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�intelligent & deserving soldier ought to be preferred. A proceeding on this ground will be found to be an important step towards assuring the subordination & discipline of a company. The soldier of merit, thus rewarded, will need no other stimulus to make him appear complete in arms and uniform; he will attract the esteem & respect of his superior officers, and be an example of punctuality & propriety to his companions in arms; he will be proud when in the presence of his General, and will be sure to escape the censure of the inspector: nor will his captain have occasion to blush for his appointment. The influence & authority of noncommissioned officers, thus appointed, will be sensibly felt in all the corps to which they extend & their effects will soon be visible in the order, discipline & government of them.
    It is desirable that during the period of active disciplines. There may be as few changes as possible among the officers; & that by the first tuesday of May annually every corps may be completely organized. In order thereto & that all the officers may be duly commissioned & qualified on that day it is found to be essentially necessary that the vacancies be filled in the winter as far as possible, & that no officer be discharged between the first day of March & the first day of November, annually, except in cases of extraordinary urgency. The superior officers, therefore, by whose sanction applications for discharges are made will govern themselves accordingly; and in cases of urgency they will certify the same.
    The General Courtmartial whereof Major General Gideon Foster is president, begun & holden at Bridgewater on the 24 day of March last, for the trial of Major Paul Merritt of the 2. regiment 1. brigade, 5. division, "For disobedience of orders, neglect of duty & for not appearing with the regiment (in the absence of colonel Turner) at the place of parade for review, inspection & discipline on tuesday the twenty-ninth day of September last past "having reported, "That

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