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GENERAL ORDERS

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, 19TH ARMY CORPS,

No. 40.

Opelousas, May 1, 1863.

The Major General commanding the Department proposes the organization of a corps d'armée of colored troops, to be designated as the "Corps d'Afrique." It will consist ultimately of eighteen regiments, representing all arms-Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry, organized in three Divisions of three Brigades each, with ap propriate corps of Engineers and flying Hospitals for each Division. Appropriate uniforms, and the graduation of pay to correspond with value of services, will be hereafter awarded.

In the field, the efficiency of every corps depends upon the influence of its officers upon the troops engaged, and the practicable limits of one direct command is generally estimated at one thousand men. The most eminent military historians and commanders, among others Thiers and Chambray, express the opinion, upon a full review of the elements of military power, that the valor of the soldier is rather acquired than natural. Nations whose individual heroism is undisputed, have failed as soldiers in the field. The European and American continents exhibit instances of this character, and the military prowess of every nation may be estimated by the centuries it has devoted to military contest, or the traditional passion of its people for military glory. With a race unaccustomed to military service, much more depends on the immediate influence of officers upon individual members, than with those that have acquired more or less of warlike habits and spirit by centuries of contest. It is deemed best, therefore, in the organization of the Corps d'Afrique, to limit the regiments to the smallest number of men consistent with efficient service in the field, in order to secure the most thorough instruction and discipline, and the largest influence of the officers over the troops. At first they will be limited to five hundred men. The average of American regiments is less than that number.

The Commanding General desires to detail for temporary or permanent duty the best officers of the army, for the organization, instruction and discipline of this corps. With their aid, he is confident that the corps will render important service to the Government. It is not established upon any dogma of equality or other theory, but as a practical and sensible matter of business. The Government makes use of mules, horses, uneducated and educated white men, in the defense of its institutions. Why should not the negro contribute whatever is in his power for the cause in which he is as deeply interested as other men? We may properly demand from him whatever service he can render. The chief defect in organizations

of this character has arisen from incorrect ideas of the officers in command. Their discipline has been lax, and in some cases the conduct of the regiments unsatisfactory and discreditable. Controversies unnecessary and injurious to the service have arisen between them and other troops. The organization proposed will reconcile and avoid many of these troubles.

Officers and soldiers will consider the exigencies of the service in this Department, and the absolute necessity of appropriating every element of power to the support of the Government. The prejudices or opinions of men are in no wise involved. The co-operation and active support of all officers and men, and the nomination of fit men from the ranks, and from the lists of non-commissioned and commissioned officers, are respectfully solicited from the Generals commanding the respective Divisions.

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BANKS :

RICHARD B. IRWIN,

Assistant Adjutant General.

OFFICIAL:

Aide-de-Camp.

GENERAL ORDERS

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, 19TH ARMY CORPS,

No. 41.

Opelousas, La., May 4, 1863.

The following extracts from Acts of Congress are published for the information of the troops of this Department:

"AN ACT for enrolling and calling out the National Forces, and for other purposes." Approved March 3, 1863.

SECTION 18. And be it further enacted, That such of the volunteers and militia now in the service of the United States as may re-enlist to serve one year, unless sooner discharged, after the expiration of their present term of service, shall be entitled to a bounty of fifty dollars, one half of which to be paid upon such re-enlistment, and the balance at the expiration of the term of re-enlistment. And such as may re-enlist to serve for two years, unless sooner discharged, after the expiration of their present term of enlistment, shall receive, upon such re-enlistment, twenty-five dollars of the one hundred dollars bounty for enlistment provided by the fifth section of the act approved twenty-second of July, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, entitled "An Act to authorize the employment of volunteers to aid in enforcing the laws and protecting public property."

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SECTION 22. And be it further enacted, That courts martial shall have the power to sentence officers who shall absent themselves from their commands without leave, to be reduced to the ranks, to serve three years or during the war.

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SECTION 30. And be it further enacted, That in time of war, insurrection or rebellion, murder, assault and battery with an intent to kill, manslaughter, mayhem, wounding by shooting or stabbing with an intent to commit murder, robbery, arson, burglary, rape, assault and battery with an intent to commit rape and larceny, shall be punishable by sentence of a general court martial or military commission, when committed by persons who are in the military service of the United States, and subject to the Articles of War; and the puuishments for such offenses shall never be less than those inflicted by the laws of the State, Territory or District, in which they may have been committed.

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SECTION 31. And be it further enacted, That any officer absent from duty, with leave, except for sickness or wounds, shall, during his absence, receive half of the

pay and allowances prescribed by law, and no more; and any officer absent without leave shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed by law or a court martial, forfeit all pay or allowances during such absence.

SECTION 35. And be it further enacted, That hereafter, details to special service shall only be made with the consent of the commanding officer of forces in the field; and enlisted men, now or hereafter detailed to special service, shall not receive any extra pay for such services beyond that allowed to other enlisted men.

"AN ACT to promote the efficincy of the Corps of Engineers and of the Ordnance Department, and for other purposes." Approved March 8, 1863.

SECTION 9. And be it further enacted, That cooks shall be detailed, in turn, from the privates of each company of troops in the service of the United States, at the rate of one cook for each company numbering less than thirty men, and two cooks for each company numbering over thirty men, who shall serve ten days each.

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SECTION 10. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause to be enlisted, for each cook, two under cooks of African descent, who shall receive for their full compensation ten dollars per month, and one ration per day. Three dollars of said monthly pay may be in clothing.

SECTION 11. And be it further enacted, That the army ration shall hereafter include pepper, in the proportion of four ounces to every hundred rations.

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BANKS:

OFFICIAL:

Aide-de-Camp.

RICHARD B. IRWIN,

Assistant Adjutant General.

II. Prisoners, deserters, etc.

GENERAL ORDERS

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, 19TH ARMY CORPS,

No. 42.

Alexandria, La., May 8, 1863.

Attention is hereby called to paragraph 639, Army Regulations, relating to flags of truce. It is also further directed, that the following instructions be hereafter observed and followed in this Department:

All flags of truce approaching the lines will be halted by the sentinel, who will, through his corporal, report the arrival to the officer in command of the guard or picket. This officer will thereupon proceed with a proper escort to the lines, and receive the communication brought by the flag, which he will promptly transmit by a trusty messenger to the proper officer--usually the highest commanding officer readily accessible. He will also prevent all unnecessary conversation between his own men and the party with the flag, nor will he engage in such conversation himself. Flags of truce are to be received, when sent in good faith, with proper courtesy, but all necessary measures will be taken to prevent the enemy from obtaining information under this cover. On no account will the flag be allowed to pass the line of sentinels, except by the order of the highest commanding officer readily accessible.

The officer to whom the communication, brought by the flag, shall be referred, will act thereon, if within his authority so to do, will give the necessary orders in the case, wil forward the communication to higher officers, if necessary, and will receipt for the dispatches and dismiss the flag, unless he shall think that something has been discovered by the flag which ought to have been concealed from the enemy; in which case the flag is to be detained as long as may be necessary.

In all cases of flags of truce, their arrival and departure, the nature of the communication brought or object of the flag, and the action taken in the case, will be promptly reported to Department Headquarters.

II. Examination of prisoners, deserters and other persons having information concerning the enemy, must only be made for the purpose of obtaining information for the public service, and not to gratify idle curiosity.

Officers or enlisted men will not unnecessarily hold conversation with such

persons.

Officers making examination of such persons, or otherwise obtaining information respecting the enemy, will take care to have the information so obtained promptly

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