George Washington Papers

General Orders, 25 December 1779

General Orders

Head-Quarters Morristown saturday Decr 25th 79.

Parole America— C. Signs

All resignations for the future are to be made in the following manner—The officer applying will produce a certificate from the Auditor that there are no accounts in his office unsettled; another from the regimental Pay-Master to the same effect, and another from the officer commanding the regiment—the latter will also express that the state of the regiment does not make the resignation improper at the time—without these no resignations will be accepted.

In passing thro’ the camp1 the General observed with pain that there is a shameful waste of forage—the high price of this article and the difficulty of procuring it, if no other reasons existed, ought to induce all possible care and œconomy—The forage masters are therefore strictly enjoined to use every practicable method to prevent the hay being trampled upon, or otherwise unnecessarily wasted—The officers commanding brigades & regiments will see that this is done.

So soon as the fatigue of hutting is over, each brigade is to have a good parade cleared in front of its huts and is to join in opening proper communications between one brigade and another—No powder is to be used in blowing up the stumps.

After Orders—

The Adjutant General having leave of absence, Colonel Williams is appointed to perform the duties of the office until his return; He is to be respected and obeyed accordingly.2

The Commander in Chief takes occasion to thank Colonel Scammell for his indefatigable and useful services hitherto.

Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes additional general orders: “Genl St Clair’s division gives the main guard to morrow—A Sub. Serjt and 20 Rank & File from Hand’s brigade—a Serjt and the same number of men from Clinton’s, for fatigue to morrow, at the orderly room” (orderly book, 17 Oct. 1779–22 March 1780, DNA: RG 93, Orderly Books, 1775–1783, vol. 33).

A record in GW’s expense book for this date indicates the payment of £15 in cash for “the Band of Musick—Christmass” (household account book, 11 April 1776–21 Nov. 1780, DLC:GW, ser. 5, vol. 28)

At least some other officers made an effort to celebrate Christmas. Dating his letter “Camp near Morristown Christmas Day,” paymaster Erkuries Beatty wrote his brother Reading: “I am just down from dinner about half Drunk, all dined together upon good roast & boiled, but in a Cold hut, however grog enough will keep out cold for which there is no Desiring” (“Beatty Brothers,” description begins Joseph M. Beatty, Jr., ed., “Letters of the Four Beatty Brothers of the Continental Army, 1774–1794.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 44 (1920): 193–263. description ends 207).

1GW is referring to the winter encampment at Jockey Hollow, southwest of Morristown.

2Col. Otho Holland Williams assumed the adjutant general’s duties while Scammell was on leave.

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