The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-02-25
Washington's Commands to His
Men of the Continental Armv

chief Of the forces of the United Colo.
MES in North America. That the colo.
mel or commanding officer of each reg
lment is ordered forthwith to make
W. returns of the number of me in
their respective regiments, distinguish
ing those who are sick. wounded or alb
sent on Through, and also the quantity
OF ammunition each regiment has.
On the next day an extensive series
of orders was given.
returns We're to be made by the prop
er officers of all the military and other
stores. including working tools of all
kinds, tents and camp kettles"
Inc wise Father of His Country thus
urged upon his troops the laying aside
OF all sectional spirit:
lhe Continental congress having now
taken all the troops of the several colonies
winch have been raised and which NAV he
hereafter raised for the support and de-
tense of the liberties of America into their
pay and service, they are now the troons
OF the United Provinces of North America.
and 1t is hoped that all distinctions Of
colonies will be laid aside so that one and
1he same spirit may animate the whole
ana the only contest be who shall, on this
sreat ana trying occasion. he Of the most
essential service to the great and ommon
cause III which we are all engaged.
The seventh order Of this days series
urges the officers to keep their men in
good conditions:
All officers are required and eyDected tn
pay dlllgent attention to keep their men
neat and clean. to visit them often at their
quarters. - They are particularly ia
see tilat they have straw to lie on, if to he
had, and to make it known il they are
destitute of this article.
And the tenth shows that smallpox,
which in those days, before the discov-
cry OF vaccination, was a terrible
scourge was not far distant:
No person whatever is to be allowed ia
go to freshwater probably fresh pond
near Cambridge a-fishing, or on any 9TH
er occasion, as there may be LANCER OF in
Producing the smallpox in the army.
Scarcity Of Powder.
The scarcity of powder was one of
the most distressing wants of the little
army, and we find it ordered in this
first Fourth of July of our national
struggle that there be no pieces of
cannon Or small arms fired from any
or the lines or elsewhere except in case
OF necessary defense or special order
given for that purpose" Our mon
could not afford to waste a SINGLE
round OF shot or powder. and this or
uer mao to be repeated more than once
notwithstanding all Washiuuton's
caution, however, it was found a; little
later that the powder was almost OK
hausted. The committee of sunn]ios
liau made Il strange mistake. II had
made Il return of all the powder col
lected by the province. more than 300
barrels, but had forgotten to saw how
much OF it had already been used up.
mere was only enough to furnish nine
cartridges to each man.
On the 4th of August WASHINGTON
wrote to the president Of congress tell
ing him of this distressing state of
things, and on the same day he issued
this order:
II Is With Indignation and shame t,,,t
tie general observes, Notwithstanding va
repealed orders which have been given ia
prevent the firing of guns in and aho,,,
the camp, that 1t is daily and hourly n,,r.
tlced. contrary to all orders, rh:,t e,rn,,
Gli'lg soldiers who practice TO mass 10
suafus ana f1re at 4 distance when there
Is not the least probability OF hurting their