TO: COMMANDING OFFICER -- 6 JULY 1779
LIGHT INFANTRY
BRADDOCK BARRACKS
MILLER'S JUNCTION, RHODE ISLAND

1. ISSUE NECESSARY ORDERS SENDING ONE MAN, ON HORSEBACK, VIA SAFEST AND MOST CONVENIENT ROUTE, AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE, TO FORT VON STEUBAN ON THE OHIO RIVER, BELOW THE JUNCTION OF THE TWO GREAT RIVERS AT OLD FORT PITT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRYING SECRET DISPATCHES TO MAJOR ALONZO De LAFAYETTE, WHO AT LAST ROLL CALL, IS THE COMMANDANT OF FORT VON STEUBAN. IF,UPON ARRIVAL, MAJOR LAFAYETTE IS EITHER DEAD OR RESIGNED, THE SOLDIER WILL DELIVER THE DISPATCHES TO THE IMMEDIATE COMMANDING OFFICER.

2. THE EXPENSE SECTION OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WILL SUPPLY THIS COURIER WITH THE NECESSARY CASH TO BUY HIMSELF SUFFICIENT FOOD SUPPLIES TO SUBSIST HIM THE ENTIRE JOURNEY. IF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AT THE DESTINATION IS NOT FUNCTIONING, THE ENLISTED MAN IS AUTHORIZED TO BARTER WITH THE INDIANS FOR NECESSARY SALT AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS NECESSITIES FOR THE RETURN TRIP. UNIFORM BUTTONS AND MUSKETRY MAY BE UTILIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE BARTERING^ IF THE SITUATION WARRANTS FRATERNIZING WITH THE INDIAN TRIBES, DUE CARE WILL TAKEN INSOFAR AS THE RELIEF TEEPEES ARE CONCERNED, SOLDIER MAKING USE OF HIS MEDICAL KIT IMMEDIATELY AFTER EXPOSURE. THE EXPEDITION IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY IN THE MILITARY SERVICE. GOVERNMENT MOUNTS AND SUBSISTENCE WILL BE FURNISHED, AND IF USED FOR BARTERING, UNIFORM BUTTONS AND MARKSMAN MEDALS WILL BE REPLACED BY THE GOVERNMENT UPON APPLICATION FOR SAME BY THE ENLISTED MAN CONCERNED.

3. UPON RETURN TO HIS HOME STATION, SOLDIER WILL SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT, SHOWING THE FULL NAMES AND RANKS OF COMMANDING OFFICERS OF ALL MILITARY FORTS VISITED, SO THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR CAN BE INFORMED AND BRING THEIR ROSTER UP.

[Courtesy of Roger Thornton]