COLONEL STORRS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Camp at Cambridge, October 23, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: Incompliance with your Excellency’s request of the 20th of this instant, I have conferred with the several officers of this Regiment, laid your Excellency’s letter before them for their consideration. They unanimously conclude to tarry, should the service require it, to the time mentioned by your Excellency. The officers absent are, Major Johnston, Captain Clark, Lieutenant Fitch, Lieutenant Roberson, and Lieutenant Waterman, with whose minds I am not acquainted.

I requested of the officers present to confer with their men, and return the names, to-day, of those who were willing to tarry until the first of January next; but they reported there was not any who would give in their names to tarry. Complained that in case they clothed themselves to tarry until that time, the cost would be the same as through the winter; that they were generally of the opinion, that were there now enlisting orders, and the promise of a furlough for a short time, that about two-thirds would enlist for the winter.

They say their men do not absolutely decline tarrying, agreeable to your Excellency’s request, but are not willing to subscribe that. I think there is not much dependance on them after the term of their enlistment is expired. Believe (in case it is proper for me to offer my sentiments) that in case there were immediate orders for enlisting, that the bigger part of them would enlist for the winter, on condition they could have a short furlough, to go home and provide themselves clothing.

With due respect, from your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,

EXPERIENCE STORRS,

Lieutenant-Colonel of the 34th Regiment.

To his Excellency George Washington, Esq., General and Commander-in-Chief of the United Forces of the American Colonies.

COLONEL WEBB TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Camp on Winter-Hill, October 23, 1775.

SIR: According to your Excellency’s desire, I have made inquiry among my officers, and find them in general willing to comply with your Excellency’s request. The officers of the several Companies have not had time, as yet, to find out the disposition of their soldiers. I shall use my utmost influence to have your Excellency’s request complied with, and as soon as I can possibly ascertain the precise number, will give your Excellency information.

I am your Excellency’s most humble servant,

CHARLES WEBB.

To George Washington, Esq., Generalissimo of the Continental Army, Cambridge.

PROCEEDINGS OF A COUNCIL OF GENERAL OFFICERS.

At a Council of General Officers held at Head-Quarters, in Cambridge, November 2, 1775. Present: his Excellency General Washington; Major-Generals Ward, Lee, Putnam; Brigadier-Generals Thomas, Heath, Spencer, Sullivan, Greene, Gates.

The General acquainted the Council that it had been resolved, at a meeting held with a Committee from the Continental Congress and the Governours of the adjacent Colonies, that such Officers as have served in the present Army to approbation, and are willing to stay, be preferred. If there are more of those than are necessary for the new Army, the General to distinguish such as he deems best qualified. It was also at the aforesaid meeting further agreed, that it should be proposed to the Officers now serving in the Continental Army, that they signify which of them will continue to serve and defend their Country, and which of them retire; and that such Officers as propose to continue in the service, and are approved of by the General, proceed to enlist their men in the Continental service, upon the same pay and allowance of provision as is now given.

In consequence of these Resolutions, his Excellency signified his wishes that the General Officers composing this Council, as they are better acquainted with the characters and merits of the several Officers of the Army than he is, would aid him in the choice.

Whereupon, it was agreed that the following persons should be nominated for Colonels, to command the Regiments of the new Army.

The Council then agreed with his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, in the nomination of the following undernamed persons for Lieutenant-Colonels:

The Council proceeded next to the nomination of the undernamed persons for Majors, viz:

The Council then proceeded to place the Field-Officers in Corps, in the following manner:

The Council then resolved that the Brigadier-Generals of the Army do call together the Field-Officers in each Brigade now appointed, to serve under the new establishment, and they to select out of those Captains or Subalterns who have returned their names willing to continue in service, so many as can be well recommended; the others to be rejected. Attention to be paid to those who are absent upon furlough or command. The first of those to undergo the same scrutiny as those who give in their names. If there are any Officers that have not returned their names, but are now willing to serve, and can be well recommended, their names to be returned; also, the best Sergeants. A return of all the Officers, the Regiments to which they belong, and their former rank, to be made to the Commander-in-Chief, that they may be formed into Regiments.