In the first place, it was impossible to tell whether any troops would do their duty against their fellows, and failure would have been fatal.

In the second place, the grievances of the soldiers were very great, and their complaints were entirely righteous.

Washington felt the profoundest sympathy with his men, and it was no easy matter to maintain order with soldiers tried almost beyond endurance, against their comrades whose claims were just.

Two things saved the army.

One was Washington's great influence with the men and their utter belief in him.