The material for the soldier's clothing was supplied by the various colonies. The following resolution is typical of numerous ones passed by the different colonies. "That a quanity of home made cloth or other if that can't be obtained as far as may be of a brown or cloth colour, sufficient for three thousand coats and the same number of waist coats and as many blankets as can be obtained in the colony 3000 felt hats, cloth of check Flannel or some linen if that can't be obtained sufficient for six thousand shirts and also six thousand pairs of shoes"[74] or as in Massachusetts a committee was appointed to collect four thousand pairs of stockings.
The material after being collected was made up by regimental tailors, the commanding officer was to make a report as to the number of tailors employed in the regiment and also whether there were not more tailors in the regiment than were employed in making clothing.[75]
The women at home aided very materially in the clothing problem by their spinning, knitting and collecting of linen.[76] When persons called on Mrs. Washington, whether she was at home or in camp, they usually found her knitting and she had sixteen spinning wheels running at one time.[77] Other women all over the country followed her example.
Instances, almost without number, are mentioned in diaries and journals of the nakedness of the army, some without shoes, with only pieces of blankets wrapped around their feet,[78] thousands without blankets,[79] others with their shirts in strings,[80] and added to all that the paymaster without a dollar and the quartermaster in almost the same situation.[81]
Even the soldiers had to suffer from the want of clothing yet they were able to see the funny side of the situation. The story is told in one diary of a party that was given by an officer for which invitations were extended to all, the only restriction being that no one with a whole pair of breeches could be admitted.[82]
[37.] Chastellux, Travels in America, p. 58.
[38.] Journals of Congress, Vol. II, p. 190.
[39.] Journals of Congress, Vol. III, p. 322.
[40.] See, Lyman, Journal, App. and Thacher, Military Journal, p. 62.