American Historical Ephemera and Photography

1p, 7 1/2 x 12 in. Laid period paper with English watermark. War-date "Brigade Orders"
with additional initialed notation adding rank ("NG BG") below signature. Addressed to Col. John Nelson. Docketed on verso, and with scattered numerical sums and names including "John Nelson / Middleborough of the County of Plymouth."

Orders read, in large part: "You are directed to Give your orders Immediately to the Severall Officers, Commanding Company in Your Regt., to meet with Their Respective Company's of Train Band, as soon as possible for Military Discipline & youl. order them to be properly Warnd Either Verbally by the Officers or by a Written order left at his or their Houses. That there may be as General a Muster as possible; You will also recommend it to all your officers, to furnish themselves with a Suit of Military Uniform, viz: Blue Coat, laced with white & white Buttons, white Waistcoat & Britches that they may be prepared for a Regemental Muster (which will take place very soon). Pursuant to Orders from the Commander in Chief, You will also present the Commissions in Your hands to the Severall Officers in the Towns of Rochester & Wareham in your Regt. any refusing You will make return of them, with their Severall reasons for nonacceptance..." He adds in a postscript: "...see that the Officers furnishes Themselves with the necessary side arms & agreeable to the Militia Act."

General Nathaniel Goodwin supervised Army enlistments for Massachusetts, and saw active service during the Revolutionary War. When British General Burgoyne surrendered with his men, it was Godwin who commanded the troops assigned to the British general's guard. He was a Major in the expedition to Rhode Island in 1778. Afterwards promoted to the office of Brigadier, and later to Major-General of Militia, which office he retained till his death.