General Orders, 5 June 1782
Head Quarters Newburgh Wednesday 5th June 1782
By the last inspection Returns the Commander in Chief with pleasure Observes the Army is in a much better state than it was the preceding Month—The Regiments of the New York Line—the first regiment of Jersey commanded by Colonel Ogden—the third Regiment of Artillery Commanded by Colonel Crane and the seventh Regiment of Massachusetts Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Brooks are reported to be in excellent order—The General hopes any little irregularities which have crept into service may be immediately remedied; and that the few regimt which are reported to be deficient in attention, Method or Discipline will by unremitted exertions prevent thier being Noticed in an unfavorable manner at the succeeding inspection, and in consequence thereof held up to view in a disagreeable point of light.
At a General Court Martial held at Lancaster the 23d May 1782 by order of Brigadier General Hazen—Lieutenant Colonel North president—Captain Van Heer was tried for "unofficer like behavior, for immoderately beating Owen McLaughlin a soldier under Captain Selens immediate Command without sufficient cause to Justify such correction."
The Court after considering the Evidence for and against Capt. Van Heer of the Light Dragoons are of Opinion he is guilty of the latter part of the charge "Beating Owen MGlochlin a soldier under Captain Selens immediate Command, without a sufficient cause to justify such correction," being a breach of Art. 5th section 18th of the rules and Articles of War and sentence him to be reprimanded in General Orders.
The Court acquit him of the preceding part of the charge.
The General approves the sentence and at the same time that he expresses his dissatisfaction at any instance of conduct where violence is made use of without sufficient cause, he is sensible that the laudable motive of preserving the public property from abuse which seems to have influenced Captain Van Heer is apalleation for the Deed.
Captain Van Heer is released from his Arrest.
At a general Court Martial held at the Barracks in Philadelphia May 18, 1782 by order of the Honorable Major General Lincoln Minister of War—Major Olney president—were tried William Robinson alias Taylor for "repeated desertion and reinlisting."
The Court are of Opinion the prisoner is guilty of the charges against him in breach of Art. first. section the 6th of the Art. of War and do sentence him to suffer Death, two thirds of the Court agreeing thereto.
Corporal James Bruce of the Artillery Artificers for "exciting Mutiny in said Corps."
The Court are of Opinion the prisoner is not Guilty of the charge and do acquit him.
Serjeant Samuel Castleton of the 6th Pennsylvania regimt for "re inlisting John Pierce who he knew was inlisted some Weeks before and for Neglect of duty."
The Court are of Opinion the prisoner did not know that John Pierce was inlisted before by Colonel Humpton, therefore do acquit him of the first charge, but are of Opinion that he is guilty of disobedience of Orders and do sentence him to be reduced to the Ranks.
The Commander in Chief approves the foregoing sentences.
At a General Court Martial held at Philadelphia by order of the Honorable Major General Lincoln Minister of War—May 21st 82, Major Olney President—was tried Sharp OGarnie soldier in the Rhode Island regt charged with "Quitting his Post—Deserting unto the Enemy and entering into their service."
The Court are of Opinion the prisoner is Guilty of the charges alledged against him, which they are of Opinion are a breach of the 12 Article of the 13th section of the Articles of War and do sentence him to suffer Death—two thirds of the Court agreeing thereto.
The Commander in Chief approves the Opinion of the Court.
At the same Court was tried James Marrines soldier in the Delaware regiment charged with "Desertion, Joining the Enemy and passing by a wrong Name."
The Court are of opinion that the prisoner has been Guilty of a breach of the first Article of the 6 section of the Articles of War. The Court in consideration of the Youth of the Prisoner at the time of his Desertion only sentence him One Hundred Lashes.
Michael Moran charged by Lieutenant Dungan with "Taking of Money from the recruiting Serjeant to inlist and declaring himself a British Deserter by which means he got clear, but afterwards inlisted in Colonel Moylans Regiment and taking the Oath as prescribed in the Pennsylvania inlistments, thereby imposing on Recruiting Parties, and committing perjury"—The Court are of Opinion the prisoner is Guilty of a breach of the 5. Art. of the 18 section of the Art. of War and sentence him One Hundred Lashes.
James Haines a Recruit of the Pennsylvania Line for "Desertion:" The Court are of Opinion the prisoner has been Guilty of a breach of the first Art. of the 6. section of the Articles of War and sentence him One Hundred Lashes.
The Commander in Chief approves the foregoing sentences.
DLC: Papers of George Washington.