Establishment of the Marine Corps, 10 November 1775

This resolution of the Continental Congress marked the establishment of what is now the United States Marine Corps. 

"Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required: that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered part of the number which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of."

The Marines have traditionally trained at one of two depots, depending on which side of the Mississippi river the recruit's place of residence or enlistment was. LIVING EAST of the river would send a recruit to THE SAND GNAT LADEN MARSHLANDS OF 
Parris Island, South Carolina.  

living west of the Mississippi would send the recruit scurrying
off to San Diego, California.

This section has broken those two training depots into sections to accommodate faster loading of the page, as well as making it easier to find YOUR platoon.

When the e-mail indication is "thefew-pvt" it means that name was found on "thefew.com and no e-mail is shared with the reader.  However, if this is an individual you are seeking, go to www.thefew.com and find the page with the rank designation and "thefew" can probably get you in contact with your buddy.

IF YOU DO NOT SEE YOUR PLATOON LISTED, GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST AND SEE IF YOU RECOGNIZE ANY NAMES THERE.  THIS IS THE PORTION OF THE LIST WHERE THE PLATOON NUMBER WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED.

If you have your old platoon book, make a copy of the pages and send them to me.  I'll try to scan them into a unique page for you.  Copied pages scan pretty well.

A Marine's General Orders:

1. To take charge of this post and all Government property in view

2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing       everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.

4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.

5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.

6. To receive, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.

7. To talk to no one except in line of duty.

8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.

9. To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.

10. To salute all officers, and all colors and standards not cased.

11. To be especially watchful at night, and, during the times for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post, and allow no one to pass without proper authority.

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