June 20th, 1776
This day we hear that soldiers have been deserting the 14th Regiment and fleeing under cover of darkness across the small space between our camp and the enemy’s, there to take up arms and join our opponents.
And why should they not?
When, a few days past, the Articles of War were read to us all, great shew was made over those words devoted to the punishments for soldiers who dare desert.
’Twas, it is certain, a warning to us that if we of our regiment consider flight, or action through uprising, taking up arms against our officers, we shall die.
I spake of this with Bono; who replied, “Fools. Where they think we going to run?”