Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-02-15
WASHINGTON In CAMP
QUAINT OLD MANUSCRIPTS AND
ORDERS.
First Year of the Continental Army
General Washington's First Instruc-
tiOns to His Officers and En1istcd
Men-A gaiust Waste of Powder.
Record of Daily Life.

There are i'll the possession OF David
Prescott Hail. of the New York bar,
series OF quaint old manuscript volumes
which look as if they had seen rich ser
vice. AS they were written III the camp
of the Continental army during the war
of the American revolution. sometimes on
the knee of the writer, sometimes on Il
drumhead; as they were carried about
from place to place. borne off i'll hasty
retreats or in forced marches, it must be
confessed that their looks do not belle
them Nevertheless, the clever eleven
short. stout, sturdy books are in Il very
fair state of preservation and are easily
legibic, save occasionally ut the corners.
which are in some places friyed and
worn. When | add that these orderly
books contain the general orders of Wash
ington to his army it will be seen that
their interest and value are very great.
These orderly books are in the hand
writing of Colonel Grosyenor.
On their yellow, time stained pages one
can trace the record of Washington
daily struggles To organize and discipline
the army, from the day when he first
took command of it under the spreading
elm at Cambridge. They abound with
and give us Photographic picture of the
army and its surroundings, all in the
,, quaint language and peculiar spelling of
that bygone time. One cannot help smil-
| ing at these ut times, but one hardly
knows whether to smile or weep at the
forlorn condition of our little army, which
is here SO wildly revealed.
The holiness and nobility of Wash
II, .-l.f in, hoe
pages. But he often gives expression TO
| his surprise and sometimes to his just
| Indignation at the conduct of officers and
men, who found it very difficult and dis
| tasteful to submit to discipline.
WashingtOn's early experience as q
soldier had taught him the absolute ne
cessity of discipline and obedience. and
he gradually enforced both in the little
army of raw militia, who had to learn
that bravery is not the only qualifica ton
necessary for IL soldier.
wasl,inEton's First Order.
Headquarters, Cambridge, July the
Sd, 1875.
Parole lookout.
"COuntersign sharp
'.Field officer for the day tomorrow,
| Colonel Gerry.
Field officer of the mainguard to-mor-
row, Major Poor.
'Adjutant of the day, Gibbs.
General orders Of his Excellency Gen
| eral Washington, esq, COMMANDMENTS
chief of the forces of the united colonies
In North America. That the colonel or
| comma nding officer of each regiment is
ordered forthwith to make two returns
of the number of men in their respective
regiments, distinguishing those who are
sick, wounded, or absent on furlough, and
also the quantity of ammunition each reg
iment has"
On the next day an extensive series of
| orders was given.
Returns were to be made by the proper
officers of all military and other stores,
| including working tools of all kinds,
tents ard camp kettles.
The wise father of his country thus
| urged upon his troops the laying aside of
all sectional spirit:
THE Continental Congress having
now taken all the troops of the several
colonies which have been raised and
| which may be hereafter raised for the
support and defense of the liberties of
America into their pay and service, they
are now the troops of the United Prov
inces of North America, and it is hoped
that all distinctions of colonies will be
laid aside so that one and the same spirit
may animate the whole and the only con
test be who shall, on this great and trying
occasion, be of the most essential ser
vice to the great and common cause in
which we are all engaged"
The seventh order of this days series
urges the officers 10 keep their men in
good condition.
"All officers are required and expected