General Orders, 3 February 1776
General Orders
Head Quarters, Cambridge, Feby 3rd 1776
Parole Chelsea.Countersign Cork.
Lieut. Dustin of Capt. Farringtons Company, in the 16th Regiment of Foot, tried at a General Court Martial whereof Col. Patterson was President for “Cowardice on the 7th of Jany last, when on Command with a Detachment sent towards Bunkers-hill”—is unanimously acquitted with Honor by the Court—The General approves of the proceedings and orders Lieut. Dustin to be released from his arrest.1
The General Court Martial whereof Col. Patterson was President is dissolved.
All Arms purchased, by the Officers sent upon that duty, are to be first delivered to Mr Commissary Cheever for Inspection, who is to report their number, and Goodness, to the General, before they are delivered out of his store.
Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Artemas Ward’s orderly book gives the defendant’s name as “Lieut. Donstone” (MHi). Moody Dustin (1742–1810) of Litchfield, N.H., was a second lieutenant in the 16th Continental Regiment commanded by Col. Paul Dudley Sargent. Dustin became a first lieutenant in the 1st New Hampshire Regiment on 8 Nov. 1776 and was promoted to captain in that regiment on 5 Mar. 1778. He apparently served to the end of the war. Thomas Farrington served as a captain in the 16th Continental Regiment until 1 Jan. 1776 when he became lieutenant colonel of the 5th Massachusetts Regiment. Farrington was cashiered in May 1777.