Then the men began to get restless and homesick, and both privates and officers would disappear to their farms, which Washington, always impatient of wrongdoing, styled "base and pernicious conduct," and punished accordingly.

By and by the terms of enlistment ran out and the regiments began to melt away even before the proper date.

Recruiting was carried on slowly and with difficulty, new levies were tardy in coming in, and Congress could not be persuaded to stop limited enlistments.

Still the task was done.

The old army departed and a new one arose in its place, the posts were strengthened and ammunition secured.
Among these reinforcements came some Virginia riflemen, and it must have warmed Washington's heart to see once more these brave and hardy fighters in the familiar hunting shirt and leggins.