peared to me of sufficient consequence to be immediately transmitted. I have therefore got it attested, and do myself the Honour of enclosing it, No. 5.

The new levies from Connecticut have lately marched into camp, and are a body of as good troops as any we have; so that we have now the same strength as before the detachment under Colonel Arnold marched.

I am, with the most respectful sentiments to the honourable Congress and yourself, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Hon. John Hancock.

GENERAL WASHIGTON TO GENERAL WARD AND OTHER GENERAL OFFICERS. [Circular.]

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 5, 1775.

SIR: In a letter from the Congress, dated September 26th, information on the following points is required:

What number of men are sufficient for a winter’s campaign?

Can the pay of the privates be reduced? How much?

What rations should be allowed the men?

And what regulations are further necessary for the government of the Forces?

To the above queries of the Congress I have to add several of my own, which I also request your opinion upon, viz:

For how long a time ought the men in the present Army (should we set about enlisting them) be engaged?

What method would you recommend, as most eligible, to clothe a new-raised Army with a degree of decency and regularity? Would you advise it to be done by the Continent? In that case, would you lower the men’s wages, and make no deduction for clothing, or let it stand, and make stoppages? And how much a month?

As there appears to be great irregularity in the manner of paying the men, and much discontent has prevailed on this account, in what manner and at what fixed periods would you advise it to be done, under a new establishment?

What sized Regiments would you recommend under this establishment; that is, how many men to a Company, how many Companies to a Regiment, and how officered?

Is there any method by which the best of the present officers in this Army can be chosen, without impeding the enlistment of the men by such choice and preference? Under any complete establishment, even if all the privates in the Army were engaged again, many of the present officers must be discharged, as there is an over proportion; of course we ought to retain the best.

Your close attention to the foregoing points, against Mon-day, ten o’clock, at which time I shall expect to see you at this place, will much oblige, Sir, your most obliged humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

COUNCIL OF WAR.

At a Council of War held at Head-Quarters, October 8, 1775, present: His Excellency General Washington; Major-Generals Ward, Lee, Putnam; Brigadier-Generals Thomas, Spencer, Heath, Sullivan, Greene, Gates.

His Excellency having, on the 5th instant, proposed sundry questions, in writing, to each of the Members of the Council, now requested their opinion on the several matters referred to their consideration.

1st. What number of men are sufficient for a winter’s campaign?

Unanimously agreed, that the Army ought not to consist of less than twenty thousand three hundred and seventy-two men,* and that it will be proper to form it into twenty-six Regiments, exclusive of Riflemen and Artillery; that each Regiment consist of seven hundred and twenty-eight men, officers included. Each Company to be officered with one Captain, two Lieutenants, and one Ensign, and to contain four Sergeants, four Corporals, two Drums or Fifes, and seventy-six Privates; which Army is deemed sufficient both for offensive and defensive measures. That the Adjutant and Quartermaster of each Regiment have also a subaltern commission.

2d. Can the pay of the Privates be reduced? How much?

Unanimously agreed, that the pay cannot be reduced at present.

3d. What rations should be allowed the men? and for such small articles as the Commissary at times cannot furnish, shall they be compensated in money or provisions?

Unanimously agreed, that the present allowance of provisions ought to stand. And agreed by a majority, that the compensation be made in money.

4th. What regulations are further necessary for the government of the Forces?

This question being so general, the Members of the Council were not prepared to give their sentiments. Whereupon his Excellency desired they would particularly attend to the Articles and Regulations of the Continental Army, and suggest such alterations and improvements as they should deem necessary.

5th. For how long a time ought the men in the present Army (should we set about enlisting them) be engaged?

Unanimously agreed, to the 1st December, 1776; but to be sooner discharged if necessary.

6th. What method would you recommend as most eligible to clothe the new-raised Army with a degree of decency and regularity? Would you advise it to be done by the Continent? In that case, would you lower the men’s wages, and make no deduction for clothing, or let it stand, and make stoppages? and how much per month?

Agreed, that each General Officer clothe a person according to his own fancy and judgment, and then the best dress to be selected as a model. That the clothing be provided by the Continent, and paid for by stoppages of ten Shillings per month.

7th. As there appears great irregularity in the manner of paying the men, and much discontent has prevailed on that account, in what manner and at what fixed periods would you advise it to be done, under a new enlistment?

The Members of the Council, upon this question, were equally divided, viz:

For payment per month— Greene, Sullivan, Heath, Lee, Washington.

For payment per three months— Gates, Spencer, Thomas, Putnam, Ward.

8th. What sized Regiments would you recommend under this establishment; that is, how many men to a Company, how many Companies to a Regiment, and how officered?

This question answered under the first.

9th. Is there any method by which the best of the present officers in the Army can be chosen, without impeding the enlistment of the men by such choice and preference? Under any complete establishment, even if all the privates in the Army were engaged again, many of the present officers must be discharged, as there is an over proportion; of course, we ought to retain the best.

This question being of a very difficult and delicate nature, the several Members requested further time to consider it.

10th. Whether it will be advisable to enlist any negroes in the new Army? or whether there be a distinction between such as are slaves and those who are free?

Agreed, unanimously, to reject all slaves, and, by a great majority, to reject negroes altogether.

Brigadier-General GATES’SOpinion on Queries of OCTOBER 5, 1775.

Question 1st. What number of men are sufficient for a winter’s campaign?

Answer. This will depend, in great measure, upon the number the enemy intend to keep in Boston and upon Bunker’s Hill. If they do not, by detachments from thence, diminish their present numbers lower than seven thousand effective men, exclusive of officers, seamen, and artillerists, I think twenty thousand (commissioned and non-commissioned officers included) are as few as ought to be stationed at Cambridge and Roxbury. Perhaps a less number might suffice for defence at both those posts; but an eye to offence will most undoubtedly be wide open, to avail ourselves of every possible advantage which the weakness of the enemy, the circumstances of the time, and our own superiority, may afford. Provision is hereby also made for any new re-enforcement the enemy may receive; and every

* Battalion men, eighteen thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight; Rifle and Artillery men, one thousand four hundred and forty-four— twenty thousand three hundred and seventy-five men.