George Washington Papers

General Orders, 21 November 1777

General Orders

Head Quarters, White Marsh [Pa.] Novr 21st 1777.

Parole Brookfield.C. Signs Springfield. Pomfret.

Those pay-masters of regiments, who have drawn pay for any officers or men in Col. Morgan’s rifle-Corps, are immediately to pay the same over to the pay Master of that corps.

Complaint is made that by the carelessness of the butchers, the hides are greatly damaged in taking them off—The Issuing Commissaries are enjoined duly to inspect the butchers they employ, and see that they take off the hides with proper care.

No women coming out of Philadelphia are to be permitted to pass the first guards, without being told, they cannot return again, if upon being informed of this, they chuse to come out, they are to be allowed to pass the guards into the country—The General of Horse will give this charge to all the parties and patroles of horse.

The officers of the day report that Sentries from the picquets keep fires by them—This dangerous practice is absolutely forbidden; and all officers of guards are without fail to visit all their sentries between every relief, to see that they are alert, and keep no fires; and in cold and bad weather they are to relieve the sentries every hour—They are also to see that the sentries are well informed of their duty, and to instruct such as are deficient.

Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

Muhlenberg’s orderly book contains an additional order following the end of the first paragraph: “A Detachment of 80 Men with proper Officers are to Parade this day at 3 o’clock in the afternoon on the Grand Parade” (“Muhlenberg’s Orderly Book,” description begins “Orderly Book of Gen. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, March 26–December 20, 1777.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 33 (1909): 257–78, 454–74; 34 (1910): 21–40, 166–89, 336–60, 438–77; 35 (1911): 59–89, 156–87, 290–303. description ends 35: 183; see also Weedon’s Orderly Book description begins Valley Forge Orderly Book of General George Weedon of the Continental Army under Command of Genl George Washington, in the Campaign of 1777–8: Describing the Events of the Battles of Brandywine, Warren Tavern, Germantown, and Whitemarsh, and of the Camps at Neshaminy, Wilmington, Pennypacker’s Mills, Skippack, Whitemarsh, & Valley Forge. New York, 1902. description ends , 136).

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