John S. Preston to Thos. Goldthwaite, March 21, 1864

No. 36. Richmond, March 21, 1864.

I. Special attention is directed to the Ninetieth Article of War, and paragraph 877, Army Regulations, requiring the proceedings of general courts-martial, and orders respecting the sentences of such courts, to be transmitted with as much expedition as practicable to the War Department. The observance of these rules, especially in capital cases and trials affecting the commissions of officers, also of paragraph 871 of the regulations, prescribing the manner of making up and securing the court record, is enjoined upon all concerned.

I. I. Every court-martial record, which should be kept distinet and separate in each case, must be indorsed with the name, rank, or description of the party and the court by which he was tried, to which should be added the action of the reviewing officer, confirming or disapproving the sentence, duly attested by his signature.

S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.

cin BUREAU OF CONSCRIPTION, No. 10. Richmond, March 21, 1864. Beyond the Confederate lines and within the lines of the enemy are many liable to enrollment and military service. You will endeavor to enroll and bring into service all such persons as are within the ages of eighteen and forty-five. Those above forty-five should not be enrolled, the purpose being to leave them at home, where their services rei needed, and not to subject them to the risks of becoming prisoners of war. In the immediate neighborhood and in rear of the Confederate Army, where the lines are liable to fluctuation, a careful discretion rey be exercised in extending this exemption to persons of the latter class.

By command of Col. John S. Preston, superintendent: