1To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 7 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have thought it proper to report to you my arrival at this Place as I am within your District & I believe you have the general Superintendency of the recruiting Service. I find this Business paralysed by a Vote of the House of Delegates’ & in which I presume the Senate will concur. In this Event it will perhaps be improper to proceed. I am ready to receive any Communications you may think...
2To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 6 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
By a Postscript to your Letter of the 17th Septr. I believe in the Handwriting of the Deputy-Adjutant-General I was “required to proceed as heretofore mentioned to settle the relative Rank of the Company Officers of my Regt. subject to your approbation” There were two Reasons why I did not immediately execute your Instructions They were not quite so explicit as I could wish The Rules laid down...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 14 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Paymaster has returned & is employed in paying off the Troops. They will march tomorrow for Harpers Ferry. From the best Information I can obtain the Wood is cut down for many Miles round that Place by the Iron Works in the Neighborhood & they, for some time, have been obliged to repair to the Maryland Side of the Potowmac for a Supply. I am also i nformed that Colo Parker is obliged to...
4To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvil Hall, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I took the Liberty some Months since to introduce to your Notice Lieut: Campbel Smith of the 1st U.S. Regt. In the multiplicity of Business it has probably escaped your Memory. Permit me again to mention, from my own intimate Knowledge of him, that from his Talents, Education, Industry & Military Habits he is at least as well qualified as any Officer by his Station to discharge the Duties of...
5To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 3 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have taken the Liberty to enclose you a Number of Recommendations in favor of Wm. Barton Browner, who solicits the Post of Cadet. No Doubt one higher would be more agreeable. I do not know him myself: But many of the Gentlemen who have interested themselves in his Favor are known to me & their Recommendation is worthy Attention. Permit me at the sametime to enclose you a Letter received from...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 20 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A g reeably to your’s of the 20th of Septr. I have used the best means in my Power to be informed of the Character & Qualifications of the Officers of this Regt. without discovering the Reasons why it was done. On the Result of which, joined to my own Observation, I now with Fredom submit to you the following Capt. Lloyd Beall, is much respected in George Town, his Place of Residence. He...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 20 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Marching Orders have been received from you sometime since & immediately communicated to the Troops. You now apparently give me to judge between the Inconveniencies arrising from the advanced State of Season & those which may result from the want of Pay: But in Fact there is no Alternative. Half the Soldiers & Officers too would be stoped for little Debts contracted at their respective Posts....
8To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 12 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am honored with your’s of the 6th—& have given orders to the Troops at this Place to hold themselves in readiness to march at a Days Notice—I have wrote to the same Purpose to those at George Town. Tho’ it will be extreemely inconvenient to remove before they have recd. some Pay. To some of the Soldiers there is more than six months due. To the Officers between three & four Mon ths...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvil Hall, 5 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Major Beall, I believe, acted as deputy Inspector to the Southern Division of the Army last War & is I expect well qualified: But I do not think he could be spared at this Time without material Injury to the Service. I am not certain that I am acquainted with the precise Duties of the Office or perhaps I could point out some other Officer who could be better spared & who would do the Duty as...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 4 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Havre de Grace [ Maryland ] October 4, 1799 . Discusses supplies, relative rank of officers, and military routine. States: “… My Idea of substituting hand Labor, with Ignominy to Death, for Desertion was the crude Suggestion of the moment. If it merits your Consideration you can have it carried into effect by naming the Place to which you will have them sent. Perhaps branding them on some...
11To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 18 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Winhorn an other Deserter has been taken tryed & his Sentence will go forward tomorrow One of our Sergeants, to whom it was necessary to advance some Money upon the Occasion, pursued two or three Days before he took him. I know not that he can regularly claim the Reward: But for his Fidelity & Activity he deserves it. I will thank you for your advice on the Subject. I can Order a Soldier on...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 15 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Mortification to report an other desertion. He had leave of absence yesterday morning to get his Clothes washed & took that opportunity to go off about 7 O’Clock in the Morning—was reported to me between 10 & 11 O’Clock. The General-Court-Martial then siting I directed to be adjourned & every officer not immediately on Duty in the Battalion to go in Pursuit. Those who could obtain...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 11 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Our Desaertions — encrease so rapidly that I believe some Examples of Severity will become necessary Suppose they are condemned to work on some Fortification’s with Badges of infamy—Six went off last Night. I have five Officers in persuit. I shall perhaps incur more Expence than will be allowed. But I thought it necessary to use uncommon Exertion to take them. It is four Weeks since I gave...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 24 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am this Day honored with your’s of the 19th. & 21st Inst. Capt Norris is now here with his Battalion I will talk to him in private &, if you please, pass over what has proceeded. He has been of very little use in his recruiting Station. I will detain him here to do Duty in the Encampment. The Returns shall hereafter be properly addressed The Secretary of War, on application to that Purpose,...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 18 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I yesterday heared from the Surgeon of the 9th Regt. & have directed his immediate attendance. It appears he had recd none of my Letters. I was then unacquainted with the Place of his Residence. I have called in all the recruiting Parties of Major Hopkens Battalion. Immediately on their assembling, I shall proceed, with the Assistance of the Surgeon; to muster them. I will direct Major Beall...
16To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 14 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Havre de Grace [ Maryland ] August 14, 1799 . “… The men begin to be urgent for their Pay. To some there is three months due. I had much rather the proper Officer was appointed to this Duty. It is not agreeable to me to tell an Officer, who perhaps can not well afford it, he must lose the Bounty advanced.… Our recruiting money is nearly expended. The Paymaster, of the money appropriated to...
17To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 22 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I observe Major Hopkens has returned Capt Norris absent without leave. His Neglect of Duty & repeated transgression of Orders given by his Major, perhaps not sufficiently pointedly given, will, if I am correctly informed, justify the Charge. If I arrest, a General Court Martial can not well be assembled here to try him. What shall I do in this Case? I shall be happy to receive your Directions....
18To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 21 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As I can not so perfectly comprehend your Instructions, taken collectively, as to reconcile them, fully to my Satisfaction, it will perhaps be advisable to obey your last relative to Returns, dated June 19th—enclosing the Form of a Monthly Return of recrutg to be made to you pursuant to the XXXV of the Rules & Regulations &c & a Summary also agreeably to yours of the Day preceeding. I have...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 14 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is perhaps proper I should endeavour to account for the double Error in the Address of my Returns. By the XXXV Article of Rules respecting the recruiting Service &c All Returns are to pass thro’ the Officer commanding Circles to the Inspector General—& this is enforced by your circular Letter of the 19th Ult. By General Orders of the 29th of May they are directed to be addressed to the...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 30 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have constantly urged the Necessity of Punctuality in Returns to the Major’s. They complain they can not obtain them. Some of the recruiting Stations are out of the Line of regular Communication, other at more or less distant Periods. I despair of Regularity in this Respect ’till they begin to concentrate. I have repeatedly urged the Officers to forward, all those Documents which are to...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 25 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Havre de Grace [ Maryland ] June 25, 1799 . “… Your order of the 15th explanatory of the Contractor’s agreement with the Secretary at War is very timely.… There are Complaints that the small Parts of Rations are not regularly supplied.… I was … much disappointed, when I arrived at Balt:, to find there was not an article of Quarter Master Stores, except Drums & Fifes & but a very partial Supply...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 10 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Havre de Grace [ Maryland ] June 10, 1799 . Discusses details of recruiting and states: “The Clothing &c were so long in coming to Hand that the Officers were under the necessity of providing Blankets, Shoes, Potts &c. for the Recruits.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. A veteran of the American Revolution, Hall was lieutenant colonel commandant of the Ninth Regiment of Infantry.
23To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 29 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 23d Inst: approving the alteration of the Company Rendezvous from Risters Town to Havre de-Grace. There is no Company either at either Place. A Change of Battalion Rendezvous was suggested by mine of the 19th. on a Presumption that I did not express myself with sufficient clearness or that it had escaped your Memory & perswaded of the Advantages attending the...
24To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 19 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received a Letter from Major Hopkins, who has returned from visiting all the Subdistricts of his Department. He says, if an opportunity had been given him, of viewing all the Posts before the arrangements had been reported, he would have prefered Chester or Havre to Risters Town In furtherance of his Opinion I would observe This last Place is healthy, the Inhabitants frugal &...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 8 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
After experiencing much difficulty, delay & disappointment, I have at length got the recruiting Business afloat. Major Hopkens, attended by Lieut. Pinkney (the Pay Master) has commenced his Circuit, with Instructions to see every Officer commanding a Subdistrict & to urge an immediate Exertion. The Pay Master is directed to advance each 100 Dol to begin the recruiting, & to pay every Officer...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 25 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Officers, who mett at the City of Baltimore by Appointment on the 23d Inst have elected Lieut. Ninian Pinkney Pay master. I waited one Day in Baltimore to receive his Bond & &c He was not able to accomplish his Business at that time; but expect he will forward them as soon as possibly, as he was urged to loose no time. They shall be immediately transmited. Lieut. Henry C. Neale of Port...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 15 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
On the Presumption that Major Beal was better acquainted with District allotted him than I am, It was refered to him generally to subdivide it into Company Quarters. I have just now received his Report, in answer to my two Letters. Major Hopkins’ has been in hand some Days. Major Beal’s Battalion Rendezvous, George Town Port Tobacco { St Marys & Charles } County Annapolis { Calvert &...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 6 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The day after I recd your first I wrote as I then informed you I wrote to the Secretary of War for a List of Officers who had accepted their Appointment. The Secretary, I presume, being engaged on more important Business did not favor me with an answer so soon as I expected: But immediately on its Receipt I wrote to Major Hopkins to meet me in Baltimore & there acquainted him with the...
29To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 12 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 1 8 th Ult. came to hand only Yesterday. It lay sometime in Baltr. owing to its being addressed to me by a wrong Name. I know not who of the appointed of this State intend to accept. It is but very lately I have got my own Consent & that in some Measure Conditionally. I am notwithstanding disposed to use every Exertion in my Power to promote the Views of Government in this...