intelligence from them declares that they expect, this fall, very considerable assistance, both by sea and land. Another powerful reason for keeping up this number is, that by the opening of the summer, the Army, by the diligence and activity of the officers, may be made a well-disciplined body of troops, and fit to execute any service they may be commanded to perform.

Question 2d. Can the pay of the privates be reduced, and how much?

Answer. The pay of the privates had better be continued as at present established, and all necessary stoppages made, for clothing, &c., out of that pay.

Question 3d. What rations should be allowed the soldiers?

Answer. The rations to be continued as directed by the general orders of the 8th of August and 21st of September following. If milk and peas, or any of the small species of provisions, cannot be procured in the winter, the Commissary-General should make good such deficiency by a larger supply or allowance in some other article, but not in money. More care to be taken in the baking of bread; nothing contributes more to the health of soldiers than good and wholesome food.

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

Answer. This question comprehends almost all the others. As those are particularly answered, I shall confine my answer to so general a question to the smallest possible compass; and, first, the Army ought to be so regulated that every non-commissioned officer and soldier be provided with good and sufficient clothing, (as well for winter as summer,) substantial and complete arms and accoutrements, as follows: A powder-horn; a bag for buck-shot; a tin canister, to hold thirty-six cartridges of powder and ball, with a leather strap to sling it across the shoulder; a cartridge-box, to contain twenty-three cartridges or thereabouts; and every soldier, without exception, should have a bayonet. Much regulation is wanted in the Continental Articles of War, as in many instances they have been found to give too discretionary a power to the members who compose General Courts-Martial; a very flagrant instance having happened lately in the trial of Lieutenant-Colonel Abiiah Brown. A Provost-Martial should, without delay, be appointed.

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

Answer. The Army to be now raised should be enlisted to serve for one year; that is, from the 31st of December, 1775, to the 31st of December, 1776. If the wicked attempts of the present abandoned English Ministry should cease before that period expires, and peace and liberty be restored to this once happy Continent, and the Ministerial Troops withdrawn, then the Troops to be discharged as the Continental Congress, in their wisdom, shall direct.

Question 6th. What method would you recommend as most eligible, to clothe a new-raised Army with a proper 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?

Answer. As to clothing, I am confident it might be so made and contrived that, by throwing off the coat or outer garment, the waistcoat would answer sufficiently for the heat of the summer. Indian stocking, and warm woollen breeches, made strong by being doubled upon the seams, would be best in this climate. It would be proper for a pattern dress to be exhibited. Let each General Officer produce a soldier dressed to his fancy; from those the best might be adopted.

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

Answer. The soldiers should be paid regularly every two months, which will keep so much in arrear as will provide such necessaries as they immediately want, and, in many instances, prevent desertion.

Question 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?

Question 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?

Answer. The Regiments should, I think, consist of eight Companies; each Company to have one Captain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Drummer, one Fifer, and seventy-six Privates; three Field-Officers, one Chaplain, one Adjutant, one Quartermaster, one Surgeon, and one Surgeon’s Mate. The Adjutant to have also an Ensign’s commission, to enable him to keep a horse; he to be a good disciplinarian; to be ready at his pen. This encouragement will make it the ambition of the subalterns to deserve well, that they may get the Adjutancy when vacant.

In regard to selecting the best officers, it has been determined to have all the names of the officers, who are inclined to continue in the service, returned to the Brigadier-General of each Brigade, who will return to the General-in-Chief as soon as the whole are returned. The General-in-Chief, assisted by the rest of the General Officers, to select such as are thought fittest for the different ranks; the rest to be discharged.

HORATIO GATES, Adjutant-General.

Cambridge, October 15, 1775.

Opinion of Brigadier-General GREENE, in answer to Queries of OCTOBER 5, 1775.

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

Answer. Twenty-five Regiments, amounting in the whole to thirteen thousand one hundred and thirty men, including Battalion officers; to be posted, nine Regiments on the right division, nine on the left, and seven in the centre. To act offensive and defensively, thirty-eight Regiments to be distributed as before mentioned.

Question 2d. Can the pay of the privates be reduced?

Answer. No. Because a sudden reduction would impede the filling the Regiments to such a degree as would possibly weaken the lines at the expiration of the old establishment. The people have not, as yet, felt the necessity of entering the service for the support of themselves and families. They will consequently refuse enlisting for a time, with the view of reducing the Congress to the necessity of raising the wages.

Question 3d. What rations should be allowed the men?

Answer. As the rations do not enter into the nature of the establishment, but are variable at the pleasure of the Commander-in-Chief, I do not think it eligible to make alteration, at this time, of the present provision.

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

Answer. As to appointments, a Provost-Martial is wanted; as to martial laws, treason against the United Colonies, committed in the Army, should be clearly designated, and the punishment expressed.

Question 5th. What is the most eligible method of clothing a new-raised Army?

Answer. The clothing should be procured by the Continent, and delivered to the men at prime cost and charges; to be paid for by monthly deductions; each deduction amounting to twelve Shillings, lawful money.

Question 6th. How are the men to be paid?

Answer. I esteem monthly payments the best calculated to quiet the minds of the soldiery, who must frequently contribute to the support of their families. To this purpose, regimental abstracts should be made, signed by the Colonel or commanding officer of the Regiment, who should apply to his Excellency for a warrant to the Paymaster-General. The Colonel should deliver the money to the Captains of Companies, who will be accountable to the Colonel, who will be answerable to the Paymaster-General.

Question 7th. What sized Regiments upon the new establishment?

Answer. The Regiment should consist of five hundred