William T. Sherman to J. H. Hammond, July 24, 1862

No. 62. Memphis, Tenn., July 24, 1862. The following is announced as the stations of the troops in and near Memphis : ; General Denver’s brigade in the south half of Fort Pickering, facing

Colonel McDowell’s brigade in the north half of Fort Pickering, facing east.

General Smith on the State Line road, about 3 miles out from Memphis, facing east, and a regiment detached to the right and left with easy communications to brigade headquarters.

General Veatch’s brigade south of Fort Pickering, on a line extending from the Horn Lake road to the river, facing south.

General Lauman’s brigade nearly on a line with General Veatch’s, toward the east, with its left resting on or near the Hernando road, facing south.

General Hurlbut is charged with guarding the front, from the river around by the south and east to the Charleston and Memphis Railroad.

Brigadier-General Smith is charged with the front, from Wolf River to the Charleston and Memphis road, connecting with General Hurlbut there, at some point hereafter to be designated by the general commanding in person.

One regiment, to be detailed from General Denver’s and MeDowell’s brigades weekly and alternately, will be quartered in the city, to act under special instructions as a provost guard, General Denver making the first detail to-day.

Each brigade will furnish a daily guard of at least 200 men, with a due proportion of officers and a brigade officer of the day. This guard, under the direction of their respective brigadiers, will be posted at some strong position, to be changed from time to time, at least 1 mile from their brigade fronts (excepting the brigades in the fort). From this main guard will be sent forward another mile picket guards to watch roads, paths, or any manner of approach, with vedettes aloug such avenues of approach.

From the main brigade guards, under the respective officer of the day, will also be frequently sent out active patrols to visit the advance pickets and vedettes, and to scour the country between the brigade pickets. Such patrols must always be compact military bodies, furnished with the countersign that no accident may occur from contact with other guards and patrols. All guards and pickets will be subject to the inspection, visit, and control of a general officer of the day, to be detailed daily from headquarters.

General Hurlbut will regulate his cavalry pickets and patrols and cause them to be advanced well toward the Nonconah.

The Fourth Illinois Cavalry is hereby attached for picket duty to General Smith’s brigade, who will cause it to picket and scout well the country forward toward White’s Station, on the State Line road.

The commanding general will use the reserve cavalry for scouting in all directions, but this must not be any excuse for relaxation on the part of the officers hereinbefore named. Every officer in command of a regiment or detachment will uow see that his men are well provided with clothing, provisions, arms, ammunition, canteens, haversacks, and everything which his own experience has shown him is necessary for the efficiency of the soldiers. Every sentinel must be fully armed and equipped, and to this end regular guard mountings and inspections must precede the posting of all guards.

Officers of the day and commanders of guards have a right, and should not hesitate to use it, of refusing men improperly dressed or equipped. Their duties are very important and they should see that their details are composed of good men, properly provided in all respects.

All officers of this command must now study their books; ignorance of duty must no longer be pleaded. The commanding general has the power at any time to order a board to examine the acquirements and capacity of any officer, and he will not fail to exercise it. Should any officer, high or low, after the opportunity and experience we have had, be ignorant of his tactics, regulations, or even of the principles of the Art of War (Mahan and Jomini), it would be a lasting disgrace.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman: