1775 Ad

"RESOLVED, that six companies of expert riflemen be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; that each company consist of a captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer or trumpeter and sixty-eight privates.

"That each company, as soon as completed, shall march and join the Army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry under the command of the chief officer in that Army.

"That the pay of the officers and privates be as follows; a captain at 20 dollars per month, a lieutenant at 13 and 1/3 dollars, a sergeant at 8 dollars, a corporal at 7 and 1/3 dollars, a drummer [or trumpeter] at 7 and 1/3 dollars, privates at 6 and 2/3 dollars; to find their own arms and clothes.

"That the form of the enlistment be in the following words. 'I have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself as a soldier in the American Continental Army, for one year, unless sooner discharged. And I do bind myself to conform in all instances to such rules and regulations as are, or will be, established for the governments said Army.'

"Upon motion, resolved, that Mr. [George] Washington, Mr. [Philip] Schuyler, Mr. [Silas] Deane, Mr. [Thomas] Cushing and Mr. [Joseph] Howes be a committee to bring in a draft of rules and regulations for the government of the Army."