General Orders, 2 May 1781
General Orders
[New Windsor] Wednesday May 2d 1781
Parole Countersigns.
At a General Court Martial held at Westpoint the 24th April and continued by adjournments ’till the 1st instant—Major Graham president.
Ensign Murdoch McPherson of Colonel Hazen’s regiment, was tried, charged with “Neglect of duty in leaving the guard under his command (having Prisoners in charge) on his way to Easton, at which time a number made their escape.[”]1
The Court on consideration are of opinion that Ensign McPherson is guilty of the charge against him in breach of Article 5th Section 18th of the Rules and Articles of war and sentence that he be reprimanded in General orders.2
The Commander in Chief approves the Sentence of the Court, He thinks Ensign McPherson’s conduct reprehensible in the highest degree, nothing reflects greater dishonor on an officer or can be productive of more fatal consequences than Negligence and Inattention when on duty; Charges which appear to be but too clearly proved against Ensign McPherson.
Ensign McPherson is released from arrest.
Brigadier General Hand will inspect the first Massachusett and Connecticut Brigades on Monday the 7th instant the second Massachusett and Connecticut brigades on Wednesday the 9th the third Massachusett and that part of General Stark’s brigade not on the lines on Friday the 11th instant if the Weather permits.
The inspection of the troops on the Point to commence between nine and ten ô clock in the forenoon.3
The troops on the East side of the river will be inspected in the afternoon of the days abovementioned and hold themselves in readiness to fall in by regiment, on beating the Long Roll.4
As far as circumstances will admit the troops are to be excused Duty on the Day of inspection.
Besides the usual Inspection returns the present State of the Arms Accoutrements and Ammunition of each regiment is to be made out agreeable to a Form herewith Transmitted to Major Porter deputy Adjutant General.5
No Arms or Accoutrements to be issued except for Recruits untill this Inspection is Completed.
Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Capt. Isaac Pope had been exonerated for his role in the escape of these prisoners, but his subordinate subsequently came under investigation (see William Heath to GW, 9 April, and n.3 to that document; GW’s first letter to Heath, 12 April; and General Orders, 19 April; see also GW’s first letter to Heath, 20 April, and Heath to GW, 21 April).
Murdoch McPherson (c.1733–1799), described as a “Volunteer from Canada,” became an ensign in Col. Moses Hazen’s 2d Canadian Regiment in February 1776 and was promoted to lieutenant in April 1782 (DNA: RG 93, Compiled Service Records, Revolutionary War, Hazen’s Regiment). He then transferred to the Invalid Regiment and remained in the army until June 1783. McPherson later lived in Clinton County, New York.
2. The fifth article of the eighteenth section of the articles of war reads: “All crimes not capital, and all disorders and neglects which officers and soldiers may be guilty of, to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, though not mentioned in the above articles of war, are to be taken cognizance of by a general or regimental court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offence, and be punished at their discretion” (, 5:807).
3. The Massachusetts brigades garrisoned West Point.
4. The Connecticut brigades and Brig. Gen. John Stark’s New Hampshire regiments were located east of the Hudson River.
5. Maj. John Porter apparently served as deputy adjutant general (see GW to Heath, 19 Feb.).