Colonel William Henshaw kept an orderly book listing first General Artemas Ward's and then General George Washington's orders to the American army around Boston. The orderly book begins on April 20, 1775 (the morning after the Battles at Lexington and Concord) and continues through the summer of 1775. The orders of Generals Ward and Washington for the dates before and after Washington's arrival are below. They show some of the concerns the officers had with the army. In addition to the special daily orders below, the orderly book each day listed two passwords (a "parole" and "countersign") as well as officers and adjutants for the day. General Washington's orders begin on July 3rd. Excerpted from The Orderly Book fo Colonel William Henshaw, of the American Army (Boston: A. Williams and Company, 1881), 38-9.

June 30th. Head-quarters. General Orders.-That all profane cursing and swearing, all indecent language and behavior, will not be tolerated in camps. The General expects that all the officers, from the highest to the lowest rank, set a good example to the soldiers in this respect.

That three subalterns be appointed daily to visit the colleges at nine o'clock in the morning, and see that they are daily swept clean; and that the officers improving dwelling-houses take care that those soldiers who are quartered in the same see that they are daily swept.

That the field-officers at Cambridge, Charlestown, and Medford see that the adjutants make a list of the names of all the officers of rank and file belonging to their respective regiments, and make a return immediately to the Adjutant-General.

That all possible care be taken that no lewd women come into the camp; and all persons are ordered to give information of such persons, if any there be, that proper measures be taken to bring them to condign punishment, and rid the camp of all such nuisances.

That the rules and regulations for the American army be read at the head of the respective companies by the captains, or such other person as they shall appoint, once a week, till further orders.

July 1st, Camp at Cambridge. That the adjutants of the respective regiments doing duty at Cambridge, Charlestown, and Medford make a weekly return to the Adjutant-General at head-quarters of the number of officers, and rank and file fit for duty, number unfit, where stationed, what number on duty daily, what duty, whether in camp, out on furlough, or absent without leave.

That the drummers in this encampment attend upon Mr. John Bassett, drum-major, at seven o'clock tomorrow morning, and receive their orders from him respecting their duty.

July 2nd. General Orders--That some suitable person in each company in the several regiments be directed to inspect said company daily; that, upon finding any complaints of indisposition among the men, the surgeon of each regiment will examine thereinto, and, if there be any symptoms of the small-pox upon them, that they be immediately removed.

That one soldier be taken out of each company in Putnam's, Prescott's, Bridge's, Fry's, and Glover's regiments, for camp color-men, whose daily business shall be to sweep and clean the camp.

July 3rd, Head-quarters at Cambridge. By his Excellency George Washington, Esq., Commander-in-chief of the Forces of the United Colonies of North America,--

The colonel or commanding officer of each regiment is ordered forthwith to make two returns of the number of men in their respective regiments, distinguishing those who are sick, wounded, or absent on furloughs, and also the quantity of ammunition each regiment now has.

AFTER ORDERS.-Four o'clock, P.M. By his Excellency General Washington.--

It is ordered, that Colonel Glover's regiment be ready this evening, with all their accoutrements, to march at a minute's warning to support General Fossum of the New Hampshire forces, in case his line should be attacked.

It is also ordered, that Colonel Prescott's regiment equip themselves, march this evening, and take possession of the woods leading to Lechmore's Point, and in case of attack, then Colonel Glover's regiment to march immeditaely to their support.

July 4th. General Orders.--

1. Exact Returns to be made by the proper officers of all the provisions, ordnance, ordnance stores, powder, lead, working-tools of all kinds, tents, camp-kettles, and all other stores under their respective care, belonging to the armies at Cambridge and Roxbury. The commanding officer of each regiment to make a return of the number of blankets wanted to complete every man with one, at least.
2. The Hon. Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam, Esqs., are appointed majors-general in the American army, by the honorable Continental Congress, and due obedience is to be paid them as such. The Continental Congress not having completed the appointments of the other officers in said army, nor had sufficient time to prepare and forward their commissions, every officer is to continue to do duty in the rank and station he at present holds, until further orders.
3. Thomas Mifflin, Esq., is appointed by the General one of his aides-de-camp; Joseph Reed, Esq., is in like manner appointed secretary to the General; and they are in future to be considered and regarded as such.
4. The Continental Congress having now taken all the troops of the several colonies, which have been raised or which may be hereafter raised, for the support and defence of the liberties of America, into their pay and service, they are now the troops of the United Provinces of North America, and it is hoped that all distinction of colonies will be laid aside, so that one and the same spirit may animate the whole, and the only contest be, who shall render on this great and trying occasion the most essential service to the great and common cause in which we are all engaged.
5. It is required and expected that exact disipline be observed and due subordination prevail through the whole army, as a failure in these essential points must necessarily produce extreme hazard, disorder, and confusion, and end in shameful disappointment and disgrace.
6. The General most earnestly requires and expects a due observance of those articles of war established for the government of the army which forbid profane cursing and swearing, and drunkenness; and in like manner requires and expects of all officers and soldiers not engaged in actual duty a punctual attendance on divine service, to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defence.
7. All officers are expected and required to pay dilligent attention to keep their men neat and clean; to visit them often at their quarters, and inculcate upon them the necessity of it, as essential to their health and service; they are particularly to see they have straw to lie on, if to be had, and to make it known if they are destitute of this article. They are also to take care that necessaries are provided in the camps, and frequently filled up, to prevent being offensive and unhealthy. Proper notice will be taken of such officers and men as shall distinguish themselves by a due attention to these necessary duties.
8. The commanding officer of each regiment is to take a particular care that not more than two men of a company be absent on furlough at the same time, unless in very extraordinary cases.
9. Colonel Gardiner is to be buried at three o'clock, P.M., with the military honors due to so brave and gallant an officer, who fought, bled, and died in the cause of his country and mankind. His own regiment, except the company at Malden, to attend on this mournful occasion. The places of those companies ont he lines of Prospect Hill to be supplied by Colonel Glover's regiment till the funeral is over.
10. No person whatever is allowed to go to Fresh Water Pond a-fishing, or on any other occasion, as there may be danger of introducing the small-pox into the army.
11. It is strictly required and commanded that there be no firing of cannon or small arms from any of the lines, or elsewhere, except in case of necessary immediate defence, or special order given for that purpose.
12. All persons taken, deserters coming in, persons coming out of Boston, who can give any intelligence, any captures of any kind from the enemy, are to be immediately reported, and brought up to head-quarters at Cambridge.
13. Captain Griffin is appointed aide-de-camp to General Lee, and to be regarded as such.
14. The guard for the security of the stores at Watertown to be increased to thirty men immediately.
15. A sergeant and six men are to be set as a guard to the hospital, and are to appy to Dr. Rand.
16. Complaint being made against John White, quartermaster of Colonel Nixon's regiment, for misdemeanors in drawing provisions for more men that the regiment consisted of, and for abusive behavior, a court-martial, consisting of a captain and four subalterns, is ordered to be held on said White, at nine o'clock to-morrow morning, who are to make due inquiry, determine, and report.