you, make what terms they please for themselves It has been indirectly proposed to them but they have manfully and unanimously rejected all idea of such distinction they have determined to stand or fall with you, and on these principles have tasked themselves most heavily for the establishment of an army, equal to the purposes of the general defence But as you were more immediately attacked, as this is the scene of action but, above all, as you have ever placed the greatest confidence in your leaders, they did not think it necessary to raise any other but as the other provinces for this particular service, which more naturally fell to your lot. Had they supposed it possible that you could be backwards or lukewarm, they possibly would have looked out for other means of defence; but as they have never entertained a doubt honourable to the characters of New-Englandmen, no such preparation is made.

We will suppose, for an instance, that a considerable or greater part of you should withdraw yourselves from the service in this crisis, when victory is as it were in your hands, and only waiting for your grasping. We will suppose that the Post we at present occupy, fortified and secured by such infinite labour, should be abandoned in consequence of your desertion, would it lie light upon your consciences when your pillagers, &c. plunder and burn your wives and children abused or grievously treated and your whole provinces laid waste by fire and sword. Would it sit easy on your consciences?

But to descend to a greater obligation you stand under to your country, it may be said, that these are such circumstances, as soldiers, might alone, yet tempt you to remain. Never were soldiers whose duty has been lighter never soldiers whose pay and provision has been so full and ample, your interest and comfort have been carefully consulted, even to the lowest article, by as compassionate a Commander as ever any soldiers had the good fortune to serve under.

There is some reason to dread that the English reputation may hereafter say, it showed them, but that they were bribed into the liberties.

To conclude, soldiers: Concerning you depend on the post you now take; piety, your safety, your very existence in draw yourselves from the service, those hosts of villainy will be at liberty to stalk at large to brand brutality, avarice, and cruelty, and the name of man, now so respectable in the world, become vile and odious; who, with the certain knowledge in whose hands, rather than undergo a few fatigues of war would pitifully see themselves robbed of every thing that men hold dear. But, if you firmly adhere to the righteous standard under you are arranged, not only your characters will be the envy of nations, but your rights and liberties will be secured against the attempts of your enemies to all posterity.