George G. Meade to Naglze, August 24, 1863

General NaGLzE, Norfolk :

My object in landing infantry at Wilson’s Wharf, near Charles City, was to ascertain the condition of Wise’s command, which is mainly at Drewry’s Bluff, and by diversion to prevent his crossing the lower Chickahominy in Onderdonk’s rear. I submit it to your consideration, but will not do it without further orders from you. One-third of Wise’s men would surely desert if a chance offered. Two of his regiments are from this vicinity, and already well represented in our lines by deserters, Brigadier-General.

; NORFOLK, August 24, 1863. General WIsTAR, Yorktown: We are fully informed of Wise’s command. There is no fear of Wise with 800 infantry making any attempt to capture Onderdonk’s

cavalry. HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brigadier-General, Commanding. GENERAL ORDERS, Hpagrs. ARMY OF THE Potomac, No. 85. August 24, 1863.

The following revised regulations for the organization of the ambulance corps and the management of the ambulance trains are published for the government of all concerned, and will be strictly observed:

1, The army corps is the unit of organization for the ambulance corps, and the latter will be organized pon the basis of captain as the commandant of the corps, one first heutenant for each division, one second lieutenant for each brigade, one sergeant for each regiment.

2. The privates of this corps will consist of two men and one driver to each ambulance and one driver to each medicine wagon.

3. The two-horse ambulances only will be used, and the allowance, until further orders, to each corps will be upon the basis of three to each regiment of infantry, two to each regiment of cavalry, one to each battery of artillery, to which it will be permantly attached, and two to the headquarters of each army corps, and two arm wagons to each division. Each ambulance will be provided with two stretchers.

4. The captain is the commander of all the ambulances, medicine and other wagons in the corps, under the immediate direction of the medical director of the army corps to which the ambulance corps: belongs. He will pay special attention to the condition of the ambulances, wagons, horses, harness, &c., and see that they are at all times in readiness for service; that the officers and men are properly instructed in their duties, and that these duties are performed, and that the regulations for the corps are strictly adhered to by those under his command. He will institute a drill in his corps, instructing his men in the most easy and expeditious method of putting men in and taking them out of the ambulances, lifting them from the ground, and placing and carrying them on stretchers, in the latter case observing that the front man steps off with the left foot and the rear man with the right, &c.; that in all cases his men treat the sick and wounded with gentleness and care ; that the ambulances and wagons are at all times provided with attendants, drivers, horses, &c. ; that the vessels for carrying water are constantly kept clean and filled with fresh water ; that the ambulances are not used for any other purpose than that for which they are designed and ordered. Previous to a march, he will receive from the medical director of the army corps his orders for the distribution of the ambulances for gathering up the sick and wounded previous to and in time of action ; he will receive orders from the same officer where to send his ambulances, and to what point the wounded are to be carried.

He will give his personal attention to the removal of the sick and wounded from the field in time of action, going from place to place to ascertain what may be wanted ; to see that his subordinates (for whose conduct he will be responsible) attend faithfully to their duties in taking care of the wounded, and removing them as quickly as may be found consistent with their safety to the field hospital, and see that the ambulances reach their destination. After every battle he will make a report in detail of the operations of his corps to the medical director of the army corps to which he belongs, who will transmit a copy, with such remarks as he may deem proper, to the medical director of thisarmy. He will give his personal attention to the removal of sick when they are required to be sent to general hospitals, or to such other points as may be ordered.

He will make a personal inspection at least once a month of everything pertaining to the ambulance corps, a report of which will be made to the medical director of the corps, who will transmit a copy to the medical director of this army. This inspection will be minute and made with care, and will not supersede the constant edie which he must at all times exercise over his corps. He will also make a weekly report, according to the prescribed ban to the same officer, who will forward a copy to the medical director of this army.

5. The first heutenant assigned to the ambulance corps for a division will have complete control, under the captain of his corps and the medical director of the army corps, of all the ambulances, medicine and other wagons, horses, &c., and men in that portion of the ambulance corps. He will be the acting assistant quartermaster for that portion of the corps, and will receipt for and be responsible for all the property belonging to it, and be held responsible for an deficiency in anything epee’ thereto. He will have a traveling cavalry forge, a blacksmith, and a saddler, who will be under his orders, to enable him to keep his train in order. His supplies will be drawn from the depot quartermaster upon requisitions approved by the captain of his corps and the commander of the army corps to which he is attached. He will exercise a constant supervision over his train in every particular, and keep it at all times ready for service. Especially before a battle will he be careful that everything be in order. The responsible duties devolving upon him in time of action render it necessary that he be active and vigilant and spare no labor in their execution. He will make reports to the captain of the corps, upon the forms prescribed, every Saturday morning.

6. The second lieutenant will have command of the portion of the ambulance corps for a brigade, and will be under the immediate orders of the commander of the ambulances for a division, and the injunctions in regard to care and attention and supervision prescribed for the commander of the division he will exercise in that portion under his command.

?. The sergeant will conduct the drills, inspections, &c., under the orders and supervision of the commander of the ambulances for a brigade, be particular in enforcing all orders he may receive from his superior officer, and that the men are attentive to their duties.

The officers and non-commissioned officers will be mounted. The non-commissioned officers will be armed with revolvers.

8. Two medical officers and two hospital stewards will be detailed daily, by roster, by the surgeon-in-chief of division, to accompany the ambulances for the division when on the march, whose duties will be to attend to the sick and wounded with the ambulances, and see that they are properly cared for. No man will be permitted by any line officer to fall to the rear to ride in the ambulances unless he has written permission from the senior medical officer of his regiment to do so. These passes will be carefully preserved, and at the close of the march be transmitted, by the senior medical officer with the train, with such remarks as he may deem proper, tothe surgeon-inchief of his division. A man who is sick or wounded, who requires to be carried in an ambulance, will not be rejected should he not have the permission required; the surgeon of the regiment who has neglected to give it will be reported at the close of the march, by the senior surgeon with the train, to the surgeon-in-chief of his division.

When on the march, one-half of the privates of the ambulance corps will accompany, on foot, the ambulances to which they belong, to render such assistance as may be required. The remainder will march in the rear of their respective commands, to conduct, under the order of the medical officer, such men as may be unable to proceed to the ambulances, or who may be incapable of taking proper care of themselves until the ein bilanced come up. When the case is of so serious a nature as to requireit, the surgeonof the regiment, or his assistant, will remain and deliver the man to one of the medical officers with the ambulances. At all othertimes the privates will be with their respective trains. The medicine wagons will, on the march, bein their proper places, in the rear of the ambulances for each brigade. Upon ordinary marches, the ambulances and wagons belonging to the train will follow immediately in the rear of the division to which they are attached. Officers connected with the corps must be with the train when on the march, observing that no one rides in any of the ambulances except by the authority of the medical officers. Every necessary facility for taking care of the sick and wounded upon the march will be afforded the medical officers by the officers of the ambulance corps. aac

9. When in camp, the ambulances will be parked by divisions. The regular roll-calls, reveille, retreat, and tattoo will be held, at which at least one commissioned officer will be present and receive the reports. Stable duty will be at hours fixed by the captain of the corps, and at this time, while the drivers are in attendance upon their animals, the privates will be employed in keeping the ambulances to which they belong in order, keeping the vessels for carrying water filled with fresh water, and in general police duties. Should

it become necessary for a regimental medical officer to use one or more ambulances for transporting sick and wounded, he will make. a requisition upon the commander of the ambulances for a division, who will comply with the requisition. In all cases when ambulances. are used, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men belonging to them will accompany them ; should one ambulance only be required, anon-commissioned officer, as well as the men belonging to it, will accompany it. The officers of the ambulance corps will see that ambulances are not used for any other purposes than that for which they are designed, viz, the transportation of sick and wounded, and, in urgent cases only, for medical supplies. All officers are expressly forbidden to use them, or to require them to be used, for any other purpose. When ambulances are required for the transportation of sick or wounded at division or brigade headquarters,. they will be obtained as they are needed for this purpose from the division train, but no ambulances belonging to this corps will be retained at such headquarters.

10. Good, serviceable horses will be used for the ambulances and medicine wagons, and will not be taken for any other purpose except, by orders of these headquarters.

11. This corps will be designated: For sergeants, by a green band 1} inches broad around the cap, and chevrons of the same material, with the point toward the shoulder, on each arm above the elbow. For privates, by a band the same as for sergeants around the cap, aad a half chevron of the same material on each arm above the elbow.

12. No person except the proper medical officers, or the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of this corps, will be permitted to take or accompany sick or wounded to the rear, either on the march or upon the field of battle.

13. No officer or man will be selected for this service except those who are active and efficient, and they will be detailed and relieved by corps commanders only.

14. Corps commanders will see that the foregoing regulations are carried into effect.

By command of Major-General Meade: