AMERICAN REVOLUTION – Manuscript orderly book, Cambridge, Roxbury, and New York, 5 June to 25 September 1775 and various dates between 22 July and 10 September 1776.

142 pages, 185 x 150mm with several notes of marginalia made by a “Thomas Wells” of “Buffalo” likely in the mid nineteenth century (light soiling, several pages trimmed). Half calf boards (spine cracked, boards worn).

A field-carried orderly book covering the Siege of Boston including the Battle of Bunker Hill and portions of the 1776 New York campaign including a record of the enlistment of George Washington's spy-master, Benjamin Talmadge. Maintained by two anonymous members of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment, which became known as Chester's Connecticut State Regiment during the New York campaign of 1776, the orderly book records daily general and regimental orders and record some of the earliest regulations for the Continental Army during its formation in the summer of 1776. Most notably, the journal appears to indicate that a detachment of the 2nd Connecticut was present at the Battle of Bunker Hill. On the eve of the battle, "Special Orders" were issued for Captain Chester's company for two non-commissioned officer and 28 privates to appear on the Grande Parade equipt with Ammunition, Blanketts, and one Days provisions at 5 oClock P.M." The next morning an additional sergeant and ten privates from the same company to parade at 5 a Clock Equipt with 2 days provisions Ready Drest and Blankets in Order to march to the Assistance of the Conneticutt Troops at Charlestown pr Oder Genl. Putnam." In the days following Bunker Hill the captains of each company were ordered to make returns noting the number fit for duty, “Sick and Wounded and those Missing and the Number of arms Lost.” Apparently the companies were slow in making those returns. The regimental orders for 22 June demand that “Every Compa[ny] make out and return ot the adjutant Complet returning of the Numbers of men missing, wounded, of guns and Blanketts lost in the Late Engagement at Charlestown,” with a specific deadline: “this Day or by 9 oClock tomorrow Morning.”. The subsequent days are filled with orders detailing various issues surrounding discipline on parade and in camp. On 30 June, the regiment was ordered to cease all “Profane Cursing and Swearing and all Indecent Language or Behaviour,” and that “all the Officers from the Highest to the Lowest Rank Sett a good Example…” Soldiers were to keep their Quarters swept and cleaned daily, and measures were to “be taken that that no Lewd women come into the Camp…”

George Washington's arrival at camp is recorded on 3 July 1775: "By his Exelency Genl. Washington Esqr. Commr. In chief of the Forces of the United Colonies in North America, That the Col. or Commanding Officer of each Regiment is Order'd forthwith to make Two Returns of the Number of Men in their Respective Regiments, Distinguishing those that are, sick , wounded or absent on furlow, and also the Quantity of Ammunition Each Regiment has." The next day, Washington appeals for unity among the troops: "The Continental Congress having Now taken all the troops of the Several Colonies which have been Raised or may be hereafter Raised for the support & defence of the Liberty of America in to their Pay & Service they are now the Troops of the United provinces of North America and It is hoped that all Distinctions of Colonies will be Laid aside so that one and the same sprit may animate the whole, and the Contest be who shall render or on this great and most important Occasion be of the most Essential Service to the Great and Common Cause in which we are all Engaged—" The next several days' entries continue with further orders from the new Command in Chief addressing an enormous range of issues that were plaguing the still ill-disciplined and unruly forces surrounding the British positions in Boston and Charlestown from substandard bread, theft from the local inhabitants, to soldiers enlisting in multiple regiments “under pretense of promises of money or Leave of absence from the army…” [7 July 1775]. On the 15th, "The Commanding Officers of Each Regt. [were]To Report the names of such men in their Respective Corps are most Expert in Management of the Whale boats …" On the 18th, Washington orders fatigue parties to strengthen the lines of defense surrounding Boston, issuing order for gathering “Intrenching tools… Viz Spaces, Pickaxes, Wheelbarrrows, hand barrows, aces and Crowbars…” But discipline remained a problem. On 18 July 1775, Washington expresses his “astonishment the many frequent applications that has been made to him as well by Officers as Soldiers for Furloughs, brave men who are Engaged in the Noble Cause of Liberty Should Never think of moving from their Camp while the Enemy is in sight and Anxious to take every advantage any Indiscretion on our side may give them.”

The orderly book continues its record of the Siege of Boston through early September. Then, abruptly, the entries continue from the rear of the book, recording several days of orders during the New York campaign. In some respects little had changed in regards to discipline, and even the basics of administration: "It is with great pain of Surprise the Col. hears that a number of the Companies in his Regiment are not made acquainted with the General & other Orders daily Issued for the regulation & governance of the Army. This is an unpardonable omission of Duty…" [25 July 1776]. But notably it also records the appointment of Benjamin Talmadge, who would later become Washington's spymaster, as the regiment's adjutant on 22 July. The sporadic entries are likely a testament to the chaos that engulfed Washington's army in its attempt to defend New York City. By 14 August it was obvious that the British would mount an attack on the city: "From the appearance of the Enemy & other Circumstances the General & every one almost seem to imagin that wee must very soon Receive the enemy's Attack." Chester's Connecticut regiment was believed to be guarding Bedford Pass at the battle of Long Island and retreated to New York City following their defeat there. The final order recorded comes five days before the British landings at Kips Bay which forced Washington to retreat north to Harlem Heights. The orders of the day once again concerned general discipline: "…it is expected that every one in his proper station swill exert himself to know & do his duty & to promote good order & Regularity in camp." The identity of the journalists has not been determined but based on ink inscriptions written likley in the early ninteenth century, the journal may have ended up with Captain Chester Wells of Wethersfield, Connecticut. A veteran of the French and Indian War, Wells marched on the Lexington Alarm as a 2ndlieutenant under Captain John Chester, and in May 1775, he was commissioned a captain in the 2nd Connecticut. Provenance: Thomas Wells (several ink inscriptions throughout).