While the men may have a cozy sleeping quarters, all was not well. The weather was abysmal, and there was a chronic problem of supply. Despite Dearborn's statement about the men being well-clothed there appeared to have been deficiencies in clothing and shoes the entire winter for the New Hampshire brigade (Hammond 1889, XVII: 278-79, 284-85, 326-27). A weekly return for the brigade makes the telling remark that 162 men in Hazen's regiment were "unfit for duty for want of shoes" (Marshall, December 26, 1778). In addition to the problem of clothing, brigade orders of December 27^th of Parson's command reveal a desperate lack of food:

The General of the brigade informs the officers and soldiers that he has used every possible method to supply flour or bread to the brigade. Although a sufficiency of every article necessary is at Danbury, the weather had been so extreme that it is impossible for teams to pass to that place. Every measure is taken to supply flour, rum, salt and every necessary to morrow, at which time, if a quantity sufficient comes in, all past allowances shall be made up. The General, therefore, desires for the honor of this corps and their own personal reputation, the soldiery, under the special circumstances caused by the severity of the season, will make themselves contented to that time. (Hall 1905:205).