1783] SEIZURE OF A COW 109 terms and let me enjoin it upon both Officers and men, that the greatest possible exertions should be made to put the Regt in a more respectable condition before another Review: in order to save me the irksome task of carrying into execution what I have promised in the orders of this day, and then the otherwise inevitable disgrace of being held up to public view in a disagreeable manner I am etc."* GENERAL ORDERS Saturday, February 8, 1783. Parole Gilead. Countersigns Hartford, Illinois. For the day tomorrow Major Reading. For duty the third Massachusetts Regiment. At the general courtmartial of which Colonel Michael Jackson is president, Ensign Ricker Sedam of the 1st. Jersey regiment, charged with seizing a cow belonging to the husband of Catherine Leggett under pretence of its being designed for the enemy, and afterwards carrying the same Cow below the Lines and selling her there, Was tried. The court on consideration are of opinion that Ensign Ricker Sedam did seize a Cow belonging to the husband of Catherine Leggett and that he sold the same Cow a few rods below the Lines; they are also of Opinion that he had a right to seize the Cow, but he ought to have had her condemned, before he sold her, which was not the case, yet considering all the circumstances attending the transaction they think him excusable. The Commander in chief approves the opinion of the court and releases Ensign Sedam from Arrest. At the General courtmartial of which Colonel Zebulon Butler is president, Thomas Stevens a soldier in the 3d. Massachusetts The draft is in the writing of David Humphreys. regiment, charged with using insulting Language to Lieutenant Smith of the 6th. Massa. regiment when crossing the river at Westpoint, and afterwards striking Lieutenant Smith "5 several times, was tried. The court on due consideration find Stephens guilty of a breach of part of article 5th. section 2d. of the rules and articles of war, and sentence him to have his honorary Badge taken off at the head of the regiment to which he belongs, and receive one hundred lashes on his naked back. The Commander in chief approves the sentence of the Court, but remits the infliction of the punishment in consideration of the orders of the 6th instant. All officers going on Furlough, Command, or any other business which calls them from Camp, are directed to leave orders on the paymaster for their subsistence, during their absence. GENERAL ORDERS Sunday, February 9, 1783. Parole Kendal. Countersigns Lincoln, Montgomery. For duty the 6th. Massachusetts regiment. A Board consisting of all the General officers in this Cantonment and at the Garrison of Westpoint to assemble at such place as shall be appointed by Major Genl. Gates on thursday next to take into consideration certain points contained in a memorial of Brigadier Genl. Hasen in behalf of himself and a large majority of the officers of his regiment relative to the proceedings of Courts martial, the duties of a Judge advocate and the conduct of Mr. Edwards the present Judge Advocate; the particular objects of enquiry will be pointed out by the Commander in chief. The parties concerned are directed to 65 Lieut. Josiah Smith, of the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment. He served to June, 1783. 1783] CAMP PRAISED 111 attend and exhibit such Documents and information as shall be thought proper, and the Board are requested to report their opinion thereon as soon as may be. The inspection and muster of the Troops in this Cantonment will be made for the month of Jany. upon the following days: the first Massachusetts brigade the 12th. instant; Jersey do. 13th; Hampshire do. 14th; 3d Massachusetts do. 15th; 2d. and 8th. Massa. regiments 16th; 5th. Massachusetts regt. 17th; York Brigade 20th. GENERAL ORDERS Monday, February 10, 1783. Parole Northampton. Countersigns Oldham, Pompton. For the day Lt. Colonel Comdt. Barber. For duty the 2d Massachusetts regiment. Every time the Commander in chief passes through the line he finds himself very agreably affected with a view of the present comfortable and beautifull situation of the troops; and while he considers it as a just testimony of applause to assert that the hutts in point of convenience, regularity and eligance have equaled, if not surpassed his most sanguine expectations, he wishes the soldiery to be assured that it will be his most earnest studdy and endeavour that health and happiness should bless the Inhabitants of them, for which purpose he thinks proper to give some general directions, which are to be often read and inculcated, and will be considered as standing regulations so long as the troops shall continue in their winter cantonment. Not only the Parade in front of the Cantonment is to be kept constantly clean and free from Nusances, but also the rear and intermediate space between the hutts to be put and kept in the same condition: to effect this the small brush and rubbish must be immediately removed to a suitable distance, and either burned, or piled in heaps and reserved for firing, as may be deemed most expedient. The hutts to be thoroughly swept and cleansed every day under the order and inspection of the officers of Police small poles to be fixed on stakes for airing the blanketts &ca. in the manner now practiced by the 2d. Massachusetts regiment. The greatest regularity and good order to be observed by the men, as to the mode of cooking their victuals and the time of eating; as well as in the manner of messing and living together. Strict attention is also to be paid by them to the neatness of their persons, the cleanliness, and preservation of their Cloathing. Necessaries to be built at proper places, to be sheltered from view and the vaults daily covered with earth as soon as the warm season advances. Fresh straw to be furnished by the Quarter master General, once in two months, if it can be possibly procured, and it is hoped a further supply of Blanketts will soon be received as there has lately been an arrival of that article from Europe; scarcely any thing will then be wanting to render the circumstances as elegeble as those of a Military life can be, except a little Money, and that, it is expected will arrive in a short time. The General cannot conclude this order without reminding the troops of a circumstance which will be remembered to their immortal reputation; that during the whole time the army was encamped the last Campaign on Verplanks point, there never was any filth or trash to be seen on the parade nor any thing offensive to the sight or smell, in the invirons of the encampment but on the contrary there appeared to be an admirable police maintained without the repetition of a single 1783] A LEAVE OF ABSENCE 113 Order on the subject. Nothing more is now wished or requested than that the same line of Conduct may be rigidly observed in quarters, which was found by experience to be so honorable and salutary in the field. TO MAJOR GENERAL HORATIO GATES Head Quarters, Newburgh, February 10, 1783. Sir: Your favor of the 9th covering an application from Brigad. General Putnam for leave of absence until the 15th of April has been handed to me this morning. I beg you will be pleased, Sir, to inform that Officer I do not consider myself at liberty to comply with his request, for it appears to me (considering the small number of General Officers with the Army, Genl. Howe having also in consequence of a previous promise just before his application obtained leave of absence) that it would be absolutely improper and injurious to service, under the present circumstances to give the permission he sollicits; and that I cannot be answerable for a faithful discharge of the trust reposed in me by my Country, unless a proper number of Officers are constantly retained with the Army to pay that incessant attention to the Police of it, which is indispensably necessary; this, I think, will be sufficient for his satisfaction, without mentioning a consideration which only affects me personally, and that is, the additional and almost insupportable weight of business and trouble which the absence of so many General Officers continues to impose upon me. But taking the matter in another point of view, and I cannot help expressing my surprize that General Putnam, who has been absent the whole Campaign (for however important and proper the business may have been on which he was employed, the Troops of his Command suffered not the less for the want of his presence) and who has been in Camp but a few Weeks; |