The “members of Congress” mentioned by Dr. Thacher as having attended
Miralles’ funeral were undoubtedly Philip Schuyler, John Mathews, and
Nathaniel Peabody, who had arrived in Morristown only the day before.
These men had been appointed by their colleagues as a “committee at
head-quarters” to examine into the state of the Continental Army, and to
take such steps, in consultation with the Commander in Chief, as might
improve its prospects of winning the war. The committee remained active
until November 1, 1780, and during its life rendered valuable service as
a liaison body between Congress, on the one hand, and headquarters on
the other. Its very first report detailed at length “the almost
inextricable difficulties” in which the committee found American
military affairs involved. The report also stated, in unmistakeably
plain words, what Washington had been saying all along, namely, that
Congress itself would have to act quickly if the situation were to be
saved.