band of brothers, willing and ready to die for each

other.

1798.

THE BEST SOLDIER, THE BEST PATRIOT.

The General most earnestly entreats the Officers and Soldiers, to consider the consequences; that they can no way assist our enemies more effectually, than by making divisions among themselves; that the honor and success of the army, and the safety of our bleeding country, depend upon harmony and good agreement with each other; that the Provinces are all united to oppose the common enemy; and all distinctions sunk in the name of AN AMERICAN.

To make this name honorable, and to preserve the liberty of our country, ought to be our only emulation; and he will be the best Soldier and the best Patriot, who contributes most to this glorious work, whatever his station, or from whatever part of the continent he may come.

Let all distinctions of nations, countries, and provinces, therefore, be lost, in the generous contest, who shall behave with the most courage against the enemy, and the most kindness and good humor to each other,

If there be any Officers or Soldiers so lost to virtue and a love of their country, as to continue in such practices, after this order, the General assures them, and is authorized by Congress to declare to the whol

army, that such persons shall be severely punished, and dismissed from the service with disgrace. 1776.

THE TOWNS AND THE ARMY.

I am well convinced, that the enemy, long ere this, are perfectly well satisfied, that the possession of our towns, while we have an army in the field, will avail them little. It involves us in difficulty, but does not by any means ensure conquest to them. They well know, that it is our arms, not defenceless towns, which they have to subdue, before they can arrive at the haven of their wishes; and that, till this is accomplished, the superstructure they have been endeavoring to raise, will, "like the baseless fabric of a vision," fall to nothing.

1778.

THE ARMY AND THE PEOPLE.

I shall continue to exert all my influence and authority, to prevent the interruption of that harmony which is so essential, and which has so generally prevailed, between the Army and the Inhabitants of the Country. And I need scarcely add, that, in doing this, I shall give every species of countenance and support to the execution of the laws of the land.

The Army and the Country have a mutual dependence upon each other; and it is of the last importance, that their several duties should be so regulated and enforced, as to produce, not only the greatest harmony and good understanding, but the truest happiness and comfort to each.

1778.

WANTON DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

The burning of houses, where the apparent good of the service is not promoted by it, and the pillaging of them, at all times and upon all occasions, are to be discountenanced, and punished with the utmost severity.

It is to be hoped, that men who have property of their own, and a regard for the rights of others, will shudder at the thought of rendering any man's situation, to whose protection he has come, more insufferable than his open and avowed enemy would make it; when, by duty and every rule of humanity, they ought to aid, and not oppress, the distressed, in their habitations.

The distinction between a well-regulated army and a mob, is the good order and discipline of the former, and the licentious and disorderly behavior of the latter.

1776.

PLUNDERING.

The General does not admit of any pretence for plundering; whether it be Tory property, taken beyond the lines, or not, it is equally a breach of orders. and to be punished, in the Officer who gives order, or the Soldier.

1776.

It is our business to give protection and support to the poor distressed inhabitants, not to multiply and increase their calamities.

1777.

SEIZURE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY.

It will never answer, to procure supplies of clothing or provisions, by coercive measures. Such procedures may give a momentary relief; but, if repeated, will prove of the most pernicious consequence,

1778.

THE FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS, MAINTAINED.

All that the common soldiery of any country can expect, is food and clothing.

The pay given, in other armies, is little more than nominal; very low in the first instance, and subject to a variety of deductions, that reduce it to nothing. This is the case with the British troops; though, I

believe, they receive more than those of any other State in Europe.

The idea of maintaining the families of the Soldiers, at the public expense, is peculiar to us, and is incompatible with the finances of the government.

Our troops have been uniformly better fed than any others. They are, at this time, very well clad, and probably will continue to be so. While this is the case, they will have no just cause of complaint.

OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS; THEIR SUPPORT.

It will be of importance, to conciliate the comfortable support of the Officers and Soldiers, with a due respect to economy.

THE SOLDIER'S PERSONAL SACRIFICES.

When men are employed, and have the incitements of military honor to encourage their ambition and pride, they will cheerfully submit to inconveniences, which, în a state of tranquillity, would appear insupportable.

There is no set of men in the United States, considered as a body, that have made the same sacrifices of their interest, in support of the common cause, as the Officers of the American army. Nothing but