[Footnote 31: See, Thacher, _Military Journal_, p. 176, Trumbell _Journal_, Aug. 7, 1775; Waldo, _Journal_ (Nov. 29, 1777.), p. 130.] [Footnote 32: Squir, _Journal_, (Sept. 13, 1775), p. 13.] [Footnote 33: Lossing, _Life of Washington_. Vol. VI, p. 572.] [Footnote 34: Waldo, _Journal_, (Dec. 1777.), p. 131.] [Footnote 35: Fitch, _Journal_, (Aug. 20.) p. 46.] [Footnote 36: Greene, _Life of Greene_, Vol. I, p. 570.] Chapter II FOOD AND CLOTHING If the problem of housing was a serious one and one which caused a great amount of suffering the question of food was even more serious. The theory of getting the food for the soldiers was all very simple, but not so simple in practice. According to theory the various colonies were apportioned the amount they were to supply and were to deliver their portion to the camp which might be designated by the commander-in-chief. The lack of authority of congress which played havoc so many times with the smooth running of affairs also played havoc in the commissary department. The apportionment plan was carried out to some extent, but of course was not to be depended upon for often the colonies got the supplies to camp, but more often they did not. The amount to be supplied was divided up among the inhabitants of the states, in the case of meat some giving one hundred and fifty pounds and others one hundred and eighty pounds according to their ability. The other supplies were divided up in the same way. When a given community was ready to send their supply some of the farmers would take the job of driving the cattle to the camp, receiving about a dollar a day and expenses while they were traveling.[37] A Frenchman who traveled in America during the revolutionary period told of his experience when he tried to get a room in an inn, which was filled with farmers on their way to camp with a herd of cattle. In that particular group there were thirteen men and two hundred and fifty cattle. July 19, 1775, Joseph Trumbell was made commissary general of stores and provisions[38] by the continental congress. November 4, of the same year the following resolution was made in congress in regard to the rations of the private soldier. "Resolved, that: A ration consist of the following kind and quantity of provisions viz.: 1 lb. of beef, or ¾ lb. pork or 1 lb. salt fish, per day. 1 lb. bread or flour per day. 3 pints of pease or beans per week, or vegetables equivalent, at one dollar per bushel for pease or beans. 1 pint of milk per man per day or at the rate of 1/72 of a dollar. 1 half pint of rice, or 1 pint of indian meal per man per week. 1 quart of spruce beer or cider per man per day, or nine gallons of molasses per company of 100 men per week. 3 lb. candles to 100 men per week for guards. 24 lb. of soft or 8 lb. of hard soap for 100 men per week."[39]