Head Quarters New York

26th January 1777.

Alarm Posts

17th Light Dragoons. Mounted on the Common facing the Jail.

Upon an Alarm of fire the Troops will form upon their respective Parades, and wait for further Orders, sending an Orderly Officer to Head Quarters.

Upon an Alarm from the Enemy the Troops will first form upon their respective Parades, and from thence immediately March to their Alarm Posts, where they will wait for further Orders, sending an Orderly Officer to Head Quarters.

The Signal for forming on the Alarm Posts, will be four Guns fired from Fort George.

The Pickets in case of an Alarm will form on the General Parade, with the Field Officer of the day, and wait for further Orders, sending an Officer to Head Quarters-British Orderly

Books: Sir William Howe, Commander in Chief

September 26, 1776 - June 2, 1777

[Captain Henry Knight, Aide-de-Camp to General Howe.]

[New York Historical Society Collection, Mss. pages 189-191.]