He was determined on independence.

He felt a keen hatred against England for her whole conduct toward America, and this hatred was sharpened by the efforts of the English to injure him personally by forged letters and other despicable contrivances.

He was resolved that England should never prevail, and his language in regard to her has a fierceness of tone which is full of meaning.

He was bent, also, on success, and if under the long strain the people should weaken or waver, he was determined to maintain the army at all hazards.
So, while he struggled against cold and hunger and destitution, while he contended with faction at home and lukewarmness in the administration of the war, even then, in the midst of these trials, he was devising a new system for the organization and permanence of his forces.

Congress meddled with the matter of prisoners and with the promotion of officers, and he argued with and checked them, and still pressed on in his plans.