To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Flower, 25 February 1780
From Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Flower
Philad. 25th Feby 1780
Hon[orabl]e Sir
I received your Excellency’s letter of the 15th Inst. Ordering a Return of the Regiment of Artilery Artificers specifying the particular State to which the non Commissioned Officers and Privates belong and the Terms for which they stand engaged.
I have endeavourd to obey the directions with respect to the form of the return your Excellency wass pleased to inclose to me—but as all of my Regt of Artily and Artificers were raised in the State of Pensylvania except those that were raised in Masechuset Bay—and doing Duty at Springfield under Major Eyers—I thought it would be most proper to transmit the Inclosed returns of the regt without delay1—or waiting for the returns from Major Eyres at Springfield—to whome I have wrote directing him to send me the returns of the several Companies of Artily Artificers employd with him agreable to Order—which as soon as received I will transmit to your Excellency.2
I have ever understood that all those Men who were Inlisted to serve for three Years or Dureing the War were bound to serve to the end of the War—but some doubts have arissen about the matter and several of the Artificers as well as some of Capt. Corens Company of Artilery claim a Discharge—as haveing served thier three Years for which they Engaged—as I expect thier Clamours will increase, and desireous of doing that which is just both for the Soldier And to the Service in general—request that your Excellency would be pleased to give me directions how to act in this matter—the inclosed return shew the different periods of those Mens service at the end of three years—I have inclosed one of the former and one of the present forms of Inlistments for your observation.3
I am unwilling to take up more of your Excellencys time—but must beg your indulgiance a few moments.
The Artily Artificers under my Command in this State suffer much from the lowness of their pay and being deny’d the benefits of the State Rations allow’d to other Troops—which I have solicited for—repeated in every form and method I could sugest—aided by the representations of the Hon[orabl]e Board of War & Ordnance, hither to without effect4—The Hon[orabl]e Assembly I am informd intend to take into their Quotas of Troops this part of my regt rais’d in this State but do not intend to allow us the Benefits granted to others5—should this be the case none of my men will reinlist nor shall I be able to obtain any recruits—the consequence of which will be bad with respect to the supplies of my Department—therefore request your Excellencys aid in the ⟨premsses⟩.6 I have the Honor to be your Most Obedt Hume Servt
Benj: Flower Col. Ar. A. C.G. of M.S.7
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. “A Return of that Part of Colonel Benjn Flower’s Regt of Artilery & Artificers rais’d in the State of Pennsylvania made from the Muster Rolls of the Month of January 1780,” signed by Flower, undated, and addressed to GW, included two similar returns on one document. The first is a return of men “Enlisted in and belonging to the State of Pennsylvania.” The second return is for those in “Capt Corens Company of Artillery” and those in “Capt Nichol’s formerly Capt Roe’s Comy of Artillery Artificers.” The first return indicates that seventy men had enlisted for three years, thirty-six for three years or during the war, and 114 for the duration of the war. The total numbers in these categories on the second return are, respectively, seven, eighty-eight, and none. Both returns list, by month, the numbers of men whose three-year terms would expire in 1780, 1781, and 1782. The returns present the same information for those enlisted for three years or during the war. The returns also indicate that, in total, five captains, eight lieutenants, and 335 noncommissioned officers and privates were mustered in the regiment. A note on the first return reads: “This return includes 26 Men, enlisted during War, as Artillery Men in the Regt to do duty as Guards at the PUBLIC Works near Carlisle—but are not Artificers” (DLC:GW).
Flower also may have submitted with this letter “A Return of that part of the Regiment of Artilery and Artificers raised in the State of Pensylvania Commanded by Colo. Benjamin Flower Comy Genl of Mily Stores.” The return is addressed to GW, signed by Flower, and dated 22 February. It lists the officers commanding the Pennsylvania companies in Flower’s regiment, the assigned stations of each company, and the numbers of officers and enlisted men in each company. In total, the Pennsylvania portion of Flower’s regiment contained five captains, eight lieutenants, twenty-three sergeants, and 312 other enlisted men. A note on the document reads: “there are Six of Capt Roes Company now in this City—who have been sent from Camp either Sick or Lame—at sundry times to do duty in the Department here not fit for Camp duty—one other Richd Thornhill has lately left his employ & is justified in doing so by the Chief Judge Mr McKean—as haveing served his time out. he was inlisted for to serve Dureing the War or three Years—the 3 years expired the 7th Inst. all the rest of that Compy are engag’d on the same terms—and are now much dissatisfied with their Service.” Flower signed the note (DLC:GW).
2. Flower forwarded the returns with his letter to GW of 27 April (DLC:GW).
3. These forms have not been identified.
4. For Flower’s memorial to the Pennsylvania general assembly dated 2 Oct. 1779, and his letter of 26 Nov. 1779 to Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council president Joseph Reed, both on this subject, see 1st ser., 8:26–28.
5. Section 20 of “An ACT for the more effectual Supply, and Honorable Reward of the Pennsylvania Troops, in the service of the United States of America,” passed by the Pennsylvania general assembly on 1 March, specifically excludes the artisans from the benefits of the act ( 291–96).
7. For Flower’s claim of the rank of colonel, vice lieutenant colonel, and Brig. Gen. Henry Knox’s rejection of the claim, see Flower to GW, 1 May 1779; GW to Knox, 12 May; and Knox to GW, 13 May.