and presented to him the paper (handed to me by you) from the Selectmen of Boston. The answer I received from him was to this effect: “That as it was an unauthenticated paper, without an address, and not obligatory upon General Howe, he would take no notice of it.”

I am, with esteem and respect, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

EBENEZER LEARNED.

To Messrs. Amorys and Johonnot.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, February 27, 1776.

As the season is now fast approaching when every man must expect to be drawn into the field of action, it is highly necessary that he should prepare his mind, as well as everything necessary, for it. It is a noble cause we are engaged in—it is the cause of virtue and mankind. Every temporal advantage and comfort to us and our posterity depends upon the vigour of our exertions; in short, freedom or slavery must be the result of our conduct; there can, therefore, be no greater inducement to men to behave well. But it may not be amiss for the troops to know, that if any man in action shall presume to skulk, hide himself, or retreat from the enemy, without the orders of his commanding officer, he will be instantly shot down, as an example of cowardice—cowards having too frequently disconcerted the best formed troops by their dastardly behaviour.

Next to the favours of Divine Providence, nothing is more essentially necessary to give this Army the victory of all its enemies, than exactness of discipline, alertness when on duty; and cleanliness in their arms and persons. Unless the arms are kept clean, and in good firing order, it is impossible to vanquish the enemy; and cleanliness of the person gives health and soldierlike appearance. That no confusion may ensue when the troops are called to action, the General has ordered all the posts and guards of the lines and redoubts to be so fixed and regulated, as every officer and soldier may know his place and his duty; and to confirm the order and discipline, the General orders, that the, officers and men who are to mount guard do parade every morning at eight o’clock, upon their regimental parades, where they are to be reviewed by the Adjutant in the presence of a Field-Officer, who is to see that their arms, ammunition, and accoutrements, are complete, and the men dressed in a soldierlike manner. The Adjutant is then to march them to the parade of the Brigade, and deliver them over to the Major of Brigade, who is very minutely to inspect the whole, and then march them to the grand parade, where the Brigadier, with the Field-Officers of the day, will attend, to see all the guards paraded and march to their several destinations. With the Brigadier will constantly mount his Major-of-Brigade, who is always to make up the guards upon the grand parade, and report all extraordinaries to his Brigadier-General. The Brigadier of the day will give his orders to the Field-Officers of the day, at what time he would have them to go the visiting and grand rounds, and half an hour before day, order all the guards, to be under arms, and properly posted, visit the outposts, see that the guards are properly placed, and that everything is in good order for defence, in case of an attack. All officers commanding guards are to report to the Brigadier of the day, who is to report to the Commander-in-Chief. The guards to be made up on the grand parade are, Lechmere-Point, Cobble-Hill, Ploughed-Hill, White-House, main guard on Prospect-Hill, the South, North, and Middle Redoubts, Lechmere’s Point Bridge, and the main guard for Cambridge and Winter-Hill. All other guards are to be sent from the Brigade parades, (the quarter-guards of the Regiments excepted,) who are paraded on their regimental parades.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, February 28, 1776.

The commanding General at Roxbury will, as soon as possible, establish a detail of duty at that post, as similar to that in yesterday’s orders as the circumstances of his command will admit; which, when fixed, is to be transmitted to the Commander-in-Chief for his inspection and approbation.

The Brigadiers-General to take especial care that all the Regiments belonging to their respective Brigades know their alarm posts, that they may instantly repair to them in case of alarm.

As the guards are most of them increased, the sentries are to be increased in proportion.

A communication must be made and kept up between post and post, that the rounds and patrols may pass conveniently in the night.

As the roads are so extremely dirty, and the ground so unsettled, his Excellency orders the guards, until further orders, to be paraded in the same manner, and upon the same parade, as they were this morning.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, February 29, 1776.

The commanding officers of Brigades are to order all the spears in the several posts and redoubts to be examined, cleaned, and collected in the proper places, and make a return of the number fit for service in each Brigade, and where deposited.

Ensign Andrew Brown, of the Seventh Regiment of Foot, tried at a late General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Phinney was President, for “insulting and challenging his commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Moulton.” The court were of opinion that the prisoner was not guilty of the whole of the charge, but only of insulting Colonel Moulton; therefore, adjudge him publickly to ask pardon of Lieutenant-Colonel Moulton for the affront.

The General approves the sentence, and orders the execution of it to be as soon as possible, and the prisoner then to be released from his arrest.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, March 1, 1776.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, March 2, 1776.

Upon any alarm, Colonel Patterson’s Regiment is immediately to repair to Lechmere’s, leaving one Captain, two Subalterns, two Sergeants, and fifty rank and file, in the work leading to the bridge.

Colonel Bond’s Regiment is instantly to march to Cobble-Hill, and Colonel Sargent’s Regiment to the North, Middle, and South Redoubts. This is to be considered as a standing order, until countermanded.

Generals Heath’s, Sullivan’s, Greene’s, and Frye’s Brigades are, in rotation, to march a Regiment an hour before day, every morning, into the works on Lechmere’s Point and Cobble-Hill, five Companies of which to go to the former, and three to the latter; they are to remain in the works until sun-rise.

The Field-Officers for the guards at Lechmere’s Point, Cobble-Hill, and Ploughed-Hill, are to consist of Lieutenant-Colonels and Majors, as those for the day are Colonels.

The commanding officers of Regiments who have neglected to see their men supplied with fascines, are immediately to order every non-commissioned officer and soldier to provide one good fascine, which is to be put under a sentry of the quarter-guard of the Regiment.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, March 3, 1776.

No officer or soldier, under any pretence, is to be absent from his post, without leave in writing from his Brigadier-General, who is not to grant liberty of running backwards and forwards from hence to Roxbury, but in very especial cases.

As it is not unlikely but a contest may soon be brought on between the Ministerial Troops and this Army, the General flatters himself that every officer and soldier will endeavour to give such distinguished proofs of his conduct and good behaviour as becomes men fighting for everything that is dear and valuable to freemen, remembering at the same time what disgraceful punishment will attend a contrary behaviour. Every man’s conduct will be marked, and rewarded or punished accordingly, and cowardice in a most exemplary manner. The Colonels, or commanding officers of Regiments, are to see that their several Regiments are