Manuscript Group 227, Jersey Brigade Orderly book, 1780

 

 

Archives

Documents, Manuscripts, Maps, & Photographs

Manuscript Group 227, Jersey Brigade

 

Orderly book, 1780, 0.1 linear feet / 1 volume

 

Call Number: MG 227

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Summary:

 

Kept at West Point, New York by John Ross, Brigade Major and Inspector,
October 10-30, 1780.  Comprising the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd New Jersey Regiments,
the Jersey Brigade was then commanded by Colonel Elias Dayton (1737-1807).

Historical
Note:

 

The Jersey Brigade was formed in December
1775 under Colonel William “Scotch Willie” Maxwell.  Among the
campaigns in which the brigade participated were those at Quebec, Short Hills,
Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, the Iroquois Expedition, Connecticut Farms,
Springfield, and Yorktown.

 

After having fought in the Battle of
Springfield on June 23, 1780, the Jersey Brigade was sent to several posts to
protect the New Jersey side of the Hudson from British incursions.  In
October they camped at West Point in anticipation of remaining there for the
winter, but instead were ordered to take up winter quarters in Pompton, New
Jersey.  Colonel William Maxwell resigned from service before the end of
October 1780.

 

The fortifications at West Point, New York
were always seen as vital to the survival of the revolutionary cause.
Located on easily defended high cliffs over the Hudson River, this post
prevented British troops and supplies from moving between the loyalist Hudson
Valley and New York City.  By September 1780, Benedict Arnold’s plot to
surrender West Point to the British had been foiled, and the main body of the
Continental Army was encamped for the winter in the Hudson Highlands.

 

Sources:

 

http://www.nps.gov/vafo/HISTORY/rwtimeline.htm

 

Boatner III, Mark Mayo, Encyclopedia of
the American Revolution,
(David McKay, New York, 1966).

 

http://shreve.mcls.kent.edu/shrevefamily/FamousShreves/IsraelShreve/IsraelShreveHistoryof2ndJersey.html

 

Provenance
Note:

 

The source of this collection is unknown.

Scope
and Content Note:

 

This volume is an orderly book used by
Captain John Ross (fl. 1775-1782) of the Jersey Brigade at their headquarters in
West Point, New York from October 10-30, 1780.  An orderly book is usually used
by the orderly sergeants or the aide de camp to enter general and regimental
orders, and there is usually one for each company. Typical orders recorded
regard troop movements and formation, procurement of uniforms, repair of arms,
rations of food and rum, court marshal proceedings, and civilian complaints.

 

 

Related
Collections:

 

For other orderly books see:

 

Manuscript
Group 91, First Continental Artillery Regiment Orderly book

 

Manuscript Group 94,
Elias Dayton (1737-1807) Papers

 

Manuscript Group 222,
Francis Barber (1750-1783), Officer, Orderly book

 

Manuscript Group 223,
Continental Artillery Brigade Orderly book

 

Manuscript Group 224,
7th Rifle Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line / Patton’s Additional Regiment
Orderly book

 

Manuscript
Group 225, Continental Army Artillery Regiment Orderly book

 

Manuscript
Group 226, First New Jersey Continental Regiment Orderly book

 

Manuscript
Group 228, Alexander Scammell (1747-1781), Adjutant General in the Continental
Army, Orderly book

 

Manuscript
Group 229, The New Jersey State Troops Military record book

 

Manuscript
Group 230, Nathaniel Heard’s Brigade, New Jersey Militia Record book

 

Manuscript Group 228,
Alexander Scammell (1747-1781), Adjutant General in the Continental Army,
Orderly book

 

Manuscript Group 229,
The New Jersey State Troops Record book

 

Manuscript Group 230,
Nathaniel Heard’s Brigade, New Jersey Militia Record book

 

Manuscript Group 233,
Jabez Campfield (1737-1821), Revolutionary War surgeon, Journal and Orderly book

 

Manuscript Group 257,
Second Dragoon Regiment, Continental Army Orderly book

 

 

Processed by Luis Delfino, May 2001 as part of the “Farm to City”
project funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records
Commission.

 

Submit a request to copy part of this collection

 

back

Print Friendly, PDF & Email