General Varnum's Headquarters

Recruiting Refund Forms:
Whereas many inconveniences arise in settling the Recruiting Accounts of the Army for want of the Officers being acquainted with the mode of stating said accounts, the Commanding Officers of each Regiment & Corps is therefore requested to apply to the Auditors of the Army, who will furnish them with blank forms by which that business will be much facilitated, and render the adjustment of their accounts both simple and easy, in order that if difficulties may arise from multiplicity of accounts, the Auditor requests the Officers' Commd'g Reg^ts and Corps to cause the respective Officers of their Reg^ts, who have been employed in the Recruiting service, to produce their Recruiting Accounts, which should be calculated in form of an Abstract, that the whole may appear at view, and thereby enable the Auditors immediately to acquit the said Commanding Officers of Regim^ts & Corps from the several sums, with which they respectively stand charged.

Clean Up Filth:
The increasing warmth of the season requires that the greatest care should be taken to keep the Huts of the men clean -- their bedding air'd every day -- the streets & alleys of the Camps free from all kinds of filth. The Commander-in-Chief therefore earnest requires both the Brigade and Reg^t Officers of the day to see these duties regularly, & punctually, performed. All bones & putrid meat, dirty straw & any other kinds of filth to be every day collected and burnt.

Join Your Regiment:
The detachments of Col. Forman's Reg^t now in Camp to be got in readiness immediately to join their Reg^t in the Jerseys.

Marching:
As marching men by files is an unmilitary appearance, and attends to make them march in an unsoldier-like manner, all parties commanded by a Commissioned Officer are to be marched by Divisions & every Officer commanding a Guard or Detachment will be very attentive to see that his men march properly &, when relieved, to march his guard etc. back to the Brigade to which they belong. If from several Brigades, he will march them to the Grand Parade before he dismisses them.

Speaking Against Court Martial:
At a Gen^l Court Martial, whereof Brigadier Gen^l Poor was President, April 8^th /78, Col. John Crain tried for a vexatious & groundless arrest of Forrest, & for speaking disrespectful of Court Martials to the prejudice of good of the service of the United States. Acquited of a vexatious and groundless attack against Major Forrest, but found guilty of speaking disrespectful of Courts Martial to the prejudice of good order of the service of the United States, by a breach of article the 5^th Section 18 of the Articles of War, and sentenced to be Reprimand in Brigade Orders. The Commander-in-Chief approves the sentence and orders it to take place tomorrow.

Court Martial Dissolved:
The Gen^l Court Martial, whereof Brigadier Gen^l Poor was president, is dissolved.

Wasting Ammo Gets 39 Lashes:
The Comm^l-in-Chief earnestly calls on all Officers to pay the strictest attention to the orders of the 28^th of January last, respecting the men's Ammunition and, in addition to that order, he directs that when a Non-comms^d Officer or soldier is detected in discharging his piece, or otherwise wasting his ammunition, the first Commissioned Officer he is brought before shall order him immediately tied up and receive 39 lashes on his bare back. And as many soldiers, contrary to Good order, often straggle into the woods or byplaces to avoid being detected, no soldier for the future to be allowed to carry his arms or accoutrements out of Camp, unless being on duty. And whenever the report of a Gun is heard in the vicinity of the Camp, the Commanding Officers of the Reg^ts are desir'd to send out parties, under Non-Comms'd Officers, to apprehend the delinquent and bring him to immediate punishment. The Comm^dg Officers of Regts and Corps will see that this order is read to their Officers & men, and the Commanders of Companies will be Careful to inform their men, now absent, of this order when they return to camp.

Court Martial Results:
At a Gen^l Court Martial, whereof Col. Vose was president, April the 1^st /78, Doct^r Vashe of the 4^th New York Reg^t tried for neglect of Duty, Disobedience of orders, and behaving unbecoming a Gentleman and an Officer, using Menacing language to his Col., and spreading false Reports to his prejudice. Found not guilty of either the charges exhibited against him, and unanimously acquitted with honor.

Also, Ensign Bloomfield, of the 3^rd Jersey Reg^t, tried by the same Court for conducting in an unofficer, unsoldierlike, manner in suffering to be surprised by the enemy near their lines. After mature deliberation, the Court are unanimously of opinion that Ensign Bloomfield is Not Guilty of the charges exhibited against him and his conduct, far from being unofficer-like, Merits Applause and is worthy of emulation.

The Commander-in-Chief approves of the foregoing opinions of the Court, and orders Doct^r Vache and Ensign Bloomfield to be immediately discharged from their arrest.

At the same Court, Ensign Kirk of Col. Grayson's Reg^t tried for suffering Major Tyler, one of the Officers of the Day, to be surprised at his Picquet, for permitting several of his Guard to be asleep with their accoutrements off, & for not demanding either the parole or countersign after the Guard was paraded. Found Guilty of the charges exhibited against him, and sentenced to be Reprimanded by the Commanding officer of his Reg^t in presence of the Officers of his Corps. The Gen^l approves the sentence, and orders it to take place tomorrow.

Court Martial to Meet:
The Court Martial, whereof Col Vose was president, is dissolved, and another ordered to sit tomorrow at 9 o'clock, a.m. at the usual place, whereof Col. Craig is appointed president, to try all such prisoners as shall be brought before them. A Cap^t from each Brigade to attend as members.

Assignment:
A subaltern from the 2^d Penns^a Brigade to attend at the Adjutant Genls. at 3 o'clock this afternoon, when he will receive his orders. The Honorable Congress, having thought proper to recommend to the United States of America to set apart Wednesday the 23^d instant as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, and at one time, and with one voice, the Righteous Dispensations of Providence may be acknowledged, and his goodness and mercy towards us and our arms, humbly supplicated and implored, the Gen^l directs that Day shall also be Religiously observ'd that no work be done thereon, and that the several Chaplains do prepare Discourses, suitable to the occasion.

Funerals of Officers:
The funeral honors at the internment of Officers will, for the future, be confined to a solemn procession of Oficers and Soldiers, in numbers suitable to the rank of the deceas'd, with Revers'd Arms. Firing on these occasions in Camp are to be abolished.

Desertion Court Martial:
At a Gen^l Court Martial, whereof Col. Vose was president, April y^e 6^th /78, William Meath, matross in Cap^t Lee's company, Col. Lamb's Reg^t of Artillery, was brought prisoner before the Court, charged with desertion to the enemy. After making deliberation, the Court are of opinion he is Guilty of breach of Article y^e 1^st, 6^th Sect. of the Articles of War, and do sentence him to be hanged until he is dead. The Comm^dr-in-Chief approves of the sentence, and orders William M. Meath to be executed next Friday at 10 o'clock a.m.

Appointment:
Major Nicholas is this day appointed Field Officer, vice Major Dickinson.

Division Orders
The Enemy Condemns Our Deserters to a Fate Worse Than Death:
Gen^l Wayne esteems it his Duty to inform the Soldiers belonging to his Division that their unworthy Comrades who have basely Deserted their Country and liberty, and have therefore forfeited their liberty and lives, and the confidence of Mankind, that those have lately, in presence of the Inhabitants of Philadelphia, Col. Frazer and many other Gentleman of Veracity, been sent on board, bound hand and foot & Forced to the West India Islands, there to serve During life. For the very Enemy despise Desertion, or Deserters, and will not trust them on this ground, well knowing that the men who have infamously deserted us will not remain with them. Was it in their power to make their escape yet, whilst the Gen^l feels the keenest Resentment at these Unworthy men, humanity induces him to pity their present wretched Condition, which is far worse than Death, being Doomed to perpetual Banishment in hot & sickly Islands, from which there is not the most Distant prospect of ever Returning, even were they to receive pardon for their past crimes.

If, after this Representation of facts, any Soldier belonging to this Division should be so lost to every Sense of Duty, Virtue and feeling as to follow so Bad an Example, the Gen^l would be glad to be rid of such Monsters, conscious that his faithful fellow soldiers will stand by him in every Vississitude of Fortune and, as he is determined to partake every fatigue and Danger with them, he also wishes to partake part of their Glory.

Take Care of the Sick:
The Surgeons belonging to this Division are immediately to draw Hospital Stores for the use of the sick, there being plenty to be had on proper application. He also enjoins the tenderest, and strictest, attention to the sick, not only from the Doct^r, but from the Officers to which they belong.

Better Hungry Than Not Neat:
The Clothing of the Soldiers to be examined, as in former Orders, and no Soldier to carry provisions on his head or back, as it Ruins his Uniform. The whole Division to parade tomorrow at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, in the most neat and soldierlike manner.

Appointments:
Major Vail will immediately repair to the detachment at Radmor to relieve Major Conway. Lt. McKenney is appointed to do the duty of Brigade Major in Capt. Conway's Brigade till Major Hog returns, & is to be respected as such.

Supplies:
The Brigade Q^r Masters will apply tomorrow for their respective proportion of paper. The Medicine Chests from Gen^r Greene's Division to be sent immediately to the Yellow Springs to be refilled. A return to be made of such Regt^r as have no Chests to Mr. Cutting, Apothecary Gen^r of the Middle Hospitals, who will supply them.

Latrines:
The Gen^l was very much pleased on a ride through the lines yesterday to see what attention some of the Brigadiers paid to his Orders, respecting the neatness and purity of the Camp. He wishes it had been Gen^l, but the case was otherwise and, not withstanding a repeated order enjoining cleanliness, the smell in some places is intolerable, owing to the want of necessaries & of the neglect of them. He therefore, and for the last time without proceeding to extremities, requests that all kinds of Dirt and filth, as well that in front, rear, and between the huts, as what shall be found on the parade before the Doors, be raked together and burned.

The Regimental Quarter Masters are to see that necessaries, where wanted, are immediately dug, and that fresh earth to be thrown into them every morning. The Brigade Quartermasters are to see that the offal at ye Slaughter Pens are buried daily. They will be answerable for a neglect of these Duties and will, without fail, be arrested for the smallest inattention to them. Sentinels from the Quarter Master Guards are to be posted at proper places, who are to make prisoner of any Soldier who shall attempt to ease himself at anywhere but at the proper necessaries. And five lashes are to be immediately ordered him by the Comm^dg Officer of the Reg^t to which the delinquent belongs for the offense of disobedience of Orders.

That soldiers may not ignorantly offend against this order, it is to be read to them frequently, and the Sergeants are to take care that All Newcomers are informed thereof, or they will become answerable themselves.

The Gen^l, observing that many huts are without straw, the Qr Master Gen^l therefore will provide it for the Soldiers to Lodge on.

Court Martial:
At a Gen^l Court Martial, whereof Col. Vose was president, Doct^r Sonot, Surgeon's Mate of the 14^th Virginia Reg^t, tried for repeatedly neglecting to procure necessaries for the sick of the Reg^t; secondly for absenting himself without leave and going to the State of New York. Acquited of the first charge, but found guilty of the 2^d, being a breach of the 5^th Article 14^th Sec^t of the Articles of War, and sentenced to be reprimanded by the Commanding Officer of the Reg^t, and ordered it to take place tomorrow.

Washington's Guard:
The men who are Drafted for the Commd^r-in-Chief's Guard are to be included in the pay abstracts of their pay until the first of April, after which they will draw pay as a Distinct Corps, altho' returned on Comman'd in their Respective Reg^ts.

Court Martial:
At a Gen^l Court Martial, whereof Col. Craig was president, April 14^th 1778, Lieut. Ritter of Col. Procter's Reg^l tried for ungentleman-like behavior, and for going into the City of Phila. since the enemy have taken possession of it. Being guilty of a breach of Article ye 5^th Sect. 18^th of the Articles of War. But on account of circumstances, sentenced to be reprimanded in Brigade Orders. The Commander-in-Chief approves the sentence and orders it to take place.

At the same Court, Jn^o Foster, of Col Malcomb's Reg^t tried for deserting to the enemy. Pled Guilty &, in consideration of his youth, only sentenced to receive 100 lashes on his bare back. Y^l Comm^l-in-Chief approves the sentence and orders it to be put in execution tomorrow morning at the head of the Reg^l to which he belongs.

Brigade Orders
Double Jepordy or a Second Chance:
The Col. Comm^l in the Report of the Brigade Guard this morning observed that many prisoners are now confined for crimes which are under the immediate notice of Regimental Court Martial. The Col. orders that Officers comm^dg Reg^ts, who have such prisoners in the Guard, to have them immediately tried by the Regimental Courts. A Brigade Court Martial to convene tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock at the president's Quarters for the trial of all such prisoners as shall be brought there. The Brigade Major will order a field Officer and the members to constitute the Court:

Selling of Liquor:
The Commander-in Chief directs, that only one Sutler be allowed to each Brigade, who shall have a Sutileing Booth, within the limits of the Brigade and shall sell Liquors to no others but the Brigade he belongs to; he shall sell his Liquors at the following prices, to the Officers and men of the Brigade to which he belongs and on no pretense to any other, under penalty of having his whole stock seized, and rendered incapible of ever serving as a Sutler in the Army: -- Gin: Whiskey: Peach Brandy: Apple Brandy: Cordials of all kinds: and any other homemade spirrits at 15 per Gallon, pr Quart 4; pr pint 2 pr half pint 1:3^d West india full proof 15 pr Quart a bowl of Toddy containing half a pint of Spirits 7.6^d. And no persons besides such assigned Sutlers or Commissarys sent by particular States shall sell any kind of Liquors in Camp or within 7 miles of Camp under penalty of having their whole stock seized.

Except that the Quartermaster Gen, is authorised to allow one or more houses of entertainment to accomodate strangers or travelers, which must necessarily be in the vicinity of the Camp, the persons receiving their license for that purpose giving sufficient security, not to vend their liquors to any persons: to the Army; the Brigadier's and Officers commanding Brigades are to report the name of the Sutlers belonging to the respective Brigades, to the Adj. Genl. and where any change happens they are to report it accordingly.

Sutler Rations:
A ration for the future to consist of bread, one pound, one pound of beef or fish or 3/4 lb of pork, one gill of Whisky, or spirits, or a pound and 1/2 of flour or bread, 1/2 a pound of pork or bacon, 1/2 a point of peas or beans, 1/2 a pint of Whiskey or spirits; the Commissaries are directed to issue rations to the Army from time to time agreeable to either of the foregoing estimates, according to the state of the stores in Camp.

Death Sentence Lifted:
William McMeath under sentence of Death is reprieved till further Orders.

Desertion Court Martial:
At a Gen^l Court Martial whereof Col. Vose was president April ye 8^th 1778, Jn Conner of the 9^th Penns^a Reg^t tried first for desertion to the enemy; 2^d for taking the Oath of Alegiance to the king of Great Britain, acquitted of the first charge, but found guilty of the 2^d; being a breach fo the 5^th article of 8^th Sec^t of the Articles of War & as he did not return to his Reg^t after leaving Phila^da, is an addition to his crime, they sentence him to receive 50 lashes and rejoin his Reg^t.

Behavior Court Martial:
At the same Court L^t Orr of the 10^th Reg^t tried for ungentleman-like behaviour and conniving with Serg^t Hughs in secreting stolen goods & countenancing him in carrying off a Mulata slave belonging to Major Shaw, found guilty of the first charge exhibited against him, being a breach of the 21^st Article 14^th Sec^t of the Articles of War and sentenced to be discharged the service; the Comm^dr-in-Chief approves the sentence and orders it to take place immediately.

Desertion Court Martial:
At the same Court James Gorden, a soldier belonging to the 2^nd Virginia Reg^t tried for desertion and 2^ndly for forging a discharge; 3^rd for re-enlisting in the 12^th Pens^a Reg^t found guilty of the several charges exhibited against him, being breaches of the 1^st and 3^rd Articles 6^th Sect. of the Articles of War & sentenced to receive 300 lashes at three different times, 100 for each Crime. The Gen^l approves the sentence and orders the execution of it to begin tomorrow morning at the Reg^t to which he belongs & completed at the discretion of the commd'g officers of the Reg^t.

Get the Men's Hair Cut:
The Colonel is sorry to find that so little attention has been given to the General Order, for cutting the men's hair. Now desires that the commanding officers of companies in Camp will see the order punctually complied with tomorrow. No longer delay will be dispensed with.

Keep Your Files in Order:
In the return called for yesterday from the officers marching parties into Camp, the Gen^l expects lists of the mens names in which distinctions will be made of the Drafts Re-enlisted, and others; the officers are also to ascertain the numbers that were committed to their charge in the several States they march'd from, and account for the difference if any there be between that and the number they bring to Camp; they are also to note against each man's name, the Reg^t to which he belongs, and goes to; this order is to be very strictly complied with.

Shoes:
Shoes and stockings are to be had at the Clothier's store for the soldiers.

Mutiny Court Martial:
At a Division Court Martial whereof Col^l Smith was president, Serg^t Hellam, of Gen^t Vernom's Guard, tried for Insulting a number of officers and attempting with an Iron ramrod, for to strike Lieut. Hill, and endeavoring to cause and excite a mutiny, found guilty of the charges exhibited against him, being breaches of the 3^rd and 5^th Articles 2^nd Sect. fo the Articles of War, and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks and receive 50 lashes on his bare back; the Commander-in-Chief approves the sentence and orders it to take place tomorrow at the head of the Reg^t to which he belongs.

Supplying the Enemy Court Martial:
At a Gen^l Court Martial whereof Col. Craig was president, April 5th, 1778, Samuel Harvey an inhabitant of this State tried for attempting to supply the enemy with provision acquitted and orders him immediately to be discharged from his confinement.

Provisioning the Enemy Court Martial:
At the same court by adjournment April the 16^th 78, Thos. Fitzgerald & David Rish Inhabitants of this State tried for attempting to relieve the enemy with provisions, found guilty of a breach of the Resolution of Congress October the 8th 77 and extended &c, sentenced each to receive 100 lashes on their bare backs.

Show Up in Proper Form:
All the waiters of the Regiment to attend roll call every evening with their arms and accouterments, in good order -- and once a day with the Regiment to learn to march & maneuver.

Officers Must Attend Parade:
The Colonel also expects that the Officers will attend the Parade better than they have hitherto done, particularly, when the Brigade is to maneuver, etc. A Regimental Court Martial to sit tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock for the trial of all such prisoners as may be brought before them. Capt Jenkins, President; Lieut Jones, Lieut Purnell, Lieut Norton Members.

Inspections:
For detachment, Major Dickingson; the sub-inspectors will each superintend the discipline of the Brigades according to the following Division viz:

Show Up in Proper Form:
The officers and soldiers off duty belonging to the first Brigade commaded by Genl. Wayne, to parade precisely at four O'clock this afternoon; it is expected that every soldier will appear as decent as possible arms & accouterments in good order.

Regimental Orders
Clothes Survey:
A return to be made immediately by commanding officers of companies specifying what clothes they have delivered to their men since the first of January last, and what articles yet remain on hand.