"...Capt Valentine Opp has raised a Company for the Flying Camp in Bucks County, and his Men refused to march until they had receivd their bounty Money."
On June 3, 1776, the Continental Congress authorized the formation of a "flying camp" of light reserve troops, numbering some 10,000 men. Washington had requested this corps as early as March 1776, realizing that the American army had a huge swathe of territory to defend, and thus needed a quick reaction force that could respond to British raids and feints across the eastern seaboard. The Flying Camp was intended to consist of militiamen from Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, who would be fed and paid like regular soldiers and discharged by December 1, 1776. As Howell's letter (transcribed fully below) shows, recruiting for this formation was nearly as problematic as raising men for the Continental regiments, further complicating the manpower issues that plagued the American war effort for the first few years of the rebellion.
WPT III
Sol Feinstone Collection No. 566
Jacob S. Howell to the commissioners appointed by the Convention of Pennsylvania to form the flying camp. Philadelphia, 19 Aug. 1776.
Transcribed by David Swain August 2011
“Philadelphia August 19th 1776
Gentlemen
I am ordered by the Council of Safety to inform you that Capt Valentine Opp has raised a Company for the Flying Camp in Bucks County, and his Men refused to march until they had receivd their bounty Money. The Council /to forward the Service/ granted him two Hundred and twenty eight Pounds to enable him to pay his men the Bounty, and ordered him to March to Camp Immediately.
I am Gentlemen your most Humble Servant
Jacob S. Howell Secretary
The Honorable Commissioners appointed by the Convention of Pennsylvania to form the Flying Camp”
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