Quote#Wisdom
We have a wretched motley crew, in the fleet; the marines the refuse…
Quote byBenedict Arnold · 1741–1801
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter to General Gates (21 September 1776), in Battle of Valcour on Lake Champlain, October 11th, 1776 by Peter Sailly Palmer(1876) p. 5.
English (original)
We have a wretched motley crew, in the fleet; the marines the refuse of every regiment, and the seamen, few of them, ever wet with salt water.
— Benedict Arnold
You may also like
The drafts from the regiments at Ticonderoga are a miserable set; indeed the men on board the fleet, in general, are not equal to half their number of good men.
What do you think would be my fate if my misguided countrymen were to take me prisoner?
We have but very indifferent men in general. Great part of those who ship for seamen know very little of the matter.
The scene was changed. It was a bark that slowly held its way, And o'er its lee the coast of France in the light of evening lay; And on its deck a lady sat, who gazed with tearful eyes Upon the fast receding hills that dim and distant rise.
So All is diff’rent, and yet All is One.
What great Effects from slender Causes flow!