Boston: Washington Takes Command, July-August 1775

15. General Orders Regarding Rations

Washington, George. George Washington Papers, Series 3, Varick Transcripts, -1785, Subseries 3G, General Orders, -1783, Letterbook 1: July 3,- Sept. 30, 1776. August 8, 1775, 1775. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Library of Congress.

Washington, George. George Washington Papers, Series 3, Varick Transcripts, -1785, Subseries 3G, General Orders, -1783, Letterbook 1: July 3,- Sept. 30, 1776. August 8, 1775, 1775. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Library of Congress.

Washington, George. George Washington Papers, Series 3, Varick Transcripts, -1785, Subseries 3G, General Orders, -1783, Letterbook 1: July 3,- Sept. 30, 1776. August 8, 1775, 1775. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Library of Congress.

Washington, George. George Washington Papers, Series 3, Varick Transcripts, -1785, Subseries 3G, General Orders, -1783, Letterbook 1: July 3,- Sept. 30, 1776. August 8, 1775, 1775. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Library of Congress.

Iron chopper with wood handle. Object ID MC407. Courtesy of The Fort Ticonderoga Museum Collection.

Iron chopper with wood handle. Object ID MC407. Courtesy of The Fort Ticonderoga Museum Collection.

No detail too small, including the weekly ration alloted to the common soldier, escaped Washington’s attention.

"The following is the Ration of Provisions allowed by the Continental Congress unto each Soldier. (viz:) One pound of fresh beef, or ¾ of a pound of Pork, or one pound of Salt Fish, pr diem. One pound of Bread, or Flour pr diem.Three pints of Peas, or Beans pr Week, or Vegetables equivalent; at 5/s. pr Bushel for Peas or Beans. One pint of milk pr Man, pr diem, when to be had. One half pint of Rice, or one pint of Indian meal pr Man, pr Week. One quart of Spruce Beer per man, pr diem, or 9 Gallons of molasses pr Company of 100 Men. Three pounds of Candles to 100 Men pr Week, for Guards, &c. Twenty-four pounds of soft, or eight pounds of hard Soap for 100 Men per week. One Ration of Salt, one ditto fresh [meat], and two ditto Bread, to be delivered Monday morning; Wednesday morning the same. Friday morning the same, one ditto salt Fish."

George Washington, General Orders, 8 August 1775
Sources
  • founders.archives.gov

  • https://history.army.mil/Publications/Publications-Catalog/The-Canadian-Campaign/