COMMANDER'S CORNER
By Gary Weigel

I hope this finds everyone healthy and in good spirits. I want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and Hanukah, and a Happy Blessed New Year.

Thank you all for all your hard work this past year. We have had a good 1998 season. Happy Holidays to you and your families. I look forward to seeing you all in January for our Unit Meeting.

TREASURER'S REPORT
By Mike Sawyer

We currently have $83.12 in the Regiment von Riedesel bank account. Another $40 will be refunded to us by the Library of Congress ... or they will provide us with what we requested: Specific documentation for our unit and the time period involved.

On or before the unit meeting in January, one of the unit members will "audit" the books. This will consist of insuring that income was properly posted and that expenses were properly paid. A report shall then be made at our meeting of the results, and a final report will appear in the newsletter that comes out after the January meeting.

At the January meeting the treasurer will report on income and expenses.

SARATOGA - GERMAN DRILL
Reference Files at Saratoga NHP

General Instructions to the Troops from Riedesel. Camp by John's House, 26 August 1777.

"Since in every situation it has become clear, that the Brunswick troops have acted with the greatest courage whenever they have been engaged, it has nevertheless also become clear that a large number of good soldiers are needlessly lost, if the troops do not break ranks and seek out trees or other cover, that affords them protection, and then run from one tree to another, so that each soldier provides his own defense. This is the only way that we are in a position to attack the enemy without great losses in a woods, and to drive him out.

Additionally it should be observed, that no soldier should shoot unless he is behind a tree or other cover and can aim with certainty at his enemy. Otherwise he will use up his entire stock of ammunition in less than half an hour without having any effect.

By contrast, when the enemy is located in a plain, our old method of deploying can be used, that is, we keep closed ranks and, without firing, advance with fixed bayonets against the enemy; for it is clear that in the open this is an enemy of no account, who will offer no resistance against a battalion advancing in close formation."