Choptank River Trip - Col Richardson Revolutionary Trail

The Maryland Council of Safety, which managed the colony’s military affairs in the early months of the Revolution, ordered that militia be formed of  gentlemen, freeholders and other freemen. The Council delivered strict rules to Richardson and other captains for recruiting men into their militia companies.

1. You are to enlist no man who is not able bodied, healthy, and a good marcher, nor such whose attachment to the liberties of America you have any cause to suspect.
    
2. Enlist young hearty robust men, who are tied by birth, or family connection or property to this country.
    
3. Enlist men who are well practiced in the use of firearms, are by much to be preferred.
    
4. You are to have a great regard to moral character, sobriety in particular.
    
5. You are not to enlist any servant imported, nor, without the leave of the master, any apprentice.
    

The counties were to enlist all qualified men from sixteen to fifty years of age enroll and organize them into companies of 68 men. The counties were to choose a captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals and one drummer for each company.  Each man was to be provided a good flintlock musket with bayonet, one half pound of powder, two pounds of lead, a cartridge box or powder horn, and a bag of ball. They were to drilled and kept ready to act in any emergency.