Alexander Hamilton Papers

Circular to Four Captains in the Battalion Commanded by Adam Hoops, 6 June 1799

Circular to Four Captains in the Battalion
Commanded by Adam Hoops1

New York June 6th. 1799

Sir

Your Company is to form part of a battalion under the command of Major Hoops.2 You will, therefore, hereafter communicate with him and receive his orders; making all your returns to him. Your letters for the present will be addressed to him at New York indorsed on public service and with your name. I send you a sett of new recruiting instructions3 to which you will strictly conform in whatsoever is relative to your situation.

With consideration   I am Sir   Yr Obedient servt.

A Hamilton

LS, Columbia University Libraries; ADf, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

1At the bottom of the draft H wrote the names and locations of the four captains to whom this letter was sent:

“Capt William Macrea of the 2 Regt. of Artillerists Alexandria Virginia
Capt Samuel Eddins do. Richmond do.
Capt John Bishop do. Winchester do
Capt Francis K Huger do. Charles Town South Carolina.”

2On June 6, 1799, in a letter listed in the appendix to this volume, H wrote to Hoops: “Inclosed is a copy of a circular letter written to the four Captains who compose your batalion. You will see its object and you will attend to its execution. You are apprised that these officers are now on the recruiting service. It will be incumbent on you to see that it does not languish for want of exertion.…”

3This is a reference to the March, 1799, edition of the War Department pamphlet Rules and Regulations Respecting the Recruiting Service. See H to Jonathan Dayton, August 6, 1798, note 6; James McHenry to H, March 21, 1799.

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