From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
April 22.—It may be relied on, that the recruiting service for the Continental army has lately gone on with more rapidity and success than for a long time past. A single officer, who has not been long upon that service, will soon send forward from the neighborhood of Boston, in Massachusetts, no less than two hundred recruits. Others have met with like success. At the same time, we are well informed, that by far the greater part of the brave Americans, under General Washington, have re-enlisted during the war. Nine-tenths of the Southern forces have done it. The men are highly pleased with their excellent clothing, which is now acknowledged to be equal, if not superior, to that of any soldiery in the world. They are equally pleased with the plenty and quality of their provisions, and the attention that has been paid by the several States, as well as by Congress, to their families. Many of these noble-spirited men, upon their re-enlistment, have laughingly said, “The term is too short; the war, we know, can last but a little” while; bring us an indenture for ninety-nine years.”1
1 New Hampshire Gazette, April 27.