HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS Vol. V. OF THE ESSEX INSTITUTE. February, 1863. JOURNAL OF CAPT. SAMUEL PAGE, COMMUNICATED BY SAMUEL P. FOWLER. Continued from vol. iv, page 249. No. 1. the next orderly day. The rank of the Captains was made a rule for the arrangement, as follows: 1st Burnham, 2nd Alden, 3rd Benson, 4th Page, 5th Stetson. In future, application for the sick of each company, will be made to Dr. Finley for examination, and if they are unfit to remain at their respective quarters, they will be admitted in the hospital, by his certificate only. May 20, 1799. The field between Young's and Allar's is appointed for the parade of the guards precisely at 7 o,clock. May, 1776. At 5 o'clock this afternoon, all the men, who stand in absolute need of shoes, will be paraded on the grand parade by Hills to receive them, and the names of the men will be sent, with a non-commissioned officer from each company. In the reports of Mondays and Thursdays, the whole companies, whether present or absent, will be ac- In case of an attack in the night, on any of counted for, and if the companies are not com- the pickets or companies on the right, the left plete, there will be columns in the returns, for will immediately march with their packs, to the those missing. The guards, in future, will crotch of the road, between Allar's and parade precisely at 7 o'clock. It is a shame Young's. In like manner if the attack is on for the guards to be detained on the parade; the left, the conpamies on the right will march the utmost precision must be observed in re- to the same place. In case of an alarm or atgard to time. The hill on the right of Capt. tack by day, all the companies will be paradAlden's quarters, is appointed for the parade. ed on their own alarm posts, with their packs Capts. Burnham and Alden will make a re- slung, and wait for orders. The companies turn of the number of flints wanting, to fur will keep themselves in readiness to move at a nish each man with two. If any of the Cap-minute's warning. Returns will be made totains object to the following arrangement of morrow morning at nine o'clock, of the flints the companies, they will send their objections | wanting to make two good ones pr. man, and in writing, to the commanding officer, before of cartridges to complete the boxes. All bad cartridges will be returned to the commanding force within their power, will be left unessayofficer. The commanding officer repeats his ed. The duty therefore, of every officer, calls order, that when a flag of truce comes to either of the pickets, it is to be stopped, and the name, rank and papers, which the officer brings, are to be sent to the commanding officer, and the flag to be detained, until he sends orders for his dismission. Care must be taken, that the officer holds no conversation with the inhabitants. All deserters, with their arms, accoutrements, and clothing, must be sent to the commanding officer. All newspapers from New York, which are collected, will also be sent. When an officer has a warrant for a team or horse, he will send a corporal, and give him orders not to abuse or insult the inhabitants. The companies will parade precisely at 2 o'clock in the morning, until further orders, with packs done up and slung. N. B. The officers will see that their men go to rest by dusk. WEST POINT, May 30, 1799. All those regiments, who are not furnished with bayonet belts, are to make a return, and apply for them without delay. Those of the Light Infantry, whose pieces are loaded, should be drawn and cleaned, and those who cannot draw their charges, will be fired this evening at retreat, beating in platoons under the direction of an officer, and afterwards none are to fire their pieces, on any pretence whatever. Issuing companies are desired to issue one quart of peas pr. man, pr. week, until further orders. HEAD QUARTERS, WEST POINT, } By every movement of the enemy, it appears evident, that their object is the reduction of this post, and to effect this, no art, stratagem or upon them to use every possible exertion, to complete the works, and place the garrison in the most respectable order of defence. The strictest attention must be paid to the formation of the troops; their arms, ammunition and accoutrements must be daily inspected, as the security of any post, depends upon the alertness of the out guards; the commanding officer expects their vigilance and attention will be an effective guard against the danger of surprise. The safety of our Country, and the honor of our arms, demand of us a conduct worthy of the importance of our cause. Freedom, life and safety are the objects of our contest, and let us discharge our duty like men, and we shall receive the gratitude and applause which ever attend great actions. Lieut. Story is to do the duty of Adjutant, and Ensign Bullard Q. M. to the corps of Infantry, 'till further orders, and are to be obeyed as such. The North Carolina troops, one half of them properly officered, parade to morrow morning for fatigue duty, and be relieved by the other half, at one o'clock, marching at that time into Fort Arnold. The Commandant is much pleased with the laudable example, the officers have set in their forwarding the works, by their own industry, and hopes every one possessed of that good spirit, will continue so to do, at least until the works upon the Hill are completed. Orders for the Light Infantry: The Light Infantry, being formed in a separate corps, and honored with the defence of the outposts, will consider their reputation as entirely depending upon their good conduct, and that alone will determine whether they are worthy of the honor conferred. As they are free from all kind of fatigue duty, they will preserve a clean HEAD QUARTERS, 7th June '79. Officers to morrow, Col. Patten, and Adjutant 2d. N. Carolina. ly and soldier like appearance, and their arms accoutrements, likewise of the number of shoes will be always kept bright, and in the most wanted. perfect order. Disobedience of these orders. will be severely punished, as it is a scandal for a Light Infantry man to appear dirty, and keep his arms in bad order. The officers and men for duty. will be brought on the parade, close shaved, and powdered. Sergt. Foster, of Capt. Burnham's company, is appointed Sergt. Major to the Light Infantry, and Sergt. Jones Q. M. Sergt. HEAD QUARTERS, 4th June. The great scarcity of forage necessitates the General to request the gentlemen who have a right to keep horses at public expense, to remove them from the Point, and none are to be detained, excepting two for the commanding officers of Brigades, and Major of Brigades, two for the Engineers, one for the commandOfficers for tomorrow, Major Winslow, Adj-ing officer of Light Infantry, and the public utant Clapp. The General, finding the troops horses necessary in the Quarter Master's defatigued, ordered no duty this afternoon, but partment. Provision is made for keeping the directed the men to attend to cleaning them-horses sent out, at Mr. Nichol's, near Murderselves, their arms &c., and that in future, the er's Creek, The General desires an immedifatigue come on at 6 o'clock in the morning, ate compliance of these orders, and in the most and work till ten, and the same numbers from positive terms, eujoins the officers commandeach Regiment come on at three o'clock P. M.ing at Fort Putnam, to prevent the soldiers and work till seven, and each man to have a from making fires, or lighting candles or torchgill of rum, till further orders. The Court es in the fort, on any pretence whatever. Martial, whereof Col. Jackson was President, is dissolved. The same officers that go on fatigue, will continue till night. HEAD QUARTERS, 5th of June. Officers to-morrow, Major Peters, Adjutant Torrey. Brigade Major Banister is appointed to do the duty of Adjutant General to this Post, and Capt. Bailey, Brigade Major to late Larnard's Brigade, till futher orders, and to be obeyed as such. The fatigue men, in future, will be turned off the parade in files, and march in that order to their work, as at present they march in no order whatever, and the officers will be particular on this account. Weekly returns will be made out to day. Major Hull's orders. A return will be made this day, of the state of each companie's deficien cies of arms, bayonets, flints, amunition and cellency General Washington, a spur with |