The Eleazer Everett orderly book is comprised of 66 pages of Revolutionary War orders, kept by an American soldier stationed at West Point, and 42 pages of hand-copied vocal music. The military entries date from July 2-8, August 15-25, and September 26-October 10, 1780, and contain general orders, garrison orders, and marching orders. Benedict Arnold's treason and the trial and execution of John André are mentioned in the orderly book.
Orders include specific instructions for the troops (rations of food and liquor, bathing requirements, etc) as well as orders to the officers concerning conduct: "The Major Generals to wear a blue coat with Buff under Cloaths, two epilates with two Stars on Each, a black & white Feather in the Hat..." (July 3, 1780). The volume also contains garrison orders issued by Major General Robert Howe, and extracts of general orders issued from Washington's headquarters, with mentions of other generals such as Jedediah Huntington and British General Henry Clinton.
Topics of note include:
- Copies of headquarters accounts of Arnold's treason and the capture of André, and the order to execute André (September 26 and October 10).
- A brief description of Fort Arnold (soon to be renamed Fort Clinton) (July 3, 1780).
- Comments on the court martial trial of Major Thomas Frothingham, commissioner of military stores in the Continental army, for disobeying an order (July 5, 1780).
- Description of punishment for desertion (July 8, 1780).
- Numerous passages of strong patriotic language.
In addition to the military orders, the volume contains 14 songs (42 pages) for four voices. The majority of the songs are unattributed, though two are by French, one by Morgan, and one by Everett (song titles are listed in the additional descriptive data). Lyric content is primarily religious in nature.
Revolutionary War soldier Eleazer Everett, Jr. (1761-1828) was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, to Bethia Morse and Eleazer Everett (1712-1786). He enlisted as a private in the company of the Dedham militia, raised for the American Continental army, and was stationed at Boston Harbor; Providence, Rhode Island; and West Point. In 1780, he witnessed the execution of the noted British spy, Major John André.
Everett married Lucy Battelle (1764-1857) in 1783, and together they had 12 children. In 1791, he and his family moved to Francestown, New Hampshire, where he died on December 22, 1828.
