![[AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. Manuscript Orderly Book, "Orders by Major General Daniel Jones, Commanding His Majesty's Troops on New York Island & Posts Depending," New York, 2 May - 2 June 1778. Oblong 4to, 61 pages, 118 x 171mm.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1999/NYR/1999_NYR_09178_0151_000(115056).jpg?w=1)
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[AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. Manuscript Orderly Book, "Orders by Major General Daniel Jones, Commanding His Majesty's Troops on New York Island & Posts Depending," New York, 2 May - 2 June 1778. Oblong 4to, 61 pages, 118 x 171mm.
THE BRITISH GARRISON IN NEW YORK, 1778 An entirely unpublished orderly book, recording military affairs at British Headquarters in New York. during the brief interval when Jones was the ranking British commander there. Generals Howe and Clinton and the principal British army were during this period in Philadelphia, which they had occupied since September 1777. On May 20, Howe relinquished theater command to Clinton and sailed for England; Clinton was preparing to evacuate Philadelphia and reconcentrate his forces in New York (his army's overland march began on 16 June). General Jones' garrison in New York was a not inconsiderable force, including six regiments of foot (35th, 38th, 45th, 52nd, 57th, 71st), as well as the "York Volunteers," three Loyalist brigades under Oliver Delancey, another under Brigadier General Skinner, six Hessian regiments and various artillery units.
The neat hand in which the record is kept may be that of Captain Philips of the 38th, whose appointment as Secretary to Jones is announced on 4 May, as are the appointments of Andrew Elliot as Police Superintendant and David Mathews as "Mayor of this City." Army officers are enjoined "to assist them when required in the Execution of their Duty." Patrols are ordered "to apprehend any Persons gaming in the Streets," and officers are warned to take care "that no Fences near their camps are damaged, nor Gardens and cultivated ground trod down or injured." The entry for 1 June reports that "His Majesty has been pleased to appoint Sir Henry Clinton Commander in Chief of all his Majesty's Forces in North America from Nova Scotia to West Florida inclusive."
Recruitment is frequently referred to, and weapon practice, by regiments, is ordered on a daily basis: "The Recruits of 57th Regt. Will fire Ball near Greenwich from time to time, between the hours of eight and Eleven in the morning." On 5 May, "the Royal Artillery will fire"; on the 9th, Jones orders that four Hessian regiments "will fire to-morrow upon the Common beyond the Jews burying-ground," while another will fire "upon the Bloomingdale Road." Officer's assignments are detailed: one is delegated to inspect horses collected "on Long Island for the chasseurs under Emmerick"; Major Genl. Tryon is to command His Majestys Troops on Long Island"; those troops "are to encamp when Major Genl. Tryon thinks proper, who will give directions for the Ground." On 30 May it is recorded that "The Recruits for the Army at Philadelphia in Admiral Gambier's convoy are to be quartered on Staten Island," and recuits "for the Regiments at Rhode Island are to be quartered at Paulus Hook." Ship arrivals and departures are carefully noted: on 22 May it is noted that "a ship of War will Sail on Sunday next for Philadelphia." Detachments of wood-cutters and armed escorts are despatched to gather timber on Long Island in early May and new uniforms are issued to all but the Hessian regiments on May 15. For each day, a parole and countersign are specified. Various garrisons and redoubts in the surrounding areas are mentioned including posts at Harlem, Brooklyn, Fort Knyphausen (the re-named Fort Washington), Kingsbridge, "the Reservoir Redoubt," and other locations.
THE BRITISH GARRISON IN NEW YORK, 1778 An entirely unpublished orderly book, recording military affairs at British Headquarters in New York. during the brief interval when Jones was the ranking British commander there. Generals Howe and Clinton and the principal British army were during this period in Philadelphia, which they had occupied since September 1777. On May 20, Howe relinquished theater command to Clinton and sailed for England; Clinton was preparing to evacuate Philadelphia and reconcentrate his forces in New York (his army's overland march began on 16 June). General Jones' garrison in New York was a not inconsiderable force, including six regiments of foot (35th, 38th, 45th, 52nd, 57th, 71st), as well as the "York Volunteers," three Loyalist brigades under Oliver Delancey, another under Brigadier General Skinner, six Hessian regiments and various artillery units.
The neat hand in which the record is kept may be that of Captain Philips of the 38th, whose appointment as Secretary to Jones is announced on 4 May, as are the appointments of Andrew Elliot as Police Superintendant and David Mathews as "Mayor of this City." Army officers are enjoined "to assist them when required in the Execution of their Duty." Patrols are ordered "to apprehend any Persons gaming in the Streets," and officers are warned to take care "that no Fences near their camps are damaged, nor Gardens and cultivated ground trod down or injured." The entry for 1 June reports that "His Majesty has been pleased to appoint Sir Henry Clinton Commander in Chief of all his Majesty's Forces in North America from Nova Scotia to West Florida inclusive."
Recruitment is frequently referred to, and weapon practice, by regiments, is ordered on a daily basis: "The Recruits of 57th Regt. Will fire Ball near Greenwich from time to time, between the hours of eight and Eleven in the morning." On 5 May, "the Royal Artillery will fire"; on the 9th, Jones orders that four Hessian regiments "will fire to-morrow upon the Common beyond the Jews burying-ground," while another will fire "upon the Bloomingdale Road." Officer's assignments are detailed: one is delegated to inspect horses collected "on Long Island for the chasseurs under Emmerick"; Major Genl. Tryon is to command His Majestys Troops on Long Island"; those troops "are to encamp when Major Genl. Tryon thinks proper, who will give directions for the Ground." On 30 May it is recorded that "The Recruits for the Army at Philadelphia in Admiral Gambier's convoy are to be quartered on Staten Island," and recuits "for the Regiments at Rhode Island are to be quartered at Paulus Hook." Ship arrivals and departures are carefully noted: on 22 May it is noted that "a ship of War will Sail on Sunday next for Philadelphia." Detachments of wood-cutters and armed escorts are despatched to gather timber on Long Island in early May and new uniforms are issued to all but the Hessian regiments on May 15. For each day, a parole and countersign are specified. Various garrisons and redoubts in the surrounding areas are mentioned including posts at Harlem, Brooklyn, Fort Knyphausen (the re-named Fort Washington), Kingsbridge, "the Reservoir Redoubt," and other locations.