Primary tabs
Head-Quarters, Harlem Heights, October 8, 1776.
(Parole,)
The late Sergeant Douglass, of Captain Foster' s company, late McDougall' s regiment, being convicted by a General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Weedon was President, of "mutinous speeches, and speaking disrespectfully of the Commander-in-Chief," and sentenced to receive thirty-nine lashes, the General approves the sentence, and orders it to be executed at the usual time and place. This offender being a bad character, is to be continued in the provost guard till further orders.
The commanding officer of the Rangers having represented that soldiers are continually straggling down to Harlem and other places, frequently without arms, and that when he has apprehended and sent them to their regiments, no further notice has been taken of them. As this is a plain breach of general orders the General hopes there is some mistake in the matter; however, to prevent it in future, he now orders, that no officer or soldier, (Rangers excepted,) go on any pretence beyond the lines, without leave from himself, a Major-General, the Brigadier of the day, or the Adjutant-General, in writing, unless either of those officers are with them in person. And in order to distinguish the Rangers, they are to wear something white round their arms. If any such straggler is found hereafter, he is to be sent to the quarter-guard of the regiment, tried by a regimental court-martial, and receive ten lashes immediately.
There is now an issuing store for ammunition, near General Spencer' s quarters; the officers of every regiment will be responsible if there is any deficiency in their regiments, as they may now receive a full supply by making a return of the state of their ammunition, and getting an order from the Adjutant-General.
The brigade lately commanded by General Miffiin is to be under the care of Lord Stirling, who is just returned from his captivity.
The General desires the commanding officers of each regiment, or corps, will give in a list of the names of the officers and men who were killed, taken, or missing, in the action of the 27th of August, on Long-Island, and since that period. He desires the returns may be correct, and that any persons who have it in their power, will give in the returns of this kind in behalf of any Militia regiments which are discharged.
The General, to prevent any plea of ignorance, again repeats his order against all kinds of gaming, as destructive and pernicious to the service. He hopes the officers will set no examples of this kind, and that they will punish it among the men.
The General is surprised to find that manning the lines every morning is discontinued. He desires that the practice of doing it for the future may not be omitted, unless contradicted by general orders. The Quartermaster-General is to use the greatest diligence in providing straw for the accommodation of the troops. Lieutenant Kidd, of Colonel Smallwood' s regiment, convicted by a Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Ware was president, of a breach of general orders, in "taking fatigue men from their duty," is sentenced to be dismissed the service. Ensign Fairly, of the regiment late McDougall' s, tried by the same Court-Martial for the same, is acquitted and discharged from arrest. Captain Hardenbargh, of Colonel Ritzema' s regiment, convicted by the same Court-Martial of "defrauding his men," is sentenced to be cashiered,
The General approves each of the above sentences, and orders to be executed.
General Orders, October 8
v2:946
(Countersign,.)
v2:947
and his name, place of abode, and offence, published agreeable to the second and fourth late additional articles of war.