History - Kings Orange Rangers

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that the regiment was bound for Nova Scotia and “how cruel it was of Major D’Wint sic to keep
the Officers in ignorance ...as it prevented them from providing Shoes & Clothing for such a
Climate, and that Captain Burgess was determined to inform the Officers of the truth.”
Clinton gave permission to DeWint to tell such officers as he saw fit, especially those with
families. Deputy Adjutant General Captain Hutcheson advised DeWint that the KOR would be
used in the Jerseys prior to leaving for Nova Scotia and ordered him to New York to get
ammunition and full instructions. When he returned to Harlem, he found the KOR in a state of
near mutiny, the Nova Scotia destination having been revealed to the regiment by Captain
Burgess. This was confirmed at trial by Captain Brace. The men declared they “would rather die
than go there.”
DeWint returned to New York and reported this state of affairs to Colonel Innes and Captain
Hutcheson. They gave him orders from Clinton to march the men to New York and embark
them ostensibly for the Jerseys, but in fact for Nova Scotia. He was also told that if Burgess
persisted he was to put him under arrest. DeWint returned to Harlem and in audible tones told
the officers that they were going to the Jerseys. Burgess would not let it go and continued to
insist to his fellow officers and the men that they were headed for Nova Scotia. DeWint warned
Burgess to desist, but he only became more exercised saying it was no crime to speak the truth.
DeWint had Burgess arrested and sent him directly to the transport Hannah. The following
morning the regiment marched to New York. Once aboard the Hannah, Burgess had his arrest
lifted by DeWint at the request of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell.
Additionally, Burgess may have become implicated with a number of non-commissioned
officers and enlisted men in preparation of a memorial to Sir Henry Clinton appealing the
decision to send the regiment to Nova Scotia. Court evidence later made it clear that the writing
of such memorials had been expressly forbidden by DeWint. The memorial was prepared on the
13th November by Serjeant Andrew Rohl at the request of sergeants Thomas Dearing and Peter
Alyea as well as John Ashley and several other privates of the Kings Orange Rangers who had
come from “about the same part of the Country with Major DeWint and were engaged by him
for the Regiment.” These men probably and wrongly, believed that like the militia, they were
not required to serve outside their own province. It was delivered by Serjeant Jacob Gesner’s
wife to DeWint’s servant. DeWint passed it immediately to Colonel Campbell without reading
it. Campbell’s view was that since no one was to be allowed ashore from the transports, the
petition could not be presented and was therefore irrelevant. The regiment embarked on
transports lying in the North River where they remained for ten to fourteen days prior to
departing New York for Halifax. During this time such officers as requested liberty were
allowed to go ashore to buy goods for Nova Scotia. Later, Colonel Campbell came on board the
Hannah, interrogated several of the noncommissioned officers and men and offered a reward for
the name of the person who had promoted the memorial. Serjeant Andrew Rohl readily admitted
to this and further stated that Major DeWint had been aware of it for some time. Campbell
immediately had Rohl arrested and put in irons.
Further trouble between Burgess and DeWint erupted on the voyage to Halifax. At the trial,
King’s Orange Rangers