Methods Proposed for Reducing Desertion
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Methods Proposed for Reducing Desertion
Description
Forwards correspondence detailing the recommended appointment of one man to a post which may soon be declined by another. Reports "ruinous" desertion; recommends 4 methods to combat it: greater discipline, greater care and speed for the delivery of supplies to the troops, the screening of foreigners seeking to join the ranks, and "energy in punishing offenders." Notes that the first is the province of Major Generals Hamilton and Pinckney, and that he (McHenry) will attend to the second -- this now being within his power, as Congress has recently empowered the Secretary of War to provide funds to purchase supplies for the army for the ensuing year. He has already ordered much cloth for the clothing of the troops. Regarding the 3rd method, he has instructed General Hamilton and the recruiting officers to limit the enlistment of foreigners to those who are naturalized, and to prefer natives in every case. In the fourth case, he simply reiterates that deserters must be dealt with swiftly and harshly.
year created
1799
month created
05
day created
28
author
sent from location
War Department
recipient
in collection
note
Multiple copies of the document exist; these listed under separate collections below.
notable person/group
John Adams
James McHenry
Lieutenant Colonel Ogden
William Anders
Samuel Owing Smith
lieutenant
foreigners
Major General Alexander Hamilton
Major General Pinckney
Secretary of War
naturalized citizens
recruiting officers
notable location
War Department
Sussex County
New Jersey
notable item/thing
appointment
returns
desertion
discipline
supplies
punishment
clothing
Act of Congress
camp utensils
equipage
medicines
hospital stores
purchases
contracts
importation of cloth
capture
loss
enlistment
good character
court martial
document number
1799052800501
page start
1
Item sets
Transcribe this document
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (4 pages) | IDG19 (4 pages) | Collection: John Adams Papers | R: 394 |
| [view document] (5 pages) | KGA13 (5 pages) | Collection: MMC, McHenry, James: mm85004543 | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | James McHenry | War Department | [n/a] |
| Recipient | John Adams | [unknown] | [n/a] |