"Every instance of deficiency of arms or equipments should be forthwith supplied by the delinquent individual"

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

GENERAL ORDERS.

HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON,
SEPTEMBER 6th, 1814.

THE war between the United States and Great Britain, having lately become more destructive, in consequence of violations of our territory by the forces of the enemy, which continue to menace our cities and villages, the shipping in our harbours and private property on shore; His Excellency the Commander in Chief

ORDERS, The whole of the Militia to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moments warning; with arms, ammunition, and accoutrements, as the laws of the United States, and of this State, require. Every man must likewise be provided with a good knapsack and blanket. Captains of Companies must realize it to be one of their most solemn and imperious duties, to see the law respecting arms and equipments efficaciously executed. But the Commander in Chief relies on the concurring aid of all the General and Field Officers, in encouraging the Company Officers in the discharge of their duty. The Major-Generals and Commanding Officers of Divisions, will give the necessary orders for an immediate inspection of their several Regiments by Companies. Every instance of deficiency of arms or equipments should be forthwith supplied by the delinquent individual, or by the town to which he may belong, agreeably to the requirements of the Militia Law.

The Officers Commanding Regiments, Battalions and Companies of Artillery will pay special attention at this interesting moment to the state of their field pieces, their carriages, and tumbrils; and see that every thing appertaining to them is in the most perfect order for marching and for action; and particularly that suitable horses are always engaged and ready at any moment to be attached to their pieces, that they may be moved to any point required, with celerity. All the Companies of Artillery now to be called into immediate service, besides the requisite supplies of fixed and other ammunition, will be furnished by the Quarter-Master-General with prolonges and bricoles. The Legislature of this State, always proud of its Militia, has been particularly liberal in its Artillery Establishment. And the Commander in Chief promises himself, that, emulating the brilliant example of Knox and his heroic associates in the Artillery of the revolution, they will be equally distinguished for their discipline as soldiers, and for their gallantry in the field.

Under possible events, the Cavalry of the several Divisions, may be in requisition. Every motive, therefore, of love of country, of honor and sympathy for their fellow citizens who may be suffering the perils of war, will prompt them to maintain the most perfect state of preparation and to move, when called to the scene of action, with all the rapidity of which Cavalry is susceptible. The General Officers, and the Field Officers of Cavalry, as well as the Company Officers, will direct their attention to the quality of the horses, and suffer no man to be mounted but upon a horse sound and fit for actual service. A few bad horses may occasion irretrievable disaster.

The Commander in Chief having thus called the attention of all officers and soldiers of the Militia to the observance of their several duties at this eventful crisis, the more effectually to meet impending danger;--

ORDERS, That all the flank Companies, whether of Light Infantry, Grenadiers or Riflemen, of the 1st and 2d Brigades of the 1st Division; two Companies, viz. the one at Andover, and the other at Haverhill, of the 2d Division; all the Companies of the 3d Division, excepting the two Companies in Charlestown; four Companies of the 4th Division; five Companies of the 5th Division; 8 Companies of the 7th Division; and two Companies of the 9th Division, do immediately march to the town of Boston, unless (in the mean time) otherwise directed. Each Company will march to its place of destination by itself without waiting for any other corps.

These Companies when assembled, will be arranged into Regiments or otherwise, as circumstances may dictate, and with the addition of twelve Companies of Artillery, will form the elite, or advance Corps of the Massachusetts Militia. The Field Officers to command the Regiments, and a General Officer to command the whole, will hereafter be designated in general orders. The several Companies of Artillery to be annexed to the advance corps, will be furnished by the following divisions, viz.: Two Companies from the 1st Brigade, and one Company from the 2d Brigade of the 3d Division; four Companies from the 4th Dision; one Company from the 5th Division; and four Companies from the 7th Division.

Besides the above mentioned Companies, the Commander in Chief orders a detachment of sixteen Companies of Infantry to be immediately made from the 4th Division, properly Officered and arranged into two Regiments, which will march to Boston without the least unnecessary delay. Major-General Mattoon is charged with the arrangement of the Regiments.
From the 9th Division the Commander in Chief orders eight Companies of Infantry to be detached properly Officered, formed into a Regiment, and marched to Boston. Major-Generals Mattoon and Whiton will assign Field Officers for the troops to be detached from their respective Divisions; and the Commander in Chief relies on their experience and zeal to carry this order into the most prompt and energetic effect. As soon as the troops shall commence their march each Major-General will give notice of it to the Adjutant-General.

All the troops must be well armed, accoutred and equipped, and provided with ammunition, provisions, knapsacks and blankets as the law requires. The men will be supplied with rations when they arrive at the place of destination, and will receive pay from the time of their being embodied.

The security of the town and harbor of Boston being an object of primary importance, the Commander in Chief, while he wishes to direct the principal energies of the State to the attainment of this end, is solicitous to render the Militia of Boston itself as efficient as possible. With this view he

ORDERS, The Infantry of the 3d Brigade of the 1st Division, commanded by Brigadier General Welles, to be called out by Regiments in rotation, two days successively, for the purpose of improving their discipline already respectable, and of enabling them to practice the higher duties of the field. This order is committed to Brigadier General Welles, whose knowledge in tactics, and animated zeal in the service of his country, must ensure to his exertions the highest effect. The order will be continued in operation until revoked. The flank Companies of this Brigade will be reserved for other service.

The troops called into actual service by this order, will serve three months after they arrive at their ultimate rendezvous, unless sooner discharged.

By His Excellency's Command,
J. BROOKS, Adjutant General.

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