General Orders, 14 May 1776
General Orders
Head Quarters, New York, May 14th 1776
Parole St Eustatia.Countersign, Amboy.
Christian Mazure of Capt. Wylley’s Company, in Col. McDougalls regiment,1 tried at a late General Court Martial, whereof Col. Huntington was president, for “Desertion,”: The Court find the prisoner guilty of the charge and do sentence him to receive Twenty Lashes on his bare back.
John McFarling of Capt. Sharpe’s Company, in Col. Daytons regiment,2 tried by the above General Court Martial for “Desertion,” is acquitted by the court.
John Cooper of Capt. Varicks Company, in Col. McDougalls regiment, tried by the above Court Martial, for “Mutiny”—The Court finding the prisoner guilty of the Charge, do sentence him to receive Fifteen Lashes on the bare back, for said offence.
James McDonald of Capt. Horton’s Company, in Col. Ritzema’s regiment, tried by the above General Court Martial for threatning the life of Lieut. Young, and others, of the said company, is found guilty by the Court and sentenced to be confined, eight days on bread and water, for said offence.3
The General approves the foregoing sentences, and orders them to be put in execution, to morrow morning at Guard mounting.
One Colonel, and one Quarter Master, from each brigade, to attend a Committee from the Congress of this City, to morrow morning at seven o’clock, to take cognizance of the damage done to certain houses, where the Troops have been quartered—The Chairman of the Committee, will meet the Colonels at the Exchange, at the time appointed.4
The General Court Martial, whereof Col. Huntington was president is dissolved.
A General Court Martial of the Line, consisting of one Colonel; one Lieut. Colonel, one Major, and ten Captains, to sit to morrow morning at Ten o’Clock, to try all such prisoners as shall be brought before them. All Evidences, and persons concern’d, to attend the court.
Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. John Wiley (Wyley; 1748–1829) served as a captain in the 1st New York Regiment from February to November 1776. In May 1780 he became commissary of purchases for the New York troops.
2. Anthony Sharpe was commissioned a captain in the 3d New Jersey Regiment in February 1776. He left the Continental army in November 1776 and subsequently became a major in the Salem County militia.
3. Ambrose Horton served as a captain in the 4th New York Regiment from June 1775 to May 1776, when he and his company were instructed to join Col. Alexander McDougall’s regiment until further orders. Guy Young (1749–1828) joined the 2d New York Regiment as a second lieutenant in June 1775 and became a first lieutenant in the 4th New York Regiment in February 1776. He transferred to the 1st New York Regiment in November 1776 and served in it until the end of 1780, rising to the rank of captain in 1779. Left out of the regiment by the reorganization of the New York line on 1 Jan. 1781, Young was appointed in July 1782 a recruiting officer for the troops being raised to defend the New York frontier.
4. General Gates informed the provincial congress on 11 May that “General Washington has ordered all the troops (except the artillery corps) immediately to encamp. That the General wishes some respectable citizens were appointed to take care of the houses from which troops are removing, to have them shut up; that His Excellency conceives that it may be necessary to have the houses cleaned, to prevent any infection or disorder to arise therefrom in the city; and that General Washington is willing to give any aid in his power for that purpose.” GW’s message was “referred to the general committee of the city of New-York, as within their proper department” (, 1:439). Henry Remsen was chairman of the city committee. The Exchange was located near the docks at the foot of Broad Street.