O R D E R S a n d R E G U L A T I O N S
"The object of the campaign is to compleat the conquest of Canada, and to finish the war in America, the army under the commander in chief will enter into the colony on the side of Montreal, while the fleet and army attack the governor general and his forces.
Great sufficiency of provisions, and a numerous artillery is provided, and from the known valour of the troops the nation expects success. These battalions have acquired reputation the last campaign, and it is not doubted but they will be careful to preserve it; from this confidence, the general has assured the secretary of state in his letters, that whatever may be the event of this campaign, his majesty and the country will have reason to be satisfied with the army under his command.
The general means to carry the business through with as little loss as possible, and with the highest regard to the safety and preservation of the troops; to that end he expects the men to work cheerfully and diligently, without the least unsoldier-like murmur or complaint, and that his few but necessary orders be strictly obeyed.
The general proposes fortifying his camp in such a manner as to put it entirely out of the enemy’s power to attempt anything by surprise, and that the troops may rest in security after their fatiques.
As the safety of an army depends in a great measure upon the vigilance of the out-posts, any officer or non-commissioned officer who shall suffer himself to be surprised, must not expect to be forgiven.
When an alarm is given, or when the enemy is perceived to be in motion, and that it be necessary to put the troops under arms, it is to be done without noise or confusion.
The brigades are to be ranged in order of battle, by the brigadier generals at the head of the camp, in readiness to obey the orders they shall receive.
False alarms are hurtful to an army, and dishonourable to those that occasion them; the out-posts are to be sure that the enemy is in motion, before they send their intelligence. Soldiers are not to go beyond the out-guards, the advance sentinels will fire upon those who attempt to pass beyond the proper bounds.
It may be proper to apprize the corps, that the general may perhaps think it necessary to order some of the light troops to retire before the enemy at times, so as to draw them nearer the army, with a view either to engage them to fight at a disadvantage, or to cut off their retreat.
The light infantry of this army are to have their bayonets, as the want of ammunition may at some times be supplied by that weapon, and because no man should leave his post, under pretence that all his cartridges were fired.
In most attacks of the night it must be remembered that bayonets are preferable to fire.
That the service of the campaign may be full as equal as possible on the whole, the corps shall do duty for their several strengths; no changes shall be made in the first regulations, unless any particular loss should make it necessary.
All cattle or provisions taken by any attachment of the army is to be delivered into the public magazines of the army, for the use and benefit of the whole. McWeir the commissary will give receipts for it.
No churches, houses, or buildings of any kind are to be burnt or destroyed without orders.
The peasants that remain in their habitations, their women and children, are to be treated with humanity; if any violence is offered to a woman, the offender shall be punished with death.
If persons are detected in robbing the tents of the officers or sutlers, they will be (if condemned) certainly executed.
The commanders of regiments are answerable that no rum or spirits of any kind be sold in or near the camp, when the soldiers are fatigued with work or wet upon duty.
The general will order such refreshments as he knows will be of service to them, but is determined to allow no drunkenness or licentiousness in the army.
Is any sutler has the presumption to bring rum on shore, in contempt of the general’s regulations, such sutler shall be sent to the provost’s in irons, and his goods confiscated.
The general will make it his business, as far as he is able, to reward such as shall particularly distinguish themselves; and, on the other hand, he will punish any misbehaviour in an exemplary manner.
The brigadier-generals are desired to inform themselves, if the orders and regulations are properly made known to their respective brigades.
Three captains, three subalterns, and 350 men are to parade to-morrow morning at four, in the rear of Bragg’s for the engineers; as they are to be relieved as usual.
Sergeant Prentice of Kennedy’s regiment is appointed provost-marshal, and is to be obeyed as such.
Whenever any body of troops maches from this camp no women are to go with them, or follow, till further orders; they will be subsisted here.
No woman to be petty-sutler in the camp without proper authority, on pain of being struck off the provision rolls.
One sergeant and twelve men to parade this evening at seven, in the rear of Lascelles’, for a provost guard; Bragg’s for this duty, and to be relieved to-morrow at eight by Otway’s.
Magazine and cattle guards as usual."
A F T E R - O R D E R S
Bragg’s, Lascelles’, Monckton’s, the light infantry, rangers, and the three companies of grenadiers to hold themselves in readiness to march to-morrow morning at ten; they are to take half their tents with them to the water-side. Those who are not yet provided with four days provisions are immediately to do it.
As the ships that were to cover the landing, cannot fall down to their proper stations this day, the troops are not to embark, but be in readiness.
Brigadier Townshend’s brigade to give 400 men for work, to be relieved as usual.
Order of march for troops that are to embark.
Grenadiers of the first brigade,
Grenadiers of Louisbourg,
Grenadiers of brigade, Townshend’s brigade
Bragg’s regiment,
Monckton’s,
Lascelles’
All these corps to be told off into detachments of sixty men, the whole to march by the right by files."