Officers of corps from whom the Returns are expected, that he will not for the future pass over the slightest neglect in sending Returns to Head-Quarters at the time directed by the General Orders. If there is any remissness in the Adjutants, the Colonels will confine the transgressors.

After Orders.

Captain Benjamin Perkins, of Colonel Little’s Regiment, confined by Colonel Doolittle for assisting and abetting soldiers to mutiny, in rescuing a prisoner from the quarter-guard of Colonel Doolittle’s Regiment, is to be tried to-morrow morning by the Court-Martial where of Colonel Nixon is President; all evidences and persons concerned to attend the Court.

Head-Quarters before Boston, July 18, 1775.

As the chevaux-de-frise are not in readiness, the officers commanding the different lines and redoubts are, as speedily as possible, to provide a sufficient number of gabions, which are to lay empty at the entrances of their respective posts, in order to be filled up as occasion may require. General Putnam will forthwith order his post to be furnished with a large quantity of fascines.

The officers commanding the different posts to send an exact Return to Head-Quarters this afternoon of all the intrenching tools in their possession, viz: Spades, Pickaxes, Wheelbarrows, Handbarrows, Axes, and Crowbars, and to mention the number and quality of any of these implements that are still wanting to carry on their respective works.

Six Captains, twelve Subalterns, twelve Sergeants, and three hundred rank and file, to parade to-morrow morning, immediately after divine service, from the Regiments now stationed in Cambridge, as a working party, to assist in raising the New-Hampshire lines.

Colonel James Scammons, of the Massachusetts-Bay forces, tried by the General Court-Martial of which Col. John Nixon was President, for “disobedience of orders, and backwardness in the execution of his duty;” the Court, after duly examining the evidence for and against the prisoner, together with what the prisoner had to say in his defence, are of opinion, that Colonel Scammons is not guilty of the crimes wherewith he was accused, and therefore do acquit the prisoner. Colonel Scammons to be immediately released from his arrest.

If, after what has happened, the enemy, in revenge of their late loss, should dare to attempt forcing our lines, the Army may be assured, that nothing but their own indolence and remissness can give the least hope of success to so rash an enterprise. It is therefore strongly recommended to the commanding officers of corps, guards, and detachments, that they be assiduously alert in parading their men, at their several posts, half an hour before daybreak, and remain there until the commanding officers think proper to dismiss them.

The General hears with astonishment the very frequent applications that are made to him, as well by officers as soldiers, for furloughs. Brave men, who are engaged in the noble cause of liberty, should never think of removing from their camp while the enemy is in sight, and anxious to take every advantage any indiscretion on our side may give them. The General doubts not but the commanding officers of corps will anticipate his wishes, and discourage those under them from disgracefully desiring to go home, until the campaign is ended.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 20, 1775.

Certain drums in and near Cambridge very improperly beat the reveille this morning before day. Although the Troops are ordered to be under arms half an hour before day-light, it does not follow the drums are to beat at that time. The reveille is to beat when a sentry can see clearly one thousand yards around him, and not before.

All Aids-de-Camp and Majors of Brigade are to keep regularly entered in a book all the General Orders of the Army, as well as those of the Brigades they belong to, as the General-in-Chief will not, for the future, admit, as an excuse for the breach of orders, the plea of not knowing them.

Samuel Osgood and Joseph Ward, Esquires, being appointed Aids-de-Camp to Major-General Ward, they are to be obeyed as such; and all orders coming from Aids-de-Camp, are to be considered as the orders of their respective Generals, and whether written or verbal, to be forthwith obeyed. It may be necessary once more to repeat to the Army, that every Aid-de-Camp, and Major of Brigade, will be distinguished by a green ribband.

Certain corps having been dilatory in delivering last Saturday their weekly Returns, as positively directed by former orders, the General is determined, for the future, not to excuse any neglect in sending the Returns every Saturday to the Adjutant-General. As the commanding officers of Regiments are to be answerable for the due observance of this order, it is expected they are exact in obliging their respective Adjutants to fulfil their duty.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOHN HANCOCK.

Cambridge, July 21, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I am particularly to acknowledge that part of your favour of the tenth instant, wherein you do me the honour of determining to join the Army under my command. I need certainly make no professions of the pleasure I shall have in seeing you; at the same time I have to regret that so little is in my power to offer equal to Colonel Hancock’s merits, and worthy of his acceptance. I shall be happy, in every opportunity, to show the regard and esteem with which I am, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant.

To Colonel John Hancock.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Cambridge, July 21, 1775.

SIR: I am to acknowledge your favour of the seventeenth instant, informing me of the destination of the Troops raising in your Colony. As the season is now advanced, and the enemy considerably re-enforced, we have the utmost reason to expect any attack that may be made will not be much longer delayed. I should therefore think it highly necessary the new raised Troops should join the Army with all possible expedition. Upon inquiry with respect to the flour, I do not find our necessities to be such as to require an immediate transportation during the harvest; but as soon as it can be sent with convenience, you will please to give directions for that purpose. Colonel Trumbull will advise you to what place ills to be addressed, and to whose care.

Agreeable to your intimation I have ordered the express to wait on you, and shall do so in future. We have had no occurrence in the camp of any material consequence. On both sides we are strengthening our lines in full view of each other.

I am, Sir, with esteem, &c., your most obedient servant.

Go. WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable Governour Trumbull.

GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH TO SECRETARY ATKINSON.

Fort William and Mary, July 21, 1775.

SIR: Captain Barkley (at noon) gave me the enclosed paper, which I hope may effect a continuance of the boat fishery. You are sensible that I have not any powers to alter or direct in this matter, the execution of the Restraining Act being committed to the Navy and Custom-House.

I am, with due regard and respect, Sir, your most obedient servant,

J. WENTWORTH.

The Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Esq.

Scarborough, July 21, 1775.

Captain Barkley will suffer the open boats of the Town of Portsmouth, and the country, to go a fishing for fresh fish only, first having a permit from him for that purpose, provided the Town of Portsmouth will let His Majesty’s ship, under his command, be supplied with fresh beef as usual, at the common market price, and our boats to pass and repass without molestation.