Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

The Eleazer Everett orderly book contains 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 are comprised of general orders, garrison orders, and marching orders, from Generals Richard Howe and George Washington, and include a discussion of Benedict Arnold's treason and the trial and execution of John André.

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.

• 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.

This volume contains 44 pages of signals and roughly 46 pages of instructions and explanatory information pertaining to the Royal Navy's operations under Richard Howe around the time of the American Revolution. The book provides details about signals to be used while sailing by day, in fog, in battle, and at night, and it includes color illustrations of signal flags and lantern configurations. The binder's title is "Ld Howes Instructions."

This volume contains 44 pages of signals and roughly 46 pages of instructions and explanatory information pertaining to the Royal Navy's operations under Richard Howe during the American Revolution. The book provides details about signals to be used while sailing by day, in fog, in battle, and at night, and it includes color illustrations of signal flags and lantern configurations. The binder's title is "Ld Howes Instructions."

The first 6 pages are comprised of instructions ("Explanatory Observations") for making and using naval signals and an index to the signals in the volume. The following 44 pages hold information about specific signals. Color illustrations of flags are drawn along the margins, and some lantern configurations are illustrated with ink drawings. Accompanying explanations include details about the meanings of each signal and appropriate places of deployment.

The second section of the book contains "Instructions for the Conduct of the Ships of war explanatory of, and relative to the Signals contained in the Signal-Book" (46 pages). These instructions provide information on the conduct of British ships while in full sail, during engagements with the enemy, and in limited sight conditions such as fog and darkness. The night instructions refer to signals that are explained elsewhere within the volume.

This volume contains the bookplates of W. T. H. Howe (1920) and Edith Barbara Tranter.