On the evening of the thirtieth, he thus described the situation: “The militia are dismayed, intractable, and impatient to return home. Great numbers have gone off; in some instances almost by whole regiments, by half ones, and by companies, at a time. With the deepest concern I am obliged to confess my want of confidence with the generality of the troops.” He urged Congress to establish a regular army at once; to enlist men for the war; pressed the immediate abandonment of the city, and put the plain question, whether it “should be left standing for British headquarters.” On the second day of September, the number of men present for duty was less than twenty thousand. On the same day he reorganized its formation into three grand divisions, or corps: one under Putnam, in command of the city; one under Spencer, in the absence of Greene, at Harlem, to prevent a British landing there; and the third under Heath, at King’s Bridge. On the third of September, Congress ordered two North Carolina battalions, under General Moore, to march with all possible expedition to reënforce the army at New York; also a Continental battalion from Rhode Island; and urged Virginia to forward all the troops within her power to furnish. On the same day, Putnam urged the fortification of Harlem Heights, Mount Washington, and the Jersey shore; if possible, to prevent Howe’s ascending the Hudson River to attack the northern army. On the next day, the fourth, Washington was again compelled to occupy himself with such minute details as belonged to officers of the lowest rank. Such “diabolical practices as robbing apple orchards and gardens, and straggling without aim or purpose, instead of drilling and preparing for their country’s safety,” were officially reprimanded, and three roll-calls per day were advised, to keep the men near their duty. On the fifth of September, Greene advised a general and speedy retreat from the city, and a council was called to meet on the day succeeding, for consideration of the proposition. The council did convene on the sixth, and Washington thus announces to Congress its action: “The Council was opposed to retiring from New York, although they acknowledged that it would not be tenable if attacked by artillery”; and adds significantly: “Some, to whom the opinion of Congress was known, were not a little influenced in their opinions, as they were led to suspect that Congress wished it to be retained at all hazards.” General Putnam, in concurring with his Commander-in-Chief, shrewdly observed: “This dooms New York to destruction; but what are ten or twenty cities, to the grand object?” On the eighth of September, Washington reported the militia of Connecticut as reduced from six thousand to two thousand men; and in a few days their number was but nominal, twenty or thirty in some regiments. The residue were discharged and sent home with a recommendation to Governor Trumbull, “that it was about time to begin dealing with deserters.”