One hundred fifty years ago, on March 12, 1864, marching orders for a southbound Union expedition: [CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. THIRD DIV., SEVENTH ARMY CORPS, Little Rock, Ark., March 12, 1864. The following extract of a letter of instructions from Maj. Gen. F. Steele, commanding Department of Arkansas, is hereby published for the information of brigade commanders: The object of this expedition is a cooperation with forces moving up Red River toward Shreveport. The subsistence supplies will consist of the small rations only, and for the most part the command will be supplied from the country. Forage will have to be supplied in the same manner. I am further directed to say that Colonel Engelmanns brigade and Battery A, Third Illinois Artillery, and Battery E, Second Missouri Artillery, have been attached to this division. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. BLOCKI, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General. [CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. THIRD DIV., SEVENTH ARMY CORPS, Little Rock, Ark., March 12, 1864. The general commanding directs me to say that in case the division should be ordered on a march the following instructions will be observed: The troops will go in light marching order. Each man will carry in his knapsack his blanket, poncho, one shirt, one pair of stockings, two days rations in his haversack, and 40 rounds of ammunition. One wagon will be allowed to each regiment for transportation of cooking utensils, &c., and one wagon for brigade headquarters. Such men as are not able to march will be left in camp and one commissioned officer of each regiment will be placed in charge of the camp. Lieutenant-Colonel Mackey, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, whose health dont permit him to march, will remain in charge of the whole camp of the division. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. BLOCKI, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 17:05:54 +0000
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