Unknown, October 15, 1861

October 15, 1861.

No. 13 Annapolis, Md., October 15, 1861.

The following instructions are promulgated for the information and guidance of the troops composing this command : s

I. The troops will embark on the transports, which will be specially assigned to brigades and regiments. The senior offcer on board each transport will assign each company, when embarked, its position, and see that each man has been assigned a place or bunk, which assignment will remain permanent while on board.

II. The arms, accouterments, and knapsack of each man will be disposed of with a view to eonvenience and security, and the ammunition, in cartridge-boxes, will be so placed as to be entirely secure from fire.

III. Every precaution will be taken against fire. Smoking between decks or in the cabins will be prohibited. No lights will be permitted between decks, except such ship-lanterns as may be directed to be suspended in secure positions.

IV. As transports on sea voyages can carry but a limited supply of water, every precaution will be taken to prevent waste or its unnecessary use. The daily allowance per man, including that required for cooking purposes, will be limited to one gallon, and the allowance for each horse to three gallons. This quantity may be reduced by the senior officer on each transport, if deemed necessary.

V. A sufficient guard will be mounted daily, with side-arms, and so posted as will best prevent fire and any improper use of water.

VI. No arm will be loaded on board of transports without proper orders. Both arms and ammunition will be kept in a serviceable condition, and at all times in readiness for use at a moments notice. Reserve ammunition will be deposited in a safe position, the master of the transport to be consulted as to its location.

VII. The master of each transport will be requested by the senior officer on board to provide wind.sails sufficient to keep the men below decks comfortable at all times.

VIII. Much attention will be paid to the cooking. Such arrangements will be made with the masters of transports as will insure a regular supply of meals to all. “The caboose will be kept free of all persons not sent to it on duty. Fancy cooking— such, for instance, as frying meats and dough in fat—is prohibited. Soups, boiled meats, and hard bread compose the true and healthy diet of the soldier on transports at sea.

IX. The Quartermaster’s Department will supply the proper disinfecting agents to secure the comfort and health of the command.

By order of Gen. T. W. Sherman:

, L. H. PELOUZE, Captain, Fifteenth Infantry, Act. Asst. Adjt. General.

WASHINGTON, October 17, 1861. General THOMAS W. SHERMAN, Annapolis :

_If General McClellan should consent to spare the New York Seventy ninth Regiment to join your expedition with General Stevens, do you gant them, and have you transportation for them? Answer immedia y.

ANNAPOLIS, October 17, 1861. Hon. THOMAS A. Soort, Assistant Secretary of War: Have received yourdispatch. I want the Highlanders (Seventy-ninth), and I have transportation. Send them on immediately. T. W. SHERMAN.

WAR DEPARTMENT, October 17, 1861. General MCCLELLAN: If Generals Stevens and Sherman want the New York Seventy-ninth to go with expedition, can you spare them without serious loss or inconvenience? Please answer. THOMAS A. SCOTT.

CAMP GRIFFIN, October 17, 1861. Hon. THOMAS A. Scorr, Assistant Secretary of War:

I gave General Sherman all the regiments he asked for. Atleast two of those originally intended for him, and promised to me, have been diverted from me. The artillery promised me to replace Hamilton’s battery have not been given to me. I will not consent to one other man being detached from this army for that expedition. I need far more than I now have to save this country, and cannot spare any disciplined regiment. Instead of diminishing this army, true policy would dictate its immediate increase to a large extent. It is the task of the Army of the Potomac to decide the question at issue. No outside expedition can effect the result. I hope that I will not again be asked to detach anybody.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General, Commanding.