George Washington to William Cocks, 28 December 1755

[Winchester, 28 December 1755]

To Captain William Cocks, of the First Company of Rangers.

You are hereby Ordered to repair to your Company with all possible dispatch. I have found it impracticable to procure Clothes for your men. I think none so proper for Rangers as Matchcoats; therefore would advise you to procure them.

Those who have not received Clothing for the future will have their full pay, without stoppages; and those already made, will be repaid to them. Those who have been clothed, must either return them, or allow stoppages.

I would have you consult your men, and fall upon some method to supply them immediately. I would have all your accompts with your men fairly stated against I come up: and always when you make payment hereafter, take receipts from each man, one of which you are to have entered in a Book kept for that purpose, for your own use: the other on a sheet of paper, and transmitted to me monthly.

You will receive a Bill against Mutiny and Desertion, which you must have often read to the men. And further assure them, that if any Soldier deserts, although he return himself , he shall be hanged. Given &c. at Winchester: 28th December, 1755.

G:W.