Why did some merchants and farmers refuse to sell their goods during the revolutionary war?

since there is a war. They have insufficient for themselves

Explanation:

as they trade they won't be able to conserve for their own family and also if they trade they will get money but will lose life of their families

it is due to the halo effect as the impression of the boy created earlier.on the mind of the principle affected his decision

they encountered severe weather for which they were poorly prepared.