To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 February 1800
From James McHenry
War Department
Feby. 27. 1800.
Sir,
I received your letter dated the 21st: instant on the 25th.
I have examined your new list and arrangement of the Officers of the four old Regiments of Infantry, with the original arrangement as it stands on Record and find that it differs therefrom in a few transpositions only, viz: in removing Capt. Tinsley from the first to the fourth and Capt. Bird from the fourth to the first, Surgeon Carmichael from the fourth to the third and Surgeon Philips from the third to the fourth. As these changes may be made without any injury to the parties or the Officers of equal or inferior grade in their respective regiments you will be pleased to direct them to be carried into effect.
I concur, if I have not already done it, in the Officers named as the Staff for the aforesaid Regiments.
With respect to the vacancies occasioned by the Staff appointments and other causes it is most likely it will be thought expedient to suspend filling them for the present. Should the new Regiments be disbanded, will it not be proper to provide for some of their most deserving Officers by giving to them the vacant under Grades?
Captain B. Shaumberg is no doubt a good Officer and may be very well qualified for a Brigade Quarter Master. It is proper to observe that should he be appointed to that Office, and remain at Fort Stoddert on the Tombigbee, his utility as Brigade Quarter Master cannot reach beyond that post. If however it is intended to place him where he can be most extensively useful to the Brigade, I have no objection to his being provisionally appointed, and that he should perform the duties of his Office till such time as he can be confirmed in it by the Quarter Master General and receive instructions from him.
I perceive by your appointment of Inspectors to the four old Regiments that you consider them as composing two Brigades, conformably to the Eighth Section of the “Act for the better organizing of the troops of the United States and for other purposes” passed the 3rd of March 1799.1 Altho I concur with you in thinking these appointments necessary, and if possible more so for the troops on the Northern, Western and Southern Frontier than the troops of the Twelve new Regiments which are condensed and contiguous to each other, yet I do not believe it probable the president will under present circumstances and in pursuance of the power given to him by the said Eighth Section, judge it expedient to appoint a Brigadier General to the Second Brigade and a Major General to the Division.
Inclosed is the list and arrangement of the four Regiments as it will appear in the Books of the Office.*
There is also enclosed an Extract of a letter to Major General Pinckney2 written to him in consequence of yours to me of the 13th: October ultimo.3 The leaving Tinsley with the fourth Regiment may render a communication from you to General Pinckney necessary.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, Your obedt. servant,
James McHenry
Major General
Alexander Hamilton.
LS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; LS, letterpress copy, James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Section 8 of “An Act for the better organizing of the Troops of the United States; and for other purposes” reads: “And be it further enacted, That in the ordinary arrangement of the army, two regiments of infantry or cavalry shall constitute a brigade, and shall be commanded by a brigadier-general; two brigades, a division, and shall be commanded by a major-general. Provided always, that it shall be in the discretion of the commanding general, to vary this disposition, whenever he shall judge it proper; and provided also, that this act shall not render it necessary to appoint any greater number of general officers than have been heretofore authorized by law, sooner than in the opinion of the President, the military service of the United States shall require it” ( 752).
2. The extract of McHenry’s letter to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney is dated November 15, 1799, and reads: “A letter from General Hamilton dated 13 Ulto, communicating to me, a plan digested by him in concert with General Wilkinson and the Commander in Chief, informs me that my interposition is required to give it effect within the limits of your district.
“The Plan is to leave the 4. Regiment of Infantry for the defence of the Tenessee and Georgia Indian frontiers, to incorporate into this Regiment the men belonging to the third which he expects will make a full regiment. To march the recruits under Major [Daniel] Bradley to Harpers ferry and, during the Winter, to replace the Officers of the third regiment within your command with a sufficient number of those of the fourth, the officers of the third to repair to Harpers ferry.
“You will be pleased to give effect to this plan by such orders and measures as you may judge proper.” (Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.)
3. The draft of this letter is dated October 12, 1799, and is printed above under that date.