General Orders, 22 May 1778
General Orders
Head-Quarters V. Forge Friday May 22nd 1778.
Parole Armstrong—C. Signs Arnold. Atlas.
The Auditors Office is removed to James Cloyd’s within a mile and an half of the Pay-Master Generals.1
At a General Court Martial May 16th 1778, Coll Bowman President, Lieutt Eddison of the German Battalon tried for behaving in a manner unbecoming a Gentleman and an Officer in abusing Coll Nixon’s family, found guilty of a breach of the 21st Article of the 14th section of the Articles of War & sentenced to be discharged the service.2
The Commander in Chief approves the sentence and orders it to take place immediately.
At a Brigade Court Martial 18th May 1778—Major Wallace President, Lieutt Marks of the 11th Virginia Regiment tried for not attending the parade the 13th instant and acquitted of the charge with honor—Likewise Lieutt William Powell tried upon the same Charge and acquitted in like manner.3
The General observes that sickness or Indisposition is certainly a sufficient Excuse for not attending the Parade, but it ought to be an established rule to signify it either personally or in writing thro’ the Adjutant to the Commanding Officer of the Regimt to which the officer concerned shall belong; these Gentleman in not doing this were deficient in the line of regularity and propriety; hereafter the Excuse shall not be admitted unless this shall be observed, except where any very particular Circumstances under the observance impracticable which can rarely happen.
After Orders May 22nd 1778.
General Paterson’s Late Larned’s and Weedon’s Brigades will each furnish a Captain, Sub two Serjeants and forty rank and file daily for fatigue ’till they have compleated the work in front of Late Conway’s Brigade—Coll Bradford to superintend the work—they are to be supplied with three Waggons to hall turf.
At a General Court Martial Foster town New-Jersey May 18th 1778—Lieutt Coll De Hart Prest—Lieutt Joseph Jay of the 2nd New-Jersey Regiment tried for a scandalous neglect of duty in absenting himself from his Regiment near one year without leave; Also for gambling and gaming contrary to general orders, unanimously found guilty of both charges & sentenced to be cashiered4—His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves the sentence and orders it to take place immediately.
Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. James Cloyd’s estate, which included a stone house, a barn, and 55 acres of land, was situated where the Lancaster Road crossed Valley Creek, a short distance south of Valley Forge.
2. Thomas Edison had been appointed a second lieutenant in the German Battalion in June 1777.
3. Isaiah Marks (1755–1785) of Loudoun County, Va., was appointed a second lieutenant in the 11th Virginia Regiment in November 1776 and appointed first lieutenant in March 1777. His regiment was redesignated the 7th Virginia Regiment in September 1778; he was promoted to captain in May 1779 and transferred to the 2d Virginia Regiment in February 1781. He left the army in January 1783. William Powell (d. 1796) of Amherst County, Va., was appointed a second lieutenant in the 11th Virginia Regiment in December 1776, remained as the regiment was redesignated the 7th Virginia Regiment in September 1778, and resigned in March 1779.
4. Joseph Jay (1753–1835) of Burlington County, N.J., was appointed an ensign in the 2d New Jersey Regiment in October 1776 and promoted to second lieutenant in April 1777.