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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC05983 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1776 |
| Title | British adjutant's orderly book |
| Date | 6 January 1776-4 September 1777 |
| Author | Howe, William Howe, Viscount (1729-1814) |
| Document Type | Military document; Book |
| Content Description | Orderly book of British Commander-in-Chief William Howe, oblong quarto, in the handwriting of six or seven soldier-clerks. Details daily orders, official memoranda, court martials, provisions, directives on the control of civilians, embarkations and landings of troops, and more. Among the historic events described are the siege and evacuation of Boston (from 5 March 1776 for 20 pages) and the execution of Nathan Hale (22 September 1776) who is unnamed. "A Spy from the Enemy by his own full confession, apprehended last Night was this day Executed at 11 oClock in front of the Artillery Park." Also includes the Battles of Long Island and Princeton, and other British activities and significant events in Halifax, Boston, Staten Island, Long Island, New York City, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The last entry is dated "Aickins Tavern 4 Sept., 1777," in Pennsylvania when Howe was marching to take Philadelphia, which was accomplished 26 September 1777. The orderly book shows that the British evacuation of Boston actually began 5 March 1776, not 17 March as was commonly believed. Unpaginated. There are a few unusual pieces, for example page 1 has a "Memorandum for making Sour Crout [kraut]." |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Orderly Book Military History Court Martials and Courts of Inquiry Military Law Siege of Boston Spying Death Penalty Death Battle Battle of Long Island (Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights) Canada Diet and Nutrition Military Provisions |
| People | Howe, William Howe, Viscount (1729-1814) Hale, Nathan (1755-1776) |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Law; Foreign Affairs; Health & Medicine |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |