George Washington Papers

General Orders, 14 July 1779

General Orders

Head-Quarters New-Windsor Wednesday July 14th 79.

Parole Piedmont—C. Signs Perth. Pool.

Congress have been pleased to pass the following resolve.

In Congress 6th of July 1779.

Resolved—That in consideration of their extra-duties and service, the officers in the Army of these States, serving as Sub and Brigade Inspectors be allowed, the former three rations a day and forage for three horses and the latter two rations a day and forage for two horses, in lieu of all former rations and forage both as officers in the line and as Inspectors—Their subsistence money as officers in the line to remain as heretofore.1

The General is surprised to find by the Weekly returns that a number of men are continually reported unfit for duty for want of Clothes, when there is clothing in the public Stores and a mode pointed out by which they are to be drawn2—He trusts this business will not be delayed any longer and that the commanding officers of corps will see that the deficient Arms are immediately supplied in a manner heretofore directed.

The small Parties which have been sent from the brigades at West-Point for the purpose of apprehending robbers and other disorderly people in and near Smith’s-Clove are to join their respective regiments.3

Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1See JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 14:805.

2For instructions related to clothing distribution, see the general orders for 30 May, 27 June, and 5 July (see also Anthony Wayne to GW, 4 July, and General Orders, 16 July).

3Apparently apprehending this order, seventeen inhabitants of Smiths Clove, N.Y., petitioned GW on 12 July. That petition reads: “Being Exposed to the Inhumane Rigour of Domestic Enemies Being Scituated in such a Remote Corner that without succour from Your Excellency (By Ordering a Guard, or other ways as Your Excllcy shall see fit To Direct) We shall fall an Easy Prey to the Barbarious Lusts of the Tory Robers Who have in Times Past Used their Endeavours in a Clandestine way of Robbing us; Not Only Our Properties But our lives; and as Your Excellency has seen fit, to Order a Guard for our Relief, which has in great Measure Obstructed their Progress, for which we Return Your Excellency Our Humble Thanks; and as the Guard which has hirtherto Been the Cause of our Relief, is Order’d to Join their Regiments; & Should We Be left Destitute of this Benefit, we fear the Brilling Lusts of our Domestic Enemies (which has in some Measure Been Quitted) will like a Torrent Be our Precipitated Destruction in The Cause of our Relief we have Reposed Great Confidence, so we Do Humbly Pray your Excellency to Order the Party Commanded By sergent Corry, & Chamberlain, to Continue for the Preservation of our Lives, & Properties, as Well as the Traveller” (DS, NHi: William Alexander Papers).

For criminal activities in the vicinity of Smiths Clove, see General Orders, 14 June, and n.2 to that document.

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