USA > South Carolina > Documentary history of the American revolution: consisting of letters and papers relating to the contest for liberty, chiefly in South Carolina, from originals in the possession of the editor, and other sources, V.2 > Part 7
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Captains Grimball and Darrell will be so obliging to order, at the batteries where they command, the signal for beginning the firing, which will be one piece of cannon from Broughton's battery, which will probably be about 10 o'clock. The 2d and 5th regiments will parade at some convenient place to-morrow morning, precisely at ten o'clock, when a feu-de-joie is to be fired. The commanding officer at Fort Moultrie will turn out the men of that fort at such time as the tide will permit, and he thinks proper, and fire either a feu-de-joie, or in platoons, though as the former will not probably be heard in town, the latter will be most eligible. This firing is to be answered by the corps at Fort Johnson, who are to take it up in the manner observed at Fort Moultrie. Some signal should be agreed upon between the two forts. The General thinks proper to add, that he hopes the common soldiers will not disgrace the festivity of the day by any improper behavior. The Adjutant-General will immediately transmit this order to the com- manding officer at Fort Moultrie, and acquaint Col. Roberts, Captains Grimball and Darrel therewith.
REGIMENTAL ORDERS BY LIEUT .- COL. MARION.
Commanding officers of companies to apply to the quarter-master for their men's coats this afternoon, in proportion to the number of men in
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each company, and to-morrow to supply their men with leggings ; all who have had a pair for last year to give Col. Marion their names. The quarter-master to take a receipt from an officer of a company for what clothing he delivers.
A number of ladies in this town have been so kind as to order a gen- teel dinner to be given the soldiers to-morrow, in memory of their good. behavior the 28th June last past, at Fort Moultrie, and the officers of the regiment present them with a hogshead of claret and three barrels of beer.
Col. Marion hopes the men will behave with sobriety and decency to those ladies who have been so kind as to give them so genteel a treat; for soldiers being seen in the street drunk or riotous, will be scandal to the regiment, and prevent any farther notice being taken of them. He hopes they will keep in the barracks, and not a man go in town that day; and should any man be overtaken in liquor, the ser- geants and corporals will have them put quietly in their barracks, for which reason the Colonel insists that every sergeant and corporal will stay in the barrack-yard, that they may take care of the men of their company. The sergeant-major in particular is to stay in the barrack- yard, and keep good order amongst the men.
Gen. Moultrie will be on the parade to-morrow morning, and it is expected the men will take care to be very clean in respect to him.
ORDERS BY GENERAL HOWE.
PAROLE MOULTRIE.
June 28, 1777.
For the day, to-morrow, Capt. Moultrie ; town-guard, Lieut. Mazyck ; magazine, from 5th regiment ; brick-house, a sergeant.
Gen. Howe thinks proper to suggest to the army the necessity there is for propriety and conduct upon this memorable day, and hopes the soldiers will not suffer festivity and rejoicing to degenerate into riot and disorder. He wishes the men to confine themselves as much as pos- sible to their barracks, that their excess (should any happen) may not execed the limits of their own quarters. He enjoins them not to meet with any mobs, nor to have the least hand in any riotous proceedings whatsoever; and forbids, upon pains of his highest displeasure, the least offer of insult or injury to the persons or property of the inhabi- tanta of this capital. A soldier should at all times consider himself as ordained to protect and defend the persons, and support and maintain the rights and privileges of his fellow-citizens; and, constituted for this noble purpose, disdain everything which counteracts it. The
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General hopes the conduct of the soldiers on this occasion will demon- strate they act under the influence of such considerations.
BRIGADE ORDERS BY COL. HUGER.
One sergeant and fifteen privates from the 2d anl 5th regiments to take charge of Elliot's battery, at half-past ten o'clock. This party to be commanded by a subaltern of the 2d regiment.
ORDERS BY GENERAL HOWE.
PAROLE LEE.
July 3, 1777.
For the day, to-morrow, Capt. Oliphant; town-guard, Lieut. Hall; magazine, Lieut. P. Grey; briek-house, from 5th regiment.
Gen. Moultrie will order an officer, with a proper detachment, to Laurence battery, near Gen. Gadsden's wharf, to conduct the firing which is to be to-morrow at that place. Particular firing will be directed at Fort Moultrie and Fort Johnson. and the garrison of each is to turn out in honor to that day, when the Declaration of Independence was published in this State, by which America was delivered from the thral- dom of Great Britain, who, by reiterated insults and injuries, and by the most cruel and tyrannical invasion of every darling right and privi- lege, had rendered all further union with her absolutely impossible to minds not absolutely lost to every sense of freedom.
The firing is to begin at Fort Moultrie, is to be taken up by Fort Johnson, and will be carried on by Broughton's, Littleton's, Craven's, Granvile's and Laurence's batteries, in succession. Fort Moultrie fires 21 guns; Fort Johnson, 17; Broughton's, 14; Littleton's, 9; Craven's, Granvile's and Laurence's, 5 cach; in all, 76. The notice for beginning the fire will be a signal hoisted from the steeple of St. Michael's Church, which will probably happen about twelve o'clock. The strictest attention is to be paid that no mistake may happen.
The regiments in town are to parade precisely at eight o'clock in the morning, and to go through the common firings, finishing by a general volley. The garrison at Fort Moultrie is to turn out at such time, and in such a manner as the commanding officer there shall direct, and it is to be followed by similar firings by the garrison at Fort Johnson; it may be, therefore. proper that the commanding officer there should be acquainted with the manner and time of firing at Fort Moultrie.
PAROLE WASHINGTON.
December 3, 1777.
For the day, to-morrow, Captain from 5th regiment; town-guard,
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Lieut. H. Grey ; magazine, Lieutenant from 5th regiment ; brick-house, Lient. Capers.
The following order of his Excellency Gen. Washington has not till lately been officially received. Gen. Howe expects, and is determined to exact the strictest obedience to it from persons of every rank in that division of the army he has the honor to command, and he hopes the salutary end it is intended to answer will induce all persons to obey it without reluctance :
" GENERAL ORDER BY GENERAL WASHINGTON,
" HEAD-QUARTERS, Morristown, May 8.
" As few vices are attended with more pernicious consequence in civil life, so there are none more fatal in a military one than that of gaming, which often brings disgrace and ruin upon officers, and injury and punishment upon soldiers ; and reports prevailing, which it is to be feared are too well founded, that this destructive vice has spread its baneful influence in the army, and in a peculiar manner to the preju- dice of the recruiting service. The Commander-in-chief, in the most pointed and explicit terms, forbids all officers and soldiers playing at cards, dice, or at any game except those of exercise for diversion, it being impossible, if the practice be allowed at all, to discriminate between innocent play for amusement and criminal gaming for pecuniary and sordid purposes. Officers alive to their duty will find abundant employ- ment in training and disciplining their men, providing for them, and seeing that they appear clean, neat and soldier-like; nor will anything redound more to their honor, afford them more solid amusement, or better answer the end of their appointment, than to devote the vacant moments they may have to the study of military authors. The com- manding officer of every corps is strictly enjoined to have their orders frequently read, and strongly impressed upon the mind of those under his command. Any officer or soldier, or other persons belonging to or following the army, either in camp or quarters, or the recruiting ser- vice, or elsewhere presuming, under any pretence, to disobey this order, shall be tried by a general court-martial. The general officers in each division of the army to pay the strictest attention to the execution thereof. The Adjutant-General is to transmit copies of this order to the different departments of the army; also, to cause the same to be immediately published in the Gazette of each State, for the informa- tion of officers dispersed in the recruiting service.
" By his Excellency's command,
" MORGAN CONNERS, A. G.
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REGIMENTAL ORDERS, LIEUT .- COL. MARION.
All the officers off duty to be on the parade to-morrow afternoon, at usual time of exercise, to ballot for a , to fill up one of the vacancies of the regiment.
ORDERS, LIEUT .- COL. MARION.
PAROLE DISCIPLINE.
January 8, 1778.
For the fort-guard, to-morrow, Cant. Ashby and Lieuts. Galvan and Capers; rear-guard, a sergeant.
No person whatever to do their occasion within the fort, or within twenty yards of the walls on the outside; no bones or other filth or litter whatever to be thrown in the fort; all persons who disobey this order may expect to be severely punished. Commanding officers of companies to order two men and a sergeant or corporal, as fatigue men to their companies, who are to clean daily all filth which may be about their barracks, and to do other company duties. It is expected that officers will visit their men's quarters daily, and see that orders are complied with.
The officer who reads roll-call morning and evening is not only to call the men's names over, but to see they have their arms and accoutre- ments, and in what order. Whenever they find a man without any part of his arms and accoutrements, they are immediately to confine him and bring him to a court-martial; otherwise, they will be liable for losses, and will certainly be called upon for payment.
That every officer may have it in turn to go to town, or be absent from garrison, the Lieut .- Colonel desires the to observe that no more than three captains-to begin from the eldest in rank, if he should not choose to go the next may have the right-and two men of a company to have leave of absence at one time. This is not meant to include those men who obtain furloughs, but those only who may go to town.
As the regiment, by being in town too long, have lost a great part of their discipline, and it is necessary to reform all abuses and neglect of discipline, the Lieut .- Colonel calls upon every gentlemen in the regiment to aid and assist him to bring the regiment to true and exact discipline, that they may regain their former credit, and be an honor to themselves and their country. He promises on his part that he will exert his utmost to so good a purpose, and will think no pains or trouble too great to effect it, but must sink under the burthen without the
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assistance of the rest of the officers. A little perseverance, with atten- tion to all parts of duty, will soon bring them to what we could wish, and make them equal to the best troops in the State, or in any of the U'united States of America. He begs leave to observe a few regulations necessary for each company; that besides the orderly-book for each officer, one ought to be provided for the company, in which the orderly- sergeant for the day should enter the orders as soon as they come out, and carry the book to all the officers of his company (and not to have it on a scrap of paper. which through negligence or laziness may be lost), by which means the sergeant will know all orders, as they may have full access to it. All the men for duty or parade to draw up before their own barracks, there to be examined by the sergeants, and, when ready, to be examined by their officer. Though men may not be completed with clothes, yet such as they have should be put on to the best advantage; their hair combed, their face and hands made clean. The orderly-sergeant may be the one who is ordered for fatigue, and should see the men receive their provisions, and properly distributed to each mess; all the men to be in messes of six, and not less than five; to visit the men at meal time, and see if their victuals are well-cooked; to visit the sick and report everything which may happen during the day, to the communding officer of the company. Whenever any part of duty is neglected, or done in a slovenly manner, though ever so. minute, it tends to destroy discipline entirely ; that it is necessary never to overlook any part whatever ; many small crimes may be committed. which would be best punished in the company by various ways much better, and with greater effect, than bringing them to a court-martial. One corporal and six men, with twelve rounds per man, for the advance- guard to-morrow, who will receive orders as soon as they are ready to march ; this guard to be relieved weekly. An officer of the guard in garrison to visit the sentries at night, once between each relief, and to send a subaltern to visit the rear-guard, and a sergeant to patrol within the fort every half hour during the night. The sergeant of the rear- guard to visit his sentries between each relief during the night; when he goes his rounds to leave the corporal the charge of his guard till he returns.
"ORDERS TO THE SERGEANT OF THE REAR-GUARD.
"SIR,-You are to stop and bring to all vessels, boats or canoes, which may attempt passing the bridge, either up or down, and send the principal person with your corporal to the captain of the fort-guard; and you are to examine all such vessel or boat, and give an account of
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what she may have have on board, particularly all such who may come from town, and detain them until you have orders to the contrary. You are not to let any boats land near your guard, without examining them, without there should be an officer belonging to the Continental forces of the United States of America, or the President of this State, or any of his council. You are to make a report of anything which may happen, to the captain of the fort-guard; you are to give orders to the sentry on the bridge not to let any soldier go over it in the day time without a permit from some officer, nor suffer any person to pass after retreat beating, without such a pass. This order to be given to the relieving sergeant, and to be continued till further orders."
PAROLE-EGYPT.
January 23, 1778.
For the fort-guard, to-morrow, Capt. Dunbar, Licuts. Burke and Guerry; rear-guard, Sergeant Kecls.
As long hair gathers much filth, and takes a great deal of time and trouble to comb and keep clean and in good order, the Lieut-Colonel recommends to every soldier to have their hair cut short, to reach no further down than the top of the shirt-collar, and thinned upwards to the crown of the head, the fore-top short, without toupee, and short at the side. Those who do not have their hair in this mode, must have it plaited and tied up, as they will not be allowed to appear with their hair down their backs and over their foreheads, and down their chins at the sides, which make them appear more like wild savages than soldiers. The major will please pick out three men to be regimental barbers, who are to be excused from mounting guard, or doing fatigue duty. They are daily to dress the men's heads, and shave them, before they mount guard-the men to pay them half-a-crown a week each man. Any sol- dier who comes on the parade with beards, or hair uncombed, shall be dry-shaved immediately, and have his hair dressed on the parade. The orderly-sergeant, or corporal of companies, are to call on and see the barber dress and shave their men that are for duty, and see that they are clean, and their clothes put on decently, or must expect to answer for the neglect.
The commissioned officers are desired to pay attention to their men's dress at all times, particularly when for duty.
No officer to take charge or march off a guard without the men have complied with the above orders, and are as clean and decent as circum- stances of clothing will permit.
No person to sell any spirituous liquors or beer without leave from
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the commanding officer of the regiment; but may sell candles, soap, or all kinds of eatables.
The sutler, Mr. Young, has leave to sell one gill rum and one quart brer per man a day, and no more, without a written permit from an officer of the company the man belongs to. He is not to let, have or sell, any liquors before the guard is relieved, or after retreat beating.
Any persons who cut, lop, or bark any trees on this island, must ex- pret to suffer agreeably to a former order.
It is expected the guards will pay the usual compliments to all field officers of the regiment, as well as to the commanding officer.
No officer to go to Haddrell's Point, or off this island, without leave from the commanding officer; and all officers to see the orders of the day before they go any distance from the fort. Sergeant Newton, of Capt. Harleston's company, to do duty in Capt. Motte's till Sergeant Laurence returns from command.
A court-martial to sit this morning at 11 o'clock, to try all prisoners brought before them; all evidences to attend-Capt. Moultrie, Presi- dent; Capt. Dunbar, Lieuts. Guerry, Burke and Hart, members.
OFFICIAL ORDERS.
One sergeant and three privates to be added to the advance-guard immediately, and to follow such orders as he will receive from the cor- poral he will relieve. He is to post one sentry by day, and three at night. James Campbell, of Capt. Ashby's company, Timothy Green, of Capt. Chamock's, and David Stewart, of Ashby, are appointed bar- bers to the regiments.
ORDERS, MAJOR HORRY,
PAROLE-SOUTH CAROLINA-WM. AFFLUENT.
March 13, 1778.
For the fort-guard, to-morrow, Capt. Motte, Lieuts. Grey and Roux; rear-guard, Sergeant Coleman.
GENERAL ORDERS BY BRIG .- GEN. MOULTRIE.
12th instant.
The General orders the following resolution to be read at the head of every corps in this State, that every member may be acquainted with the came.
A. DELLIANT, B. Major.
" IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, March 2, 1778.
" Resolved, That instead of the clothing hitherto allowed to the regi- ment of this State on the Continental establishment, each non-commis-
.
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sioned officer, drummer, fifer and private, shall in future be annually found with one coat, waistcoat and breeches of woollen cloth, one cap or hat, one blanket, four shirts, four pair stockings, and four pair shoes, two pair breeches of Osnaburgs or coarse linen, two waistcoats of the same, two leathern stocks, and two leathern gaiters; and that five watch- coats be allowed to a company of fifty men. and so in proportion-but that this allowance of watch-coats be not annually, but to last till they are worn out. That each officer and soldier be allowed their full Con- tinental rations, besides the half-pound of beef allowed by this State; and that if any person do not choose to receive his rations in he may receive the same in money at 5s. currency per ration.
" Resolved, That the future daily pay of non-commissioned officers of the several regiments of infantry of this State be as follows, viz. :--- That of sergeant-majors, 20s. ; quarter-master sergeants, 17s. 6d .; drum- majors, 17s. 6d .; fife-majors and other sergeants, 15s. ; armorer's mate, 15s. each per diem.
" Resolved, That the daily pay of the subaltern officers in the troops of this State, be increased as follows, viz. :- First lieutenants. 45s .; second lieutenants, 40s. ; ensigns, 37s. Gd., and of the quarter-master, 40s .; and that, agrecable to the spirit of the resolution of the Con- tinental Congress, the adjutants be allowed full captain's pay from the date of the resolutions of the Continental Congress respecting adju- tants; that the corporals, drummers and fifers in the regiment of artil- Iery, be allowed 12s. Od. per diem, and the subaltern officers, adjutant and sergeants, the same pay respectively as those of the like rank in the regiments above mentioned; and that in future there shall be only one captain and a first and second lieutenant to each company in the regiment of artillery; and the colonel in the regiment of rangers be allowed per diem, to commence from the date of his commission as colonel; the first lieutenants, 50s. ; the second, 50s .; the adjutant, 60s., agreeable to the resolve of Congress; and all non-commissioned officers in the same regiment, in proportion to the pay of . regiments al- lowed the officers respectively, in the regiment of infantry.
" And whereas, the Continental Congress, by the seventh resolve of the 22d day of November last-Resolved, That it be earnestly recom- mended to the several States from time to time, to exert their utmost endeavors to procure to the addition of clothing made heretofore by Congress, of blankets, shoes, stockings, shirts, and other clothing for the comfortable subsistence of the officers and soldiers of their respec- tive battalions, and to appoint one or more persous to dispose of such articles to the officers and soldiers, in such proportion as the general
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officer from the respective States, commanding in such army shall direct, and at such reasonable prices as the clothier-general or his deputy shall deem right, and being in just proportion unto the wages of the officers aud soldiers; and all clothing hereafter to be supplied to the officers nud soldiers of the Continental Army out of the public stores of the United States, beyond the bounty already granted, shall be charged all at the like price, the surplus to be paid by the United States, provided that effective measures be adopted by each State for preventing any competition between their purchasing agent and the clothier-general, or his agents, who are severally directed to observe the instructions of the respective States relative to the price of clothing purchased within such State; therefore,
" Resolved, That the above resolution of the Continental Congress be adopted by the States, and carried into effect. Assented to.
(Signed) JNO. RUTLEDGE."
REGIMENTAL ORDERS, MAJOR HORRY.
March 5, 1778.
That at the turning out of the battalion this afternoon, the above resolution be read to the men at the head of the battalion by the adju- tant. The above commanding officer cannot but observe the liberal manner in which the late General Assembly has provided for better and more comfortable sustenance of the troops of this State, that truly merits their acknowledgment; that he cannot doubt the same ideas being diffused through all ranks in the regiment-that by their persever- ance in, and strict attention to, every part of duty, they only can render service adequate to such generous bounty; that the consideration of the . trust reposed in them by their country should stimulate to actions be- coming their profession and the noble cause they are engaged in, and that at length they may be the means of restoring to their country peace, and plenty abounding in, and smiling on, the countenance of every individual therein.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AMERICAN ARMY-IST INFANTRY.
IN CONGRESS, May 27, 1778.
Resolved, That each battalion of infantry shall consist of nine com- panies, one of which shall be of light infantry, the light infantry to be Kept completed by drafts from the battalion, and organized during the campaign into corps of light infantry. That the battalion of infantry consist of
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Pay per Month.
One colonel and captain,
$75
One lieut .- colonel and captain, 60
One major,. 50
Six captains, each, . 40
One captain, lieutenant,
26, 2-3d.
Eight lieutenants, each,
26, 2-3d. 20
Nine ensigns, each, .
Paymaster (to be taken from the line)
20*
Adjutant 66
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13*
Two Masters, "
13*
One surgeon, ..
60
One surgeon mate,
40
One sergeant-major,
10
One quarter-master sergeant,
10
Twenty-seven sergeants, each, 10
One drum-major,
One fife-major,
9
Eighteen drums and fifes, each, 7, 1-3d,
Twenty-seven corporals, each, 7, 1-3d.
447 Privates, each,.
6, 2-3d.
Each of the field-officers to command a company. The lieutenant of the colonel's company to have the rank of capt .- lieutenant.
Resolved, That the adjutant and quarter-master of a regiment be nominated by the field-officers out of the subalterns, and presented to the commander-in-chief, or the commander of a separate department, for approbation, and that being approved of, they shall receive from him a warrant agreeable to such nomination.
That the pay-master of a regiment be chosen by the officers of the regiment out of the captains or subalterns, and appointed by warrant as above. The officers are to risk their pay in his hands. The pay-master to have the charge of the clothing, and to distribute the same.
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