“An army marches on its stomach” runs an old adage, meaning that troops can’t march without provisions. Equally valid would be “An army marches on its pocketbook,” for without money not only provisions but other supplies and payrolls will be lacking.
In 1781, the Yorktown Campaign was in full swing. French ships had cut off the British from supply by sea, and George Washington’s army was marching from New York toward the Virginia Peninsula in hopes of ending the war. Yet the disgruntled army seethed with rebellion over the lack of pay and provisions. Washington estimated that he needed $20,000 to conclude the campaign.
