[3]GENERAL ORDERS.

THE King having been pleaſed to order, that a detachment from the army under my command be ſent upon an expedition under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne, and that this detachment be compoſed of the grenadiers, light-infantry, and 24th regiment; together with the 9th, 20th, 21ſt, 47th, 53d, and 62d regiments (except a detachment of 50 men from each of the ſix laſt-mentioned regiments) and all the German troops, except a detachment of 650—theſe corps will accordingly hold themſelves in readineſs to march at the ſhorteſt notice; orders for which will be given by Lieutenant-general Burgoyne, to whom, in the mean time, they will make all reports, as well as to the commander in chief. The detachments of 50, with a captain, two ſubalterns, and non-commiſſioned officers in proportion, from each of the ſix regiments as above, will aſſemble at the preſent head-quarters of their reſpective regiments, and there re⯑main until further orders.

The artillery, the department of the quarter-maſter-general, hoſpi⯑tal, and commiſerate, will likewiſe ſupply Lieutenant-general Bur⯑goyne [4] with ſuch returns as he may call for, to enable him to lay before the commander in chief the portions of the ſeveral articles they are capable of furniſhing.

Two hundred days bat, baggage, and forage money, will be iſſued to the general and ſtaff officers, the hoſpital, regiments, Lieutenant Nutt's detachment, and the three companies of Canadians: the diſ⯑tribution liſts of which are to be ſent in, as ſoon as poſſible, to the pay-maſter-general's office.

MAjor-general Philips has been directed by the commander in chief to inform the commanding officers of regiments of his excellency's deſire, that the army ſhould take the field this campaign in the moſt perfect order.

This will depend ſo entirely upon the ſeveral regiments being pre⯑pared by exerciſe and diſcipline▪ that it is recommended to you to employ the utmoſt care and attention on ſuch material points, where your own character and honour are ſo intimately connected with the duty and good of his Majeſty's ſervice.

His excellency the commander in chief has inſtructed Major-general Philips to obſerve to you, that the good diſcipline of a regiment, in its general oeconomy, behaviour, and conduct in action, will depend on the attention of that reſpectable rank of gentlemen, the commanding officers of companies.

It is from this rank of officers, whoſe time of ſervice and experience give them every poſſible weight and reſpect in a regiment, that the ſubaltern officers are to take their example and their orders. It is by the captains that the younger officers are to be inſtructed, not only in the common military rules, but in that propriety of conduct, ſtrict ſubordination, and indefatigable attention, ſo abſolutely requiſite in a [5] regiment, and by which alone the ſoldiers can be held in that obe⯑dience to, and confidence in their officers, which will make them bear the fatigues, hardſhips, and dangers of a campaign, with patience, with zeal, and with ſpirit.

Courage has ever belonged to the Britiſh troops, and there needs only to obſerve, that a well diſciplined body will always add to it a moſt eſſential principle in war—conduct.

It is neceſſary that the officers ſhould be perfectly acquainted with the ſoldiers of their company, and that ſoldiers ſhould know their officers, and be accuſtomed to the ſound of their voices. The exer⯑ciſing by companies will be the ſureſt means to effect thoſe purpoſes.

It is well underſtood, that all regiments exerciſe by companies; but it is uſually done with a view of joining in battalion. It is here meant, that each company ſhould be led to conſider itſelf as a ſmall, diſtinct body, and exerciſed in various evolutions independent of the battalion▪ with every poſſible view for ſingle companies being taught to depend upon themſelves.

As from the nature of the preſent war, the abilities and military ſkill of officers may be required to be ſhown in detached parties, and as it may frequently happen, that ſingle companies will have to act, when an entire battalion cannot always manoeuvre; by purſuing this idea, which the commander in chief has expreſſed a ſtrong deſire of, it will leave the officers and ſoldiers a dependence and attention on each other, and give confidence to both.

It will therefore be proper for every officer of a company to be per⯑fectly well acquainted with, and to exerciſe that company—for the commanding officer of a battalion to put himſelf at the head of one company, and to manoeuvre that company; while the other compa⯑nies, being drawn up at ſmall intervals of diſtance, follow the evolu⯑tions ſo given by the commanding officer.

[6] As the commander in chief has already ordered regiments in their exerciſe to make frequent changes of their poſitions and fronts, and to march over difficult ground, it will give the commanding officers of companies opportunities of ſhowing a ready power of taking good poſts; and alſo, though there may be certain ſeparations, owing to incloſures, ravines, ditches of water, marſhy ground, &c. of con⯑necting the companies one with another, and with the battalion.

Whenever a regiment, when marching or manoeuvring, is obliged to break into parts, from marſhy ground, ravines, ditches, ſmall hills, rocks, or thick underwood, it ſhould be done, if poſſible, by com⯑panies, which ſhould divide as little as poſſible, and never but in ſuch parts, as an officer or ſerjeant may have command of ſuch ſeparate diviſion; and this not at the will of the ſoldier, but from the diſtinct orders of the officers, ſo that the ſeparated diviſions may join, as ſoon as the ground will permit, into companies, and from companies into battalion.

The changing the order of companies at times, in drawing up the battalion, will make the ſoldiers ready in forming on general principles, without regarding local ſtations of companies.

His excellency has in view by this, that the ſoldiers learn to be ſteady and attached to their own company and its officers—that the officers, having a thorough knowledge of their men, and being ac⯑cuſtomed to ſuch inſtances of ſeparation as have been deſcribed, ſuffer not the ſoldiers to act, but from their words of command and orders—that every company may form a reſpectable body ſingly, and though attached to its place in battalion, yet always ready to act ſeparate from it, as the nature of the ground may require, or the nature of the local ſervice they may be ſent on make neceſſary.

Major-general Philips has endeavoured to explain the commander in chief's pleaſure, by ſignifying how much his excellency depends [7] on the ſupport of captains commanding companies in this army; and there can be no doubt of every reſpectable and attentive obedience to his excellency's injunctions and orders. The commander in chief has not directed any thing relative to commanding officers and field officers of battalions; as his excellency, as well as every general officer of the army, has reaſon to depend on their experience, and to be aſſured of the ſtrong exertion, and active and ſpirited zeal of the field-officers for the particular character and credit of their own corps, and for the honour of his Majeſty's ſervice.

THE regiments deſtined for the expedition under Lieutenant Ge⯑neral Burgoyne are to leave in their reſpective ſtores their blanket coats, leggings, and all baggage that can be ſpared during the ſummer months.

The officers are depended upon not to incumber the ſervice with more baggage than is abſolutely neceſſary for a campaign, where the movements may be expected to be ſudden and alert. The portions of batteaux to each regiment will be regulated on thoſe principles. Three women per company will be allowed to follow the army.

The exerciſe of the troops under the Lieutenant General's orders is to be confined to firing with ball-cartridges, bayonets fixed, and rapidity of movements in marching, evolutions, and forming.

THE 31ſt regiment is to move immediately to the poſts of St. John's and the Iſle aux Noix, four companies to each place. One company of thoſe at the Iſle aux Noix to move to the river Lacolle, in caſe Major-general Philips ſhall think it neceſſary, and ſignify the [8] ſame to them. The companies at all theſe poſts to be aiding and aſſiſting in tranſporting proviſions, ſtores, and all things neceſſary for the troops under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne.

The 29th regiment to march and encamp at or near St. Thereſe, detaching two companies to Chamblée. This regiment will likewiſe be aiding and aſſiſting in forwarding every thing neceſſary for General Burgoyne's army.

The royal highland emigrants will detach a company to Sorel for the like purpoſe; and Brigadier-general Maclean will make a tour to the places on that river, and order ſuch part of his regiment to take poſt there, as he finds may be neceſſary for the above purpoſes, or for aſſiſt⯑ing the officers of militia in executing the orders ſent to them.

GENERAL DISPOSITION OF THE ARMY.

BRigadier-general Fraſer will be joined by the Canadian companies of Monin and Buſherville, Captain Fraſer's detachment, and a body of ſavages.

The German grenadiers, chaſſeurs, and light-infantry, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Breymen, form a corps de reſerve, and will never encamp in the line.

The regiment of Reideſel's dragoons is alſo not of the line, and for the preſent will be employed to cover head-quarters.

The Provincial corps of Peters and Jeſſup are alſo not of the line. The recruits of the 33d regiment, under the command of Lieutenant N [...]tt, are for the preſent to ſerve on board the fleet.

[9]

[11] The line upon the next movement will encamp in order of battle as follows, and will continue in the ſame order till countermanded. Right wing, firſt brigade of Britiſh, commanded by Brigadier-general Powell, and compoſed of the 9th, 47th, and 53d battalions; ſecond brigade of Britiſh, commanded by Brigadier-general Hamilton, com⯑poſed of the 20th, 21ſt, and 62nd battalions. Left wing, firſt brigade of Germans, commanded by Brigadier-general Specht, compoſed of the regiments of Rhentz, Specht, and Reideſel; ſecond brigade of Germans, commanded by Brigadier-general Gall, and compoſed of the regiments of Prince Frederick and Heſſe Hanau.

If it ſhould become neceſſary to form two lines, the ſecond line is to form by the ſecond brigade of Britiſh doubling upon the firſt; and by the ſecond brigade of Germans doubling in like manner on their firſt. The brigadiers are always to encamp with their brigade.

OFFICERS of all ranks commanding out-poſts and detachments are conſtantly to fortify, in the beſt manner the circumſtances of the place and the implements at hand will permit, felling trees with their points outwards, barricading churches and houſes. Breaſt⯑works of earth and timber are generally to be effected in a ſhort time, and the ſcience of engineering is not neceſſary to find and apply ſuch reſources.

The practice of fortifying is uſeful in all ſervices, but eſpecially in this, where the enemy, though infinitely inferior to the King's troops in open ſpace and hardy combat, is well fitted by diſpoſition and prac⯑tice for the ſtratagems and enterprizes of little war; and neither the diſtance of camps, nor the interference of foreſts and rivers, are to be looked upon as ſecurity againſt their attempts. Upon the ſame prin⯑ciple, [12] it muſt be a conſtant rule, in or near woods, to place advanced ſentries, where they have a tree or ſome other defence, to prevent them from being taken off by ſingle markſmen. Together with theſe pre⯑cautions, officers will ever bear in mind, how much the public ho⯑nour and their own are concerned in maintaining a poſt; and that to juſtify a retreat in this war, the number of the enemy muſt be much ſuperior to that which would make their juſtification, when acting againſt a brave and diſciplined force.

The officers will take all opportunities, and eſpecially at the be⯑ginning of the campaign, to inculcate into the minds of the men a re⯑liance upon the bayonet. Men of half their bodily ſtrength, and even cowards, may be their match at firing; but the onſet of bayo⯑nets, in the hands of the valiant, is irreſiſtible.

The enemy, convinced of this truth, place their dependence in entrenchments and rifle-pieces—it will be our glory and preſervation to ſtorm where poſſible. The attention of every officer is to be em⯑ployed on his men; to make uſe of his fuſil, unleſs in very extraor⯑dinary caſes of immediate perſonal defence, would betray an ignorance of his importance and of his duty.

No occaſion can make it neceſſary to keep the arms loaded in the bell tents; nor are the battalions of the line ever to be loaded on the march, till very near the time they may happen to engage.

No parties are to go from camp with or without arms, unleſs with a proportionable number of officers.—Not only the diſcipline and honour, but even the ſafety of the troops, require the ſtricteſt prohi⯑bition from ſtraggling and plundering; and the ſavages, as well as the provoſt, will have orders to puniſh all offenders in theſe reſpects in⯑ſtantly, and with the utmoſt rigour.

[13] The camp will always be extended as widely as the ground will admit, for the ſake of cleanlineſs and health—but as it muſt often happen, that the extent will be inſufficient for the line to form in front of the camp, according to the preſent eſtabliſhed rules of open files and two deep—the quarter-maſter-general will therefore mark out at every new camp the proportion of ground each battalion is to clear, over and above its own front, in order to make the work equal. To clear this ground muſt be the immediate buſineſs after arriving in camp; and in this country it may be often neceſſary to have an alarm⯑poſt cleared in the rear, as well as in front.—By clearing is meant the removal of ſuch obſtructions as might prevent the ready forming of troops, to receive or advance upon the enemy.

Quarter guards are always to face outwards, and at the diſtance of one hundred yards from the bells of arms, with a flêche of earth or timber thrown up before them. When the encampment of the line is with the front to the water, and too near to admit of this regula⯑tion, the quarter guard is to be poſted in the rear, or thoſe of the flank regiments occaſionally upon the flanks. Though the ground will ſeldom admit a ſtrict regularity in pitching the officers tents, they are never to be placed ſo as to interfere with the line of defence.

When the Lieutenant-general viſits an out-poſt, the men are not to ſtand to their arms, or pay him any compliment. The articles of war, which regard the men, to be read at the head of every regiment to-morrow, at evening parade; and afterwards theſe regulations.

The daily duties are to be as follows—One Brigadier-general for the day, who will viſit the out-poſts, and have a general inſpection of the camp. All reports to be made through him, except when any alarm or other exigence requires inſtant notice to the commander in chief—A major of brigade for the day, who is to parade all guards, detach⯑ments, &c. The picquet, when the laſt brigade arrives, will conſiſt of one field-officer for each wing, one captain each brigade, one ſub⯑altern, [14] one ſerjeant, one corporal and twenty men each regiment—a drummer to be furniſhed by the regiment that gives the captain. The whole picquet to aſſemble half an hour before gun-firing, at the centre of the line, and to be exerciſed in marching and charging ba⯑yonets, under the inſpection of the brigadier of the day; in order that the Britiſh and German troops may acquire an uniformity of pace and motions, when acting together in the line. Half the pic⯑quet is always to be poſted during the night at ſome diſtance from the camp, and at ſuch places as may be expoſed to the ſecret approaches of the enemy. It will be the care of the brigadier of the day to poſt them.

SHOULD it be neceſſary for the line to embark ſuddenly, two guns will be fired on the right wing. Upon the ſignal being given, the mens tents to be ſtruck immediately, and ſtowed in the batteaux, together with their knapſacks, blankets, proviſion and ammunition.—As no other ſtores will be allowed to be carried▪ ſeven⯑teen batteaux will ſuffice for each battalion of Britiſh, and twenty⯑two for each German battalion. Should it be neceſſary for the line to march ſuddenly without embarking, four guns will be fired from the right—at which ſignal the line is to form, with all poſſible expedi⯑tion, in front of the bells of arms, and the tents to be left ſtanding. This order to remain in force during the campaign.

ON the ſixth, the enemy was diſlodged from Ticonderoga, by the mere countenances and activity of the army, and driven on the ſame day beyond Skeenſborough on the right, and Hubberton on the left; with the loſs of all their artillery, and five of their armed veſſels [15] taken or blown up (by the ſpirited conduct of Captain Carter of the artillery, with part of his brigade of gun-boats) a great quantity of ammunition, proviſion, and ſtores of all ſorts, and all their baggage.

On the 7th, Brigadier Fraſer, with little more than half the advanced corps, and without artillery (which with the utmoſt endea⯑vours it was found impoſſible to bring up) came up with 2000 of the enemy ſtrongly poſted, attacked and defeated them, with the loſs, on the enemy's ſide, of their principal officers, 200 men killed on the ſpot, a much greater number wounded, and 300 taken priſoners.

On the 8th, Lieutenant-colonel Hill, at the head of the ninth regiment, was attacked near Fort Anne, by more than ſix times his number, and repulſed the enemy with great loſs, after a continued fire of three hours. In conſequence of this action, Fort Anne was burnt and abandoned; and a part of this army is in poſſeſſion of the country on the other ſide.

Theſe rapid ſucceſſes, after exciting a proper ſenſe of what we owe to God, intitles the troops in general to the warmeſt praiſe—and particular diſtinction is due to Brigadier-general Fraſer, who, by his conduct and bravery, ſupported by the officers and ſoldiers under his command, effected an exploit of material ſervice to the king, and of ſignal honour to the profeſſion of arms. This corps have the further merit of having ſupported fatigue and bad weather, without bread and without murmur.

Divine ſervice will be performed on Sunday morning at the head of the line, and at the head of the advanced corps; and on the ſame day at ſun-ſet, a feu-de-joye will be fired with cannon and ſmall-arms from Ticonderoga, Crown-point, the camp at Skeenſborough, and the poſt of Breymen's corps.

IT is obſerved that the injunctions, before the army took the field, relative to the baggage of officers, has not been complied with; and that the regiments in general are incumbered with much more baggage than they can poſſibly be ſupplied with means of conveying when they quit the lakes and rivers: warning is therefore given to the officers, to convey by the batteaux, which will ſoon return to Ticonderoga, the baggage that is not indiſpenſably neceſſary to them, or, upon the firſt ſudden movement, it muſt inevitably be left on the ground. Such gentlemen as ſerved in America laſt war may remem⯑ber that officers took up with a ſoldiers tent, and confined their bag⯑gage to a knapſack for months together.

When opportunity ſhall offer to carry forward the baggage, which will be left at Ticonderoga, ſo as not to interfere with the tranſport of magazines, the Lieutenant-general will be happy to contribute to the convenience and comfort of his officers.

THE diſturbance of the 16th inſtant, between the Britiſh troops and the Germans, was occaſioned by liquor, and one of the firſt principles of military order was ſo far forgotten by ſome Britiſh ſoldiers, that a guard was inſulted. Any conduct for the future, either of Ger⯑mans or Britiſh, that ſhall tend to obſtruct the harmony which has hitherto ſo happily reigned between the two nations, and which muſt continue among brave troops ſerving in the ſame cauſe, unleſs violated by intoxication or miſapprehenſion, will be puniſhed as a crime, the moſt fatal to the ſucceſs and honour of the campaign.

IT appearing that there is ſtill ſome miſapprehenſion, in ſome corps of the army, reſpecting the carriage of officers baggage, when the ſervice ſhall make it neceſſary to quit the rivers—it is henceforward to be underſtood, that no proviſion has been made by the King's or⯑ders, nor by thoſe of his Excellency Sir Guy Carleton, for this pur⯑poſe; nor is there any example of ſuch being made, when the al⯑lowance of bât and forage money has been in the proportion of that granted the laſt and preſent year to the army in Canada. Such gentle⯑men, therefore, as have not already underſtood this general ſyſtem of the ſervice, will provide themſelves by purchaſe, as opportunity offers, always remembering, that the prohibition of purchaſing from ſavages is ſtill in force.

IT was endeavoured, among other objects, by the expedition which marched to the left, to provide ſuch a ſupply of cattle as would have enabled the army to proceed without waiting the arrival of the magazines. That attempt having failed of ſucceſs, through the chances of war, the troops muſt neceſſarily halt ſome days for bringing forward the tranſport of proviſions; and the ſeveral corps will employ that time to collect the ſick, convaleſcents, and ſuch other parties as are merely employed in regimental duties.

IT having been obſerved a common practice for officers to order to be taken from the proviſion train, in the ſervice of the king for this army, the carts and horſes for the carrying of baggage and other purpoſes, to avoid for the future this danger and inconvenience to the [18] ſervice, it is in the moſt poſitive manner ordered, that no cart or horſe is to be uſed, but for the public tranſport of the army; nor is any officer, accidentally coming to any particular poſt, to interfere with the proviſion train, in any other manner than to give it every aid and aſſiſtance in his power, which he is on all occaſions to do.

THE Lieutenant-general having received a report from Lieutenant-colonel Breymen, relative to the action of Saintcoick Mills, and likewiſe having received every collateral information poſſible, thinks it but juſtice to declare publickly, that he has no reaſon to be diſſatis⯑fied with the perſonal ſpirit of the troops; that, on the contrary, the officers commanding corps acted with intrepidity on that occaſion. The failure of the enterpriſe ſeems to be owing, in the firſt inſtance, to the credulity of thoſe who managed the department of intelligence, who ſuffered great numbers of the rebels to paſs and repaſs, and per⯑haps to count the number of the detachment; and upon ill-grounded confidence induced Lieutenant-colonel Baume to advance too far. The next cauſe was the ſlow movement of Lieutenant-colonel Breymen; who, from bad weather, bad roads, and tired horſes, together with other impediments ſtated by Lieutenant-colonel Brehmen, could not reach 24 miles from eight in the morning of the 15th, to four in the afternoon of the 16th. The ſuccour therefore arrived too late. The failure of ammunition, in the management of which there ſeems to have been ſome improvidence, was another misfortune; the reſt ſeem common occurrences of war. Upon the whole, the enemy has felt very little ſucceſs; and there is no circumſtance to affect the army with further regret or melancholy, than that which ariſes from the loſs of ſome gallant men.—But let the affair of the mill of Saintcoick remain henceforward as a leſſon againſt the impoſition of a treacherous enemy, many of whom, in the very hour of ſwearing allegiance to the [19] king, fought▪againſt his troops; and againſt expending ammunition too faſt, which obliged conquering troops to retreat. The reflexion on this affair will moreover excite alertneſs and exertion in every corps marching to the ſupport of another, by ſhowing in whatever degree theſe qualities may be poſſeſſed by the commanding officers, and they are not to be doubted in the preſent inſtance, yet, unleſs they are ge⯑neral, common accidents may become fatal in the courſe of two hours, may decide the turn of an expedition, and may even decide in ſome caſes the fate of a campaign.

GREAT irregularities having been committed by conductors and other followers of the army, camp courts-martial will occa⯑ſionally be aſſembled in the nature of a general court-martial, conſiſt⯑ing of one captain, and four ſubalterns from the line, who will try ſuch offenders according to the clauſe in the mutiny act, which ſub⯑jects all followers of the army to military law.

As long as a brigadier ſhall be on duty at Ticonderoga, the brigadier with the army ſhall command both brigades.

STRICT oeconomy in the receipt and delivery of proviſions, at all times an eſſential duty, now becomes an object of the greateſt conſequence. The fate of the campaign may depend upon it; and as the preſervation of the live cattle demands the moſt particular atten⯑tion, they are only to be ſlaughtered for the ſick, and in ſuch caſes as are abſolutely neceſſary.

[20] The commanding officers are therefore to ſend in an account, upon honour, of the freſh proviſions neceſſary for their ſick to the commiſ⯑ſary the day before the general iſſue of proviſions to the army, and be reſponſible that the proper deduction of rations is made for the freſh proviſion received.

Whenever the ſtock of cattle ſhall be ſufficient to admit of it, every attention ſhall be paid to the comfort and convenience of officers; and notice will be given when they can be ſupplied with rations of freſh proviſions inſtead of ſalt.

The Lieutenant-general, meaning that every regiment ſhould be on the ſame regulation, directs, that the ſervants and bât-men be allowed as follows:

When the mens tents are carried on bât-horſes, a bât-man to be allowed to each company.

The ſervants to be conſidered as effective in the ranks, and to at⯑tend every evening parade. The other parades at roll-callings they are exempted from, unleſs the regiments are under arms. The bât-men to be always armed, and to form the baggage-guard. The com⯑manding officers of regiments will take care that this order be com⯑plied with ſtrictly.

Whenever cattle are killed it muſt be always at night—the com⯑miſſaries are made anſwerable for this. All cattle brought into camp to be ſent to the board of regulation, and by that board to be ſent to the commiſſary-general. The troops muſt be ſenſible, that buying [21] cattle privately, and by that means preventing a general ſupply, muſt prove very injurious to the ſervice.

THE additional companies to be divided between the eight bat⯑talion companies of each regiment. The men now wanting to complete are to be filled up, and the ſupernumeraries to be accounted with by a particular pay bill, and a particular account kept and regu⯑lated by the commanding-officer of each company.

THE army will march in a very ſhort time. Each regiment will therefore make ſuch inſpection and preparation in regard to their ſick, their baggage, and their regimental arrangements, as will per⯑mit them to move alertly, and with their ranks as ſtrong as poſſible.

The ſurgeons of regiments to meet the ſurgeons of the hoſpital, at fort Miller, at one o'clock to-morrow, in order to concert proper meaſures for the future conduct of the ſick▪ and for keeping in a cor⯑rect manner a proper communication between the regimental and ge⯑neral hoſpitals.

THE army may be required to take arms at the ſhorteſt notice. Officers therefore are not to quit the camp, and no ſoldier or follower of the army is to paſs the Fiſh-kill, on pain of the ſevereſt puniſhment.

The preſent poſt of the ſix companies of the 47th regiment being diſmiſſed to cover the depôt of proviſions, theſe companies are not to take any duties of the line, but will augment their picquet to 40 men, [22] which, during the night, will occupy a poſt on the iſland; and another on the point of land, on the ſouth ſide of the Fiſh-kill, where it falls into the river.

The 20th regiment will advance four companies to cover head⯑quarters.—They will bring their tents, and receive orders from Sir Francis Clarke.

The picquets and quarter-guards of the line to be poſted on the right flank of the incampment, ſo as to form a line with the Britiſh light infantry.

If it ſhould be neceſſary to form the line of battle in that front, the regiments will march to it by two columns; the 9th regiment, followed by the 21ſt, making the column on the right, and the 62d regiment followed by the 20th, making the column on the left; in order to fill up the place between the corps of General Fraſer and co⯑lonel Brehemn—Brigadier Hamilton will order a communication, and mark it to the commanding officers in ſuch a manner that it may be made in the night time with alertneſs and without confuſion.

When Major-general Philips, ſhall have directed the roads proper for the park of artillery in this movement, they are to be reconnoi⯑tred by their reſpective officers, that their march may not claſh with the column.

If this movement is made, the 47th regiment keeps its ground, and is to defend it to the laſt againſt any attack from the other ſide of the water; and the four companies that cover the head-quarters are to take poſt in the redoubt above the bridge that leads to head-quarters.

In caſe of any movement from this ſide of Hudſon's river, Ma⯑jor-general Reideſel, will form the left wing of the army, at the head of their incampment, but not march off their ground. The quarter⯑maſters [23] and camp-colour-men of the left wing are to mark out their ground to-morrow morning; but that wing is not to paſs the river till the laſt of the depôt has croſſed the bridge: for the expediting which purpoſe all the departments concerned are to uſe their utmoſt diligence.

DURING the next march of the army the corps are to move in ſuch a ſtate, as to be fit for inſtant action. It is therefore unavoidably neceſſary to circumſpect, more than is at preſent done, brigade conveyances, in regard to attendance upon baggage, cattle, and other inferior purpoſes.

The brigadiers will collect to-morrow from the commanding-officers of corps under their command a report of the number of rank and file each corps can march, and how the reſt are diſpoſed of.

It is to be a ſtanding order for the reſt of the campaign, that all picquets and guards are to be under arms an hour before day-light every morning, and ſo continue till it is quite light. All out-poſts and out-lying picquets to ſend patroles at the ſame time.

TO the great reproach of diſcipline, of the common ſenſe of ſol⯑diers who have been made priſoners, the ſervice has ſuſtained a loſs within theſe few days, that might have coſt ſome hundreds of the enemy to have brought on in action. The Lieutenant-general will no longer bear to loſe men for the pitiful conſideration of pota⯑toes or forage. The ſoldier is the property of the king, and ſince friendly admonitions, repeated injunctions, and corporal puniſhment will have no effect, the army is now to be informed, and it is not doubted the commanding-officers will do it ſolemnly, that the firſt [24] ſoldier caught beyond the advanced ſentries of the army will be in⯑ſtantly hanged.

In caſe of an action, the Lieutenant-general will be found near the Britiſh line, or he will leave word there where he may be followed; and a ſubaltern-officer is to be ſent from each of the following corps, viz. one from the Britiſh line, one from Brigadier-general Fraſer's corps, and one who ſpeaks French from the left wing. Theſe officers to be on horſeback.

AS parties are to be employed to-day in making roads in order to advance towards the enemy, it is the general's orders that the ſeveral corps incamp on their preſent ground immediately.

The Lieutenant-general, having had an opportunity of obſerving the conduct of the troops on all parts in the action of the 19th in⯑ſtant, thinks it incumbent on him to give his public teſtimony of the exemplary ſpirit of the officers in general, and in many inſtances of the private men. In both theſe diſtinctions the artillery is to be in⯑cluded; and the brigade under Captain Jones deſerves a peculiar place. His warmeſt thanks to Major-general Philips, cannot be omitted on any occaſion, when, added to the ſervice of the department under his immediate inſpection, he finds himſelf under great obligation for a moſt able and zealous ſecond in command.

The zeal and ſpirit of Major-general Reideſel alſo deſerves the Lieutenant-general's acknowledgement. The regular fire given by the troops he brought up, and the good countenance of the Germans, were fully noticed.

[25] Brigadier-general Fraſer took his poſition at the beginning of the day with great judgment, and ſuſtained the action with his uſual pre⯑ſence of mind and vigour.

Brigadier-general Hamilton, acquitted himſelf honourably by his activity and conduct, during an action of ſeveral hours.

Amidſt theſe ſeveral actions of applauſe, the impetuoſity and uncer⯑tain aim of the Britiſh troops in giving their fire, and the miſtake they are ſtill under of preferring it to the bayonet, is much to be lamented. The Lieutenant-general is perſuaded this error will be corrected in the next engagement, upon the conviction of their own reaſon and re⯑flexion, as well as upon that general precept of diſcipline, never to fire but by order of an officer.

One hundred and twenty brave men of courage and fidelity, from the provincial corps of Jeſſup, Peters, M^cAlpin and M^cKay, are to be incorporated, for this campaign only, into the ſix Britiſh regiments, in the proportion of twenty to a regiment. They will have a certifi⯑cate from under the hand of the Lieutenant-general, to intitle them to a diſcharge on the 25th day of December next. They will beſides receive a gratuity on being incorporated, and another at the expiration of their ſervice: and theſe will be the whole number required this campaign. Thoſe corps, whoſe eſtabliſhment is to take place on a certain number of men being raiſed, are allowed to recommend thoſe furniſhed upon this occaſion as part of that number.

ALL picquet, quarter, and rear guards, to ſend out patroles round their reſpective poſts continually. The men off duty are to accoutre this night at twelve o'clock, and hold themſelves in readineſs to turn out when ordered.

[26] All the drivers to be aſſembled this evening at the time of roll⯑calling at the different detachments, and to be informed, that ſeven men to thoſe who deſerted have been ſcalped by the enemy's Indians, and that the Indians belonging to our camp are in purſuit of the reſt. They are alſo to be informed, that the firſt deſerter taken belonging to them will be hanged.

THE Lieutenant-general has received intelligence of an attempt made by the enemy on Ticonderoga, in which they have miſ⯑carried and retired; but have made priſoners ſome part of the 53d regiment poſted on the carrying-place of Lake George. Till circum⯑ſtances are more authentically known, it will be an act of injuſtice to accuſe any officer of ſo great a fault as ſuffering a ſurpriſe; but the occaſion cannot be overlooked of repeating to officers in general the neceſſity of vigilance and unremitting alertneſs on their poſts, and of warning them, that no diſtance of the enemy, or ſituation of the ground, is ſecurity or excuſe, if they are off their guard.