Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1864-12-01
sIERMAN's ORDERS FOR THE MARCH.
HEADQUARTERS
MILITARY DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
IL THE FIELD KINGSTON, Ga, Nov 9, 1864.

In THE FIELD KINGSTON, Ga, Nov 8, 1864.
|. For the purpose Of military operations
this army is divided into two wings, viz
The right wing, Major General O. 0. How
ard commanding the Fifteenth and Seven
teenth Corps the left wing, Major General
Ii. w. Slocum commanding the Fourteenth
and Twentieth Corps.
II. The habitual order Of march will be,
whenever practicable, by four roads. as
nearly parallel as possible, and convcrging
at points hereafter to be indicated in or
ders. The cavalry, Brigadier General Xii
patrick commanding, will receive special
orders from the Commandcr-in-Chief
III. There will be no general trains of
supplies, but each llcorpst,will have its ammu-
milton and provision train, distributed hab-
itually as follows: Behind each regiment
should follow one wagon and one ambu-
lance behind each brigade should follow Il
due proportion of ammunition wagons, pro-
vision wagons and ambulances In case
of danger, each army corps should change
this order of march by having his advance
and rear brigade unincumbered by wheels
the separate columns will start habitualy
at seven 4. NJ and make about fifteen miles
per day, unless otherwise fixed in orders.
the country during the march To this end,
each brigade commander will organize a
good and sufficient foraging party. under
the command of one or more discreet Off
GERS, who will gather near the route trav-
elled, corn or forage of any kind, meat of
any kind, vegetables, corn-meal, or what
ever is needed by the command aiming at
all times to keep in the wagon trains at
least ten days provisions for the command
and three days forage. Soldiers must not
enter the dwellings, Of the inhabitants, or
comm any trcspass during the halt or a
camp they may be permitted to gather tur-
nips, potatoes and other vegetables, and
drive i'll stock in front of their camps. To
regular foraging parties must be entrusted
the gathering Of provisions and forage at
any distance form the road travelled.
Y. To army corps commanders is cntrus-
ted the power to destroy mills houses, cot
ton gins etc, and for them this general
principle is laid down: In districts and
neighborhOods where the army is unmoles-
ted no destruction Of such property should
be permitted but should guerilIas or bush
whackers molcst our march, or should the
inhabitants burn bridges, obstruct roads or
otherwise manifest local hostility, then army
corps commanders should order and enforce
adcvaStatiOn more or less relentless, accord
ing to the measure of such hostility.
VI. As for horses, mules, wagons, &c,
belonging to the inhabitants, the cavalry
and artillery may appropriate freely and
without limit ; discriminating, however, be-
tween the rich, who are usually hostile, and
the poor or Industrious, usually neutral or
friendly. Foraging parties may also take
mules or horses torcplacc the jadcd animals
of their trains or to serve as pack mules for
the regiments or brgadcs. In all foraging,
Of whatever kind, the parties engaged will
refrain from abusive or threatening Ian
guage, and may, when the officer in com
mand thinks proper, give written certificates
of the facts, but no receipts and they will
endeavor to leave with each family a rca,
sonable portion for their maintenance
VII. Negroes who are able-bodicd and
can be of service to the several columns
may be taken along but each army corps
commander will bear in mind that the ques-
ton of supplies is a very important one,
and his first duty is to see to those who
bear arms
VIII. The organization at once of "a good
pioneer battalion for each corps, composed,
II possible OF negroes, should be attended
to. This battalion should follow the ad-
vance guard. shouldrepairroads and double
them if possible, so that the columns will
not be delayed after reaching bad places.
Also, army commanders should study the
habit of giving the artillery and wagons
the road, and marching their troops on one
side and also to instruct their troops to
assist wagons at steep hills or bad cross
ings Of streams.
IN. Captain o. NJ Poe, chief engineer,
will assign to each wing of the army pom
toon train, fully equipped and organized,
and the commanders will see to its being
properly protected at all times.
By order of Maj Gen. w. T. SHERMAN.
l.. NJ. DAYTON, Aid-de-camp.