Circular to the Battalion Commanders of the Second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, 27 May[–1 June] 1799
Circular to the Battalion Commanders of the
Second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers1
New York May 27. [–June 1]2 1799
Sir
I have heretofore transmitted ⟨to⟩ you the arrangement of the second Regiment of ⟨Artillerists⟩ shewing the batalion which you are to command and its destination generally.3 Measures are taking to bring the companies not already there within the sphere of that destination. But you will immediately assume the command of all the fortified posts in the vicinity of the sea board within the States of Connecticut Rhode Island Massachusettes including the Province of Maine & New Hampshire,4 and you will cause all returns from them to be made to you. These, or abstracts of them, as the nature of each may require are to be forwarded by you in conformity with the General Order herewith transmitted of the 29th of last Month.5
If after returns have been duly made apparently unreasonable delays in forwarding supplies shall happen information is to be given to me by you.
I am to be regularly advised of all material occurrences or matters requiring my directions. Your correspondence ⟨on⟩ points of military duty will be with me—on the details usually connected with the office of the Adjutant General with him,6 on the subject of supplies with Col Stevens.7 Respecting pay you may correspond with the proper Officer in the Department of War till the Pay Master General8 shall arrive at the seat of Government when communications on this subject will be to him. No other correspondence is to be had by you or any of the Officers under your command with that Department. It is as unnecessary as it would be irregular and it is essential that we shall as fast as possible get into a systematic course of acting.
You will consider any companies or detachments which are or shall be within your district of those that are to compose your batalion whether now in garrison or at other places as under your command and you will suggest to me such a disposition of your batalion to the several posts as you shall deem adviseable.9
With great consideration I am Sir Yr. Obed servt
ADf, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. A marginal note in H’s handwriting on this draft, as well as the draft’s contents, indicates that H intended to have this letter sent to Major Benjamin Brookes and Major Daniel Jackson.
2. Although H dated this draft “May 27,” his reference to the “General Order … of the 29th of last Month” indicates that the letters sent to Brookes and Jackson were dated sometime in June. See “General Orders,” May 29, 1799.
3. See H to James McHenry, April 26, 1799; “Circular to the Artillery Field Officers,” May 15, 1799; General Orders,” May 16, 1799.
4. Above “The States of Connecticut … New Hampshire,” H wrote: “Major Brooks, Maryland Delaware Pensylvania New Jersey & New York.”
6. William North.
8. Caleb Swan.
9. At the bottom of this draft H wrote: “(Jackson) The most proper general station for you appears to me to be Rhode Island. While Major [Lewis] Toussard is within the District of your Command on public service, you will be under his orders as your superior Officer. But as he is destined to command a batalion reserved for the field he will chiefly be employed in quality of Engineer while he remains within your district, he will of course leave to you the ordinary details of your command.”