ay seem
to cast a grave reflection either upon the discipline of the division
or upon the efficiency of regimental officers. But it is plain that no
blame justly attaches to either. For, the halt was made as a simple
rest; and when, as the minutes multiplied, a provost guard was at
length set, the men had already begun to straggle off little distances
by ones, twos, and threes, to get better shade, or to fill canteens, or
to seek better provender; and so the precaution came too late. Besides
we had not yet established disciplinary habits as a moving column; and
in the absence of all instructions or cautions on the subject from
head-quarters,[4] no regimental officer, however intelligent, and
however familiar theoretically with his duties, could be expected, if
devoid of experience in active service, to foresee the exigincies of
such an unusual occasion. The day in all its aspects was a surprise and
an enigma to officers and men alike.

[4] On the next day Major-General Couch wrote the following order
upon this important subject, which, strangely enough, was first
promulgated, at least to the Twenty-Third, while we were lying at
Waynesboro; indeed it was not published to the 52d until July
16th. This fact is a striking evidence of the vigor of the
campaign on which we were entering.

Head-Quarters Department of the Susquehanna, }
Harrisburg, July 3d, 1864. }

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 5.

The General commanding calls the attention of all the
officers and soldiers in this Department to the vice of
pillaging, which as yet exists only to a small extent. He
trusts that all will unite in frowning upon the disgraceful
practice, and in a determination to put an entire stop to it.

All military organizations of whatever extent, whether Army,
Corps, Regiment, or Company, must remember that in order to
gain for themselves a good reputation, it is essential that
they preserve their record free from such stains.

Commanding officers will be held strictly accountable that
private property is sedulously respected by every officer
and man under them. They will also see that there is no
straggling permitted on the march, or from the camps. If
soldiers or officers fail in their duties, they should be at
once