to place any dependence on the militia, is, assuredly, resting upon a broken staff. men just dragged from the tender scenes of domestic life; unaccustomed to the din of arms; totally unacquainted with every kind of military skill, which being followed by a want of confidence in themselves, when opposed to troops regularly trained, disciplined, and appointed, superior in knowledge and superior in arms, makes them timid, and ready to fly from their own shadows ... if i was called upon to declare upon oath, whether the militia have been most serviceable or hurtful upon the whole, i should subscribe to the latter.