The following is the first installment of “On This Day,” a new series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Jan. 2, 1776
Head Quarters, Cambridge
Gen. George Washington, writing in his General Orders for the day, took a decidedly stern tone while imposing order on his newly re-formed Continental Army:
“That every Officer may be perfectly well acquainted with the establishment of the present Army, in Order that they may be governed by it, and make the Returns agreeable thereto—The General informs them, that each Regiment is to consist of a Colonel, a [Lieutenant] Colonel, a Major, eight Companies, an Adjutant, a Quarter Master, Surgeon and a Surgeon’s Mate; whether a Chaplain will be allowed to each regiment, or one to two Regiments is yet to be determined;1 each Company is to consist of a Captain, a first and Second Lieutenant, an Ensign, four Serjeants, four Corporals, a Drummer and Fifer, and seventy-six Privates, and no more, under any pretence, or plea whatsoever.”
Washington concludes the order in a strident tone, demanding that no soldier take leave without prior authorization and warning that failure to submit timely weekly accounts will result in severe punishment.
“No Soldier is to be absent without leave in writing, signed by the Commanding Officer of the Regiment he belongs to, and a Register thereof made in the Regimental Book, which Furlough is to be delivered to the said Commanding Officer, so soon as he returns; and if it should appear that any Soldier has overstay’d his time, without just Reason, a Note thereof is to be made in said book, and a Furlough denied him upon a future application, besides suffering such punishment, as may by a Regimental Court Martial be inflicted.”
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress issued the Tory Act resolution, laying out guidance for how the colonies should deal with Americans who remained steadfastly loyal to King George III.
FREEDOM 250 LAUNCHES NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION AT THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT
The act called those British loyalists “honest and well-meaning, but uninformed people” and urged colonial committees to educate them as to the “origin, nature and extent of the present controversy.”
In the seven resolutions that comprised the Tory Act, the Second Continental Congress treated committed Loyalists as beyond persuasion, recommending that they be disarmed and that the most dangerous among them be placed in custody or required to post bonds ensuring their good behavior. The Tory Act helped inflame deep-seated bitterness, distrust, and hostility toward Loyalists, ultimately driving an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 of them to flee to Canada and Great Britain.