Gen. Knox recrui ting instructions December 1789 1789 To Captains Burbeck and Savage Gentlemen, Having in my letter to you of of the 19th ultimo directed you to endeavor to re-enlist as many of the men of your companies as possible, I now repeat the direction. To those who will re-enlist you may give furloughs to join either of your recruiting parties at Boston, Worcester, or Springfield on or before the 20th day of January ensuing. Those who will not re-enlist you will discharge agreably to the form herewith enclosed. After you have shall have dischar- ged your men, you with all your officers excepting one [carat symbol] repair immediately to Massachusetts and recruit your companies. [carat symbol] (who shall repair to this city and take the orders of Captain Smith) companies to the full number of seventy each_ to serve for three years unless sooner did- charged by order of the President of the United States each recruit as soon as enlisted must be sworn in the manner herein prescribed. “I, A.B. do solemnly swear or “affirm (as the case may be) that I will support “the Constitution of the United States.” “I, A.B. do solemnly swear or “affirm (as the case may be) to bear true “allegiance to the United States of America, “and to serve them honestly and faithfully “against all their enemies or opposers what- “soever, and to observe and obey the orders “of the President of the United States of “America, and the orders of the Officers ap- pointed over me.” All your officers must also take the same oats before some Magistrate previously previously to our leaving West Point, of which you must obtain duplicate certificates, one of which you will transmit to tis office in order to be placed on the files thereof. As the number of men you have to recruit are few, I expect you will not only obtain men of the best qualifications for soldiers, but that you will complete your companies before the 1st of February. All your recruits must be men of the best characters for sobriety and honesty well formed in teir bodies and limbs__healthy and robust__at least five feet six inches in eight, not under
eighteen or more than forty five years of age, and not foreigners unless their characters shall be well-authenticated. Springfield must be your principal rendezvous. As soon as you shall 4. shall recruit twelve men at any other place or places, you will march them to Spring- field, and as soon as you shall have assembled forty that at that place you will march them to West Point. Melancton Smith Esq. who has contracted to supply West Point and Springfield with rations will make arrangements also to furnish you with rations at Boston, and other small contin- gent expences. I shall transport the clothing for our companies to Springfield. If you should think proper to order any suits to Boston you may direct it. You must make me weekly returns of our success in recruiting. I earnestly urge that you the highest exertions in this business, or the success of 5. of which, candor obliges me to state depends materially the prospects of your continuance in service. I expect that you will direct all your measures with the most perfect economy, and that you will take every precaution to ascertain the characters of the men offering to enlist. Should men desert after engaging, it will be a reproach to you, as well as a loss to the public. You must make it a fixed principle, that your recruits sign your enlistment papers before witnesses and that they take their oaths before you make any advances. Any loss incurred without these precautions will be your own, and not the public’s loss. I I shall direct the paymaster general to advance you a months pay for each of your companies – one half of which you will advance as soon after your men shall be sworn as you may judge proper. The other half before they shall march from Springfield. You may promise your recruits great punctuality of payment and clothing. Given at the War Office of the United States, this eighth day of December, One thousand and seven hundred and Eighty Nine. HKnox Secretary for the department of War