The National tribune., 1902-03-27

OF the Day, which gave me quite Lee
hand in moving from point to point along
the marching brigades. | soon discovered
| that at the rear of every regiment, brigade
and division there were lot of men stras-
Cling who were obviously tagged out.
In due time I was promoted, and as
sumed command OF my regiment. This
gave me an additional opportunity for OBJ
servation. l found that orders would be
given to be ready to march at 6 o'clock
a. m; that the troops would make every
preparation for the march, and probably
would not be ordered to move forward be-
fore 10 o'clock, and no notice or eXplana-
tion was given for the delay. L had seen
brigades and divisions of men marched
two or three hours without rest. L had
seen marches extended into the night with
u column three or four miles long, and
when the rear regiments came up there
were no officers in waiting to show them
into camp.
In such cases both officers and men,
worn out with fatigue, felt that they were
not properly cared for. These command
ing officers were men of ability and eour-
age, but had not carefully considered the
question of the care Of soldiers on the
march.
In October 1862, after the battle of
Corinth, issued an order to my regiment
reducing the baggage of both officers and
men. From that date forward the 56th
LII. marched in light order. The KNAPP
sack was practically emptied; in fact, in
few months the knapsack was discard
ed. When l assumed command of the
brigade l encouraged the same practice in
the other regiments; so that the regiments
of the Second Brigade all marched in light
order.
The plan of my marching order was as
follows:
1st. That the Inspector General and
Brigade QuartermaSter should superintend
putting the regiments and train into the
marching column of morning and put
ting them into their proper places in camp
at night.
I'd. That all the regiments should be
ready to march at the appointed hour; and
the leading regiment should be on the road
at the exact time named, but that each
succeeding regiment should have their men
remain at rest until they received notice
from the InspectOr-General to move out
in 10 minutes.
Sd. That the head of the column would
march one hour, when it would halt, the
brigade would close up and rest 10 min
uteS; that habitually the marches would
be OF one hours duration, and, after the
first, the rests would be for 10 minutes.
If it was deemed necessary to march
longer than an hour for the purpose of
a stream of water or for any
good reason, information would be COM
lnuncated to the commander of each reg
iment.
4th As near 12 o'clock as practicable |
the brigade should halt, two regiments in |
front, and two regiments in the rear, each |
in line of battle: the artillery to be placed !
in a suitable position for defense and the
wagon train to be concentrated between
The lines of troops. Here the brigade was |
to rest for one hour for dinner.
9Th. The Provost Marshal. with n suit |
able guard, TO be detailed for that pur-
pose, to habitually march at the rear of |
he brigade in advance of the rear-guard,
his duty to take charge of all stragglers
IF any command of the army and make
such provision for them as their condition
'equired; an ambulance was subject to the
1rders of the ProvOst-Marshal.
9th. The Assistant Adjutant- General,
he nspector-General, the Picket Officer
md the Brigade Quartermaster at the
proper time in the evening to go forward
md select the camp ground for the night,
having four points in view-its defense,
is cleanliness and comfort fer the men
md proximity to wood and water.
7th. The Picket Officer and the Officer
# the Day to arrange for posting the grand
guard and camp guard at night, and to re-
lort to the brigade commander.
The result following from this arrange
nent was of great benefit to the command
IN the first place every man knew exactly
what to depend upOni he was not left in
he dark as to what was expected of him.
n the second place, the strength of every
me was husbanded; they We're never over
aXed by long and exhaustive marches:
consequently, if it was necessary to march
he brigade % miles in a day, it could be
lone without injury to anyone
Besides this the officers and men felt
hat the brigade commander had taken
hem into his confidence. and that he felt
profound interest in their comfort and
Welfare.
ITO be continued)