252 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



hended have not come to the knowledge of many able-bodied effective 

 Men, aged from 16 to 50 years, that may be very desirous of serving 

 their Country in the present glorious struggle for Liberty, in the mode 

 pointed out l3y said resolves, which are in the following words : 



"In Congress, 18th July, 1775. 



^' Resolved^ That it be recommended to the Inhabitants of the united 

 English Colonies in North America, that all able-bodied effective Men, 

 between 16 and 50 years of age, in each Colony, immediately form them- 

 selves into regular Companies of Militia, to consist of one Captain, two 

 Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Clerk, one 

 Drummer, one Fifer, and about sixty-eight Privates. 



"That the Officers of each Company be chosen by the respective Com- 

 panies. 



"That each soldier be furnished with a good Musket that will carry 

 an ounce Ball, with a bayonet, steel ramrod, worm, priming wire, and 

 brush fitted thereto, a cutting sword or tomahawk, a Cartridge Box that 

 will contain twenty-three rounds of Cartridges, twelve flints, and a knap- 

 sack. 



"That the Companies be formed into Regiments or Battalions, Officered 

 with a Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, an Adjutant or Quarter 

 Master. 



" That all Officers above the rank of a Captain be appointed by their 

 respective Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, or in their recess by 

 the Committees of Safety appointed by said Assemblies or Conventions.. 



"That all Officers be Commissioned by the Provincial Assemblies or 

 Conventions, or in their recess by the Committees of Safety appointed 

 by said Assemblies or Conventions. 



" That all the Militia take proper care to acquire Military Skill, and 

 be well prepared for defence, by being each man provided with one pound 

 of good Gun P@wder, and four pounds of Ball fitted to his Gun. 



" That one-fourth part of the Militia in every Colony be selected for 

 Minute Men, of such persons as are willing to enter into this neces- 

 sary Service, formed into Companies and Battalions, and their Officers 

 chosen and Commissioned as aforesaid, to be ready at the shortest notice, 

 to march to any place where their assistance may be required for the 

 defence of their own or a neighbouring Colony, and as these Minute 

 Men may eventually be called to action before the whole Body of the 

 Militia are sufficiently trained, it is recommended that a more particular 

 and diligent attention be paid to their instruction in Military discipline. 



"That such of the Minute Men as desire it, be relieved by new 

 draughts, as aforesaid, from the whole Body of the Militia, relieved once 

 in four Months. 



"As there are some people who, from religious principles, cannot bear 



