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Revised U.S. Army Regulations of 1861

Introduction

The 1,676 numbered paragraphs of the U.S. Army Regulations governed the actions of a regimental commanders.  The Regulations provided guidance for virtually every aspect of military life.  The provisions concerning Army organization and tactics were archaic in most cases despite  efforts in 1857 by then Secretary of the Army Jefferson Davis to update the Regulations to reflect the experience of the Mexican War. During the Civil War the Regulations would be slightly modified to incorporate the military laws passed by two wartime Congresses.  

The Table of Contents of the Revised Regulations is included below.  

Also available is the full text of General Order No. 6, Regulations for Uniform and Dress (March 16, 1861) and the "Lieber Code" of 1863, which were an early attempt to codify the laws of war. 

CONTENTS.

ARTICLE I.  MILITARY DISCIPLINE

ARTICLE II.  RANK AND COMMAND

ARTICLE III.  SUCCESSION IN COMMAND OR DUTY

ARTICLE IV.  APPOINTMENT AND PROMOTION OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

ARTICLE V.  RESIGNATIONS OF OFFICERS

ARTICLE VI.  EXCHANGE OR TRANSFER OF OFFICERS

ARTICLE VII.  APPOINTMENTS ON THE STAFF

ARTICLE VIII.  DISTRIBUTION OF THE TROOPS

ARTICLE IX.  CARE OF FORTIFICATIONS

ARTICLE X. CARE OF ARMAMENT OF FORTIFICATIONS

ARTICLE XI. ARTILLERY PRACTICE

ARTICLE XII. REGIMENTS

ARTICLE XIIII. COMPANIES

ARTICLE XIV. ORDNANCE SERGEANTS

ARTICLE XV. TRANSFER OF SOLDIERS

ARTICLE XVI. DECEASED OFFICERS

ARTICLE XVII. DECEASED SOLDIERS

ARTICLE XVIII. DESERTERS

ARTICLE XIX. DISCHARGES

ARTICLE XX. TRAVELING ON DUTY

ARTICLE XXI. LEAYES OF ABSENCE TO OFFICERS

ARTICLE XXII. FURLOUGHS TO ENLISTED MEN

ARTICLE XXIII. COUNCILS OF ADMINISTRATION

ARTICLE XXIV. CHAPLAINS

ARTICLE XXV. SUTLERS

ARTICLE XXVI. MILITARY DISCUSSIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

ARTICLE XXVII. ARRESTS AND CONFINEMENTS

ARTICLE XXVIII. HOURS OF SERVICE AND ROLL-CALLS

ARTICLE XXIX. HONORS TO BE PAID BY THE TROOPS

ARTICLE XXX. INSPECTIONS OF THE TROOPS

ARTICLE XXXI. MUSTERS

ARTICLE XXXII. FORMS OF PARADE

ARTICLE XXXIII. GUARDS

ARTICLE XXXIV. ORDERS AND CORRESPONDENCE

ARTICLE XXXV. RETURNS AND REPORTS

ARTICLE XXXVI. TROOPS IN CAMPAIGN

ARTICLE XXXVII. TROOPS ON BOARD OF TRANSPORTS

ARTICLE XXXVIII. COURTS-MARTIAL

ARTICLE XXXIX. WORKING-PARTIES

ARTICLE XL. RECRUITING SERVICE

ARTICLE XLI. PUBLIC PROPERTY, MONEY, AND ACCOUNTS

ARTICLE XLII. QUARTERMASTER’S DEPARTMENT

ARTICLE XLIII. SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT

ARTICLE XLIV. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

ARTICLE XLV. PAY DEPARTMENT

ARTICLE XLVI. CORPS OF ENGINEERS (OMITTED)

ARTICLE XLVII. ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT

ARTICLE XLVIII. PROCEEDINGS IN CIVIL COURTS

ARTICLE XLIX. ARMS OF THE UNITED STATES

ARTICLE L. FLAGS, COLORS, STANDARDS, GUIDONS

ARTICLE LI. UNIFORM, DRESS, AND HORSE EQUIPMENTS

ARTICLE LII. VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES

APPENDIX A. ARTICLES OF WAR

EXTRACTS FROM ACTS OF CONGRESS FROM 16^TH MARCH, 1802, TO 25^TH JULY, 1861

APPENDIX B. CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO ARMY REGULATIONS UP TO JUNE 25, 1863  

ABSTRACTS FROM ACTS OF CONGRESS FROM 29^TH JULY, 1861, TO 3D MARCH, 1863

WAR DEPARTMENT, 

WASHINGTON, 

AUGUST 10, 1861. 

WHEREAS, it has been found expedient to revise the Regulations for the Army, and the same having been approved by the President of the United States, he commands that they be published for the information and government of the military service, and that, from and after the date hereof, they shall be strictly observed as the sole and standing authority upon the matter therein contained. Nothing contrary to the tenor of these Regulations will be enjoined in any part of the forces of tile United States by any commander whatsoever. 

SIMON CAMERON, 

Secretary of War

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