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Recruiting INSTRUCTIONS For Captain Benjamin Biggs - appointed to command a company of rifle men in the Service of the United States.

SIR,

If you accept the appointment of which I have informed you, by my letter of the 10th inftant - you are immediately to commence the recruiting fervice in the State of Virginia. The principal rendezvous will be at [undecipherable].

Your recruits will be furnifhed by Elliott and Williams the Contractors - with rations, barracks, barrack utenfils, ftraw and fuel; and alfo with fuch neceffary medicinal affiftance as they may require.

The recruiting fervice is fomtimes abufed, both as it refpects the individuals recruited and the public at large,- that is, recruits are unwarily and unworthily entangled, contrary to their intentions: Such men generally defert the fervice, at fome critical moment, or ferve grudgingly, and fet bad examples to others; or, unfuitable perfons are engaged, who are conftitutionally defective and unfit for the hardfhips incident to a military life.

Although a recruiting officer may require talents to obtain uncommon fuccefs, yet it is the power of every officer to conduct himfelf with candor, integrity and induftry.

In order therefore to avoid the errors of this bufinefs, the following inftructions are to ferve as the genreal rules and principles of your conduct:

1ft. The recruits are to be inlifted for three years, unlefs fooner difcharged. 2d. Each recruit is to receive a bounty of Eight Dollars;-but no part of this fum is to be advanced until the recruit fhall have been fairly inlifted and fworn before a Magiftrate, according to the form herein prefcribed, and then only the faid fum is to be advanced in fuch proportions as the judgement of the