Orderly books help us to put together the pieces of what happened during the Battle of Rhode Island. Orderly books were kept by each Revolutionary War regiment. They documented troop movements, military orders, troop pay, conflicts, and the day to day happenings of that regiment. They tell us about who was in charge and what the plans were and sometimes offer details of concerns and punishments. Recently I came across an orderly book online at the Henry Ford Museum from a Connecticut Militia that fought in the Rhode Island Campaign.  This orderly book belongs to Colonel Samuel Chapman’s Connecticut Militia Regiment. Transcribing these books is an art in itself, but Historian John Robertson was kind enough to give me his transcription.

After Orders [MG Sullivan]

The G (General) takes this opportunity to Return his most Cordial Thanks to the Brave Officers & Volunteers & soldiers who have with so much Alacrity repaird to this place to give their Assistance in Extirpating the British Tyrants from the Country. the Zeal and sprit which they have des???d are to him the most pleasing presages of Victory and he is happy to find himself now at the head of an army far superior in numbers to them of the Enemy.

Actuated by a Sacred regard to Liberties of their Country and fired with Just Resentment Against Barbarians who have deluged their Country with Inocent Blood and Spread Desolation on great part of the Country where they have been suffered to march the prospect before us is exceeding promising the Several Corps have Every thing to Animate them and press them on to Victory: The Bravery of the Continental Officers and Soldiers and the idea they must have of the Dependance placed upon their Valour both by the Army and Country must stimulate them to support the Character they have so Justly acquired

The Independant Corps and Volunteers have so Chearfully come to assist in this Enterprize have every Inducement to Exert themselves to support the Reputation they have acquired by flying so freely to the Relief of their Distressed Country The State Troops which the G. has Long since had the Honor to Command he has the strongest reason to believe they will not suffer themselves to be Outshines in acts of Bravery by any Troops in the Army the Militia composed of the Respectable Freemen & Citizens of America who Fought the year must now feel every Inducement to spur them on to Conquest and Glory.

The character of the Several Corps which compose the Army the Expectation of the Country the safety of our Land and in short every thing which animates men to fight and conquer calls aloud upon us to act a part worthy of Freemen and becoming the Character of Americans. The Gnll. on his part assures the Brave army that he will with the utmost chearfulness share with them Every Danger and fatigue and is ready to Venture his Life in every Instance where the good of his Country callsfor it to them and to his Country he stands reday ph??? or to sacrifice his Life if Necessary and from the Brave Officers and men which he has the honor to Command he Expects to find the same sentiments in so just a Cause we must Conquer we must Win the laurels which await us and return in Triumph to the Arms of our grateful Country.

The commanding Officers of Corps will forbid their men in the most positive manner plundering the Inhabitants disobedience of this order will be punished with the utmost severity.

M:G for the day to morrow Green B:G: Cornel F:O: Colo. Bigelow LtColo. Peabody Mr. Philips BM Johnson

Transcribed by John K. Robertson, May 2021