To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas H. Cushing, 1 July 1801
From Thomas H. Cushing1
Inspectors Office
City of Washington
1st July 1801
sir
The Secretary of War2 has directed me to enquire whether Lieut. Patrick McCarty of the third Regt. of infantry obeyed the order of the War department of the 2nd. of Sepr. 1799,3 directing all absent Officers of the 1st. Regt. of Artillerists & Engineers and of the first, second, third & fourth Regiments of Infantry to Report themselves to you within four months, and if so, whether any particular orders were given to him.
It appears that this Gentleman was appointed an Ensign on the third of March 1799, & promoted to a 1st. Lieut. on the 24th. of April 1800,4 but it is not known whether he accepted this appointment or where he is, and the Object of this enquiry is, that his name may be struck from the rolls if he did not report himself within the four months, or that he may be sent to duty if he is yet in service.5
I am sir very Respectfully Yr. Obedt. servt.
Honble Majr. Genl. Alexr. Hamilton
LC, RG 94, Inspector’s Office, Letters Sent, September 9, 1800–September 10, 1801, National Archives.
1. Cushing, a veteran of the American Revolution, was a major in the First Regiment of Infantry. He served as acting inspector and adjutant of the Army from 1797 to 1798, when H became inspector general. After the disbandment of the Additional Army on June 14, 1800, Cushing again served as acting inspector. In 1802 he became adjutant and inspector of the Army, and he held these positions until 1807 ( , 414–15). For the disbandment of the Additional Army, see H to Nathan Rice, May 13, 1800, note 1.
2. Henry Dearborn.
4. , 321, 323.
5. McCarty, a native of Virginia, was a lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Infantry. , I, 654, incorrectly states that McCarty was honorably discharged on June 15, 1800. He was still in the Army in 1802 ( , Miscellaneous, I, 311).