1General Orders, 21 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The General is very sorry to find, that the late General Orders, allowing the Plunder taken from the enemy to be divided for the benefit of the party that took it, has been so mistaken by some, and abused by others; This indulgence was granted to scouting parties only, as a reward for the extraordinary fatigues, hardship, and danger they were exposed to upon those parties—The General never...
2From George Washington to Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 21 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Genl Putnam communicated to me last Night the disagreeable Account that Lt. Colo. Preston’s party of Militia from Cumberland County in this State has deserted him; This practise in the Militia so generally prevails, that unless some effectual Check can be speedily applied I apprehend the most fatal Consequences. The Mischief is not confined to the Desertion alone, They stay ’till they are...