Pages 41-122 were written back to front. To read the manuscript in sequence, read pages 1-40; 122-41. Spine title on case: Orderly book of the First Delaware Regiment, May 11, 1776 - Nov. 6, 1776 Orderly book of the First Delaware Regiment, kept by Lt. Col. Gunning Bedford, starting on May 11, 1776 at Wilmington to Nov. 6, 1776 , headquarters near Kingsbridge, N.Y., including details of formation, instructions for parade of the companies, rations, tables of returns, guard postings & court-martials, etc. Under the command of Col. John Haslet & Lt. Col. Gunning Bedford, The First Delaware Regiment, numbering more than 800 men, marched from Wilmington to New York in early August 1776 to participate in the New York campaign ("... the enemy have now landed on Long Island, the hour is fast approaching on which the honor and success of this army and the safety of our bleeding country depends ..."). They played a key role at the Battle of Brooklyn, creating a diversion that helped Washington's army retreat to safety. From there the regiment moved north through Manhattan, encountering the British at Kips Bay, Harlem Heights, new Rochelle, White Plains and Fort Washington. By the time they crossed into Pennsylvania the regiment was reduced to 100 men. Bound in calf with blind ruled covers & vellum backed by William Trickett of Philadelphia; his advertisement on front pastedown: "William Trickett, stationer & bookbinder ..." In case.