Selected Extracts from an Orderly Book of the Royal Fuziliers
HM 7th Regiment of Foot, Orderly Book, 27 April, 1778 - 27 June, 1778. Original in the New Jersey Historical Archives. Transcribed by Jason Melius
"H Quarters Phila 3rd May, 1778
R[egimental] O[rders]
A Review of Arms Accoutrements Ammunition and Neccesaries tomorrow Morning at nine o’clock
The Black Leggins are not to be worn only on duties or Field days."
"H Quarters Phila 5th May, 1778
R.O.
Lieut. Col. Clarke finding the Companies Barracks are not visited by the Officers (Not withstanding repeated orders have been given to that Purpose) is under Neessity of desiring the Captain of the day will report to him the Name of the first Officer who neglects doing it. "
"H Quarters Phila. 9th May 1778
The Paymaster Genl is to make a stoppage from each Corps, British German and Provincial for the shoes and other necessaries sent from England, and Deliver them in Couse of the Winter by the Qr Master General, as also for Necessaries delivered to their Prisoners in Connecticut and to their Convalescents at New York – An account of wch will be given in to the Qr Mr Generals Office in Market Street"
"Head Qrs. Philadelphia 13th May 1778
R.O.
A Return from Each Company to be given in tomorrow morning at Roll Calling, of the Arms and Accoutrements now in their Charge, also of any Lost and at what time and place it happened Since the Regt has been Released from the Rebels."
"Phila. H. Quarters 14th May 1778
R.O.
A Return to be given in tomorrow Signed by the Commanding Officer of Each Company of their Mens Blankets, specifying good bad and wanting to Complete Those wanting to be ascertained where and when they became so."
"Head Qrs Philadelphia 15th May 1778
Commander in Chiefs Guard 7th Regt."
"Head Qrs. Philadelphia 16 May 1778
Col. Clarke desires the Officers Commanding Companies will take this opportunity of exchanging any arms they have that are not in thorough repair, as it is most Likely another opportunity will not offer soon."
"Head Quarters Philadelphia May 29th 1778
A Review of Arms Accoutrements Ammunition and Necessaries tomorrow at 3 o’clock.
The men to bring with them their Camp Kettles Canteens Tomahawks and Every necessary article they are to carry on the march."
"Jersey Camp 30th May 1778
R.O.
…As the Regmt. May be subject to sudden alarms Particularly at Night the men’s accoutrements &e must be hung up conveniently, so that they may be able to turn out instantly in front of their huts."
"Phila 12th June 1778
…20 Recruits lately arrived for the 16th Regmt. Are to be turned over to the Royal Fusileers."
"Head Quarters Phila June 16th 1778
Memorandum
…For the Royal Fusileers 52 Recruits are arrived at Richmond on Staten Island."
"Morning R. Orders
The Soldiers who are attending the Captains of the Regmt. as servants are to be exempt from duty, and need not fall in with their companies on the march; But the Commanding Officers expects that the Captains will be responsible, that no other man whatever is absent from the ranks except such as may have his particular leave."
"Morning Regt. Orders 21st June 1778
No Regiment having been formerly more Conspicuous for its Discipline than the Royal Fusileers, Lt. Col. Clarke is the Mortified at Observing the great Irregularity and Excesses that have been Committed within these two days. And as nothing is more Disgraceful in a Corps than such Unmilitary Proceedigs, he flatters himself the officers will Exert themselves the utmost to Prevent its happening again, and he Desires the Soldiers may Understand that he is Determined to Punish with the utmost Siverity any man or follower of the Regt. Who shall be Detected in Marauding or Straggling without the Lines of the Encampment.
When the Regt. Comes to its Grounds after a March an Offr is to remain with Each Compy till the huts are finished and to report their being so to the Commanding them in Camp.
The Men are put their black stocks into their Knapsacks every Morning when they are to march, with a Clean false Collar fixed to it so that they may be put on at a minute’s notice.
The lace of the men’s Hats to be well Cleaned against Evening Roll Calling, and the Hats to be well Cocked."
"H Quarters Phila 3rd May, 1778
R[egimental] O[rders]
A Review of Arms Accoutrements Ammunition and Neccesaries tomorrow Morning at nine o’clock
The Black Leggins are not to be worn only on duties or Field days."
"H Quarters Phila 5th May, 1778
R.O.
Lieut. Col. Clarke finding the Companies Barracks are not visited by the Officers (Not withstanding repeated orders have been given to that Purpose) is under Neessity of desiring the Captain of the day will report to him the Name of the first Officer who neglects doing it. "
"H Quarters Phila. 9th May 1778
The Paymaster Genl is to make a stoppage from each Corps, British German and Provincial for the shoes and other necessaries sent from England, and Deliver them in Couse of the Winter by the Qr Master General, as also for Necessaries delivered to their Prisoners in Connecticut and to their Convalescents at New York – An account of wch will be given in to the Qr Mr Generals Office in Market Street"
"Head Qrs. Philadelphia 13th May 1778
R.O.
A Return from Each Company to be given in tomorrow morning at Roll Calling, of the Arms and Accoutrements now in their Charge, also of any Lost and at what time and place it happened Since the Regt has been Released from the Rebels."
"Phila. H. Quarters 14th May 1778
R.O.
A Return to be given in tomorrow Signed by the Commanding Officer of Each Company of their Mens Blankets, specifying good bad and wanting to Complete Those wanting to be ascertained where and when they became so."
"Head Qrs Philadelphia 15th May 1778
Commander in Chiefs Guard 7th Regt."
"Head Qrs. Philadelphia 16 May 1778
Col. Clarke desires the Officers Commanding Companies will take this opportunity of exchanging any arms they have that are not in thorough repair, as it is most Likely another opportunity will not offer soon."
"Head Quarters Philadelphia May 29th 1778
A Review of Arms Accoutrements Ammunition and Necessaries tomorrow at 3 o’clock.
The men to bring with them their Camp Kettles Canteens Tomahawks and Every necessary article they are to carry on the march."
"Jersey Camp 30th May 1778
R.O.
…As the Regmt. May be subject to sudden alarms Particularly at Night the men’s accoutrements &e must be hung up conveniently, so that they may be able to turn out instantly in front of their huts."
"Phila 12th June 1778
…20 Recruits lately arrived for the 16th Regmt. Are to be turned over to the Royal Fusileers."
"Head Quarters Phila June 16th 1778
Memorandum
…For the Royal Fusileers 52 Recruits are arrived at Richmond on Staten Island."
"Morning R. Orders
The Soldiers who are attending the Captains of the Regmt. as servants are to be exempt from duty, and need not fall in with their companies on the march; But the Commanding Officers expects that the Captains will be responsible, that no other man whatever is absent from the ranks except such as may have his particular leave."
"Morning Regt. Orders 21st June 1778
No Regiment having been formerly more Conspicuous for its Discipline than the Royal Fusileers, Lt. Col. Clarke is the Mortified at Observing the great Irregularity and Excesses that have been Committed within these two days. And as nothing is more Disgraceful in a Corps than such Unmilitary Proceedigs, he flatters himself the officers will Exert themselves the utmost to Prevent its happening again, and he Desires the Soldiers may Understand that he is Determined to Punish with the utmost Siverity any man or follower of the Regt. Who shall be Detected in Marauding or Straggling without the Lines of the Encampment.
When the Regt. Comes to its Grounds after a March an Offr is to remain with Each Compy till the huts are finished and to report their being so to the Commanding them in Camp.
The Men are put their black stocks into their Knapsacks every Morning when they are to march, with a Clean false Collar fixed to it so that they may be put on at a minute’s notice.
The lace of the men’s Hats to be well Cleaned against Evening Roll Calling, and the Hats to be well Cocked."