George Washington Papers

General Orders, 23 October 1775

General Orders

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Octobr 23rd 1775.

Parole Hancock.Countersign Cushing.

Col: David Brewer of the 9th Regt of Foot, tried at a General Court Martial, whereof Brigdr Genl Thomas was president, for “procuring a Lieutenant’s Commission for his son, an unexperienced boy of 16, or 17 Years of Age,1 and returning him as in the public service from the 24th of April, and drawing his pay for the month of August; during all which time the said boy, was at home, in his fathers service, contrary to the repeated remonstrances of the Officers of the regiment; And also, For making a Return to the Committee of Supplies, for a larger Number of blankets, than were requisite for said regiment; And also, For taking the Men from the public service, in the army, and employing them in his own private business, in Labour on his farm”—The Court Martial on mature consideration are of opinion that the two last Articles of the accusation are supported fully against the prisoner and therefore unanimously adjudge that Col: David Brewer be dismissed the service.2

Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1David Brewer, Junior.

2Brewer petitioned for a second trial, and on 23 Nov. Horatio Gates wrote on GW’s behalf to Artemas Ward: “The late Colonel David Brewers petition . . . is quite unprecedented, had Colonel Brewer been acquitted, & fresh, or New Matter of Accusation have appeared afterwards, he could not have been again Try’d for the Crime, he had been found Guiltless of by a General Court Martial. notwithstanding, in compliance ⟨wi⟩th your earnest request, & Col. Brewers petition, The General has no Objection to the Granting The Colonel The Rehearing he desires, before the same General Court Martial as Try’d him before” (MHi: Ward Papers). There is no record of a second trial in the general orders. Brewer did not again serve in the Continental army.

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