Orders and Instructions for
His Majesty's 55th Regiment of Foot
commanded by the Honorable Major General Richard Earl of Cavan on their embarking for North America.

The commanding officer is to take care that every morning all the men be brought up on deck, the births cleaned and the bedding brought up to air if the weather will permit.

That no smoaking be permitted between decks.

That no gaming be allowed nor shall any person be suffered to vend or distribute drams of spirituous liqueurs.

That as many men as possible be kept on deck in the day time.

If any transports should be put into any port or harbour, no officer or soldier is to go on shore but by the consent of the officer commanding the troops on board such transports -- and when any soldiers are allowed to go on shore a non-commissioned officer is to go with them who is to be answerable for their conduct while on shore.

The Commanding Officer will acquaint the regiment that in order to contribute towards the expence of provisions on board the paymaster General of the forces is directed to make a deduction of 3p per diem from every officer, non commissioned officer and soldier borne upon the full establishment of the regiment during the time of their being on board ship and the Colonel is ordered to take care that the agent or paymaster stop no more form any officer, non commissioned officer or soldier on account of provisions than the said 3p per diem, the commander of the transports certifying that the number of days that the troops shall have been on board their ships.

Upon arrival of the regiment in North America, the Commanding Officer is to follow such orders as he shall from time to time receive from his excellency the Honourable Lieutenant General Gage, or the Officer commander in chief of His Majesty's forces in those parts for the time being.

Given at the War Office this 15th day of August 1775. By MMC Barrington (The 17th, 27th, 28th, and 46th of foot received identical orders on this date)

(WO 26/29, Public Record Office, Kew)

Transcribed by Mark Tully

Crown copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office.