stoped in the whole, to be paid to Mr. Jonas Williams to make good his loss and damage. At the same court, James Keter of the 3d. Massachusetts regiment was tried for Desertion: found guilty in breach of article Ist. section 6th. of the rules and artcs. of war and sentenced to receive One hundred lashes on his naked back. The Commander in Chief approves the foregoing sentences. AFTER ORDERS The first Newyork regiment will march on thursday next for the relief of the 7th. Massachusetts regimt. on the lines. TO WILLIAM DUER AND DANIEL PARKER Head Quarters, January 28, 1783. Gentlemen: It has happened that Prisoners of War passing to or from New York arrive at the Post of Dobbs ferry and for want of a Commissary there, are greatly distressed for Provision; an instance of this kind now exists: upwards of Sixty Prisoners have been sent there by Mr. Morris to go to New York; they have wanted Provision on the road and on their arrival at Dobbs ferry could meet no supply and should they not go in immediately, their distress must greatly increase; such instances may frequently happen. I must therefore desire that some measures may be fallen upon to remedy so great an inconvenience. I am &c.18 TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE Head Quarters, Newburgh, January 29, 1783. Sir: I am honored with your favor of the 20th inst. enclosing the Copy of a Letter to the Pay Mastr General; the subject of 18 The draft is in the writing of Benjamin Walker. 1783] FRENCH ALLIANCE 75 yours has been communicated to Mr Flint1o principal Agt for the Contractors with the Army, who assures me there is no doubt every facility will be given by them to the circulation of the Notes in contemplation to be issued. With sentiments of Esteem etc.20 GENERAL ORDERS Wednesday, January 29, 1783. Parole Amboy. Countersigns Burdenton, Castleton. For duty the 5th. Massachusetts regiment. Major Generals Baron Steuben and Duportail, Colonels Humpton and Laumoy, Majors Villefranche, Clarkson and McPherson. and Captain L'Enfant, or such of them as can be assembled will compose a board of officers to examine into and report on the Claim of Captain Segond to be admitted into the Legion Commanded by Colonel Armand. Major General Steuben will preside and will appoint the time and place of meeting; Colonel Armand and Captain Segond will attend to give the Board the necessary information on the subject. Thursday the 6th. of February being the anniversary of the Alliance with france, a feu de joye will be fired on that day in celebration of this auspicious Event, by the troops of the Cantonment; previous to which they will be reviewed by the Commander in chief on their parades. The regiments to be under arms presisely at one o'clock. The Adjutant Genl. will give instructions respecting the subsequent dispositions; and the Commandant of Artillery will order a sufficient number of Cartridges without ball to be issued for the occasion. After the feu de joye the General will be happy to see not only all the officers of the Cantonments, but all the Gentlemen of the Army and other Gentlemen and Ladies who can attend with convenience at the Newbuilding," where a cold Collation will be provided. TO MAJOR GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE Head Quarters, Newburgh, January 29, 1783. My dear Sir: On the 18th of Decr. I wrote a long Letter, advising you very fully of the state of affairs in this part of the Continent; since that time I have had the pleasure to receive your three favors of the 6th 10th and 19th of the same Month. I scarcely need assure you that the intelligence communicated in your last of the liberation of the southern States from the power of the Enemy, has afforded us infinite satisfaction, and that the event must be attended with very interesting consequences, whatever the future intentions of the British Cabinet may be; permit me to felicitate you sincerely on your agency in producing it and to request you will make known to the Officers and Soldiers of your Army, my entire approbation of their conduct; the inclosed Orders which I have caused to be published to this Army, will be a permanent testimony of my sentiments and feelings on the occasion. Convinced that your knowledge of the Country and military judgment would dictate with propriety what number of Troops ought to be continued at present with the southern States. It was my intention in the Letter of the 23d of Septr. and those "The New Building was at New Windsor, at which the Army was cantoned, and which was about 3 miles from Newburgh. It stood on a slight elevation and was a one-story frame structure, erected by the troops, and "handsomely finished, with a spacious hall, sufficient to contain a brigade of troops on Lord's days, for public worship, with an orchestre at one end. On top was a cupola and a flag-staff." It was also called the "Temple" and the "Public Building," and was used for general assemblage purposes. The estimate for the building shows "5120 feet of timber; 3000 laths, 4 ft. long, 1 in. thick, 21⁄2 inches wide; 21,000 shingles, well shaved, 8 X 4 inches in size; 1000 split ribs, 81⁄2 ft long, 21⁄2 in. wide at the top." Stones for the chimneys, underpinning, etc., were collected from the field. The building was to be finished in 15 days. 1783] TROOPS IN THE SOUTH 77 of a subsequent date to submit the matter almost entirely to your discretion. I have now to approve of the arrangements which you have made; especially, as in the present unsettled state of affairs, The detention of the Corps mentioned in your Letter of the 10th of Decr. may be of utility there, and will not be attended with any ill consequences elsewhere; but I think it essential to acquaint you, that in case the War should continue, the Post of New York be held by the Enemy, and offensive operations be attempted against it, we shall stand in need of the whole regular force that can be collected from all the States northward of the Carolinas; upon a presumption that these things may happen, I shall wish you to put in motion all the Troops above alluded to (except the Virginia Regt of Horse and the Legion) as soon as you shall judge the tranquility of Georgia and the Carolinas is sufficiently restored to admit of their being withdrawn; for as to our being able totally to prevent the desultory and predatory incursions of the Enemy (if they should have a disposition to exert themselves in that way) I do not think our whole Army competent to the object. I conceive, however, that Cavalry are much preferable for such services than Infantry, and it is for this reason, I shall not object to your retaining the two Corps before specified, so long as there may be occasion for them. Unacquainted as I am, with the particular local situation of Charles Town, I cannot undertake to give a decisive opinion with respect to the fortifications proper for that place, but so far as I am able to form a judgment at this distance, I am induced from the reasons you give, as well as from my general knowledge of it, to accord fully in sentiment with you, on the subject. I am very anxious to see the King of Great Britains speech to his Parliament, with the consequent Debates and Determinations, as I imagine we shall be able from these to form a better judgment respecting War or Peace than from any thing we have hitherto seen; indeed the Commission, enabling Mr. Oswald to treat with us, as "the United States of America" kindles a brighter ray of hope than any which has hitherto shone upon us, and altho it should not light us so soon as some fondly imagine to the wished for period of all our toils and all our dangers, yet it will remain like a fixed luminary by which to steer our future course to the harbours of Peace and Independence. There is nothing besides of news since I wrote you last, except the death of my Lord Stirling which happened at Albany on the 14th inst. and the promotion of Colonels Greaton, Putnam and Dayton to the Rank of Brigadiers. I am etc.22 *To THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE (Private) Newburgh, January 29, 1783. dear Sir: As I never saw, nor never heard of the resolve of Congress spoken of the Secretary at War (as mentioned in your letter of the 21st Instt.) and conceive it a right inherent, with Command to limit (as circumstances and the nature of Service may require) the proportion of Women to the Men of an Army I confess I felt myself hurt by the interference of other departments without any previous notice or communication of sentiments with me on the Subject. The import of the regulation of the Secy at W; and yourself, by fair deduction is, that an abuse existed, which required correction; by limiting the number of Rations for Women to a fifteenth of the Issues to Non-Commissioned Officers and privates; when the fact is, that from calculation the new mode has "The draft is in the writing of David Humphreys. |