George Washington Papers

General Orders, 13 July 1779

General Orders

Head-Quarters New-Windsor Tuesday July 13th 1779.

Parole Tartary—C. Signs Ostend Siam.

Captain Selman of the 4th Maryland regiment is appointed to do the duty of Brigade Major in the 2nd Maryland brigade ’till further orders vice, Captain Hardman who declines that duty at present.1

The General is surprised to be informed that the order of the 30th of June respecting Masons has been very partially complied with: As it is of great importance to the public service that a sufficient number should be furnished without delay, the commanding officers of brigades are requested to pay immediate and particular attention to the execution of the forementioned order.2

After Orders July 13th—

The Light troops commanded by Colonel Meigs3 & Majors Hull and Murphy4 are to join those under the immediate command of General Wayne and the whole to be form’d and exercised under the direction of that officer.

General Nixon will move his brigade tomorrow to the Gorge of the Mountain near the Continental Village and supply the place of the Light Troops and others which have been withdrawn from that post.

Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

GW’s warrant book for this date indicates that $225 was given to “Capn John Wiess his pay & Subsistence to 15 July—& for Serjt [David] Luckit & Wm Mullin—Executioner pay to last of June” (Revolutionary War Warrant Book 4, 1779–1780, DLC:GW, Ser. 5).

1For the inability of both captains Jonathan Sellman and Henry Hardman to serve as brigade major, see GW to Johann Kalb, 8 and 11 July, and General Orders, 31 July.

3An addition was made to the troops under Col. Return Jonathan Meigs on 12 July when GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison wrote Lt. Col. Isaac Sherman: “His Excellency the Commander in Chief desires that you will immediately join Colo. Meigs with your party and put yourself under his command” (DLC: GW; see also William Heath to GW, 26 June).

4This officer was Maj. Hardy Murfree.

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