Title: To George Washington from Valentine Crawford, 24 June 1775
From: Crawford, Valentine
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Jacobs Creek [Pa.] June 24th 1775

I [am] verey Sorrey to Enform you I Recved a Letter from Mr Cleaveland of the 7th of June wherein he Seems to be in a good dale of destress[.] five of the Sarvents has Run a way and plagued him a good dale[.] the[y] got to the Indens towns Butt by the Esesten [assistance] of one Mr duncan a trador he has got them again and he has Sent three of them up By a Man he had hired with a Letter to My Brother willim or My Selfe to Sell them for you but the man Sold them him Selfe Som where about wheeling on his way up and Never brought them to us for £20 pen. Currency and give one years Credit which wase verey Low and he did Not Recve one Shilling which wase Contraray to Cleavelands orders to him as he wase to Rais Som Cash by the Sails for to purches provesins and I think it would be advisable if the Men they are Sold tow is Nott good to take them from them and Sell them again but the Man Shant be Stopt for want of Money for I will furnish him and will Esest Mr Simson in geting Started as quick as posable with his Canew and previsons[.] Mr Cleaveland Left Som Corn att Mr Simsons when he went down and I will get him Som Flower to Load his Canew[.] Mr Cleaveland Sank a Canew a going down and Lost five or Six Caske of Corn and Severell other things and James Mccarmick and Charls Morgen found a bag of ⟨Clo⟩ths and Severell other things a few day after as ⟨they⟩ wase a going [down] the River deliverd them to Mr Cleaveland again as the[y] New they belong to His Company By Som papers they found in the Bundle[.]

Cleaveland dose Not Mention of geting Eney but the three Sarvent he Sent to be Sold but Mr duncan told Me yesterday att fort don More that he had got the hole five that Run a way[.] docter Crakes Manager has had very Bad Luck for in the Canew that wase Sunk he Los⟨t⟩ all his papers and wase Much att a Loss to find his Land or att Least to find the Corner trees but I have Sent him all the plats and Instructions I had from the docter[.] Least a Letter I have wrote to him Should Miscarey you Can Enform him I hope to be down in Fairfax as Soon as Ever I Reap My harvest and will Setle all My acoumpt with you.
we had Chose Cometees out here and are a Raiseng Independent Company and Regu[l]a⟨te⟩ Maters the best we Can but an unhappy Confusio⟨n⟩ hapend the other day[.] the pencelvanans Came to fort pitt and tuck Major Coneley a bout Mid Night with the Sheriff and a bout 20 men and Cared him as far ⟨as⟩ Legenier the verey Night Before we wase to have the [meeting] with the Indens and Severell of the pencelvania tradors by the Indens Story wase Indevering to put Ill in the Minds of the Indens But on Majr Coneley being taken the people of Shirtee Came in in a Companey and Sceised three of the pencla. Magestrats who where Concernd in taking of Coneley—George Willson Joseph Speer and dedreck Smith and Snt them in an old Leakey Boat down to Fort fincastle under a gard Butt our Court had Now hand in this Butt it wase done by a Mob or Sett of Coneleys frends that Lives on Shirtees Creek.
But there wase all the Members of our Cometee wrote a verey Sperited Litter to the Gentlmen of pen. Cometee to demand Coneley Back and all Signd it and Sent it with an axpress on the Recpt of which they amedently Sent Majr Coneley Back and things Seemes to be a Little Modreited and I bleve the Indens wonts Nothing but peace but it Seemd to Elarm verey Much to here our grate Man wase Stole and Indeed it Elarmed us all verey Much as Majr Coneley wase the Man that had done and transacted all the besness with them before Now other parson wase So able to Setle besness with them as him So I hope you will Escuse the Lenth of My Letter and I am dr Sir your Most Hble Savet

Vale: Crawford

N.B. pleas to give my Complements to Mr Lund Washington and tell him his people is well and in a verey good wey to Make a good Crop of Corn.

V.C.


Title: From George Washington to the Continental Congress, 25 June 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Continental Congress

Gentlemen
New York June [25] 1775

The Rain on Friday Afternoon & Saturday—the Advice of several Gentlemen of the Jerseys & this City, by no Means to cross Hudsons River at the Lower Ferry, and some other Circumstances, too trivial to mention, prevented my Arrival at this Place untill the Afternoon of this Day.
In the Morning, after giving General Schuyler such Orders as, from the Result of my Enquiry into Matters here, appear necessary, I shall set out on my Journey to the Camp at Boston; and shall proceed with all the Dispatch in my Power. Powder is so essential an Article that I cannot help again repeating the Necessity of a Supply—The Camp at Boston, from the best Account I can get from thence, is but very poorly supplied—At this place they have scarce any—How they are provided in General Worster’s Camp I have not been able yet to learn.
Governor Tryon is arriv’d and General Schuyler directed to advise you of the Line of Conduct he moves in—I fear it will not be very favorable to the American Cause. I have only to add that I am with great Respect & Regard Gentlemen, Your most Obedt & Oblid hble Serv.


Title: Instructions to Major General Philip Schuyler, 25 June 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Schuyler, Philip

Sir
New York 25 June 1775.

You are to take upon you the Command of all the Forces destined for the New York Department; and see that the Orders of

the Continental Congress are carried into Execution with as much precision and Exactness as possible.
For your better Government therein you are herewith furnished with a Copy of the Instructions given to me by that Honorable Body.
Such parts thereof as fall within the Line of your Duty, you will please to pay particular Attention to.
Delay no Time in occupying the several posts recommended by the provincial Congress of this Colony, and putting them in a fit posture to answer the End designed—neither delay any Time in securing the Stores which are or ought to have been removed from this City by Order of the Continental Congress.
Keep a watchful Eye upon Governor Tryon; and if you find him attempting directly or indirectly any Measures inimical to the common Cause use every Means in your power to frustrate his Designs—It is not in my power at this Time, to point out the Mode, by which this End is to be accomplished; but if forceable Measures are adjudged necessary respecting the person of the Governor, I should have no Difficulty in ordering of it, if the Continental Congress were not sitting: but as this is the Case and seizing of Governors quite a new Thing and of exceeding great Importance, I must refer you to that Body for Direction, in Case his Excellency the Governor should make any Move towards encreasing the Strength of the Tory party or in arming them against the Cause we are embarked in.
In like Manner watch the Movements of the Indian agent (Colonel Guy Johnson) and prevent as far as you can the Effect of his Influence to our Pr⟨ej⟩udice with the Indians—Obtain the best Information you can of the Temper and Disposition of these people; and also of the Canadians, that a proper Line may be mark’d out to conciliate their good Opinions and facilitate any future Operation.
The posts on Lake Champlain &c. you will please to have properly supplied with provision and ammunition, and this I am persuaded you will aim at doing upon the best Terms, to prevent our good and just Cause from sinking under a heavy Load of Expence.
You will be pleased also to make regular Returns once a Month to me and to the Continental Congress (and oftner as Occurrences

may require) of the Forces under your Command—Of your provisions, Stores &c. and give me the earliest Advises of every piece of Intelligence, which you shall judge of Importance to be speedily known.
Your own good Sense must govern in all Matters not particularly pointed out, as I do not wish to circumscribe you within too narrow Limits. I remain with great Regard Sir Your most obedt Servt

Go. Washington


Title: Address from the New York Provincial Congress, 26 June 1775
From: New York Provincial Congress
To: Washington, George

May it please Your Excellency
[New York] June 26th 1775.

At a Time when the most loyal of his Majesties Subjects, from a Regard to the Laws and Constitution by which he sits on the Throne, feel themselves reduced to the unhappy Necessity of taking up Arms to defend their dearest Rights and Priviledges; While we deplore the Calamities of this divided Empire, We rejoice in the Appointment of a Gentleman from whose Abilities and Virtue we are taught to expect both Security and Peace.
Confiding in you Sir, and in the worthy Generals immediately under Your Command, We have the most flattering Hopes of Success in the glorious Struggle for American Liberty; And the fullest Assurances that whenever this important Contest shall be decided, by that fondest Wish of each American Soul, an Accomodation with our Mother Country; You will chearfully resign the important Deposit committed into Your Hands, and reassume the Character of our worthiest Citizen.

By order.
P. V. B. Livingston President


Title: Address to the New York Provincial Congress, 26 June 1775
From: Washington, George
To: New York Provincial Congress

⟨Gentlemen⟩
[New York] June 26. 1775.

At ⟨the same time that with you I deplore⟩ the unhappy Necessity of suc⟨h an Appointment, as that⟩ with which I am now honoured, ⟨I cannot but feel sentiments⟩ of the highest Gratitude for this af⟨fecting Instance of⟩ Distinction & Regard.
May your warmest w⟨ish be realized in⟩ the Success of America at this importa⟨nt and interesting⟩ Period; & be assured that, every Exertion ⟨of my worthy Colleagues⟩ & myself, will be equally extended to ⟨the re establishment⟩ of Peace & Harmony between the Mother ⟨Country and the⟩ Colonies. As to the fatal, but necessary Opera⟨tions of War.⟩ When we assumed the Soldier, we did not ⟨lay aside the⟩ Citizen, & we shall most sincerely rejoice ⟨with you in⟩ that happy Hour, when the Establishment ⟨of American⟩ L⟨iber⟩ty on the most firm, & solid Foundat⟨ions, shall enable us⟩ to return to our private Stations in ⟨the bosom of a⟩ free, peaceful, & happy Country.

Go: ⟨Washington.⟩


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 28 June 1775
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia June 28th 1775

By Direction of the Congress I now Transmitt you severall Resolutions pass’d yesterday, by which you will Observe they have Directed Major General Schuyler to Examine into the State of the Posts at Ticonderoga & Crown Point, and of the Troops Station’d there, as also to Enquire into the Disposition of the Canadians and Indians. You will likewise find they have Directed him to Take or Destroy all Vessells, Boats or Floating Batteries prepar’d by Governor Carlton on or near the Waters of the Lakes, and to Take possession of St Johns & Montreal if he finds it practicable, & not Disagreeable to the Canadians—The Alteration of the Sentiments of Congress since your Departure relative to making an Impression into Canada was

Occasion’d by a Letter they Receiv’d from the Committee of Albany, a Copy of which you have Inclos’d, they gave their Directions upon these important matters directly to Major General Schuyler, as he would be near the Posts abovemention’d, and as their being Sent to you would Occasion such Delay as might prove Detrimental to the Service.
I Send you the Remainder of the Commissions Sign’d, should you have Occasion for more, please to Acquaint me, & they shall be immediately Transmitted you.
Brigr Genl Gates not yet Arriv’d in the City, I Expect him to morrow, and shall Deliver him his Commission, and promote his Joining you as soon as possible—Inclos’d is a Letter from him. With my best wishes for every personal Happiness, and Success in all your undertakings, I have the Honor to be, Sir Your most Obedt Hume servt

John Hancock President


Title: To George Washington from the Delaware Delegates, 29 June 1775
From: Delaware Delegates
To: Washington, George

Philadelphia, 29 June 1775.

Recommend the bearer John Parke, who “is an Ensign in the 2d Battalion of the Militia here, and is desirous of serving his country as a Volunteer under you. He has frequently drawn his pen and is now resolved to draw his sword in support of the American cause.”


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 1 July 1775
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Sir
[New York] Saturday July 1st 1775

I do myself the Honor to advise your Excellency that the Connecticut Troops, that arrived in this Colony under the Command of Brigadier Wooster are encamped within two Miles of this Town. I have not yet had a Return of their Numbers[.] as soon as my Order for that Purpose is complied with I shall transmit it.
Inclose You Sir a Copy of the Resolutions of the Hono: the Continental Congress of the 27th ult. I shall prepare with all possible Dispatch to carry into Execution their Views and propose leaving this for Albany in my way to Ticonderoga on Monday next.
Eight Transports with Troops, that have been at Sandy Hook since Thursday last are to sail from thence to Day. Reports prevail that the Men on Board have muntinied, that they refused to go to Boston, of this however I have not been able to get any Certainty. Hand Bills have been introduced amongst them to encourage them to quit on the first favorable Opportunity a Service which must render them odious to all honest Men.
Governor Tryon’s Conduct has hitherto been unexceptionable and from the Information I have been able to procure, some of which I put great Confidence in, I have reason to beleive that the Line he has chalked out for himself is such as we would wish he should hold.
I beleive the Commissions for this Department were already forwarded to You before my Letter (In Obedience to Your Order) to the Congress on that Subject arrived. If they are to be sent back, I beg of You to Order them to be directed to the President of the Provincial Convention here.
No Preparation has as yet been made to occupy a Post in the Highlands. by what I can learn the Provincial Convention have Doubts about the Propriety (which they have or mean to state to Congress) arising from the Want of Ammunition, to maintain the Post after it shall be compleated.
A Ship from London in five Weeks advises that the Remonstrance sent by the Assembly of this Colony to the House of Commons has been rejected by them as containing Sentiments derogatory to the Rights of Parliament: This Manoevre has already

had Salutary Effects. many whose Sentiments are friendly to America, but who differed as to the Mode of procuring Redress, now publickly declare that they will no longer sit idle Spectators of their Country’s Wrongs.
That Success and Happiness equal to the Merit & Virtue of my General may crown all his Operations is the Wish of every honest American by none more sincerely than me. I am Your Excellency’s Most Obedt & Most Humb. Servt

Ph: Schuyler


Title: To George Washington from Henry Ward, 1 July 1775
From: Ward, Henry
To: Washington, George

Providence, 1 July 1775

Transmits by order of the Rhode Island general assembly “the inclosed Vote, putting the Rhode Island Army under your Command.”


Title: General Orders, 3 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 3rd 1775
Parole, Lookout.Counter Sign, Sharp.

The Colonels or commanding Officers of each Regt are ordered forthwith, to make two Returns of the Number of men in their respective Regiments; distinguishing such as are sick, wounded or absent on furlough: And also the quantity of ammunition each Regimt now has.
It appearing by the Report of Henry Woods, the Officer of

the main guard, that one William Alfred is confin’d for taking two horses, belonging to some Persons in Connecticut; but that he has made Satisfaction to the injured parties, who request that they may not be longer detain’d as witnesses: It is ordered that he be discharged, and after receiving a severe reprimand, be turned out of camp.
After Orders. 4 oClock. P:M:
It is order’d that Col. Glovers Regiment be ready this evening, with all their Accoutrements, to march at a minutes warning to support General Falsam of the New Hampshire forces, in case his Lines should be attack’d.
It is also order’d, that Col. Prescott’s Regiment equip themselves, march this evening and take Possession of the Woods leading to Leechmores point, and in case of an Attack, then Col. Glover’s Regiment to march immediately to their support.


Title: Address from the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 3 July 1775
From: Massachusetts Provincial Congress
To: Washington, George

[Watertown, Mass., 3 July 1775]
May it please your Excellency

The Congress of the Massachusetts Colony impress’d with every Sentiment of Gratitude, and Respect, beg leave to congratulate you on your safe arrival; and to wish you all imaginable Happiness and Success in the execution of the important duties of your elevated Station. While we applaud that attention to the public good, manifested in your appointment, We equally admire that disinterested Virtue and distinguish’d Patriotism, which alone could call you from those Enjoyments of domestic Life which a sublime, & manly Taste, joined with a most affluent Fortune can afford: to hazard your Life, and to endure the fatigues of War, in the Defence of the Rights of Mankind, and for the good of your Country.
The laudable Zeal for the common Cause of America, and Compassion for the Distresses of this Colony, exhibited by the great dispatch made in your Journey hither, fully justifies the universal safisfaction we have, with pleasure, observed on this occassion; and are promising presages that the great Expectations formed from your personal Character, and military Abilities are well founded.
We wish you may have found such Regularity, and Discipline already establish’d in the Army, as may be agreeable to your Expectation. The Hurry with which it was necessarily collected, and the many disadvantages, arising from a suspension of Government, under which we have raised, and endeavour’d to regulate the Forces of this Colony have render’d it a work of Time. And tho’ in a great measure effected, the completion of so difficult, and at the same time so necessary a Task, is reserved to your Excellency; and we doubt not will be properly consider’d, and attended to.

We would not presume to prescribe to your Excellency, but supposing you would choose to be informed of the general Character of the Soldiers, who compose this Army beg leave to represent, that the greatest part of them have not before seen Service. And altho’ naturally brave and of good understanding, yet for want of Experience in military Life, have but little knowledge of divers things most essential to the preservation of Health and even of Life.
The Youth in the Army are not possess’d of the absolute Necessity of Cleanliness in their Dress, and Lodging, continual Excercise, and strict Temperance to preserve them from Diseases frequently prevailing in Camps; especially among those who, from their Childhood, have been us’d to a laborious Life.
We beg Leave to assure you, that this Congress will, at all times, be ready to attend to such Requisitions as you may have Occassion to make to us; and to contribute all the Aid in our power, to the Cause of America, and your Happiness, and Ease, in the Discharge of the Duties of your exalted Office.
We most fervently implore Almighty God, that the Blessings of Divine Providence may rest on you: That your Head may be cover’d in the day of Battle; That every necessary Assistance may be afforded; and that you may be long continued in Life and Health a Blessing to Mankind.


Title: General Orders, 4 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 4th 1775.
Parole. Abington.Countersign, Bedford.

Exact returns to be made by the proper Officers of all the Provisions⟨,⟩ Ordnance, Ordnance stores, Powder, Lead, working Tools of all kinds, Tents, Camp Kettles, and all other Stores under their respective care, belonging to the Armies at Roxbury and Cambridge. The commanding Officer of each Regiment to make a return of the number of blankets wanted to compleat every Man with one at least.
The Hon: Artemus Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam Esquires, are appointed Major Generals of the American Army and due Obedience is to be paid them as such. The Continental Congress not having compleated the appointments of the oth⟨er⟩ officers in said army, nor had sufficient time to prepare and forward the⟨ir⟩ Commissions; every Officer is to continue to do duty in the Rank and ⟨Sta⟩tion he at present holds untill further orders.
Thomas Mifflin Esqr. is appointed by the Gen⟨eral⟩ one of his Aid-de-Camps. Joseph Reed Esqr. is in like manner appoin⟨ted⟩ Secretary to the General, and they are in future to be consider’d and regarded as such.
The Continental Congress having now taken all the Troops of the several Colonies, which have been raised, or which may be hereafter raised, for the support and defence of the Liberties of America; into their Pay and Service: They are now the Troops of the United Provinces 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 Contest be, who shall render, on this great and trying occasion, the most essential service to the great and common cause in which we are all engaged.
It is required and expected that exact discipline be observed, and due Subordination prevail thro’ the whole Army, as a Failure in these most essential points must necessarily produce extreme Hazard, Disorder and Confusion; and end in shameful disappointment and disgrace.
The General most earnestly requires, and expects, a due observance

of those articles of war, established for the Government of the army, which forbid profane cursing, swearing & drunkeness; And in like manner requires & expects, of all Officers, and Soldiers, not engaged on actual duty, a punctual attendance on divine service, to implore the blessings of heaven upon the means used for our safety and defence.
All Officers are required and expected to pay diligent Attention, to keep their Men neat and clean—to visit them often at their quarters, and inculcate upon them the necessity of cleanliness, as essential to their health and service. They are particularly to see, that they have Straw to lay on, if to be had, and to make it known if they are destitute of this article. They are also to take care that Necessarys be provided in the Camps and frequently filled up to prevent their being offensive and unhealthy. Proper Notice will be taken of such Officers and Men, as distinguish themselves by their attention to these necessary duties.
The commanding Officer of each Regiment is to take particular care that not more than two Men of a Company be absent on furlough at the same time, unless in very extraordinary cases.
Col. Gardner is to be buried to morrow at 3, OClock, P: M. with the military Honors due to so brave and gallant an Officer, who fought, bled and died in the Cause of his country and mankind. His own Regiment, except the company at Malden, to attend on this mournful occasion. The places of those Companies in the Lines on Prospect Hill, to be supplied by Col. Glovers regiment ’till the funeral is over.
No Person is to be allowed to go to Fresh-water pond a fishing or on any other occasion as there may be danger of introducing the small pox into the army.
It is strictly required and commanded that there be no firing of Cannon or small Arms from any of the Lines, or elsewhere, except in case of necessary, immediate defence, or special order given for that purpose.
All Prisoners taken, Deserters coming in, Persons coming out of Boston, who can give any Intelligence; any Captures of any kind from the Enemy, are to be immediately reported and brought up to Head Quarters in Cambridge. Capt. Griffin is appointed Aid-de-Camp to General Lee and to be regarded as such.

The Guard for the security of the stores at Watertown, is to be increased to thirty men immediately.
A serjeant and six men to be set as a Guard to the Hospital, and are to apply to Doctor Rand.
Complaint having been made against John White Quarter Master of Col. Nixon’s Regmt for misdemeanors in drawing out Provisions for more Men than the Regiment consisted of; A Court Martial consisting of one Captain and four Subalterns is ordered to be held on said White, who are to enquire, determine and report.
After Orders. 10 OClock
The General desires that some Carpenters be immediately set to work at Brattle’s Stables, to fix up Stalls for eight Horses, and more if the Room will admit, with suitable racks, mangers &c.


Title: To George Washington from George Clinton, 4 July 1775
From: Clinton, George
To: Washington, George

4 July 1775. Recommends the bearer, “Mr. White, the Son of Anthony White Esq’r of New Jersey. . . . Inspired with Love for our much injured

Country he now vissits your Camp to offer his Service as a Vollenteer in the Army under your Command.”


Title: Address to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 4 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Massachusetts Provincial Congress

Gentlemen
[Cambridge, c.4 July 1775]

Your kind Congratulations on my Appointment, & Arrival demand my warmest Acknowledgements, and will ever be retained in grateful Remembrance.
In exchanging the Enjoyments of domestic Life for the Duties of my present honourable, but arduous Station, I only emulate the Virtue & publick Spirit of the whole Province of Massachusetts Bay, which with a Firmness, & Patriotism without Example in modern History, has sacrificed all the Comforts of social & political Life, in Support of the Rights of Mankind, & the Welfare of our common Country. My highest Ambition is to

be the happy Instrument of vindicating those Rights, & to see this devoted Province again restored to Peace, Liberty & Safety.
The short Space of Time which has elapsed since my Arrival does not permit me to decide upon the State of the Army—The Course of human Affairs forbids an Expectation, that Troops formd under such Circumstances, should at once posses the Order, Regularity & Discipline of Veterans—Whatever Deficiencies there may be, will I doubt not, soon be made up by the Activity & Zeal of the Officers, and the Docility & Obedience of the Men. These Quali⟨ties,⟩ united with their native Bravery, & Spirit will afford a happy Presage of Success, & put a final Period to those Distresses which now overwhelm this once happy Country.
I most sincerely thank you, Gentlemen, for your Declarations of Readiness at all Times to assist me in the Discharge of the Duties of my Statio⟨n.⟩ they are so complicated, & extended that I shall Need the Assistance of every good Man, & Lover of his Country; I therefore respose the utmost Confidence in your [Aids]—In Return for your affectionate Wishes to my-self permit me to say, that I earnestly implore that Divine Being in whose Hands are all human Events, to make you & your Constituents, as distinguished in private, & publick Happiness, as you have been by ministeria⟨l⟩ Oppression, by private & publick Distress.


Title: To George Washington from James Warren and Joseph Hawley, 4 July 1775
From: Warren, James,Hawley, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Sir
Watertown [Mass.] July 4: 1775

As Pomroy is now Absent and at the distance of an hundred miles from the Army, if it can be Consistent with your Excellencys Trust & the Service to retain his Commission untill you shall recieve Advice from the Continental Congress and we shall be Able to prevail with Heath to make a Concession Honourable to himself, and Advantageous to the publick. We humbly Concieve the way would be open to do Justice to Thomas. We have the Honour to be Your Excellencys Most Obedient Humbe Servts

Jas Warren
Joseph Hawley


Title: General Orders, 5 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 5th 1775
Parole, Bedford.C. Sign, Cambridge.

The Adjutant of each Regiment is required to take special care, that all general orders are communicated, as well to the private men, as to the officers—that there may be no Plea of

Ignorance—they will be deemed answerable for all the consequences which may follow a neglect of this order.
A General Court martial is ordered to sit to morrow at 10 oClock A.M. for the Trial of William Patten charged with “leaving his post on guard.” David Wells and Gideon Cole for “sleeping on their posts as centinels”—John Scott for “insulting the Centry and attempting to pass the guard at Boston” and James Foshe for “theft”—When the Witnesses are to attend and the parties charged, are to have notice this day that they may be prepared for their trials.
The General most earnestly recommends, & requires of all the Officers, that they be exceeding diligent and strict in preventing all Invasions and Abuse of private property in their quarters, or elsewhere[.] he hopes, and indeed flatters himself, that every private soldier will detest, and abhor such practices, when he considers, that it is for the preservaton of his own Rights, Liberty and Property, and those of his Fellow Countrymen, that he is now called into service: that it is unmanly and sully’s the dignity of the great cause, in which we are all engaged, to violate that property, he is called to protect, and especially, that it is most cruel and inconsistant, thus to add to the Distresses of those of their Countrymen, who are suffering under the Iron hand of oppression.
The General again urges, a speedy and exact Return, of the Forces, Stores, Provisions &c.; as desired in the Orders already issued and for the future, these Returns to be made once a week, on saturday Morning regularly. The General is much pleased with the expedition and care which some Officers have already shewn in their obedience to this order.
The Colonel or commanding Officer of each Regiment, is to direct an Officer of each Company, to call over the Rolls of their men, at six oClock every morning, and to make proper Inquiry after the absentees.


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 July 1775
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia July 5th 1775

Since my last to you by Alexander the Express nothing has Taken place in Congress that particularly Respects your Department.
By Direction of the Congress I now Transmitt you by Mr Fessenden our Return Express, the Rules & Articles pass’d by Congress for the Government of the Troops under your Command, I wish them safe to hand. I have not Time to add, but that I am with much Respect, Sir Your most Obedt hum. servt

John Hancock President

Should you have Occasion for a further Supply of Commissions, please to Inform me & they shall be immediately Transmitted you.


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Hawley, 5 July 1775
From: Hawley, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Watertown [Mass.], July 5, 1775.
Sir:

You were pleased the other day to mention to Colonel Warren and me, as your opinion, that it was highly probable Gage’s Troops would very shortly attack our Army in some part or other. I believe your opinion is not ill-founded; and I am sure your Excellency will be pleased with every intimation that may, in any degree, aid you in the choice of measures tending to success and victory. Therefore, that I may not be tedious, I ask your pardon when I suggest, that although in the Massachusetts part of the Army there are divers brave and intrepid officers, yet there are too many, and even several Colonels, whose characters, to say the least, are very equivocal with respect to courage. There is much more cause to fear that the officers will fail in a day of trial, than the privates. I may venture to say, that if the officers will do their duty, there is no fear of the soldiery. I therefore most humbly propose to your consideration the propriety and advantage of your making immediately a most solemn and peremptory declaration to all the officers of the Army, in general orders, or otherwise, as your wisdom shall direct, assuring them that every officer who, in the day of battle, shall fully do his duty, shall not fail of your kindest notices and highest marks of your favour; but, on the other hand, that every officer who, on such a day, shall act the poltron, dishonour his General, and by failing of his duty, betray his Country, shall infallibly meet his deserts, whatever his rank, connexions, or interest may be; and that no intercessions on his behalf will be likely to be of any avail for his pardon.
I know that your Excellency is able to form a declaration of the kind, conceived in such a style, and replete with such determined sentiments and spirit, as cannot fail of begetting a full belief and persuasion in the hearts of such to whom it shall be addressed, that the same will be infallibly executed. I am almost certain the measure will have the happiest tendency. Sed sapienti verbum sat est. Pray pardon my prolixity; I never was happy enough to be concise.
I am, with the greatest respect and deference, your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,

Joseph Hawley.


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 5 July 1775
From: Massachusetts Provincial Congress
To: Washington, George

In Provincial Congress [Watertown, Mass.] July 5th 1775

This Congress had Ordered the inclosed Resolution to be prepared and sent to Generals Ward & Thomas. but By the agreable event of your Excellency’s appointment to the Chief command of the American Army and arrival at Camp, the propriety of that Step ceases. we mean not to dictate to your excellency but presume that To Secure the health of the Army and relief for the sick, will naturally engage your Attention. Every thing in the power of this Congress to enable you to discharge with ease the duties of your Exalted and important station will be by us attended to with the greatest alacrity—If the inclosed Resolution has that tendency we attain the end intended by transmitting to you the same. and are with respect yr Excellencys most humble Servants


Title: To George Washington from John Fenton, 6 July 1775
From: Fenton, John
To: Washington, George

Medford [Mass.] 6 July 1775. “Tho’ I am quite a Stranger to your Excellency, yet the peculiarity of my Situation induces me to request that you will indulge me so far as to take me under your protection at Head Quarters.” He wishes to explain his reasons in person.


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, 6 July 1775
From: Massachusetts Committee of Safety
To: Washington, George

[Watertown, Mass., 6 July 1775]

May it please your Excellency:—The bearer, Capt. Brown, is the officer who took the horses that came off from Bunker’s hill; you’ll please to direct said horses being delivered to his care.


Title: To George Washington from Daniel Murray, 6 July 1775
From: Murray, Daniel
To: Washington, George

6 July 1775.

States “that he has received the repeated Commands of his Father, now a resident in Boston, to assist his Sister & two Brothers now at Waltham; in procuring them a pass into the town of Boston.” He requests GW to grant such a pass.


Title: General Orders, 7 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 7th 1775
Parole, Dorchester.C. Sign Exeter.

It is with inexpressible Concern that the General upon his first Arrival in the army, should find an Officer sentenced by a General Court Martial to be cashier’d for Cowardice—A Crime of all others, the most infamous in a Soldier, the most injurious to an Army, and the last to be forgiven; inasmuch as it may, and often does happen, that the Cowardice of a single Officer may prove the Distruction of the whole Army: The General therefore (tho’ with great Concern, and more especially, as the Transaction happened before he had the Command of the Troops) thinks himself obliged for the good of the service, to approve the Judgment of the Court Martial with respect to Capt. John Callender, who is hereby sentenced to be cashiered. Capt. John Callender is accordingly cashiered and dismissd from all farther service in the Continental Army as an Officer.
The General having made all due inquiries, and maturely consider’d this matter is led to the above determination not only from the particular Guilt of Capt. Callenders, but the fatal Consequences of such Conduct to the army and to the cause of america.
He now therefore most earnestly exhorts Officers of all Ranks to shew an Example of Bravery and Courage to their men; assuring them that such as do their duty in the day of Battle, as brave and good Officers, shall be honor’d with every mark of

distinction and regard; their names and merits made known to the General Congress and all America: while on the other hand, he positively declares that every Officer, be his rank what it may, who shall betray his Country, dishonour the Army and his General, by basely keeping back and shrinking from his duty in any engagement; shall be held up as an infamous Coward and punish’d as such, with the utmost martial severity; and no Connections, Interest or Intercessions in his behalf will avail to prevent the strict execution of justice.
Capt. Scotts and Capt. Styles’s Company’s from New Hampshire, are to be incorporated, or added to Col. Serjants Regiment, agreeable to the application made for that purpose. No Officer or Soldier, posted in the Lines for the defence of them, on Prospect Hill, or Winter Hill, or elsewhere, are upon any account to sleep out of their encampment or leave it at night. The Troops from New Hampshire are particularly requir’d to attend to this Order, from their particular Circumstances of situation.
No Soldier, belonging to these Post’s, or elsewhere, to be suffered to straggle at a distance from their respective parade, on any pretence; without leave from his Officers: As an unguarded Hour, may prove fatal to the whole army, and to the noble Cause in which we are engaged. The Importance of which, to every man of common understanding, must inspire every good Officer and Soldier, with the noblest Ardour and strictest attention, least he should prove the fatal Instrument of our ruin.
The Adjutant General is required, to make a return as quick as possible, of the Troops in Cambridge, their number, and the duty they do.
Complaints having been made with respect to the Bread, as being sour and unwholesome; the Quarter Master General is hereby directed to enquire into the matter and report upon it: At the same time to inform the Bakers that if any Complaints are made; and they shall be found just, they will be most severely punished.
The Guards on the Roads leading to Bunker’s Hill, are ordered not to suffer any person to pass them, unless an Officer is sent down from the Lines to order it, or they will be severely punished.
The General has great Reason; and is highly displeased, with

the Negligence and Inattention of those Officers, who have placed as Centries, at the out-posts, Men with whose Characters they are not acquainted. He therefore orders, that for the future, no Man shall be appointed to those important stations, who is not a Native of this Country, or has a Wife, or Family in it, to whom he is known to be attached. This Order is to be consider’d as a standing one and the Officers are to pay obedience to it at their peril.
A Complaint of the most extraordinary kind, having been made to the General, that Soldiers inlisted in one Regiment, have been seduced to reinlist into others, by Agents employed for that purpose under the specious promises of money, or leave of absence from the army, a procedure so subversive of all order, discipline, and of the very Existance of the army, cannot be forgiven—the strictest Orders are therefore given against such practices, and the General most earnestly declares, that if any Agent or Soldier, shall hereafter be found so offending, he will punish them with the utmost severity.
A General Court Martial having sat upon William Pattin and reported, that no Evidence appeared against him, to support the Charge; the General defers his decision upon the Report, untill farther consideration. In the mean time, the Adjutant General is ordered to wait on Col. Ward, by whom the Prisoner was confin’d and learn from him upon whose complaint, and what Witnesses, there are to support it.
A regimental Court Martial is ordered to sit to morrow 10 oClock, on Samuel Bartlett of the Company late Capt. Callenders, and Col. Gridley’s Regiment, confin’d for “abusive behaviour.”
A General Court Martial to sit to morrow, 10 oClock A:M: for the Trial of Thomas Daniely, charged with “stealing”; each of the above Prisoners to have Notice to day, and the Witnesses in like manner order’d to attend.
In order that all the sick and wounded in the Army may be provided for, and taken Care of in the best way and manner possible: It is order’d, that when any Officer or Soldier is so ill, either by a Wound, or otherwise, that the Surgeon of the Regt to which he belongs, finds he cannot be properly taken care of in such Regt such surgeon shall send him to the Camp Hospital to which they belong, with a Certificate of the Man’s Name, the

Company to which he belongs, and in that case the Surgeon of the Hospital shall receive said sick and wounded; and in case such Hospital shall be too full, in that case the surgeons of said Hospital shall send such of his patients, as may be removed with safety, to the Hospital at Water-town, with the like Certificate as above, on which the Surgeon of Water-town Hospital, is to receive, and take care of him.


Title: General Orders, 8 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 8th 1775.
Parole, Essex.Counter-sign, Falkland.

Ordered that the main guard on no Account whatever, be without a Drum, which is to beat to Arms on any Alarm and be followed by all the drums in the Camp; On which every Officer and Soldier is immediately to repair to the Alarm post.
The Commanding Officer of each Regiment or Corps in Cambridge as soon as the Men are paraded after an Alarm, to send an Officer to Head Quarters for orders.
The commanding Officers at Roxbury, Prospect hill Winter-hill and Sewalls point to send Expresses in case of Alarm to Head Quarters with an account of the Situation and the movements of the enemy—If they are not each provided with a Horse for that purpose; the Adjutant General to apply to the Committee of supplies.
Col. Gridley of the Artillery, or the next in Command, to give in a Return of his men, stores, and Ammunition, agreeable

to the Order of the 4th Instant, and to distinguish the Posts to which his Regiment is assigned in Case of alarm: The same order as to a Return of the Men, Ammunition and Blankets is given to the Commanding Officers of the Regiments late Col. Gar[d]ner’s Col. Glovers, & Col. Gerrishes, who have omitted complying with the above Orders hitherto.
The Commanding Officers at Winter-hill, Prospect-hill and Roxbury are to make particular enquiry into the Ammunition of the Men in those Lines, and if there is any Deficiency immediately to report it to the General at Head quarters.
A General Court Martial is order’d to set on monday next 10, oClock A:M: for the Trial of Lieut. Brigham charged with, “rescuing a Prisoner when in lawful custody.”


Title: To George Washington from the Fairfax Independent Company, 8 July 1775
From: Fairfax Independent Company
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency.
Alexandria July 8. 1775

Your favor of the 20 Ulo notifying your Intended departure for the Camp, we Received; and after transmitting copies to the different officers, to whom it was directed, we laid it before a full meeting of your Company this day—At the same time that they deplore the unfortunate occasion, that calls you, their patron, friend & worthy citizen from them, & your more tender connections, they beg your acceptance of their most hearty congratulations upon your appointment to the supreme military command of the American confederated forces.
Firmly convinced Sir, of your zealous attachment to the rights of your Country & those of mankind, and of your earnest desire that harmony & Good will should again take place between us & our parent state, we well know that your every exertion will be invariably employed, to preserve the one & effect the other.
Your kind recommendation, that a strict attention be had, to disciplining the Company, shall be complied with, & every possible method used for procuring arms & ammunition.
We are to inform you Sir, by desire of the Company, that if at any ⟨ti⟩me you shall judge it expedient for them to join the Troops at Cambridge, or to march elsewhere, they will cheerfully do it.
As the success of our arms, during the unhappy contest for our liberties, will ever afford us the highest satisfaction, and as reports heretofore have been various & unauthentic, we Intreat your Excellency, should there be any future Engagement & your leisure permit, to favour us with an Account. Let our concerns for the cause we are Imbarked in, claim your excuse for this freedom.

We now Recommend you to the favor of him, by whom Kings Reign & Princes decree justice, and wishing all your councils & operations to be directed by his gracious providence to an happy and lasting union between us & Great Britain We are with great regard for selves & the Company Your Excellency’s most Obedt & Humble servants

James Hendricks
Geo. Gilpin
Rob. H. Harrison


Title: From George Washington to Lund Washington, 8 July 1775 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Lund

Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 8 July 1775. In a letter of 15 Oct. 1775 to GW, Lund Washington referred to GW’s letter of “July 8th.”


Title: General Orders, 9 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 9th 1775.
Parole, Effingham.C. Sign, Watertown.

The Continental Congress having been pleased to appoint Horatio Gates Esqr. Brigadier General, and Adjutant General of the Army; he is to be obeyed as such; and all Orders transmitted

through him from the Commander in Chief, whether written, or verbal, are to be punctually, and immediately obey’d.
All soldiers, more than two a Company, who are at present absent on Furlough, and all Officers, non Commissioned Officers, and Soldiers, who have not join’d their respective Corps, to be ordered forthwith to Camp. The Commanding Officers of Corps to be answerable to the General, for an immediate obedience to this order.
The General (or in his absence) The Commanding Officer at Roxbury, to send a report every day in writing, sealed up, to the Commander in Chief at Head Quarters, in Cambridge, of all the material Occurrences of the preceeding day; mentioning particularly, all Arrivals of Ships and Vessels in the bay; and what changes and alterations are made, in the Stations of the Men of war, Transport’s, and floating batteries &c.


Title: Council of War, 9 July 1775
From: Council of War
To:

[Cambridge, 9 July 1775]

At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Cambridge July 9th 1775.
Present His Excelly General Washington

            M. Generals
            Ward
            B. Genls
            Thomas

            Lee

            Heath

            Putman

            Greene

            Gates.

        The General laid before the Council a Letter from Mr Warren President of the Congress of Massachusetts Bay inclosing a Letter from Mr Gerry of Marblhead dated July 8th.
1. A Question was proposed & considered viz. What is the Numbr of the Enemy in & near Boston, including the Troops formerly & lately arrived, & there expected, the Tories who may take Arms, such Sailors as may be spared from the Fleet &

the Negroes—Upon which it was agreed, that from the best Intelligence the Force on the Side of the Enemy now amounts to about Eleven thousand, five hundred Men.
2d A Question was proposed, & considerd whether it is expedient to keep & defend the Posts at present occupied, or to retire farther back into the Country: Upon which it was unanimously determd that the publick Service requires the Defence of the present Posts.
3. A Question was proposed what Number of Troops may be necessary for the present Service in & near Boston to defend the Posts now occupied against the Force supposed to be employed against us. Upon which it was agreed that the Army for the above Purpose ought to consist of at least 22,000 Men.
4. As by the Returns now made the Number of effective Men is far short of the above Estimate a Question was made in what Manner the Deficiency shall be supplied And it was agreed that the same ought to be done by sending an Officer from each Company of the Forces raised in Massachusetts Bay to recruit the Regiments to which they respectively belong, to the Establishment fixed by the provincial Congress; The Colonies of Rhode Island & Connecticut being already engaged in recruiting; And that in the mean Time his Excelly the General do apply to the provincial Congress of this Province for their Assistance in procuring a temporary Reinforcement; subject to the same military Rules as the Army now raised; Inasmuch as the present Extent of Lines & the great Probability of an early Attack render such Reinforcement indispensably necessary.
5. As the Events of War are uncertain & a Want of a proper Rendezvous might in Case of any Misfortune occasion a Dissolution of the whole Army, it was proposed to appoint a proper Place for this Purpose in Case our present Situation should not be tenable.
Nemine Contradicente. N.C. Agreed that the Welch Mountains near Cambridge & in the Rear of the Roxbury Lines is a suitable Place.
6. A Question was proposed whether it is expedient to take Possession of Dorchester Point or to oppose the Enemy if they should attempt to possess it.
Unanimously Agreed in the Negative as to both.

7. N.B. That 10 Horses with Bridles & Saddles be provided in order to carry Intelligence from the Out Posts & Camps.
8. That a Beacon be erected on Blue Hill.


Title: General Orders, 10 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 10th 1775
Parole Frederick.Counter-sign. Gloucester.

The General Court Martial of which Col. William Prescott was president, having tried William Pattin of Col. Gridley’s regiment, and found him guilty of “threatening and abusing a number of persons, when prisoner in the Quarter Guard:” The Court sentence the prisoner to ride the wooden Horse, fifteen minutes. The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be put in execution at the head of the regiment.
David Wells soldier in Col. Gridley’s Regimt tried by the abovementioned General Court Martial for “sleeping upon his post when sentry,” is acquitted by the court.
No non Commission’d Officer, or soldier, but such as are guilty of capital Offences; to be confin’d in the Main Guard; All those guilty of crimes triable by a Regimental Court Martial, to be sent to the Quarter Guards of their respective Corps, to be tried by regimental Court martial. The General Court Martial, whereof Col. William Prescott is president, to set again this day at the usual hour: All Evidences and Persons concerned to attend the court. Whenever a General Court Martial is ordered, it is expected that the Evidences and persons by whom the prisoners are confin’d, do punctually attend to support the accusation, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.
The Colonels of the Massachusetts regiments, to order one subaltern from each Company in their respective Corps, forthwith upon the recruiting service; proper Instructions will be given by the Adjutant General to the Officers ordered upon that service. They will therefore call at Head Quarters as soon

as possible to receive their Instructions. The General recommends it to the Colonels to send active and vigilant Officers upon this service, and those who are most in esteem with people in the District they are sent to recruit in.


Title: Editorial Note
From:
To:

[Cambridge, 10–11 July 1775]

In preparation for the writing of this letter, GW composed a list of topics which he wished to be covered in it. Those undated notes, which are printed here, apparently were then used by Joseph Reed to make a rough draft of the letter. Reed’s draft has not been found, but a draft written by him was reported to be in the possession of James

Wilkinson in the early nineteenth century. The finished letter that was sent to Hancock, also printed here, is in Reed’s writing and is signed by GW. Although all of the manuscript copies of the finished letter are dated 10 July, internal evidence indicates that its last paragraph and postscript were written on 11 July (see Document II. Letter Sent, notes 28 and 31). Furthermore, the letter-book copy of that document has the notation: “Sent by Alexander who set out the 11th July about 5 oClock P.M. inclosing Proceeds. of Council of War July 9. 1775.” Not all of the topics listed in GW’s notes were discussed in the finished letter (see Document I. Notes for Letter, notes 2 and 4), and some new topics were introduced.

   James Wilkinson, Memoirs of My Own Times, 3 vols. (Philadelphia, 1816), 1:855.


Title: I. Notes for Letter, 10 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

The time of my arrival.
The Situation of the Troops—Works—& things in genl—Enemy on Bunkers Hill.
The almost impossibility of giving up the present Incampment in the Face of the Enemy, & after so much work has been bestowd notwithstanding our Situation from the devidedness of it, & length of our lines &ca is by no means desirable.
The exceeding difficulty of getting returns of the Forces &ca is the reason why I could not write sooner—to this may be added the necessity of bestowing a good deal of time & attention to the defence of our lines wch are within gunshot of the Enemy.
Want of Tents a great disadvantage as the men are much dispers’d in Quarters, & unavoidably so, which is an essential reason for continuing in the Quarters at Cambridge & Roxbury.
Express gratitude for the readiness wch the Congress & difft Committees have shewn to make every thing as convenient & as agreeable as possible, but point out the Inconvenence of depending ⟨up⟩on a number of Men & different chann⟨el⟩s through which these supplies are to be furnishd and the necessity of appointg a Com[missar]y Genl for these purposes—recomd Mr Trumbell for this Office.
The necessity also of a Quarter Master Genl—Comy of Musters—&ca—Also the want of Money for these difft branches of business. The want of Laws for the Governmt of the army—

and the want of Cloathing which I do not find is likely to be had here.
Comply with Instruction’s in giving answr and acknowledge the rect of Mr Hancocks Letter & answer it.
A great want of Engineers—and our distress on that acct as well as for the want of Powder which must be kept for small arms.
The great dissatisfaction at the appointment of Genl Officers—Genl Spencer will not continue because Genl Putnam is appointed over. Genl Thomas much esteemd & earnestly desired to remain, the Provincial Congress requesting that Genl Pomroy (who was when I came here, & now is abst) might not have his Comn given—Spencer gone home without leave.
Tents to be sent from Phila.
More riffle Men.
Engen.
provision Return.


Title: II. Letter Sent, 10–11 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Camp at Cambridge July 10[-11] 1775

I arrived safe at this Place on the 3d Instt, after a Journey attended with a good deal of Fatigue, & retarded by necessary Attentions to the successive Civilities which accompanied me in my whole Rout—Upon my Arrival, I immediately visited the several Posts occupied by our Troops, & as soon as the Weather permitted, reconnoitred those of the Enemy. I found the latter strongly entrench’d on Bunker’s Hill about a Mile from Charlestown, & advanced about half a Mile from the Place of the late

Action, with their Centries extended about 150 Yards on this Side of the narrowest Part of the Neck leading from this Place to Charlestown; 3 floating Batteries lay in Mystick River near their Camp; & one 20 Gun Ship below the Ferry Place between Boston & Charlestown. They have also a Battery on Copse Hill on the Boston Side which much annoyed our Troops in the late Attack. Upon the Neck, they are also deeply entrenched & strongly fortified. Their advanced Guards till last Saturday Morning occupied Brown’s Houses about a Mile from Roxbury Meeting House, & 20 Roods from their Lines: But at that Time, a Party from General Thomas’s Camp surprized the Guard, drove them in & burnt the Houses. The Bulk of their Army commanded by General Howe lays on Bunkers Hill, & the Remainder on Roxbury Neck, except the Light Horse, & a few Men in the Town of Boston—On our Side we have thrown up Intrenchments on Winter & Prospect Hills, the Enemies Camp in full View at the Distance of little more than a Mile. Such intermediate Points as would admit a Landing, I have since my Arrival taken Care to strengthen down to Sewal’s Farm, where a strong Entrenchment has been thrown up. At Roxbury General Thomas has thrown up a strong Work on the Hill, about 200 Yards above the Meeting House, which with the Brokenness of the Ground & great Numbers of Rocks has made that Pass very secure—The Troops raised in New Hampshire, with a Regiment from Rhode Island occupy Winter Hill. A Part of those from Connecticut under General Puttnam are on Prospect Hill: The Troops in this Town are entirely of the Massachusetts: The Remainder of the Rhode Island Men, are at Sewalls Farm: Two Regiments of Connecticut & 9 of the Massachusetts are at Roxbury. The Residue of the Army to the Number of about 700 are posted in several small Towns along the Coast to prevent the Depredations of the Enemy: Upon the whole, I think myself authorized to say that considering the great Extent of Line, & the Nature of the Ground we are as well secured as could be expected in so short a Time, & under the Disadvantages we labour. These consist in a Want of Engineers to construct proper Works & direct the Men, a Want of Tools, & a sufficient Number of Men to man the Works in Case of an Attack: You will observe by the Proceedings of the Council of War, which I have the Honour to inclose, that it is our unanimous

Opinion to hold and defend these Works as long as possible. The Discouragement it would give the Men, & its contrary Effects on the ministerial Troops, thus to abandon our Incampment in their Face, form’d with so much Labour, added to the certain Destruction of a considerable & valuable Extent of Country, and our Uncertainty of finding a Place in all Respects so capable of making a Stand, are leading Reasons for this Determination; at the same Time we are very sensible of the Difficulties which attend the Defence of Lines of so great Extent, and the Dangers which may ensue from such a Division of the Army.
My earnest Wishes to comply with the Instructions of the Congress in making an early and complete Return of the State of the Army, has led into an involuntary Delay of addressing you, which has given me much Concern. Having given Orders for this Purpose immediately on my Arrival, & unapprized of the imperfect Obedience which had been paid to those of the like Nature from General Ward, I was led from Day to Day to expect they would come in, & therefore detained the Messenger. They are not now so complete as I could wish but much Allowance is to be made for Inexperience in Forms, & a Liberty which had been taken (not given) on this Subject—These Reasons I flatter myself will no longer exist, & of Consequence more Regularity & Exactness in future prevail. This with a necessary Attention to the Lines, the Movements of the ministerial Troops, & our immediate Security, must be my Apology, which I beg you lay before the Congress with the utmost Duty & Respect.
We labour under great Disadvantages for Want of Tents, for tho. they have been help’d out by a Collection of now useless Sails from the Sea Port Towns, the Number is far short of our Necessities. The Colleges & Houses of this Town are necessarily occupied by the Troops which affords another Reason for keeping our present Situation: But I most sincerely wish the whole Army was properly provided to take the Field, as I am well assured, that besides greater Expedition & Activity in Case of Alarm it would highly conduce to Health & Discipline. As Materials are not to be had here I would beg Leave to recommend the procuring a farther Supply from Philadelphia as soon as possible.

I should be extremely deficient in Gratitude, as well as Justice, if I did not take the first Oppy to acknowledge the Readiness & Attention which the provincial Congress & different Committees have shewn to make every Thing as convenient & agreeable as possible: but there is a vital & inherent Principle of Delay incompatible with military Service in transacting Business thro. such numerous & different Channels. I esteem it therefore my Duty to represent the Inconvenience which must unavoidably ensue from a Dependance on a Number of Persons for Supplies, & submit it to the Consideration of the Congress whether the publick Service will not be best promoted by appointing a Commissary General for these Purposes—We have a striking Instance of the Preference of such a Mode in the Establishment of Connecticut, as their Troops are extremely well provided under the Direction of Mr  Trumbull & he has at different Times assisted others with various Articles—Should my Sentimts happily coincide with those of your Honours in this Subject, I beg Leave to recommend Mr Trumbull as a very proper Person for this Department. In the Arrangement of Troops collected under such Circumstances, & upon the Spur of immediate Necessity several Appointments are omitted, which appear to be indispensably necessary for the good Government of the Army, & particularly a Quartermaster General, A Commissary of Musters & a Commissary of Artillery. These I must earnestly recommend to the Notice & Provision of the Congress.
I find myself already much embarassed for Want of a military Chest—these Embarassments will increase every Day: I must therefore request that Money may be forwarded as soon as possible. The Want of this most necessary Article, will I fear produce great Inconveniencies if not prevented by an early Attention. I find the Army in general, & the Troops raised in Massachusetts in particular, very deficient in necessary Cloathing. Upon Inquiry there appears no Probability of obtaining any Supplies in this Quarter. And on the best Consideration of this Matter I am able to form, I am of Opinion that a Number of hunting Shirts not less than 10,000 would in a great Degree remove this Difficulty in the cheapest & quickest Manner. I know nothing in a speculative View more trivial, yet if put in Practice would have a happier Tendency to unite the Men, &

abolish those Provincial Distinctions which lead to Jealousy & Dissatisfaction. In a former Part of this Letter I mentioned the Want of Engineers; I can hardly express the Disappointment I have experienced on this Subject: The Skill of those we have, being very imperfect & confined to the mere manual Exercise of Cannon. Whereas—the War in which we are engaged requires a Knowledge comprehending the Duties of the Field and Fortification: If any Persons thus qualified are to be found in the Southern Colonies, it would be of great publick Service to forward them with all Expedition—Upon the Article of Ammunition I must re-echo the former Complaints on this Subject: We are so exceedingly destitute, that our Artillery will be of little Use without a Supply both large & seasonable: What we have must be reserved for the small Arms, & that managed with the utmost Frugality.
I am sorry to observe that the Appointments of the General Officers in the Province of Massachusetts Bay—have by no Means corresponded with the Judgment & Wishes of either the civil or Military. The great Dissatisfaction expressed on this Subject & the apparent Danger of throwing the Army into the utmost Disorder, together with the strong Represen⟨ta⟩tions of the Provincial Congress, have induced me to retain the Commissions in my Hands untill the Pleasure of the Congress should be farther known (except General Puttnams which was given the Day I came into Camp & before I was apprized of these Uneasinesses). In such a Step I must beg the Congress will do me the Justice I believe, that I have been actuated solely by a Regard to the publick Good: I have not, nor could have any private Attachments; every Gentleman in Appointment, was an entire Stranger to me but from Character. I must therefore rely upon the Candour of the Congress for their favourable Construction of my Conduct in this Particular. General Spencer was so much disgusted at the Preference given to Gen. Puttnam, that he left the Army without visiting me, or making known his Intentions in any Respect. General Pomroy had also retired before my Arrival occasioned (as is said) by some Disappointment from the Provincial Congress. General Thomas is much esteemed & earnestly desired to continue in the Service: and as far as my Opportunities have enabled me to judge I must join in the general Opinion that he is an able good Officer & his Resignation

would be a publick Loss. The postponing him to Pomroy & Heath whom he has commanded would make his Continuance very difficult, & probably operate on his Mind, as the like Circumstance has done on that of Spencer.
The State of the Army you will find ascertained with tolerable Precision in the Returns which accompany this Letter. Upon finding the Number of Men to fall so far short of the Establishment, & below all Expectation I immediately called a Council of the general Officers whose Opinion as to the Mode of filling up the Regiments; & providing for the present Exigency, I have the Honour of inclosing, together with the best Judgment we are able to form of the ministerial Troops. From the Number of Boys, Deserters, & Negroes which have been listed in the Troops of this Province, I entertain some Doubts whether the Number required can be raised here; and all the General Officers agree that no Dependance can be put on the Militia for a Continuance in Camp, or Regularity and Discipline during the short Time they may stay. This unhappy & devoted Province has been so long in a State of Anarchy, & the Yoke of ministerial Oppression has been laid so heavily on it that great Allowances are to be made for Troops raised under such Circumstances. The Deficiency of Numbers, Discipline & Stores can only lead to this Conclusion, that their Spirit has exceeded their Strength. But at the same Time I would humbly submit to the Consideration of the Congress, the Propriety of making some farther Provision of Men from the other Colonies. If these Regiments should be completed to their Establishment, the Dismission of those unfit for Duty on Account of their Age & Character would occasion a considerable Reduction, and at all Events they have been inlisted upon such Terms, that they may be disbanded when other Troops arrive: But should my Apprehensions be realized, & the Regiments here not filled up, the publick Cause would suffer by an absolute Dependance upon so doubtful an Event, unless some Provision is made against such a Disappointment.
It requires no military Skill to judge of the Difficulty of introducing proper Discipline & Subordination into an Army while we have the Enemy in View, & are in daily Expectation of an Attack, but it is of so much Importance that every Effort will

be made which Time & Circumstance will admit. In the mean Time I have a sincere Pleasure in observing that there are Materials for a good Army, a great Number of able-bodied Men, active zealous in the Cause & of unquestionable Courage.
I am now Sir, to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 28th Instt, inclosing the Resolutions of the Congress of the 27th ult. & a Copy of a Letter from the Committee of Albany, to all which I shall pay due Attention.
General Gates & Sullivan have both arrived in good Health—My best Abilities are at all Times devoted to the Service of my Country, but I feel the Weight, Importance & Vanity of my present Duties too sensibly, not to wish a more immediate & frequent Communication with the Congress. I fear it may often happen in the Course of our present Operations, that I shall need that Assistance & Direction from them, which Time & Distance will not allow me to receive.
Since writing the above, I have also to acknow. your Favour of the 4th Instt by Fessenden, and the Receipt of the Commissions & Articles of War. The Former are yet 800 short of the Number required, this Deficiency you will please to supply as soon as you conveniently can. Among the other Returns, I have also sent one of our killed, wounded & missing in the late Action, but have been able to procure no certain Account of the Loss of the ministerial Troops my best Intelligence fixes it at about 500 killed & 6 or 700 wounded but it is no more than Conjecture, the utmost Pains being taken on their Side to conceal it. I have the Honour to be with the most respectful Regard, Sir Your Obed: Hbble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Having ordered the commanding Officer to give me the earliest Intelligence of every Motion of the Enemy by Land or Water discoverable from the Heighths of his Camp: I this instt as I was closing my Letter received the inclosed from the Brigade Major: The Design of this Manuevre I know not, perhaps it may be to make a Descent some where along the Coast—it may be for New York, or it may be practised as a Deception on Us. I thought it not improper however to mention the Matter to you. I have done the same to the commanding Officer at New

York, & I shall let it be known to the Committee of Safety here—so that Intelligence may be communicated as they shall think best along the Sea Coast of this Government.

G. W——n


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 July 1775
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia July 10th 1775

Since my last to you, nothing has Taken place in Congress particularly Respecting your Department.
I by order of Congress forward you the Declaration, & Address to the People of England.
I must beg the favour you will Reserve some birth for me, in such Department as you may Judge most proper, for I am Determin’d to Act under you, if it be to take the firelock & Join the Ranks as a Volunteer. I have the Honor to be with profound Respect, Sir Your most Obedt servt

John Hancock

I hope to be with you soon, as there seems to prevail an Opinion that we may have an adjournmt in a little Time[.] We Expect soon to hear from you, all Military matters are suspended till your State arrives.


Title: From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, 10 July 1775 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Harrison, Benjamin

Letter not found: to Benjamin Harrison, 10 July 1775. On 21 July Harrison wrote to GW: “I received your very acceptable favor of the 10th Instant by express.”


Title: From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 10 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Richard Henry

Dear Sir,
Camp at Cambridge July 10th 1775.

I was exceeding glad to receive a Letter from you, as I always shall be whenever it is convenient, though perhaps my hurry, till such time as matters are drawn a little out of the Chaos they appear in at present, will not suffer me to write you such full and satisfactory answers, or give such clear, and precise accts of our Situation & views, as I could wish, or you might expect.
After a journey, a good deal retarded, principally by the desire the different Townships through which I traveld, express’d of shewing respect to the Genl of your armies; I arrivd here on this day week; since which I have been labouring with as much assiduity by fair, and threatning means to obtain returns of our strength in this Camp and Roxbury, & their Dependencies, as a man could do, and never have been able to accomplish the matter till this day—now, I will not answer for the correctness of them, although I have sent several of the Regimental returns back more than once to have mistakes rectified. I do not doubt but the Congress will think me very remiss in not writing to them sooner but you may rely on it yourself, and I beg you to assure them, that it has never been in my power till this day, to comply with their orders. could I have conceivd, that which ought, and in a regular Army would have been done in an hour, would employ eight days, I should have sent an Express off the 2d Morning after I arrivd with a genl acct of things. but expecting in the Morning to receive the Returns in the Evening, and in the Evening surely to find them in the Morning (& at last getting them full of Imperfections) I have been drilled on from day to day, till I am ashamed to look back at the time which has elapsed since my arrival here.

You will perceive by the returns, that, we have but about 16,000. effective men in all this department, whereas by the accts which I receivd from even the first Officers in Command, I had no doubt of finding between 18. and 20,000—out of these there are only 14000 fit for duty—So soon as I was able to get this state of the army, & came to the knowledge of our Weakness, I immediately summond a Council of War, the result of which you will see, as it is Inclosed to the Congress. Between you and me I think we are in an exceeding dangerous Situation, as our Numbers are not much larger than we suppose, from the best accts we are able to get, those of the Enemy to be; theirs situated in such a manner as to be drawn to any point of attack without our having an hours previous notice of it (if the Genl will keep his own Council) whereas we are obliged to be guarded at all points, & know not where, with precission, to look for them—I should not, I think, have made choice of the present Posts in the first Instance altho. I beleive, the Communication between the Town and Country could not have been so well cut off without; but, as much labour has been bestowed in throwing up lines—making redoubts &ca—as Cambridge Roxbury and Watertown must be immediately exposed to the Mercy of the Enemy were we to retreat a little further in the Country—as it would give general dissatisfaction to this Colony-dispirit our own People, and Incourage the Enemy, to remove at this time to another place we have for these reasons resolved in Council to maintain our ground if we can—Our Lines on Winter & Prospect Hills, & those of the Enemy on Bunkers Hill, are in full view of each other, a Mile distant, our advanc’d guard much nearer, & the centries almost near enough to converse—At Roxbury & Boston Neck it is the same between these, we are obliged to guard sevl other Places at which the Enemy may Land. The Enemy have strongly fortified, or will in a few days, their Camp on Bunkers Hill; after which, & their new Landed Troops have got a little refreshd, we shall look for a visit, if they mean, as we are told they do, to come out of their Lines—their great Command of Artillery, & adequate Stores of Powder &ca gives them advantages which we have only to lament the want of—The abuses in this army, I fear, are considerable. and the new modelling of it, in the Face of an Enemy, from whom we every hour expect an attack exceedingly difficult,

& dangerous—if things therefore should not turn out as the Congress would wish I hope they will make proper allowances—I can only promise & assure them, that, my whole time is devoted to their Service, & that as far as my judgment goes, they shall have no cause to complain. I need not tell you that this Letter is written in much haste. The fact will sufficiently appear from the face of it; I thought a hasty Letter would please you better than no Letter, & therefore I shall offer no further appology, but assure you that with sincere regard for my fellow Labourers with you. Doctr Shippens Family &ca. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Affecte Servt

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General John Thomas, 10 July 1775
From: Thomas, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Rexbuy [Roxbury] Camp [Mass.] July the 10th: 1775

A Maister of a vesel that Came out of Boston Saturday Night in order to Take Charge of a vesel at S[t]oneington in Coniticut Loaded with malases to Purseed to New york as he Saith his aquaintance in the Country Infor[m] that he has bin a Suspected Person & I Think it my Duty to forward him to your Exelency for you[r] Exemi[n]ation[.] I am Sir with Respect you[r] mest obeduet Humble Servt

Jno. Thomas


Title: From George Washington to James Warren, 10 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Warren, James

Sir
Head Quarters Cambridge July [10] 1775.

After much Difficulty & Delay I have procurd such Returns of the State of the Army as will enable us to form a Judgment of its Strength. It is with great Concern I find it far inadequate to our general Expectations and the Duties which may be requird of it. The Number of Men fit for Duty in the Forces raisd in this Province including all the Out Posts and Artillery does not amount to Nine thousands. The Troops raisd in the other Colonies are more compleat; but yet fall short of their Establishment. So that upon the whole, I cannot estimate the present

Army at more than Fourteen thousands five hundred Men capable of Duty.
I have the Satisfaction to find the Troops both in Camp & Quarters very healthy; so that the Deficiency must arise from the Regiments never having been filled up to the Establishment, and the Number of Men on Furlough. But the former is much most considerable. Under all these Circumstances I yesterday calld a Council of War; and, enclosed, I send you an Extract of our Determinations, so far as they respect the province of Massachusetts Bay.
Your own Prudence will suggest the Necessity of Secrecy on this Subject as we have the utmost Reason to think the Enemy suppose our Numbers much greater than they are: an Error which is not our Interest to remove.
The great Extent of our Lines and the Uncertainty which may be the point of Attack added to the Necessity of immediate Support have induced me to order that Horses ready saddled should be kept at several Posts in Order to bring the most speedy Intelligence of any Movement of the Enemy.
For this Purpose I should be glad that Ten Horses might be provided as soon as possible. I have the Honor to be Sir Your most Obed. & very hbe Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. As I am informed the Congress proposes to rise immediately, I should be glad to know what Committees are left, or upon whom the executive Business devolves.

G: W——n


Title: General Orders, 11 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 11th 1775
Parole, Guilford.Counter-Sign, Hartford

The Court Martial of which Col. William Prescott was president is dissolved. A General Court Martial to be assembled at Cambridge, as soon as possible, to try such prisoners as shall be brought before them: All Evidences, and persons concern’d to attend the court.
The General understanding, there is a bad Custom prevailing, of the Non-Commissioned Officers and soldiers absenting themselves from Guard, under pretence of going for Provisions; it is therefore order’d, that all Officers and Soldiers, bring their provision to the Guard they mount, and on no pretence quit their Guard, untill it is regularly dissmissed.
Notwithstanding the orders of the provincial Congress, some persons are so daring as to supply the Soldiers with immoderate Quantities of Rum, and other spiritous Liquors; any Sutler, Tavern-keeper, or licenced Innholder, who shall presume after the date of this order, to sell to any non-commissioned Officer, or Soldier, any spiritous liquor whatsoever, without an Order in writing, from the Captain of the company to which such non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier belongs; he or they so offending, may expect to be severely punished.
Lieut: Col. Ward president of the Court Martial.


Title: General Orders, 12 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 12th 1775
Parole, Falmouth.C. Sign, Worcester.

The Adjutant General will deliver at orderly time, a certain number of printed returns, to the Adjutant of each regiment; so that no excuse can for the future be admitted, for not making regular and exact Returns when demanded; as it is only filling up the Blanks, with the Numbers proper to be placed in them. The Commander in Chief will not for the future, admit of any palliative for making a false return, and is resolved, to bring any Officer of what Rank soever, to a Court Martial who is found delinquent.
When any Trumpeter, or Flagg of Truce, is sent from Boston, or any Post occupied by the Enemy; they are to be stop’d by the first Sentry they are permitted to approach, who is to call for the Serjeant of the Guard, who will conduct them to the Officer of his guard, and such Trumpeter, or Flagg of Truce, is not

to be allowed to stir one step beyond that Guard. The Officer commanding the Guard, will send any Letters or Messages brought from the enemy, immediately to the Commander in Chief, and no other person.
A General Court Martial of the Line to sit at Head Quarters, in Cambridge, to morrow morning at Nine OClock, to try Col. Scammons of the Massachusetts Forces accused of “Backwardness in the execution of his duty, in the late Action upon Bunkers-hill.” The Adjutant of Col. Scammons regiment, to warn all Evidences, and persons concern’d to attend the court.
Col. Nixon president of the above Court.


Title: To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 12 July 1775
From: Cooke, Nicholas
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Providence July 12th 1775

I beg Leave to congratulate your Excellency upon your being appointed General of the Armies of the United Colonies; which hath given sincere Pleasure to every Friend of America, and will I hope prove glorious to yourself, and be attended with essential Advantages to your Country.
The General Assembly of this Colony have the deepest Sense of the Necessity of a strict Union, and the most vigorous Efforts,

of the Colonies to preserve them from unlimited Servitude; and their utmost Exertions in the common Cause may be depended upon.
I also assure your Excellency that I shall give you every possible Assistance in my Power; and that I am with very great Regard, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servant

Nichols Cooke


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Committee of Supplies, 12 July 1775 [letter not found]
From: Massachusetts Committee of Supplies
To: Washington, George

	Letter not found: from the Massachusetts Committee of Supplies, 12 July 1775. On 12 July Horatio Gates wrote on behalf of GW to the committee of supplies: “His Excellency General Washington has commanded me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated this day from Watertown; when the application was made yesterday, to know the Quantity of Tents Boards, & Sails, that could be procured immediately; The General wish’d to Supply Roxbury Camp, with as much as is wanted there; & sufficient to Cover One Thousand Men, & their Officers, in this Districkt.”


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Pendleton, 12 July 1775
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Phila. July 12th 1775.

My friend Mr George Baylor will be the bearer of this, who has caught such a Military Ardor as to travel to the Camp For instruction in that Art, I beg leave to recommend him to your Countenance & Favor, not only on Account of his worthy Father, but from my Opinion of his own Merit. He is a Lieutent in our independant Company & has gained great Applause there by his diligent Attention to the duties of his Office & the bravery he has indicated; Be so obliging as to make my Complts to Genl Lee, Genl Gates, Majr Mifflin & Mr Griffin & intreat their countenance and assistance to him also.

We are hourly in Expectation of hearing From you; We yesterday voted an Additional Co. of Riflemen to go From this Province to gratifie one that was raised & impatient to come to you. we have also consented to employ a German Hussar who is to raise his 50 men & come to the Camp.
We have heard you remain quiet, except some Cannon shot exchanged between Roxbury & Boston. You have my most cordial wishes for success in every undertaking, who have the Honr to be with great esteem Dr sr Yr mo. Obt humble Servt

Edmd Pendleton


Title: To George Washington from the Virginia Delegates, 12 July 1775
From: Virginia Delegates
To: Washington, George

Philadelphia,12 July 1775

Recommend “the bearer Mr George Baylor, not only on Account of the memory of his worthy Father, wth whom you was acquainted, but For his own merit . . . . His Ardor in the noble cause has drawn him to your school for instruction & emploiment as far as his services may be required.”


Title: General Orders, 13 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 13th 1775
Parole, Georgia.Counter Sign, Huntingdon.

As the Army will be forthwith form’d into Brigades: The Adjutant General will at Orderly Time this day, deliver to the Adjutant of each Regiment, a Number of printed Returns, one of which, must be immediately fill’d up, and sign’d by the Commanding Officer of each regiment, and sent as soon as possible, to the Adjutant General; by the Adjutant of each Regiment; on the Back of the Return, it will be necessary to mention; where and in what manner, the regiment is at present posted.
The Commanding Officer at Chelsea, is as soon as possible, after the receipt of this order, to direct all the Cattle, upon pullein point, Shirley point, and the intermediate space between powder horn-hill and the Sea, to be driven off; and it is recommended to the Commissary General, to endeavour to agree with the Owners of the said Cattle, and to purchase them for the use of the Army.


Title: General Orders, 14 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 14th 1775
Parole, Hallifax.Counter Sign, Inverness.

As the Health of an Army principally depends upon Cleanliness; it is recommended in the strongest manner, to the Commanding Officer of Corps, Posts and Detachments, to be strictly diligent, in ordering the Necessarys to be filled up once a Week, and new ones dug; the Streets of the encampments and Lines to be swept daily, and all Offal and Carrion, near the camp, to be immediately buried: The Officers commanding in Barracks, or Quarters, to be answerable that they are swept every morning, and all Filth & Dirt removed from about the houses: Next to Cleanliness, nothing is more conducive to a Soldiers health, than dressing his provisions in a decent and proper manner. The Officers commanding Companies, should therefore daily inspect the Camp Kitchens, and see the Men dress their Food in a wholesome way.
The Commanding Officers in those parts of the Lines and Redoubts, where the Pikes are placed, will order the Quarter Masters of Corps, to see the pikes greas’d twice a week; they are to be answerable also that the pikes are kept clean, and always ready and fit for service.
The General observing great remissness, and neglect in the several Guards in and about the Camp, orders the Officers commanding any Guard to turn out his Guard immediately upon the near Approach of The Commander in Chief or any of the Gene⟨ral⟩ Officers, and upon passing the Guard; The Commander in Chief is to be received with rested Arms; the Officer to salute, and the Drums to beat a march: The Majors General

with rested Arms, the Officer to salute and the Drums to beat two Ruffles; The Brigadiers General with rested Arms, the Officer to salute and the Drums to beat one Ruffle. There being something awkward, as well as improper, in the General Officers being stopp’d at the out-posts; ask’d for passes by the Sentries, and obliged often to send for the Officer of the Guard (who it sometimes happens is as much unacquainted with the Persons of the Generals, as the private Men) before they can pass in or out: It is recommended to both Officers and Men, to make themselves acquainted with the persons of all the Officers in General Command, and in the mean time to prevent mistakes: The General Officers and their Aids-de-Camp, will be distinguished in the following manner.
The Commander in Chief by a light blue Ribband, wore across his breast, between his Coat and Waistcoat.
The Majors and Brigadiers General, by a Pink Ribband wore in the like manner.
The Aids-de-Camp by a green ribband.
The Court martial of which Col. Ward is Presdt is dissolved.
Daniel Carmiele, soldier in Col. Pattersons Regiment, tried for “Disobedience of orders, for reinlisting and taking advance Money twice over, and for Drunkenness” is found guilty of the several Charges and ordered to be whipt on the bare back, with 39 Lashes, and discharged from the army. The General approves the Sentence and orders it to be executed to morrow Morning, at the head of the Regiment he belongs to.


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Camp. Cambridge July 14. 1775

Since I did myself the Honour of addressing you the 10th Instt nothing material has happened in the Camp. From some

authentick & later Advices of the State of the Ministerial Troops & the great Inconvenience of calling in the Militia in the midst of Harvest, I have been induced for the present to waive it; but in the mean Time recruiting Parties have been sent throughout this Province to fill up the Regiments to the Establishment of the Provincial Congress. At the same Time that I received these Advices, I also obtained a List of the Officers of the Enemy killed and wounded in the late Battle at Charles Town which I take this Opportunity to inclose. The great Scarcity of fresh Provisions in their Army has led me to take every Precaution to prevent a Supply, for this Purpose I have ordered all the Cattle & Sheep to be drove from the low Grounds & Farms within their Reach—A Detachment from General Thomas’s Camp on Wednesday Night went over to Long Island & brought from thence 20 Cattle & a Number of Sheep with about 15 Labourers who had been put on by a Mr Ray Thomas to cut the Hay &c. By some Accident they omitted burning the Hay & returned the next Day at Noon to complete it; which they effected amidst the Firing of the Shipping with the Loss of one Man killed & another wounded.
Last Evening also a Party of the Connecticut Men stroll’d down on the Marsh at Roxbury & fired upon a Centry which drew on a heavy Fire from the Enemys Lines & floating Batteries, but attended with no other Effect than the Loss of one killed by a Shot from the Enemy’s Lines—In the mean Time we are on both Sides continuing our Works, but there has been no other Movement than what I have noticed above. I shall endeavour to give a regular & particular Account of all Transactions as they occur which you will please to lay before the Hon. Congress. I have the Honour to be Sir, Your most Obed. & very Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 15 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 15th 1775
Parole, Virginia.Counter Sign, Maryland

The Commanding Officers of each Regiment to report the Names of such Men in their respective Corps as are most expert in the management of whale boats.
When any Commission’d, or non Commission’d Officer is sent upon any Detachment or Duty of Honor, or Fatigue, or to see the execution of any particular work: He is, so soon as the service is perform’d to make a Report thereof to his commanding officer.
It being found advantageous to the public service, to remove

sundry horn’d Cattle and Sheep, from the Ground upon which they were grazing near Chelsea, (to prevent their falling into the Enemy’s hands) it is earnestly recommended to the several Commissaries, to purchase such of them, as are fit for slaughter, of the Owners, in Order that they may suffer the least loss possible, from the unavoidable necessity of removing them from the rapacious claws of our enemies.
Col. Gridley, Chief Engineer, is desired to report what Chevaux-de-Frise are made, and what forwardness those are in, that are now making—It is necessary those upon hand be compleated without delay.
Notwithstanding the Orders already given, the General hears with astonishment, that not only Soldiers, but Officers unauthorized, are continually conversing with the Officers and Sentrys of the Enemy[.] any Officer, Non Commissioned Officer or Soldier, or any Person whatsoever, who is detected holding any Conversation, or carrying on any Correspondence with any of the Officers or Sentrys of the advanc’d posts of the enemy, will be immediately brought before a General Court Martial, and punished with the utmost severity. The General is alone to judge of the propriety of any intercourse with the enemy and no one else is to presume to interfere.
The Chief Engineer, Col. Gridley, to order an Engineer, and a Field Officer of Artillery, to go round the Lines and Redoubts, to examine if the Guns are placed properly in the Embrassures; and if the Embrassures are properly made, and properly sloped towards the country. The Engineer and Artillery Officer, to report to the Commander in Chief, as soon as they have obeyed this order.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 15 July 1775
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Saratoga [N.Y.] July 15th 1775.

Since I did Myself the Honor to write Your Excellency from New York Nothing very material occurred until Yesterday, when I received the Inclosed Letters, the Accounts contained in that marked Number 1 are truly alarming in the present defenceless State of the Counties of Tryon and Albany, and Especially as the Assistance I can afford them either of Men or Money is next to Nothing, the few Troops at Tionderoga &ca being at too great a Distance and not more than sufficient to guard the Posts they occupy. I should have been at Tionderoga this Day had not the Information from Tryon County arrived, which may make my Presence there absolutely necessary. If it should be confirmed; I therefore propose remaining here untill to Morrow, when I hope to be farther informed; I wish I may be able to proceed to Tionderoga as I am very much wanted there, the Greatest Confusion having taken Place in the Controversy between the Officers claiming the Command in that Quarter, some have taken the Liberty to disband Troops. Others refused to serve unless this or that particular Person Commanded. The Sloop is left without either Captain or Pilot, both of which are dismissed or come away, Much Provision wasted or embezzalled, and on the Seventh instant only one Barrel of Flour at Tionderoga; I shall have an Augean Stable to clean there.
I do Myself the Honor to inclose a Return of the Forces in this Colony. It is doubtless imperfect as I have been under a Necessity of forming it out of Returns which were evidently so, I hope soon to send You a more compleat one.
Be assured my General that I shall use my best Endeavours to establish Order and Discipline in the Troops under my Command. I wish I could add That I had a Prospect of much Success in that Way. It is extreamly difficult to introduce a proper Subordination amongst a People where so little Distinction is kept up.
Our Accounts of the Disposition of the Canadians and Canada Indians continue to be favorable, tho’ the Intelligence is not very Authentic. I am your Excellency’s Most Obedt & Most Humble Servt

Ph: Schuyler


Title: General Orders, 16 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 16th 1775.
Parole Carolina.Countersign, Springfield.

The Continental Congress having earnestly recommended, that “Thursday next the 20th Instant, be observed by the Inhabitants of all the english Colonies upon this Continent; as a Day of public Humilation, Fasting and Prayer; that they may with united Hearts & Voice, unfeignedly confess their Sins before God, and supplicate the all wise and merciful disposer of events, to avert the Desolation and Calamities of an unnatural war:” The General orders, that Day to be religiously observed by the Forces under his Command, exactly in manner directed by the proclamation of the Continental Congress: It is therefore strictly enjoin’d on all Officers and Soldiers, (not upon duty) to attend Divine Service, at the accustomed places of worship, as well in the Lines, as the Encampments and Quarters; and it is expected, that all those who go to worship, do take their Arms, Ammunition and Accoutrements, & are prepared for immediate Action if called upon. If in the Judgment of the Officers, the Works should appear to be in such forwardness as the utmost security of the Camp requires, they will command their men to abstain from all Labour upon that solemn day.
It was with much surprise and concern that the General in passing along the New Hampshire Lines Yesterday, observed a most wanton, mischevious, and unprofitable Abuse of property, in the Destruction of many valuable Trees, which were standing along the side of the road, out of the way of our works or guns, he therefore orders, that an effective stop be put to such practices for the future, or severe punishment will fall upon the Transgressors of this order.
William Palfrey Esqr. is appointed Aid-de-Camp to Major General Lee, all Orders whether written, or verbal, coming from General Lee, and delivered by Capt. Palfrey, are to be punctually obeyed.
A particular Return to be deliver’d to the Adjutant General to morrow, at Orderly time, of the Regiment of Artillery; distinguishing

how every man and Officer, in that Corps, is at present imployed, and where posted.


Title: To George Washington from Hunking Wentworth, 17 July 1775
From: Wentworth, Hunking
To: Washington, George

Portsmouth, N.H.,17 July 1775.

Encloses on behalf of the Portsmouth committee of safety “an authenticated copy of a vote pass’d by them for preventing the admission of our Inhabitants into the Camp, upon speculation, without a recommendation or pass first had and obtained from them, Their Inducement to this measure arises from their Fears that some may be too freely and incautiously admitted who are suspected of a want of that attachment & cordiality to our Cause, that we have a right to expect from those who are indulged with every priviledge in common with us all.” He communicates the committee’s congratulations to GW on his appointment to command the American army and their wishes for his success.


Title: From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 18 July 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Cooke, Nicholas

Sir
Cambridge Camp July 18 1775

You will please to accept my Sincere Acknowledgments for your favor delivered me by General Green, on my Appointment to the chief Command of the American Army—The Voluntary Choice of Freemen contending in the great Cause of civil Liberty, & the concurring Approbation of the wise and good, at the same Time that they confer the highest Honour upon the Object of that Choice, demand the utmost Energy & Exertion of my poor Abilities; Such as they are, my Country has & shall at all Times command them. Allow me now Sir, to express my warmest Wishes for your Health & Happiness, and

to assure you that I am, with much Respect Sir Your most Obedt Hble Servt

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