1Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 22 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to the intimation of the Secy of War I transmit you an extract of a letter from him of the tenth instant by which you will perceive the causes which have hitherto interfered with a supply of cloathing adequate to the demand. If the assurance of the Contractor can in any degree be relied upon, the supply in future will more than keep pace with it. With great consideration I am Sir ...
2Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 22 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 22, 1799. “It has happened in one instance which has come to my knowledge that the hats sent on for the Recruits have been destitute of Cockades and Loops. In a similar case I authorise you to procure the deficiencies to be supplied and I will take care that the expence be defrayed. Where there is an Agent of the war Department, you will first apply to him to have what is...
3Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 23[–24] April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of War has assured me that a competent number of drums and fifes for your Regiment shall be forwarded with its Cloathing. And he has authorised me to instruct you to hire temporarily persons in the capacities of drummers and fifers to be employed in the Recruiting service till others can be enlisted, provided that they can be obtained for a compensation not exceeding eight...
4Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 23 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is important to the service in every way that vacancies which happen in the several Regiments should be as speedily as possible filled. As no persons can be more interested in this being done, and with a careful selection of character, than the Commandants of Regiments, it is desireable that they should from time to time propose to the General, under whose command they may be, candidates...
5Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of War has Determined to appoint immediately two Cadets to each regiment, and he has directed me to request from the several Commandants a special recommendation of two young gentlemen for the purpose. You have nominated different persons, from time to time, as cadets severally: but [it is now wished that you should make a selection of two whom you prefer.] The Secretary of War...
6Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 7[–17] September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been suggested to me that particular officers in some instances have incautiously indulged remarks in the presence of their men respecting the bad qualities of articles furnished, which were of a nature to foster discontent in the minds of the soldiery. Instances of this sort, I am persuaded, must have been very rare, as the impropriety of the thing is too glaring to escape an officer...
7Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 5 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Cases have occurred in which officers, from a wish to see their men well equipt, have purchased articles for them that are not included in the general provision. These have been admitted in particular instances for special reasons as a public charge; but the Secretary of War has expressed an extreme relu⟨ctance⟩ to give the practice his sanc⟨tion⟩ and has signified to me his desire that...
8Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 27 March[–17 April] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you herewith thirteen Setts of Rules and Regulations for the Recruiting service, one for each field Officer, and one for each Captain of a company. You will carefully fill the blanks according to the example in No 1. The sooner you distribute these, the better, that the Officers may, by studying them, be prepared to enter upon the business of recruiting when the order shall be given for...
9Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 15 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a question whether it will be most adviseable to distribute the Cloathing for your Regiment among the several sub districts to be furnished to the recruits as they shall be raised or to deposit the whole either at the Regimental Rendezvous or at the place which you shall fix as the rendezvous of each district. As the right decision of this question may depend in part upon circumstances...
10Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In military service, it is essential that each individual should move within his proper sphere—according to a just gradation and to the relations which subsist between him and others. It is a consequence of this principle that a regular chain of communication should be preserved, and that in all matters relating to service each person should address himself for information or direction to his...
11Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19[–20] September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I request the favour of your opinion as to such of the Majors captains & Lieutenants of your Regiment as may be best qualified for service in the department of the Inspectorship or of the Quarter Master. This is an inquiry for information which will be extended to the several Regiments. It is hoped that the opinion will be given with freedom & frankness as it may be relied upon that it will be...
12Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Intimations have been in some instances given that more bounty money will quickly be wanted. The Secy of War will naturally expect that an application of this sort should be accompanied with some view of the progress of the recruiting. I am aware that it requires a little time to get into the train of exact returns—but it is necessary to require the transmission of information more or less...
13Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 23 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As it is expected that the recruiting service will speedily commence, it is desireable that the Regimental staff should be ready to enter upon their functions. The laws have not declared how these Officers are to be appointed under the new system of organisation, and it is a question whether the direct sanction of the President be not necessary. At the same time it is thought adviseable, that...
14Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the form of a monthly return which you are to make to me pursuant to the XXXV of the “Rules and Regulations respecting the Recruiting Service.” It now becomes urgent that these returns shall be regularly made. They will govern my application to the Secy of War for provisions of money. You will, consequently, enforce punctually in the returns which according to those Rules &...
15Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 9 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Our political situation renders it very urgent that not a moment shall be lost in disciplining our troops as fast as they shall be raised. To this end it is essential that every officer shall personally exert himself to the utmost and that a very faulty practice which has occasionally prevailed in our armies as well as others shall be carefully avoided; namely Commanders of Regiments leaving...
16Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 31 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[The State of is to form a Circle and to be divided into Districts and sub-districts according to the plan inclosed.] The recruiting service within this circle is to be for your Regiment and under your superintendence. You will assign each of the Majors of your Regiment to a district and each of your Captains to a subdistrict. He will take to his aid such of his Lieutenants as shall not have...