and the Quartermasters are to be answerable to their Commanding Officers for a strict observance of this Order; and by persevering in the constant and unremitted execution thereof, remove that odious reputation which (with but too much reason) has stigmatized the character of American Troops. The Colonels and Commanding Officers of Regiments are to be answerable to the General for all due obedience to this Order.

The General, finding it is not uncustomary for Officers to take the liberty of absenting themselves from Camp without leave, and going home: For the future, any Officer found guilty of so glaring an offence against all order and discipline, and setting so bad an example to the Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers under their command, such Officer or Officers so offending, may depend upon being punished with the utmost severity.

Lest the late successes against the enemy should occasion any relaxation in the alertness of the Troops, the General recommends it in the strongest manner to all the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Army, to be the more vigilant in their duty, and watchful of the enemy, as they certainly will take every advantage of any supineness on our part.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, August 2, 1775.

Captain Oliver Parker, of Colonel Prescott’s Regiment, tried by a General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Glover was President, for “defrauding his men of their advance pay, and by false returns imposing upon the Commissary, and drawing more rations than he had men in his Company, and selling the provisions he by that means obtained,” is by the Court found guilty of the whole charge against him, and sentenced to be cashiered, mulcted of all his pay, and rendered incapable of future service.

Captain Christopher Gardner, of Colonel Varnum’s Regiment, in the Rhode-Island Brigade, tried by a General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Thomas Church was President, “for deserting his post,” is found guilty of the crime, and unanimously sentenced to be cashiered, as incapable of serving his country in any military capacity.

The General approves both the above sentences, and orders the Commanding Officers of the Regiments to see the prisoners dismissed the Army.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, August 3, 1775.

When any plunder is taken from the enemy, (not excepted by the Continental Articles of War,) such plunder must be all surrendered to the Commanding Officer; and as soon as convenient, after his arrival at Head-Quarters, publick notice must be made that an auction will be held in the front of the encampment, for the sale thereof the next day at noon; and the money arising therefrom is to be equally divided between the officers and men that took it. This Order is not to be construed to extend to permitting unlawful and irregular plundering, as any Officer or Soldier who shall be found guilty thereof, will be punished with the greatest severity.

All the Armourers belonging to any of the Regiments in the three Brigades posted in the lines, or in Cambridge, and those employed in the Artillery, to be at Head-Quarters by eight o’clock to-morrow morning, and none will be entitled to any pay hereafter who does not attend at that time.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, August 4, 1775.

It is with indignation and shame the General observes, that notwithstanding the repeated orders which have been given to prevent the firing of guns in and about camp, it is dally and hourly practised; that, contrary to all orders, straggling soldiers do still pass the guards and fire at a distance, where there is not the least probability of hurting the enemy, and where no other end is answered but to waste ammunition, expose themselves to, the ridicule of the enemy, and keep their own camps harassed by frequent and continual alarms, to the hurt of every good soldier, who is thereby disturbed of his natural rest, and will at length never be able to distinguish between a real and a false alarm.

For these reasons, it is in the most peremptory manner forbid any person or persons whatsoever, under any pretence, to pass the out-guards, unless authorized by the Commanding Officer of that part of the lines, signified in writing, which must be shown to the officer of the guard as they pass. Any person offending in this particular, will be considered in no other light than as a common enemy; and the guards will have orders to fire upon them as such. The Commanding Officer of every Regiment is to direct that every man in his Regiment is made acquainted with these orders, to the end that no one may plead ignorance, and that all may be apprised of the consequence of disobedience.

The Colonels of Regiments, and Commanding Officers of Corps to order the rolls of every Company to be called twice a day, and every man’s ammunition examined at evening roll-calling; and such as are found deficient, to be confined.

The Guards are to apprehend all persons firing guns near their posts, whether Townsmen or Soldiers.

MINUTE OF COUNCIL OF WAR.

At a Council held at Cambridge, Head-Quarters, August 3, 1775. Present:

His Excellency General Washington, Major-Generals Ward, Lee, and Putnam; Brigadier-Generals Thomas, Heath, Spencer, Sullivan, Greene, Gates.

The General communicated sundry Letters respecting the state of Ammunition, which appears to be far short of the return made some time ago; and having explained in what manner the mistake had happened, desired the opinion and advice of the Generals present on this subject.

Upon the returns now made, the whole stock of the Army at Roxbury and Cambridge, and the adjacent posts, consists of ninety barrels, or thereabouts. It was proposed to make an attempt on the Magazine at Halifax, where there is reason to suppose there is a great quantity of Powder; and upon the question being severally put, it was agreed to by a great majority; and that the detachment for this enterprise consist of three hundred men; also, to endeavour to collect a supply from the neighbouring Provinces of New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, and Connecticut.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Camp at Cambridge, August 4, 1775.

SIR: I was yesterday favoured with yours of the 31st of July. We have yet no certain account of the fleet which sailed out of Boston the 25th; but if our conjecture and information are just, we may expect to hear of it every hour. I am now, Sir, in strict confidence, to acquaint you, that our necessities in the articles of powder and lead are so great, as to require an immediate supply. I must earnestly entreat you will fall upon some measure to forward every pound of each in the Colony which can possibly be spared. It is not within the propriety or safety of such a correspondence, to say what I might upon this subject; it is sufficient that the case calls loudly for the most strenuous exertions of every friend of his country, and does not admit of the least delay. No quantity, however small, is beneath notice, and should any arrive, I beg it may be forwarded as soon as possible; but a supply of this kind is so precarious, not only from the danger of the enemy but the opportunity of purchasing, that I have revolved in my mind every other possible chance, and listened to every proposition on the subject which could give the smallest hope. Among others, I have had one mentioned which has some weight with me as well as the General Officers to whom I have proposed it. One Harris is lately come from Bermuda, where there is a very considerable magazine of powder in a remote part of the island, and the inhabitants well disposed, not only to our cause in general, but to assist in the enterprise in particular. We understand there are two armed vessels in your Province, commanded by men of known activity and spirit, one of which it is proposed to despatch on this errand, with such other assistance as may be requisite. Harris is to go along as the conductor of the enterprise, and to avail ourselves of his knowledge of the island, but without any command. I am very sensible