Letter Signed

Proposed Regulations Regarding Relative Rank Between New Officers & Promotions

Submits a plan for resolving the issue of relative rank between the officers of the 12 new regiments. Mentions as primary a concern to avoid comparisons based on merit, which might offend some of the men. Suggests that for men who served in the Revolutionary War, their rank at the close of that conflict should govern. These seem to be ranked first over men who have served in the army at some point, and those in turn over men who have not seen any service. For those who have some experience, merit or lot should decide seniority. Also proposes a plan for managing promotions within the army that was originally conceived by General Washington -- that, excepting extraordinary circumstances, officers rise within their regiments until the rank of major, when they may rise to any unit; officers may not be promoted to another corps (infantry, artillery or cavalry) until having reached the rank of colonel. Proposes reconciling these regulations with the officers who enlisted under the previous system, but notes that one unified promotion system must result. Asks for Adams' approval on these plans.

1799

04

29

War Department

Cited in Adams to McHenry, 05/07/1799.

Multiple copies of the document exist; these listed under separate collections below.

Cited document sent from the War Office

John Adams

James McHenry

George Washington

War Department

commissions

officer

regiment

colonel

major

revolution

revolutionary war

service

rank

lot

experience

infantry

cavalry

artillery

promotion

of the officers who have served in the revolutionary army of the united states, it will be advisable, among those now of equal grade, to let their relative rank, at the time of that war, govern

those who may have served in the regular army or levies, considerations of personal merit and weight of character can alone decide

should meet your approbation, I shall throw them into a proper form to be carried into effect by the appropriate organs of the army

after considerable reflexion, I am disposed to recommend the rules for promotion proposed by Lt. General Washington in his letter to the Secretary of War

A moments hesitation as to the propriety of the universal application of this rule, from the situation of the four requirements of the old establishment

1799042900501

1

4