CHAPTER II.

Questions of Military Rank—Popularity of Putnam—Arrangements at Head-Quarters—Colonel Mifflin and John Trumbull, Aides-de Camp—Joseph Reed, Washington’s Secretary and confidential friend—Gates as Adjutant-General—Hazardous Situation of the Army—Strengthening of the Defences—Efficiency of Putnam—Rapid Changes—New Distribution of the Forces—Rigid Discipline—Lee and his cane—His Idea as to Strong Battalions—Arrival of Rifle Companies—Daniel Morgan and his Sharp Shooters—Washington declines to detach Troops to distant points for their Protection—His Reasons for so doing 12