General Orders, 26 January 1780
General Orders
Head-Quarters Morristown Wednesday Jany 26th 80.
Parole Williamsburgh— C. Signs Weisel. Weser.
Captain William Van Lear of the 9th Pennsylvania regiment having done the duty of Brigade Major and Brigade Inspector of the 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade from the 12th day of december last, is appointed Brigade Major and Inspector of the same ’till further orders; He is to be respected and obeyed accordingly.1
Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. William Van Lear (Vanleer; 1757–1815) joined the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment in November 1776 as a second lieutenant, received promotion to first lieutenant in July 1777 (ranking from March 1777), and became the regiment’s captain lieutenant in January 1779. He received promotion to captain the following October. After his elevation to brigade major and inspector of the 2d Pennsylvania Brigade, Van Lear continued to hold his rank in the Pennsylvania line as captain. When the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment was disbanded in January 1781, Van Lear transferred to the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment. He was wounded during the fighting at Green Spring Farm, Va., in July 1781, but returned to active duty. He left the army in January 1783.