McMinn_Letter_058_48435

At a meeting of a large majority of the Field and Staff Officers of the 9^th Brigade of Tennessee Militia - Camp at Brigade Drill on the 3^rd of September 1817 at Camp, James Sanford's place in the County of Rutherford.

Brigadier Genl Robert Purdy being called to preside as president and Brig. Quarter Master Joshua Haskell to act a[s] Secretary -

The meeting then proceeded to take into consideration the present man -ner of holding Brigade Drill muster, as at present prescribed by the Legislature of the State; When in motion &c It was -

Resolved, that it is the Opinion of this meeting, that the present mode of drilling militia Officers by Brigades is calculated to produce important benifits to the State of Tennessee so far as it regards their improvement in military [science?]

Resolved, that it is further the opinion of the meeting, that to take the Officers

now Commissioned Officers &c so far and so long from their homes to attend those Drills, is highly oppressive and will ^not be bourne by them, unless they can be allowed and furnished with Tents, Camp equippage, Rations &c-

Resolved, that unless Tents, Camp equippage, Rations &c, shall be here after furnished to the Officers &c at those Drills, that this meeting beg leave to enter their protest against that section of the Militia Law of this State, that requires those Drills -

Resolved, that it is the Opinion of this meeting that the Brigade Inspector of each Brigade ought to be allowed at least four Dollars per day for every day employed in Drilling the Militia officers &c and he be allow^d four Dollars for every twenty five miles travel in distributing the regular orders of his commanding Genl; and that this include all allowances to him for services of every kind.-

Resolv^d that each adjutant of regiment haught to be allow^d two Dollars for every twenty five miles trav^elling in distributi- ing the orders of his Regiment and that ^this be allow^d out of the fines and forfeitures in his Regiment -

Resolv^d that the judge advocate in a each Regiment be ought to be allow^d $2 per day while he shall attend court martial in his Reg^t to gether with the present allowance made to him to be paid out of the fines &c collected in his Reg^t -

Resolv^d, that all fines and forfeiture be collected by the sergeant Major of each Regt under the same seals & restrictions as the sheriff at present collects the same. -

Resolv^d, that each Regimental surgeon be allow^d for medicines which may be required of him at the Brigade Drills and other [musters?] and that the same be paid out of the fines. &c

Resolv^d, that stationary and postage be allow^d to Militia officers. -

Resolv^d, that this meeting recommend the [?] of Company & Battalion Courts martial

It is further -

Resolv^d that the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the President and counter -sign^d by the Secretary- and that the President be requested to forward the same to Maj^r Gen^l Corrall and request him to transmit the same to the Legisla - ture of this State at their next Sessions -

Rob. Purdy President

Teste J Haskell Secratory

Proceeding of a meeting of the Field Officers and staff of the 9^th Brigade Ten. Malitia. Sep^t 3^rd 1817