Read the excerpt and answer the question that follows.


I am now convinced, beyond a doubt that unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place... this Army must inevitably be reduced to one or other of these three things. Starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain subsistence in the best manner they can; rest assured Sir this is not an exaggerated picture. . . .


—General George Washington, letter to the Continental Congress, December 23, 1777


Which of the following prompted General Washington to write this letter?

Question 2 options:

A shortage of Continental soldiers to maintain the siege of Yorktown


The high number of casualties suffered during the Battle of Bunker Hill


Low morale after the British army captured New York City


Concern for the Continental troops during the winter at Valley Forge