John Adams described the continental army as follows: "Our Army at Crown point is an object of wretchness enough to fill a human mind with horror, disgraced, defeated, discontented, dispirited diseased, naked, undisciplined, eaten up with vermin, no clothes, bed, blankets, no medicines, no vituals but salt pork and flour". One almost wonders that it is not a true characterization but it is interesting to note that of the fifty diaries and journals studied only one or two reflected a pronounced discontented or dissatisified spirit, the others mentioned the sufferings and hardships but did not complain. The leaders of the War for Independnece have long been appreciated for the part they played, perhaps over appreciated. But the leaders could not have accomplished their goal had it not been for the private. The private was undisciplined it is true and willful at times, but to him with his sufferings, hardships and even willfullness must be given a great amount of the honor. [Footnote 177: Coits, _Orderly Book_, (July 20, 1775), p. 54.] [Footnote 178: Lewis, _Orderly Book_, (June 6, 1776), p. 47.] [Footnote 179: _Journals of Continental Congress_, Vol. II, p. 115.] [Footnote 180: Lewis, _Orderly Book_, (March 28, 1776), p. 8.] [Footnote 181: Lewis, _Orderly Book_, (March 28, 1776), p. 8.] [Footnote 182: McDowell, _Journal_, (Jan. 11, 1782).] [Footnote 183: Lyman, _Journal_, (Aug. 28, 1775), p. 115.] [Footnote 184: Lewis, _Orderly Book_, April 6, 1776.] [Footnote 185: Farnsworth, _Journal_, (May 1, 1775) p. 179.] [Footnote 186: Greene, _Life of Greene_, Vol. I, p. 538.] [Footnote 187: Wild, _Journal_, (Dec. 27, 1778) p. 120.] [Footnote 188: Hutchinson, _Orderly Book_, p. 23, quoted by Bolton.] [Footnote 189: Wild, _Journal_, (Dec. 27, 1778) p. 120.] [Footnote 190: Lyman, _Journal_, (Nov. 2, 1775) p. 124.] [Footnote 191: Lewis, _Orderly Book_, (March 28, 1776), p. 8.] [Footnote 192: Lewis, _Orderly Book_, (April 6, 1776), p. 16.] [Footnote 193: Lyman, _Journal_, (Nov. 21, 1775), p. 127.] [Footnote 194: Waldo, _Journal_, (Dec. 31, 1778), p.] [Footnote 195: Lewis, _Orderly Book_, p. 10.] [Footnote 196: Lewis, _Orderly Book_, (March 31, 1779) p. 10; Lyman, _Journal_, (Nov. 29, 1775) p. 125.] [Footnote 197: Thacher, _Journal_, (Sept. 1776) p. 60.] [Footnote 198: Lyman, _Journal_ (Aug. 29, Oct. 3, 4 and 5, 1775), p. 116.] [Footnote 199: Lewis, _Orderly Book_, (June 21, 1776), p. 54.] [Footnote 200: Thacher, _Military Journal_, p. 60.] [Footnote 201: Ibid.] [Footnote 202: Lewis, _Orderly Book_, (Aug. 12, & 19, 1775); Ford, _Writings of Washington_, Vol. VII, p. 5.] [Footnote 203: Ford, _Writings of Washington_, Vol. III, p. 267.] [Footnote 204: Ford, _Writings of Washington_, Vol. III, p. 141 and Kapp, _Life of Steuben_.] [Footnote 205: _Journals of Continental Congress._ Vol. III, p. 114.] [Footnote 206: Ibid., (April 6, 1776) p. 16.] [Footnote 207: Henshaw, _Journal_.]