ARTICLE XII: REGIMENTS.

71. On the organization of a regiment, the companies receive a permanent designation by letters beginning with A, and the officers are assigned to companies; afterward, company officers succeed to companies, as promoted to fill vacancies. Companies take place in the battalion according to the rank of their captains.

72. Captains should be with their companies. Therefore, although subject to the temporary details of service, as for courts-martial, military boards, &c., they shall not, except for urgent reasons, be detailed upon any duty which may separate them for any considerable time from their companies.

73.- The commander of a regiment will appoint the adjutant from the subalterns of the regiment. He will nominate the regimental quartermaster to the Secretary of War for appointment if approved. Ite will appoint the non-commissioned staff of the regiment; and, upon the recommendation of the company commanders, the sergeants and corporals of companies.

74. In cases of vacancy, and till a decision can be had from regimental head-quarters, the company commanders may make temporary appointments of non-commissioned officers.

75. Commanders of regiments are enjoined to avail themselves of every opportunity of instructing both officers and men in the exercise and management of field artillery; and all commanders ought to encourage useful occupations, and manly exercises and diversions among their men, and to repress dissipation and immorality.

76. Regiments serving on foot, being usually employed as light troops, will be habitually exercised in the system of U. S. Tactics for light infantry and riflemen adopted by the War Department, May 1, 1861.

77. A board, to consist of the Professors of Mathematics and Ethics and the Commandant of Cadets, will convene at the Military Academy, on the first Monday of September in every year, for the examination of such non-commissioned officers, for promotion, as have already passed the regimental examination prescribed in General Orders No. 17, of October 4 1854.

78. It is enjoined upon all officers to be cautious reproving noncommissioned officers in the presence or hearing of privates, lest their authority be weakened; and non-commissioned officers are not to be sent to the guard-room and mixed with privates during confinement, but to be considered as placed in arrest, except in aggravated cases, where escape may be apprehended.

Noncommissioned Officers

79. Non-commissioned officers may be reduced to the ranks by the sentence of a court-martial, or by order of the commander of the regiment on the application of the company commander.   If reduced to the rank by garrison courts, at posts not the head-quarters of the regiment, the company commander will immediately forward a transcript of the order to the regimental commander.

80. Every non-commissioned officer shall be furnished with a certificate or warrant of his rank, signed by the colonel and countersigned by the adjutant. Blank warrants, on parchment, are furnished from the Adjutant-General’s office.  The first, or orderly sergeant, will be selected by the captain from the sergeants.

81. When it is desired to have bands of music for regiments, there will be allowed for each, sixteen privates to act as musicians, in addition to the chief musicians authorized by law, provided the total number of privates in the regiment, including the band, does not exceed the legal standard.  Regimental commanders will without delay designate the proportion to be subtracted from each company for a band, and the “number of recruits required” will be reported accordingly. The companies from which the non-commissioned officers of bands for artillery regiments shall be deducted, will in like manner be designated, and vacancies left accordingly.  At the artillery school, Fort Monroe, the non-commissioned officers and privates of the band, will be apportioned among the companies serving at the post.

82. The musicians of the band will, for the time being, be dropped from company muster-rolls, but they will be’ instructed as soldiers, and liable to serve in the ranks on any occasion.  They will be mustered in a separate squad under the chief musician, with the non-commissioned staff, and be included in the aggregate in all regimental returns.

83. When a regiment occupies several stations, the band will be kept at the head-quarters, provided troops (one or more companies) be serving there. The field music belonging to companies not stationed at regimental head-quarters will not be separated from their respective companies.

84. No man, unless he be a carpenter, joiner, carriage-maker, blacksmith, saddler, or harness-maker, will be mustered as an “artificer.”

85. Every article, excepting- arms and accoutrements, belonging to the regiment, is to be marked with the number and name of the regiment.

86. Such articles as belong to companies are to be marked with the letter of the company, and, number and name of the regiment; and such as belong to men, with their individual numbers, and the letter of the company.

87. All orders and circulars from general, department, division, or brigade head-quarters, will be tied together in book form, and properly indexed as they are received; and afterwards bound in volumes of convenient size.

88. The books for each regiment shall be as follows:

1. Regimental Order Book, of three quires of paper, 16 inches by 10~ inches, to contain regimental orders, with an index.

2. Letter Book, of three quires of paper, 16 inches by 10~ inches, to contain the correspondence of the commanding officer on regimental subjects, with an index.

3. An index of letters required to be kept on file, ill the following form:

No.    Name of writer.             Date.                       Subject.

Captain A. B..... July 15, 1860  Apptm’t of non-com. officers.

Adjt. Gen. R. J.. Sept. 4, 1860  Recruiting service.

Captain F. G..... Oct. 11, 1860  Error in company return.

Lieutenant C. )D.  Nov.  2, 1860  Application for leave.  

The date of receipt should be indorsed on all letters. They should be numbered to correspond with the index, and filed in regular order, for easy reference.

4. Descriptive Book, of five quires of paper, 16 inches by 10 inches, to contain a list of the officers of the regiment, with their rank, and dates of appointment, and promotions; transfers, leaves of absence, and places and dates of birth. To contain, also, the names of all enlisted soldiers, entered according to priority of enlistments, giving their description, the dates and periods of their enlistment; and, under the head of remarks, the cause of discharge, character, death, desertion, transfer, actions in which engaged, &c.; in short, every thing relating to their military history.

This book to be indexed, and when filled, and no longer needed with the company, to be forwarded to the Adjutant-General’s office. One copy of the monthly returns will be filed.

POST BOOKS.

89. The following books will be kept at each post: a Morning Report Book, a Guard Report Book, an Order Book, a Letter Book, each two quires folicap; also copies of the monthly post returns Companies.

ARTICLE XIII.  COMPANIES.

90. The captain will cause the men of the company to be numbered, in a regular series, including the non-commissioned officers, and divided into four squads, each to be put under the charge of a non-commissioned officer.

91. Each subaltern officer will be charged with a squad for the supervision of its order and cleanliness; and captains will require their lieutenants to assist them in the performance of all company duties.

92. As far as practicable, the men of each squad will be quartered together.

93. The utmost attention will be paid by commanders of companies to the cleanliness of their men, as to their persons, clothing, arms, accoutrements, and equipments, and also as to their quarters or tents.

94. The name of each soldier will be labeled on his bunk, and his company number will be placed against his arms and accoutrements.

95. The arms will be placed in the arm-racks, the stoppers in the muzzles the cocks let down, and the bayonets in their scabbards; the accoutrements suspended over the arms and the swords hung up by the belts on pegs.

96. The knapsack of each man will be placed on the lower shelf of his bunk, at its foot, packed with his effects, and ready to be slung; the great-coat on the same shelf, rolled and strapped; the coat, folded inside out, and placed under the knapsack; the cap on the second or upper shelf; and the boots well cleaned.

97. Dirty clothes will be kept in an appropriate part of the knapsack; no article of any kind to be put under the bedding.

98. Cooking utensils and table equipage will be cleaned and arranged in closets or recesses; blacking and brushes out of view; the fuel in boxes.

99. Ordinarily the cleaning will be on Saturdays.   The chiefs of squads will cause bunks and bedding to be overhauled; floors dry rubbed; tables and benches scoured; arms cleaned; accoutrements whitened and polished, and every thing put in order.

100. Where conveniences for bathing are to be had, the men should bathe once or twice a week.   The feet to be washed at least twice a week. The hair kept short, and beard neatly trimmed.

101. Non-commissioned officers, in command of squads, will be held more immediately  responsible that their men observe what is prescribed above; that they wash their hands and faces daily; that they brush or comb their heads; that those who are to go on duty put-their arms, accoutrements, dress, &c., in the best order, and that such as have permission to pass the chain of sentinels are in the dress that may be ordered.

102. Commanders of companies and squads will see that the arms and accoutrements in possession of the men are always kept in good order, and that proper care be taken in cleaning them.

103. When belts are given to a soldier, the captain will see that they are properly fitted to the body; and it is forbidden to cut any belt without his sanction.

104.  Cartridge-boxes and  bayonet-scabbards will be polished with blacking; varnish is injurious to the leather, and will not be used.

105. All arms in the hands of the troops, whether browned or bright, will be kept in the state in which they are issued by the Ordnance Department. Arms will not be taken to pieces without permission of a commissioned officer. Bright barrels will be kept clean and free from rust without polishing them; care should be taken in rubbing not to bruise or bend the barrel. After firing, wash out the bore; wipe it dry, and then pass a bit of cloth, slightly greased, to the bottom. In these operations, a rod of wood with a loop in one end is to be used instead of the rammer. The barrel, when not in use, will be closed with a stopper. For exercise, each soldier should keep himself provided with a piece of sole leather to fit the cup or countersink of the hammer. (For care of arms in service, see Ordnance Manual, page 185, &c.)

106. Arms shall not be left loaded in quarters or tents, or when the men are off duty, except by special orders.

107. Ammunition issued will be inspected frequently. Each man will be made to pay for the rounds expended without orders, or not in the way of duty, or which may be damaged or lost by his neglect.

108. Ammunition will be frequently exposed to the dry air, or sunned.

109. Special care shall be taken to ascertain that no ball-cartridges are mixed with the blank cartridges issued to the men.

110. All knapsacks are to be painted black.  Those for the artillery will be marked in the centre of the cover with the number of the regiment only, in figures of’ one inch and a half in length, of the character called full face, with yellow paint. Those for the infantry will be marked in the same way, in white paint. Those for the ordnance will be marked with two cannon, crossing; the cannon to be seven and a half inches in length, in yellow paint, to resemble those on the cap.  The knapsack straps will be black.

111. The knapsacks will also be marked upon the inner side with the letter of the company and the number of the soldier, on such part as may be readily observed at inspections

112. Haversacks will be marked upon the flap with the number and name of the regiment, the letter of the company, and number of the soldier, in black letters and figures.  And each soldier must, at all times, be provided with a haversack and canteen, and will exhibit them at all inspections.  It will be worn on the left side on marches, guard, and when paraded for detached service-the canteen outside the haversack.

113. The front of the drums will be painted with the arms of the United States, on a blue field for the infantry, and on a red field for the artillery. The letter of the company and number of the regiment, under the arms, in a scroll.

114. Officers at their stations, in camp or in garrison, will always wear their proper uniform.

115. Soldiers will wear the prescribed uniform in camp or garrison, and will not be permitted to keep in their possession any other clothing. When on fatigue parties, they will wear the proper fatigue dress.

116. In camp or barracks, the company officers must visit the kitchen daily and inspect the kettles, and at all times carefully attend to the messing and economy of their respective companies. The commanding officer of the post or regiment will make frequent inspections of the kitchens and messes. These duties are of the utmost importance-not to be neglected.

117. The bread must be thoroughly baked, and not eaten until it is cold.  The soup must be boiled at least five hours, and the vegetables always cooked sufficiently to be perfectly soft and digestible.

118. Messes will be prepared by privates of squads, including private musicians, each taking his tour. The greatest care will be observed in washing and scouring the cooking utensils; those made of brass and copper should be lined with tin.

119. The messes of prisoners will be sent to them by the cooks.

120. No persons will be allowed to visit or remain in the kitchens, except such as may come on duty, or be occupied as cooks.  The kitchen should always be under the particular charge of a non-commissioned officer.

121. Those detailed for duty in the kitchens will also be required to keep the furniture of the mess-room in order.

122. On marches and in the field, the only mess furniture of the soldier will be one tin plate, one tin cup, one knife, fork, and spoon, to each man, to be carried by himself on the march.

123. Tradesmen may be relieved from ordinary military duty to make, to alter, or to mend soldiers’ clothing, &c.  Company commanders will fix the rates at which work shall be done, and cause the men, for whose benefit it is done, to pay for it at the next pay day.

124. Each company officer, serving with his company may take from it one soldier as waiter, with his consent and the consent of his captain. No other officer shall take a soldier as a waiter. Every soldier so employed shall be so reported and mustered.

125. Soldiers taken as officers’ waiters shall be acquainted with their military duty, and at all times be completely armed and clothed, and in every respect equipped according to the rules of the service, and have all their necessaries complete and in good order. They are to fall in with their respective companies at all reviews and inspections, and are liable to such drills as the commanding officer shall judge necessary to fit them for service in the ranks.

126. Non-commissioned officers will, in no case, be permitted to act as waiters; nor are they, or private soldiers, not waiters, to be employed in any menial office, or made to perform any service not military, for the private benefit of any officer or mess of officers.

COMPANY BOOKS.

127. The following books are allowed to each company: one descriptive book, one clothing book, one order book, one morning report book, each one quire, sixteen inches by ten. One page of the descriptive book will be appropriated to the list of officers; two to the non-commissioned officers; two to the register of men transferred; four to register of men discharged; two to register of deaths; four to register of deserters-the rest to the company description list.

LAUNDRESS.

128. Four women will be allowed to each company as washerwomen, and will receive one ration per day each.

129. The price of washing soldiers’ clothing, by the month, or by the piece, will be determined by the Council of Administration.

ARTICLE XV. TRANSFER OF SOLDIERS.

145. No non-commissioned officer or soldier will be transferred from one regiment to another without the authority of the commanding general.

146. The colonel may, upon] the application of the captains, transfer a non-commissioned officer or soldier from one company to another of his regiment-with consent of the department commander in case of change of post.

147. When soldiers are authorized tc be transferred, the transfer will take place on the first of a month, with a view to the more convenient settlement of their accounts.

148. In all cases of transfer, a complete descriptive roll will accompany the soldier transferred, which roll will embrace an account of his pay, clothing, and other allowances; also, all stoppages to be made on account of the government, and debts due the laundress, as well as such other acts as may be necessary to show his character and military history.

ARTICLE XVI. DECEASED OFFICERS.

149. Whenever an officer dies, or is killed at any military post or station, or in the vicinity of the same, it will be the duty of the commanding officer to report the fact direct to the Adjutant-General, with the date, and any other information proper to be communicated. If an officer die at a distance from a military post, any officer having intelligence of the same will in like manner communicate it, specifying the day of his decease; a duplicate of the report will be sent to Department Head-Quarters.

150. Inventories of the effects of deceased officers, required by the 94th Article of War, will be transmitted to the Adjutant-General.

151. If a legal administrator or family connection be present, and take charge of the effects, it will be so stated to the Adjutant-General.

ARTICLE XVII. DECEASED SOLDIERS.

152. Inventories of the effects of deceased non-commissioned officers and soldiers, required by the 95th Article of War, will be forwarded to the Adjutant-General, by the commander of the company to which the deceased belonged, and a duplicate of the same to the colonel of the regiment. Final statements of pay, clothing, &c., will be sent with the inventories. When a soldier dies at a post or station absent from his company, it will be the duty of his immediate commander to furnish the required inventory, and, at the same time, to forward to the commanding officer of the company to which the soldier belonged, a report of his death, specifying the date, place, and cause; to what time he was last paid, and the money or other effects in his possession at the time of his decease; which report will be noted on the next muster-roll of the company to which the man belonged. Each inventory will be indorsed, "Inventory of the effects of, late of company (-) -- regiment of ---, who died at,  ------   the day of  ----, 186-." If a legal representative receive the effects, it will be stated in the report. If the soldier leave no effects, the fact will be reported.

153 Should the effects of a deceased non-commissioned officer or soldier not be administered upon within a-short period after his decease, they shall be disposed of by a Council of Administration, under the authority of the commanding officer of the post, and the proceeds deposited with the Paymaster, to the credit of the United States, until they shall be claimed by the legal representatives of the deceased.

154. In all such cases of sales by the Council of Administration, a statement in detail, or account of the proceeds, duly certified by the Council and commanding officer, accompanied by the Paymaster's receipt for the proceeds, will be forwarded by the commanding officer to the Adjutant-General. The statement will be endorsed, "Report of the proceeds of the effects of, ----- late of company (--) --- regiment of, who died at -----, the day of -----, ---- 186-."

ARTICLE XVIII. DESERTERS.

155. If a soldier desert from, or a deserter be received at, any post other than the station of the company or detachment to which he belonged, he shall be promptly reported by the commanding officer of such post to the commander of his company or detachment. The time of desertion, apprehension, and delivery will be stated. If the man be a recruit, unattached, the required report will be made to the Adjutant General. When a report is received of the apprehension or surrender of a deserter at any post other than the station of the company or detachment to which he belonged, the commander of such company or detachment shall immediately forward his description and account of clothing to the officer making the report.

156. A reward of five dollars will be paid for the apprehension and delivery of a deserter to an officer of the army at the most convenient post or recruiting station. Rewards thus paid will be promptly reported by the disbursing officer to the officer commanding the company in which the deserter is mustered, and to the authority competent to order his trial. The reward of five dollars will include the remuneration for all expenses incurred for apprehending, securing, and delivering a deserter.

157. When non-commissioned officers or soldiers are sent min pursuit of a deserter, the expenses necessarily incurred will be paid whether he be apprehended or not, and reported as in case of rewards paid.

158. Deserters shall make good the time lost by desertion, unless discharged by competent authority.

159. No deserter shall be restored to duty without trial, except by authority competent to order the trial.

160. Rewards and expenses paid for apprehending a deserter will be set against his pay, when adjudged by a court-martial, or when he is restored to duty without trial on such condition.

161. In reckoning the time of service, and the pay and allowances of deserter, he is to be considered as again in service when delivered up as a deserter to the proper authority.

162. An apprehended deserter, or one who surrenders himself, shall receive no pay while waiting trial, and only such clothing as may be actually necessary for him.

ARTICLE XIX. DISCHARGES.

163. No enlisted man shall be discharged before the expiration of his term of enlistment without authority of the War Department, except by sentence of a general court-martial, or by the commander of the Department or of an army in the field, on certificate of disability, or on application of the soldier after twenty years' service.

164. When an enlisted man is to be discharged, his company commander shall furnish him certificates of his account, usually called final statements, according to Form. 4, Pay Department. And to ensure his being at the post to get these, no leave of absence, terminating with his service, will be given to him. He may, however, be discharged in advance of the latter, under the circumstances and conditions described in General Orders No. 24, from the War Department, of November 30, 1859.

165. Blank discharges on parchment will We furnished from the Adjutant-General's office. No discharge shall be made in duplicate, nor any certificate given in lieu of a discharge.

166. The cause of discharge will be stated in the body of the discharge, and the space at foot for character cut off, unless a recommendation is given.

167. Whenever a non-commissioned officer or soldier shall be unfit for the military service in consequence of wounds, disease, or infirmity, his captain shall forward to the commander of the Department or of the army in the field, through the commander of the regiment or post, a statement of his case, with a certificate of his disability signed by the senior surgeon of the hospital, regiment, or post, according to the form prescribed in the Medical Regulations.

168. If the recommendation for the discharge of the invalid be approved, the authority therefor will be indorsed on the "certificate of disability," which will be sent back to be completed and signed by the commanding officer, who will then send the same to the Adjutant-General's office.

169. Insane soldiers will not be discharged, but sent, under proper protection, by the Department commander to Washington for the order of the War Department for their admission into the Government Asylum. The history of the cases, with the men's descriptive list, and accounts of pay and clothing, will be sent with them.

170. The date, place, and cause of discharge of t soldier absent from his company will be reported by the commander of the post to his company commander.

171. Company commanders are required to keep the blank discharges and all certificates relating to discharge carefully in their own custody.

172. No volunteer will be discharged upon Surgeon's certificate of disability until the certificate shall have been submitted to the Medical Director, and shall have been approved and countersigned by him.

ARTICLE XX. TRAVELING ON DUTY.

173. Whenever an officer traveling under orders arrives at his post, he will submit to the commanding officer a report, in writing, of the time occupied in the travel, with a copy of the orders under which the journey was performed, and an explanation of any delay in the execution of the orders; which report the commanding officer shall transmit, with his opinion on it, to Department Head-Quarters. If the officer be superior in rank to the commander, the required report will be made by the senior himself.

174. Orders detaching an officer for a special duty, imply, unless otherwise stated, that he is thereafter to join his proper station.

ARTICLE XXI. LEAVES OF ABSENCE TO OFFICERS.

175. In no case will leaves of absence be granted, so that a company be left without one of its commissioned officers, or that a garrisoned post be left without two commissioned officers and competent medical attendance; nor shall leave of absence be granted to an officer during the season of active operations, except on urgent necessity.

176. When not otherwise specified, leaves of absence will be considered as commenting on the day that the officer is relieved from duty at his post. He will report, monthly, his address for the next thirty days, to the commander of his post and of his regiment or corps. and to the Adjutant-General, together with every change of address; and in his first report state the day when his leave of absence commenced. The expiration of his leave must find him at his station.

177. In time of peace, commanding officers may grant leaves of absence as follows: the commander of a post not to exceed seven days at one time, or in the same month; the commander of a geographical department not to exceed sixty days. Applications for leaves of absence for more than four months, or to officers of engineers, ordnance, or of the general staff, or serving on it (aides-de-camp excepted), for more than thirty days, must be referred to the Adjutant-General for the decision of the Secretary of War. In giving a permission to apply for the extension of a leave of absence, the term of the extension should be stated. The term of the extension approved by the Department commander will be regulated by the season and the usual opportunities for reaching the officer's station, so that he may not be absent during the time for active operations.

178. The War Department will not grant leaves to officers on applications made out of the proper military channel; or longer extensions of leave than are recommended by the competent authority.

179. The immediate commander of the officer applying for leave of absence, and all intermediate commanders, will indorse their opinion on the application before forwarding it.

180. The commander of a post may take leave of absence not to exceed seven days at one time, or in the same month, reporting the fact to his next superior.

181. Three months' leave of absence will be allowed to graduates, from the time of quitting (as cadet) the Military Academy.

182. No leave of absence exceeding seven days, except on extraordinary occasions, when the circumstances must be particularly stated (and except as provided in the preceding paragraph), shall be granted to any officer until he has joined his regiment or corps, and served therewith at least two years.

183. Officers will not leave the United States, to go beyond sea, without permission from the War Department.

184. All leaves of absence to Chaplains and Schoolmasters employed at military posts will be granted by the commanding officer, on the recommendation of the post Council of Administration, not to exceed four months.

185. An application for leave of absence on account of sickness must be accompanied by a certificate of the senior medical officer present, in the following form:

------- of the ----- regiment of ----, having. applied for a certificate on which to ground an application for leave of absence, I do hereby certify that I have carefully examined this officer, and find that [Here the nature of the disease, wound, or disability is to be fully stated, and the period during which the officer has suffered under its effects.] And that, in consequence thereof, he is, in my opinion, unfit for duty. I further declare my belief that he will not be able to resume his duties in a less period than ---- [Here state candidly and explicitly the opinion as to the period which will probably elapse before the officer will be able to resume his duties. When there is no reason to expect a recovery, or when the prospect of recovery is distant and uncertain, or when a change of climate is recommended, it must be so stated.] Dated at this day of Signature of the Medical Officer. 186-.

Leaves of absence on account of sickness will not be granted to officers to go beyond the limits of the Military Department within which they are stationed, unless the certificate of the medical officer shall explicitly state that a greater change is necessary to save life, or prevent permanent disability. Nor will sick leaves to go beyond the Department limits be given in any case, except of immediate urgency, without the previous sanction of the War Department.

187. On the expiration of a leave of absence given on account of sickness, if the officer be able to travel, he will forthwith proceed to his post, although his disability may not have been removed. Exceptions to this general rule must be made in each case by the War Department on full and explicit medical certificates setting forth the reasons for delay and the length of time delay is considered necessary.

188. When an officer is prevented by sickness from joining his station, he will transmit certificates in the above form monthly, to the commanding officer of his post and regiment or corps, and to the Adjutant-General; and when he cannot procure the certificates of a medical officer of the army, he will substitute his own certificate on honor to his condition, and a full statement of his case. If the officer's certificate is not satisfactory, and whenever an officer has been absent on account of sickness for one year, he shall be examined by a medical board, and the case specially reported to the President.

189. In all reports of absence, or applications for leave of absence on account of sickness, the officer shall state how long he has been absent already on that account, and by whose permission.

ARTICLE XXII. FURLOUGHS TO ENLISTED MEN. 

190. Furloughs will be granted only by the commanding officer of the post, or the commanding officer of the regiment actually quartered with it. Furloughs may be prohibited at the discretion of the officer in command, and are not to be granted to soldiers about to be discharged.

191. Soldiers on furlough shall not take with them their arms or accoutrements.

ARTICLE XIV. ORDNANCE SERGEANTS.

131. The Secretary of War selects from the sergeants of the line of the army, who may have faithfully served eight years (four years in the grade of non-commissioned officer), as many Ordnance Sergeants as the service may require, not exceeding one to each military post.

132. Captains will report to their colonels such sergeants as, by their conduct and service, merit such appointment, setting forth the description, length of service of the sergeant, the portion of his service he was a non-commissioned officer, his general character as to fidelity and sobriety, his qualifications as a clerk, and his fitness for the duties to be performed by an ordnance sergeant. These reports will be forwarded to the Adjutant-General, to be laid before the Secretary of War, with an application in the following form:

Head- Quarters, &c. To the Adjutant- General: SIR:-I forward, for consideration of the proper authority, an application for the appointment of Ordnance Sergeant. Length of Service In the Army. Name and Regiment. As non-commissioned Officer. Remarks.  Inclosed herewith you will receive the report of, the officer commanding the company in which the sergeant has been serving, to which I add the following remarks: ________Commanding - Regiment.

133. When a company is detached from the head-quarters of the regiment, the reports of the commanding officer in this matter will pass to the regimental head-quarters through the commanding officer of the post or detachment, and be accompanied by his opinion as to the fitness of the candidate.

134. Ordnance Sergeants will be assigned to posts when appointed, and are not to be transferred to other stations except by orders from the Adjutant-General's office.

135. At the expiration of their term of service, Ordnance Sergeants may be re-enlisted, provided they shall have conducted themselves in a becoming manner, and performed their duties to the satisfaction of the commanding officer. If the commanding officer, however, shall not think proper to re-enlist the Ordnance Sergeant of his post, he will communicate to the Adjutant-General his reasons for declining to re-enlist him, in time to receive the decision of the War Department before the Sergeant may lawfully claim to re-enlist.

136. The officers interested must be aware, from the nature of the duties assigned to Ordnance Sergeants, that the judicious selection of them is of no small importance to the interests of the service; and that while the law contemplates, in the appointment of these non-commissioned officers, the better preservation of the ordnance and ordnance stores in deposit in the several forts, there is the further motive of offering a reward to those faithful and well-tried sergeants who have long served their country, and of thus giving encouragement to the soldier in the ranks to emulate them in conduct, and thereby secure substantial promotion. Colonels and Captains cannot, therefore, be too particular in investigating the characters of the candidates, and in giving their testimony as to their merits.

137. The appointment and removal of Ordnance Sergeants, stationed at military posts, in pursuance of the above provisions of law, shall be reported by the Adjutant-General to the chief of the Ordnance Department.

138. When a non-commissioned officer receives the appointment of Ordnance Sergeant, he shall be dropped from the rolls of the regiment or company in which he may be serving at the time.

139. The duty of Ordnance Sergeants relates to the care of the ordnance, arms, ammunition, and other military stores at the post to which they may be attached, under the direction of the commanding officer, and according to the regulations of the Ordnance Department.

140. If a post be evacuated, the Ordnance Sergeant shall remain on duty at the station, under the direction of the chief of the Ordnance Department, in charge of the ordnance and ordnance stores, and of such other public property as is not in charge of some officer or agent of other departments; for which ordnance stores and other property he will account to the chiefs of the proper departments until otherwise directed.

141. An Ordnance Sergeant in charge of ordnance stores at a post where there is no commissioned officer shall be held responsible for the safe-keeping of the property, and he shall be governed by the regulations of the Ordnance Department in making issues of the same, and in preparing and furnishing the requisite returns. If the means at his disposal are not sufficient for the preservation of the property, he shall report the circumstances to the chief of the Ordnance Department.

142. Ordnance Sergeants are to be considered as belonging to the non commissioned staff of the post, under the orders of the commanding officer.  They are to wear the uniform of the Ordnance Department, with the distinctive badges prescribed for the non-commissioned staff of' regiments of artillery; and they are to appear under arms with the troops at all reviews and inspections, monthly and weekly.

143. When serving at any post which may be the head-quarters of a regiment, Ordnance Sergeants shall be reported by name on the post returns, and mustered with the non-commissioned staff' of the regiment; and at all other posts they shall be mustered and reported in some company stationed at the post at which they serve; be paid on the muster. roll, and be charged with the clothing and all other supplies previously received from any officer, or subsequently issued to them by the commanding officer of the company for the time being. Whenever the company may be ordered from the post, the Ordnance Sergeant will be transferred to the rolls of any remaining company, by the order of the commanding officer of the post.

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