General Orders, 7 March 1778
General Orders
Head-Quarters V. Forge March 7th 78—Saturday
Parole: Granby—Countersigns: Germany. Grantham.
The Commander in Chief orders and directs that Captures of Provisions actually going into Philadelphia must be made under the Eye and by the approbation of a Commissioned officer and no Forfeitures otherwise will take place: Provisions so taken will be for the benefit of the Captors & an authentic Certificate of their being properly taken, from the officers commanding parties and delivered to the Commissary; The Commissary of Purchases in Camp will pay for them.
All officers are strictly injoined to use the greatest caution in the matter, that it may not be made a pretext for plundering & injuring the well affected Inhabitants.
Aaron Ogden Esquire is appointed Pro-tempore Brigade Major in General Maxwell’s Brigade and is to be respected accordingly.1
At a Brigade Court Martial whereof Lt Coll Burr was President March 2nd 1778—Lieutt Robert Lyon of 6th Pennsylvania Regiment tried for absenting himself from the Regiment without leave, found guilty and sentenced to be reprimanded in Brigade orders.2
The Commander in Chief approves the sentence and orders it to take place immediately.
At a General Court Martial (March 4th 1778) whereof Coll Bradley was President Lieutt Young tried for neglect of duty and disobedience of orders; The Court upon mature deliberation are of opinion that Lieutt Young is not guilty of the Charge exhibited against him and do acquit him.3
The Commander in Chief confirms the sentence and orders Lieutt Young to be immediately discharged from his Arrest.
After orders. Coll Livingston is appointed President of the General Court-Martial (adjourned ’till tomorrow ten oClock) vice, Colonel Bradley.
Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Aaron Ogden (1756–1839) was at this time paymaster to the 1st New Jersey Regiment, a position he had held since December 1775. On 30 Mar. 1778 Col. Matthias Ogden wrote to inform GW that “Capt. Ogden is desireous of resigning his appointment of Paymaster to the first J: Regiment, & entering in the line,” and Brig. Gen. William Maxwell wrote GW on 2 April, asking that he approve the request. Maxwell explained, “If the new regulation [referring to the new establishment of the army under discussion with the camp committee] takes place it can be no inconvenience to the Regt because they are to chuse a paymaster out of the Regt and Line” (both letters, DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 4029). Aaron Ogden did resign as paymaster in early April, but he remained in the army as brigade major, inspector, and aide-de-camp to Maxwell. He subsequently became a captain lieutenant of the 1st New Jersey Regiment and was promoted to captain, dating from 2 Feb. 1779. Ogden was discharged at the close of the war and later served New Jersey as governor and U.S. senator.
2. Robert Lyon (c.1746–1823) was appointed a sergeant in the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment in October 1776. He transferred to the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment in February 1777 and received a commission as second lieutenant ranking from 8 July 1777.
3. The defendant was probably either Lt. Robert Young (1752–1790) of the 11th Virginia Regiment, who was commissioned a second lieutenant in November 1776, was promoted to first lieutenant in June 1777, and retired in the fall of 1778, or Lt. Marcus (Marks) Young of the German Battalion, who was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1777, was promoted to first lieutenant in March 1778, and retired on 1 Jan. 1781.