Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-02-21
Record of Daily Life.

There are in the possession of David
Prescott Hall. of the New York bar, =
series of quaint old manuscript volumes
which look us if they had seen rich SER
vice. AS they were written in the CAM,
Of h 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 in 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 d very
fair state of preservation and are easily
legible. save occasionally at the corners.
which are in some places frayed and
worm. 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 Grosvenor.
On their yellow, tine-stained pages one
can trace the record of Washington's
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
TIC ulOSt minute uctstIIS VI Liz sltuiltlbil,
and give us IL Photographic picture of the
army and its surroundings, all in the
quaint language and peculiar spelling Of
that bysone time. One cannot help smil-
ing at these at 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
ington's character shine out in these
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 a
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 qualification
necessary for a soldier.
washington'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.,, commander-in-
chief of the forces of the united colonies
in North America. That the colonel or
commanding officer of zach 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 and camp kettles"
The wise father Of his country thus
urged upon his troops the laying aside Of
all sectional spirit:
1.-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 il hoped
that all distinctions of colonies will be
laid aside 30 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 to keep their men in
good condition.
"AN Offices are required and expected