Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-06-06
aQ(Ortrster 1allp Spp.
TrREfARED EXPRESSLY FOR THE spY.l
Relics and "reminiscences of fine
Olden Times.

oruerS ISSUED at headquarters in Cambridge
from April 10Th to September &c, 1875, as re-
corded by the adJutant general, or those acting
as such.
The historical value of these records. in the
estimation of the late Governor Brooks, will
appear from the subjoined letter, which is cop
LED III this place, as suitable Introduction of
the document referred to-
MEDFoRD, March 10, 1877.
Dear Sri rely on the nature of the sub
Ject OF this letter, an apology for the trouble
am now giving you.
We often have occasion to remark upon the
precariOuS nature of tradition. Events of
which you and l were witnesses in the first
stages of the American Revolution, and which
entered deeply into the character of that peri
- Of American history, are in thousand in
Ssctices, probably, to be lost to future genera
tions. In this number may be included MANY
of the military transactions at Cambridge in
the year l775, which would now be very inter.
esting; and OF great use in forming a correct
estimation OF some OF the important occur
rences Of that day. Conceiving, however,
that you, being at the head of the military
staff of the army at the commencement of the
war, may be able to supply some valuable facts
respecting the events OF that time, either from
documents in your possession. or from recol-
lection, take the liberty Of mentioning some
OF them; with request that you will have
the goodness TO favor me, as soon as you can
conveniently do it, with an answer to the fol-
lowing inquiries, and with such further nfor.
nation connected Herewith as an attention to
them may suggest
AT what time were you appointed adutant
general, and by whom?
Can you furnish the general orders from the
time Of your appointment until General
Washington took the command of the army
and if not, who can
Can you furnish the orders which related
particularly to occupying the heights of
Charlestown? and whether the ORDERS or in.
tentions of General Ward, were, that Bunker's
or Breeds Hill should be taken possession of
and fortified
pieces on Bunker's Hill at the time of the ac.
ton there! or whether any were ordered
thither
Can you furnish the weekly returns Of reg.
iments at Cambridge and Medford at that
time? or of the returns of the killed and
wounded on the 18th of June, 1852
shall commit this letter TO my very worthy
friend, the Hon Mr.. Allen who will convey
to you by the opportunity that offers. Any
return you may be pleased to make to me, |
wish you to send by the mails.
With great regard, | am, dear sir, your
friend and humble servant j. Brooks
Col. William Henshaw.
CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE, April 20.
Sent request to the committees of safety
and supplies for provisions at Concord to be
brought to Cambridge.
General OfderS-That Col Gardner repair
Immediately to Roxbury and bring all the
bread that can be obtained Ordered that Col
Bond bring all the cannon at Watertown, New
ton and Waltham, together with part OF the
ammunition into camp at Cambridge.
In council of war, Gen. Ward, Gen. Heath,
Gen. Whitcomb Col. Frye, Col James Pres.
colt, Col. William Prescott, Col. Ballard Col
Spaudng, Col. Bridge, Col Barrett Lieut..
Colonies. Nixen, Whitney, Mansfield, Vince
lock and Mann.
Ordered-That each Colonel appoint his
regiment an Adjutant, Quartermaster and
Sergeant Major.
Ordered-That Mr.. Hastings be appointed
steward to the army for the day.
General OrderS-All officers appointed before
there is regular establishment, are appointed
pro Temporal. That guards be posted as fol.
lows, viz: two companies on Charlestown road
with advanced parties on the heights, one
guard at Phips farm, near the brick kiln, one
at the bridge, and one towards Monotomy.
They are to keep vigiant lookout, and if
the enemy make any movements, or If discov-
cry should be made to give immediate notice
to the General that the guards parade near
the meeting house, and an Adjutant mount
their men there, the Town House to be the
guard house for the present That guard be
mounted, to consist OF a subatern "a sergeant
and corporal, with thirty men tor the general
officer, and Immediately attend at Capt. Sted
mans; Bernsey Stevens appointed Adjutant
General, by the General. That no guns be
discharged in the streets in Cambridge without
leave. That Captain and fifty men do i'm
mediately march to bury the dead on the field
OF battle, one lieutenant, two sergeauts, and two
corporals, to attend the party this detach.
mcnt is also ordered to take care of all the
wounded that may be found on the road. That
every officer and soldier keep close to his
quarters, and be ready to turn out complete in
arms at moments warning, and parade at the
meeting house. That twenty men turn out of
each regiment for the picquet guard, that Col
Spalding command the guard, two captains
four subalterns, four sergeantS and four cor.
porals.
APRIL 2Ist, -GeneraL OrderS-Co Ward to
command the guard, (appointed yesterday. J
One captain, two subalterns, two sergeants, two
corporals, forty rank and file from each regi
meut to be posted as before ordered. That
each commander of regiment or detachment
now in camp, Or that may hereafter arrive, take
an exact list of the officers and soldiers by
name, and make a daily return to the Adjutant
General of the number of officers and soldiers
under his command.
That the cdRmissary general do supply the
troops with provisions in the best manner he
:. cam without spending time for exactness
the two hogsheads of powder in the pos
session of Mr.. Pigon be lodged with John
Goddard at Brookine for the use of the Amer
lean troops. That the officers of the guards
who have the care OF the prisoners do take the
best care of them, and treat them in the kind.
est manner, and procure good surgeons to at
tend the wounded.
That Col. Gerrish be the officer of the day.
That Col Prescott, Col Warner, and Col.
Larned, to march their regiments Immediately
to Roxbury to join Gen. Thomas Friday al
ternoon.
General Orders.-That the picquet guard
consist of 500 men commanded by Col. Doc
little, Lieut. Col. Nixon, Major Butterick, one
captain from Col. Gerrish's regiment, one
from Gen. Whitcomb's, one from Col. Frye's,
one from Col. Peirce's, one from Col Pres
colts, one from Col. Bridges, one from Gen.
Wards, one from Col Asa Whtcomb'S, two
from Hampshire, two subalterns from each
regiment.
That the officer of the main guard direct all
his officers to give immediate notice To him, if
any important discovery be made, and he give
notice to the officer Of the picquet guard
That the officer of the picquet guard do inn
mediaely turn out upon any alarm and march
to the place of alarm.
This day Gen. Putnam of Connecticut at
tended the council of war. Parole, Putnam.
General Orders, April 22.-That Col. Stark
march to Chelsea, and take 300 men with him
to defend the inhabitants of said town.
Captain Samuel 0sgood appointed brigade
major.
rho son,a nc vpstardav Col Jospnh Hem