COL. SMITH TO HAMILTON.

MAJOR GENERAL HAMILTON:

UNION BRIGADE, March 25th, 1800.

SIR, I have communicated to Colonel Ogden the arrangements I have made relative to the experiments I am making on the proper measure of the paces, as stated in your letter of the 18th, to whom, at present, I beg leave generally to refer you. I have made arrangements to procure the necessary pendulums to correctly mark the cadence of the common 75-quick 108-and wheeling time 120 per minute. I must confess, I am attached to the English time; I know it to be founded on the most approved Prussian system, and is the basis of those highly improved evolutions published by Colonel Dundas, on which the British tactic is now founded, and which is elevating the British army to a point of reputation which they have so long stood in need of.

I find that the British pace gives 65 yards per minute, which in 8 minutes covers 5223 yards-that our pace per minute gives but 50 yards per minute, in 8 minutes covers 400 yards; of course the advantage gained in 8 minutes is 1223 yards.

If therefore we can introduce and accustom our troops to the Prussian or British step, I think there can be no hesitation which to choose. I will however do myself the honor of reporting the result of experiments about to be made. I should wish your permission to try the steps when acquired,—upon British or Prussian principles of tactics, extracts from which and some notes personally made, I am possessed of, but feel a diffidence on entering on these experiments, without your permission being previously obtained.

I have the honor to be with great respect-Sir, your most obedient humble servant.

ORGANIZATION.

1800.

In conformity with the establishment by law, and until a definitive arrangement shall be prescribed by authority of the President of the United States, the following formation and disposition of a regiment of infantry are to be observed—

A regiment will consist of battalions, divisions, companies, platoons, sections and squads.

A battalion is composed of five companies-a division will comprehend two companies. Each company will be divided into two platoons--each platoon into two sections-each section into two squads. A battalion will consequently consist of two divisions and a flank company; and as often as two flank companies shall be united, they will form a division.

When the companies shall be completed to the war establishment each will be formed upon three ranks; on the present establishment each will be formed upon two ranks, in order that it may occupy in each class the same extent. Each company shall be numbered in the regiment from one to ten according to the relative rank of the several captains, and shall be thus distributed. The battalion on the right shall consist of the first, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth companies. That on the left of the 2d 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th companies. The station of each company will be from right to left, in the former No. 1, 3, 7, 5, 9. In the latter No. 4, 8, 6, 10, 2. No. 1 and 2 will represent the flank companies, which it is expected here after will consist of select persons.

The third and seventh companies will form a division to be called first division, the fifth and ninth another to be called second division, the fourth and eighth another to be called third division, the sixth and tenth another to be called fourth division. When the two flank companies * form a division it will be called "flank division."

*In forming it the company No. 2. will place itself on the left of No. 1.

The platoons shall be numbered from right to left in succession, from 1 to 20, and shall be denominated in the same order, first pla toon, second platoon, &c. The sections of each platoon shall be denominated right and left, and when necessary shall be distinguished by the addition of the number of the platoon as "right section of the first platoon," "left section of the second platoon," &c.

In the order of battle the officers and non-commissioned officers shall be stationed as follows. Each captain shall be on the right of the right platoon of his company, covered by a sergeant. The first lieutenant on the right of the left platoon of his com. pany, covered also by a sergeant. The second lieutenant four paces behind the centre of the company, to be denominated a rear officer." The first sergeant two paces behind the left of the right platoon. The second sergeant two paces behind the left of the left platoon. The corporals on the flanks of the two platoons in the front rank. The second lieutenant of the company which is on the left of each battalion, shall be on the left of that company covered by the second sergeant.

The colonel shall be at twenty-eight paces behind the line of "rear officers," and opposite the centre of the interval between the two battalions. The first major, at twenty paces behind the same line of rear officers, and opposite the centre of the "battalion of the right," in a line with the standard of that battalion. The second major, in a similar position relatively to the "battalion of the left." The adjutant, sixteen paces in front of the colonel. The sergeant-major of each battalion, twelve paces in front of his major. The paymaster and quartermaster are understood to be detached on other duties. They may, however, in special cases, at the discretion of the colonel, be employed in the service of the line, when he will assign them their stations.

In the formation for reviews of parade, the colonel will be twenty paces in advance of the centre of his regiment, counting from the front rank; each major, fourteen paces in advance of the centre of his battalion, counting in like manner in a line with its colors. If the regiment shall form only one battalion, the colonel will preserve the same relative station, and the

majors the same distance, but opposite the right and left of the battalion.

HAMILTON TO PINCKNEY.

NEW-YORK, March 26, 1800.

SIR:

Inclosed is a plan of the formation of a regiment for exercise or battle, of which I request your mature consideration, and that you will [favor] me as early as may be [with] the result of your reflections. The more careful and particular your criticism, the more [will it oblige me.]

NORTH TO HAMILTON.

March 27th, 1800.

SIR:

I have the honor to present herewith, regulations for conducting military funerals and executions; for the disposal of the effects of those who die or are killed in the service. They are, with some alterations and additions which appeared to me proper, extracted from Reed and Symes, and though not of great consequence, are necessary to make a whole. The plan for the service of the guards, which is also presented, is in part taken from the regulations of Baron Steuben, and in part formed on a principle which I believe has not heretofore been adopted, and which, for this reason, I offer with great diffidence. The guards and detachments, instead of being taken promiscuously from the different companies of a regiment, or the different regiments of an army, are, by the plan accompanying this, to consist of entire squads, sections, platoons, &c. So that the officers and the men attached to their particular command, may on all occasions re

main together. I need not say to you, sir, that the separating officers from their men, has been, and will always be, fraught with bad consequences. The officer, to a certain degree, gets rid of his responsibility for their clothing, arms, and discipline; and the men under the command of a stranger have less to hope from a strict performance of their duty, or to fear from its neglect. The alteration with respect to the camp guards, by permitting them to remain in the tents which, as a platoon or section, they occupied previous to their mounting, will, in my opinion, be attended with no inconveniences to the service, and with much convenience to the officers and men; the camp and quarter guard being thrown together under the command of a commissioned officer, and a tent or hut appropriated for prisoners where they cannot mix with the guard, and will feel that they are confined, will, I should suppose, be attended with good effects.

The continual attention necessary to the common and daily duties of my office, is offered in excuse for having done so little in the extra business committed to me, and I hope will be accepted.

HAMILTON TO OGDEN.

NEW-YORK, April 15th, 1800.

SIR:

In compliance with your request, I proceed to draw an outline of the duties which, as Deputy Quarter-General of the troops within my immediate command, you will have to perform.

The duties of the department of Quartermaster-General, as they have been understood in our service, are subdivided into two principal branches, one of which has been denominated military, the other civil; the first relating to the position and movements of an army, the other to its supply.

The first branch embraces chiefly the choice and distribution of ground for the quartering and encampment of troops, whether with a view to an enemy or to the exercise and accommodation