The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-05-13
LSnecial Field Orders, No. 1901

HEADo'Rs MILITARY DIVISION OF THE
MISSISSIPPI, IN THE FIELD. KINGSTON, :
GA. Nov. 8. 1864.
l. For the purpose OF military operations.
this army is divided into two wings; viz:
The right wing. Maj. Gen. o. O. Howard
commanding, composed of the Fifteenth aud
Seventeenth Corps; the left wing, Maj.-Gen.
ii. w. Slocum commanding, composed of the
Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps.
9 The babtual order OF march will be, wher-
ever practicable, by four roads. nearly par
allel as possible. and converging at points here
after to be indicated in orders. The cavalry,
Brighten. Fitzpatrick commanding, will re-
ceive special orders from the Commander-in-
Chief.
but each corps will have its ammunitiontrain
and provision train, distributed habitualy as
follows: Behind each regiment should follow
one wagon and one ambulance; behind each
brigade should follow due proportion of am-
muntion wagons. provision wagons, and am
balances. In case of danger each corps COM
mander should change this order of march by
having his advance and rear brigades unen-
numbered by wheels. The separate columns
will start habtually at z a. M, and make about
Is miles per day, unless otherwise fixed in or.
ders.
a. The army will forage literally on the
country during the march. To this end each
brigade commander will organize a good and
suticient foraging party. under the command
of one more discreet officers, who will gather
near the route travelled corn or forage Of any
kind, meat of any kind, vegetables, cornmeal,
or whatever is needed by the command, aiming
at all times TO keep in the wagons at least 10
days provisions for his command and three
days forage. Soldiers must not enter the
dwellings of the inhabitants, or commit any
trespass; but during halt camp they may
l.. II H. 4
other vegetables, and TO drive in stock in
sight OF their camp. To regular foraging par
ties must be intrusted the gathering of provis-
ions and forage at any distance from the road
travelled.
5. To corps commanders alone is intrusted
the power to destroy mills, houses. cotton gins,
etc, and for them this general principle is laid
down: In districts and neighborhoods where
the army is unmoIested no destruction of such
property should be permitted; but should
guerrillas or oushwhackers modest our march,
should the inhabitants burn bridges, OBJ
struct roads, or otherwise manifest local hos
tility, then army commanders should order
and enforce a devastation more or less relent-
less, according TO The measure of such hostility.
9. As for horses, mules. wagons, ETC., belong
ing 10 the Inhabitants, the cavalry and artil-
lery may appropriate freely and without limit.
discriminating, however. between the rich, who
are usually hostile, and the poor and industri.
ous usually neutral or friendly. Foragng par
ties may also take mules or horses to replace
the jaded animals of their trains, or to serve as
pack mules for the regiments or brigades. In
all foraging. of whatever kind, the parties en-
gagged will refrain from abusive or threatening
language, and may. where the officer In COM
mand thinks proper, give written certificates
OF the facts, but no recei pts and they will en-
deavor TO leave with each family reason able
! portion for their maintenance
Z. Negroes who are ble-bodied and can be Of
service TO the several columns may be taken
| along; but each army commander will bear in
mind that the question of supplies is a very
/ important one. and that his first duty is to SEQ
TO those who bear arms
9. The organization at once of good pioneer
battalion Tor each army corps composed if pos
sble, Of negroes, should be attended to. This
battalion should follow the advance.guard, re-
pair roads and double them, if possible, so that
| the columns will not be delayed after reaching
| bad places. Also, army commanders should
| practice the habit Of giving the artillery and
wagons the road. marching their troops on one
side, and instruct their troops to assist wagons
at steep hills OF bad crossings of streams
8. Capt. o. NJ. Poe, Chief Engineer, will as.
| sign 10 each wing OF the army a ontoon train
fully equipped and organized, and the com.
manders thereof win see to their being prop
erly protected at all times
by order Of Maj. .-Geu. w. r. SHERMAN.
l.. N. DAYTON, Aid-de-Camp.
| To be continHed.l