GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 5, 1776.

Those Regiments which have not made a Return of their Officers, the ranks, and dates of their commissions, agreeable to a former Order, are now called on to do it without delay, and to mention in such Returns the Colony in which such Regiment was raised, the time when and period in which they inlisted, together with the vacancies in their respective Regiments.

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 6, 1776.

The Quartermaster-General to have all the empty casks which have been collected filled with fresh water, to be changed occasionally.

The General hopes the officers and soldiers will improve this opportunity to get their arms in the best order for service, as they cannot tell how soon, or how suddenly, they may be called forth.

Two hundred men, properly officered, (exclusive of the number ordered the 3d instant,) to parade to-morrow morning, five o'clock, at the Laboratory, with four days' provisions. They will receive tools and directions from the Chief Engineer,

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 7, 1776.

A working party of one hundred and fifty men, properly officered, to go to King's Bridge to-morrow, to march at six o'clock from the parade; they are to take two days' provisions with them; after which they will draw out of the stores there; to take their arms and tents with them; and when they get there, General Mifflin will give them orders.

As the enemy may make an attack early in the morning, when there may not be time for the soldiers to fill their canteens, the General directs that they be filled every evening; the officers to take care that it is not neglected, as it is a matter of much consequence at this season.

James Johnson, a soldier in Captain Hide's Company, and Colonel Wylly's Regiment, tried at a General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Reed is President, for "desertion," is found guilty, and sentenced to be whipped thirty-nine lashes on his naked back. Sergeant George Douglas, John Davis, John Cooper, Robert Sawyer, and George Clarkson, all of Captain Van Wyck's Company, Colonel McDougall's Regiment, tried at the same court-martial for "mutiny and sedition." Sergeant George Douglass is acquitted; the others severally found guilty, and sentenced, Davis to be whipped thirty-nine lashes; Cooper thirty lashes; Sawyer and Clarkson to be whipped each twenty lashes, on their bare backs for said offence. The Genera) approves of the foregoing sentences, and orders them put in execution at the usual time and place.

Some persons having barbarously wounded and maimed some cattle belonging to Leonard Lispenard, Esq., on Friday last, the General hopes no soldier in the Army is concerned in so base and scandalous an action; but if it should appear otherwise, such person may depend on the severest punishment. Any person who can give any information in the matter will be well rewarded.

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 8, 1776.

The new levies from Connecticut and New-Jersey daily arriving, a report is to be made every day to the General of the number arriving, by the Commanding Officer of each corps, in order that proper arrangements may be made.

All officers are required to be careful that their men are acquainted with orders, that they may not plead ignorance.

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 9, 1776.

John Evans, of Captain Ledyard's Company, Colonel McDougalls Regiment. Hopkins Rice, of Captain Pierce's Company, Colonel Ritzema s Regiment, having been tried by a General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Reed was President, and found guilty of "desertion," were sentenced to receive each thirty-nine lashes. The General approves the sentence, and orders them to be executed at the usual time and place.

Passes to go from the city are hereafter to be granted by John Berrien, Henry Wilmot, and John Ray, Jun., a committee of the city appointed for that purpose. Officers of the guards at the ferries and wharves to be careful in making this regulation known to the sentries, who are to see that the passes are signed by one of the above persons, and to be careful no soldier goes over the ferry without a pass from a General Officer. The North River guard to be removed to the market-house, near the ferry stairs, as soon as it is fitted up.

The honourable Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a Chaplain to each Regiment, with the pay of thirty-three dollars and one-third per month, the Colonels or Commanding Officers of each Regiment are directed to procure Chaplains accordingly; persons of good character and exemplary lives; to see that all inferior officers and soldiers pay them a suitable respect, and attend carefully upon religious exercises. The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary, but especially so in times of publick distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavour so to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.

The honourable the Continental Congress, impelled by the dictates of duty, policy, and necessity, having been pleased to dissolve the connexion which subsisted between this country and Great Britain, and to declare the United Colonies of North-America free and independent States, the several Brigades are to be drawn up this evening on their respective parades, at six o'clock, when the Declaration of Congress, showing the grounds and reasons of this measure, is to be read with an audible voice. The General hopes this important event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer and soldier to act with fidelity and courage, as knowing that now the peace and safety of his country depends (under God) solely on the success of our arms, and that he is now in the service of a State possessed of sufficient power to reward his merit, and advance him to the highest honours of a free country.

The Brigade Majors are to receive, at the Adjutant-General's office, several of the Declarations, to be delivered to the Brigadier-Generals and the Colonels of Regiments.

The Brigade Majors are to be excused from further attendance at Head-Quarters, except to receive the orders of the day, that their time and attention may be withdrawn as little as possible from the duties of their respective Brigades,

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 10, 1776

A working party of one hundred and fifty men, properly officered, to parade to-morrow morning, with their arms, near the Laboratory, at six o'clock. To take three days' provisions. The Commanding Officer to come to Head-Quarters for his orders. The Quartermaster-General to provide tents.

General Heath's Brigade, instead of repairing to their alarm posts to-morrow morning, to hold themselves in readiness to march. They will receive their orders from the Brigadier-General on the parade, at four o'clock. The Brigadier will attend at Head-Quarters, this afternoon, for the orders.

John Butler, of Captain Bridgham's Company, Colonel Bailey's Regiment, having been tried by a General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Reed was President, is found guilty of "desertion," and sentenced to receive thirty lashes. The General confirms the sentence, and orders it to be executed at the usual time and place.

Though the General doubts not the persons who pulled down and mutilated the Statue in the Broadway last night, were actuated by zeal in the publick cause, yet it has so much the appearance of riot and want of order in the Army, that he disapproves the manner, and directs that in future these things shall be avoided by the soldiery, and left to be executed by proper authority.

After orders—Colonel Drake, who was ordered in the orders of yesterday for picket this day, being unable to mount, Colonel Bailey is to mount picket this day in his stead. Likewise, as Lieutenant-Colonel Stoutenburgh is sick, Lieutenant-Colonel Sheppard is to succeed in his place to-morrow.