History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1778.] REVOLUTION— REV. SOLOMON WILLIAMS. 415
homestead, and in it were enrolled fifty-six men. Capt.
Daniel Pomeroy's company embraced the northwest side of
Main Street to Ephraim Wright's, and up the hill to Enos
Cook's, Elm Street and Prospect Street through to King
Street, and in it were one hundred seventy-four men. The
company of Capt. Joseph Clapp was in what is now Easthampton
and a part of Lower Farms, comprising fortythree
men. When a requisition was made for soldiers, the
required number was assigned in proper proportion to each
section or company, which furnished the men either by en-
listment or by providing substitutes.
The Progress in 1778. Tlic great feature of encouragement during
the fourth year of the war was the
treaty of alliance with France, and the arrival of the
French fleet and army. Philadelphia had been evacuated
by the enemy, the British fleet blockaded in the harbor of
New York, and its annihilation anticipated. But the
French admiral, unable to take his heavy ships over the
bar, and anticipating the arrival of the British squadron,
sailed away to the abortive attempt upon Newport. In the
autumn the latter place and New York City were the
only points north of Virginia held by the British. Many
successful raids had been made by the enemy upon the
coasts of New England and New Jersey, the tragedy of
Wyoming had been enacted, and added to the warfare
against England, were the Indian outrages, the memory of
which still causes a shudder. Washington having outmanoeuvered
his antagonists, went into winter quarters at
Middlebrook. The seat of war had been transferred to the
southern colonies, and Savannah had fallen into the hands
of the enemy. The odds were still against the patriots,
though the relative position of affairs in a military point
of view was very nearly that of the previous year. Notwithstanding
thg straightened circumstances of the coun-
try, the depreciation of the currency, the difficulty in ob-
taining soldiers, and the absolute impossibility of raising
the armies to the required standard, the general outlook
was encouraging.