Joseph Hooker to E, M. Stanton, June 12, 1863

I have much difficulty in getting a department force organized for immediate service. There is no doubt, when the measure is fully understood, a force can be raised. There is a regiment of militia, nearly full, ready to turn out at a moment’s call under my order, armed and partially uniformed ; but eit are unwilling to change their status, as is Sih a company of artillery, with 36 horses, but no pieces. This unwillingness appears to arise from the indefiniteness of the length of service, and my inability to satisfy their minds as to the place of their entire service. To what extent is it deemed advisable to accept the voluntary service of these troops, and to furnish arms, clothing, &c. ? I have asked the regiment to go into camp

at once. W. T. H. BROOKS, Major-General.

Hp@rs. DEPARTMENT OF THE MONONGAHELA, June 12, 1863. Gov. ¥. H. PEIRPOINT, Wheeling, W. Va.: The Secretary of War telegraphed June 10:

Intelligence received this evening of the enemy’s designs makes it certain that you cannot be too early or too busily at work, as Pittsburgh will certainly be the point aimed at by Stuart’s raid, which may be daily expected. You should frankly inform the people of Pittsburgh that they must be at work.

I was told you were at Alexandria, or I would have communicated with you before. What can be done in Brooke, Ohio, and Hancock Counties in the way of raising oot for home defense ?

W. T. H. BROOKS, Major-General,

78 N. ©. V. A., W. V. A. M. D., P. A., ETO. (Cuar, XXXIX.

GENERAL ORDERS, ) HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, No. 62. Camp near Falmouth, Va., June 12, 1863.

I. The lax enforcement within this army of certain orders deemed absolutely necessary to keep it in a proper state of efficiency, and their consequent non-observance, has been brought to the notice of the general commanding. It is not by multiplying and reiterating orders that this evil is to be corrected, but by a knowledge on the part of all officers of existing orders, and a determination to carry out their requirements not only within their own commands, but, as far as may be, within the sphere of their influence. This is as sure a test of capacity and fitness for military position as good conduct on the field of battle.

1. The crime of straggling, either in camp or on the march, is plainly set forth and positively prohibited in General Orders, Nos. 122, 155, 157, of 1862, and No. 10, of 1863, from these headquarters, ”and any officer of any corps whatever is authorized to order forward or arrest any straggler of any regiment in the army. Resistance to such exercise of anne! will be at the risk of death.” (See General Orders, No. 155.

2. Every commanding officer is required by Paragraph V, General Orders, No. 56, to send to the provost-marshal-general every citizen found within his lines without a proper permit, and the provostmarshal-general is hereby instructed to put every person so delivered, and every unauthorized person hereafter found within the limits of this army, to hard labor on the Government works or in the quartermaster’s department.

3. General Orders, No. 134, 1862, Paragraphs IX, X, XI, of General Orders, No. 10, and Paragraph II of General Orders, No. 28, 1863, from these headquarters, forbid any soldier, teamster, or other person using a Government animal, excepting on duty, under the order of some officer competent to allow it ; forbids cruel or careless treatment of such, fast riding or driving of such, and all officers, guards, and sentinels are required to arrest any offender. Hereafter the order required must be in writing, and ready to be submitted to the above-named officers, guards, or sentinels, for examination when called for, and officers giving such orders will be held accountable for their proper use.

4. Section 8, of General Orders, No. 10, provides for the necessary passes to civilians ; hereafter all such passes will be exhibited to any officer who may feel it his duty to demand them. And the provost guard will examine all persons arriving by public or private conveyance within the lines, and, if not provi a with passes from the War Department or these headquarters, will send them without the lines of this army or employ them as provided in paragraph 2. When Bos: divisions, or brigades are detached or on the march, all citizens and travelers passing near the column or camps must be arrested and examined.

5. Corps and other commanders are required to see that enlisted men are not detached as waiters or servants under any other circumstances than those provided in paragraph 124, Revised Army Regulations, and will strictly enforce paragraphs 125 and 126. When contrabands and others not enlisted can be procured for the service, the use of enlisted men should not be permitted, even by company officers. The services of all soldiers are required in the ranks. Corps and other commanders will require captains of companies who may have any men absent on such duty, to report in writing to the

Cmr XXxIx] CORRESPONDENCE, ETO.—UNION.

inspector-general of the army, through proper channels, the name and rank of every officer having such Soldier in his service, with the name of the regiment and company of the soldier soemployed. The inspector-general will send duplicates of such reports to the Paymaster-General and Second Auditor of the Treasury, and report the facts to the commanding general.

I. I. The intervals between active operations should be used by every officer and soldier anxious to improve and advance himself and the success of our common cause, as opportunities for instruction and improvement in drill and discipline. All officers are expected to maintain a high state of drill, discipline, and efficiency within their respective commands, and when corps commanders are not heartily and thoroughly supported by division, brigade, and tee inetal commanders, on proper recommendation, such officers will be relieved from duty with this army.

Drills by brigades, divisions, and corps will be had in each command; by brigade at least twice, by division once-a week ; notice of time and place will be given to the assistant adjutant-general at these headquarters, that they may be witnessed by the general commanding or such officers as may be detailed for that purpose; reports of all movements executed and the manner of execution will be forwarded to the inspector-general ; these among others will comprise movements in lines of battalions in mass, masses én echelon, columns in mass covered by full and thin deployed lines, moving masses through woods and thickets, over ravines and obstacles.

III. This order will be read at the head of each company, battery, and detachment in this army.

By command of Major-General Hooker :