This Day in History: February 19

I do not here enter fully into the detail of the reasons which now make it particularly necessary for the General Officers who have been long absent to join without loss of time; it will surely be sufficient to mention, that out of Nine Generals assigned to the command of the Troops in this Cantonment Eight are either actually gone, or have made applications to be absent at the same time, so that by gratifying their wishes (besides incurring reprehension from the Public) the whole weight of the business, the cares, and the troubles of the Army, would devolve upon me, until a Sunshine occasion, or a prospect of some brilliant operation should induce them to return & share the pleasures and honors of Service. [More]