For the Day Tomorrow Brigadier General Clinton
Lieutenant Colonels Peters 37
and Hull 38
Brigade Major Ashley.
For Guard Major Grier
From the Deficiency of Field officers in the Jersey brigade and more particularly
in the regiment to which Lieutenant Colonel Barber belongs;
He is permitted for the present to decline the duties of Inspector and confine
himself to those of his regiment. Major Fish will in the mean time perform the
duties of Division Inspector.
As black and red feathers have been furnished the Division of Light Infantry to
distinguish it from the rest of the Army they are not to be worn by any officers
or soldiers but those who belong to it.
At a General Court martial of the Line held 27th of July last whereof Colonel
Richard Butler was President, Philip Lankfitt and Richard Peters of the 4th. (IV)
regiment of Light dragoons were tried for "Robbing Joseph Wessells of sundry
Articles in presence of the said Wessell's Wife" found Guilty of the charge
exhibited against them being a breach of article 21st. Section 13th. of the
Articles of war and sentenced each of them to receive one hundred lashes.
The Commander in Chief approves the sentence.
At a General court martial of the line whereof Colonel Greaton is President,
Captain Hopkins 39 of the 4th. regiment of light dragoons was tried for
"Having repeatedly sold public horses and applied the money to his own use".
The Court are of opinion that Captain Hopkins is not Guilty of the charge and
do acquit him. The General approves the Acquittal. Captain Hopkins is released
from his Arrest.
At the same court Lieutenant Trent 40 of the same regiment was tried for
"disobedience of orders the 23d. of July last".
The Court are of opinion Lieutenant Trent is Guilty of the Charge against him and
do sentence that he be reprimanded by the commanding officer of the regiment to
which he belongs. The Commander in Chief approves the sentence and orders it to
be carried into execution tomorrow and that then he be releas'd from his Arrest.
At the same court Asa Snow, soldier in the 12th. Massachusett's regiment was tried
for "Disobedience of orders and attempting the life of Captain Allen 41 in the execution
of his duty by stabbing him with a fixed Bayonet on the evening of the 7th. Instant"
found Guilty of disobedience of orders, and attempting the life of Captain Allen by
stabbing him with a fixed bayonet in breach of Article 5 section 18th. of the Articles
of war and sentenced to receive one hundred lashes on his bare back.
The Commander in Chief approves the sentence and orders it to be executed tomorrow
morning at the Head of the regiment to which he belongs.
Mr. Israel Weed, Assistant Commissary of Issues, was likewise tried for
"selling Flour Meat spirits and salt out of the public Stores without proper authority --
Secondly for not delivering Coffee and Butter drawn for the brigade".
The Court are of opinion that Mr. Weed is not Guilty of either of the Charges and
do acquit him with Honor.The Commander in Chief confirms the opinion of the Court.
Mr. Weed is released from Arrest.
37 LtCol. Andrew Peters, of the XV Mass, was in service in Nov, 1780.
38 LtCol. William Hull, of the III Mass.
39 Capt. David Hopkins, of the 4LD, to major 1LD in 1780 and served to the close of the war.
40 Lt. Lawrence Trent, 4LD, to captain and served to the close of the war.
41 Capt. Noah Allen, of the XIII Mass, transferred to the I Mass in Jan, 1781, and retired in Aug, 1782.
IV Philip Lankfitt and Richard Peters - These names not in Penna Archives of 4th Dragoon Men.
In the actual orders the names are Philip Lankfet and Richard Pitts. Richard Pitts is listed in the Penna Archives. Lankfet maybe Langford
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