I. M. S. T. John to William Gabbett, March 4, 1864

Capt. WILLIAM GABBETT, The attention of district superintendents of the niter and mining service is called to General Orders, Nos. 18 and 26, current series. In all districts exposed to the enemy a military organization, with simple drill for an irregular force moving rapidly, will be arranged by each superintendent, to embrace all the workmen who can be conveniently assembled on short notice. To retain unquestioned control over the men it is essential that each superintendent should command as field officer, always bearing in mind that ”military orders must be subordinate to work.” Beyond this the organization will conform as closely as possible to the ”local defense act.” Arms will be furnished on requisition. When such organization is completed the superintendent will report the fact to the general commanding district or department, and, representing the urgent requisitions for ordnance stores upon the niter and mining service, will state the wish of the Secretary of War that their force shall only be called off in extreme cases and returned at the earliest moment. All interruptions of work in violation of General Orders, No. 18, will be promptly reported for the action of the Secretary of War, with a concise statement of names, dates, and facts. To the officer so offending, if claiming to act under superior orders, a calm protest will be made, if possible in writing, fixing a distinct responsibility upon his actions for damage thereby inflicted upon the service. At the same time all reasonable aid will be extended to officers of the enrolling service acting in the proper discharge of their duties. Special attention is directed to the absence of restriction upon the labor of the niter and mining service in the act ”to organize forces for the war.” The officers of this service, thus placed upon honor, are expected to exercise unusual vigilance in sending to the Army every man that can possibly be spared by substituting therefor exempt and negro labor. Clerical work must be performed by those who cannot render field service, special care being taken to employ, where practicable, refugee ladies in needy circumstances. In all these arrangements results must first be studied. Returns of material must be increased, not diminished. Where this can be done by substituted labor especial credit will be awarded, but until the Secretary of War shall see proper to recall the conscript labor at present employed usefully and effectively, the superintendent can continue existing arrangements rather than risk a deficient supply. The charge indicated in these instructions calls for a peculiar degree of devotion and personal forbearance. While the frequent misappreciation of labors so important is deeply to be regretted, yet, under the orders of the Secretary of War, it remains for the corps to press on quietly, resolutely, and most earnestly in the effort to do double duty during the present critical campaign.

I. M. S. T. JOHN,