“Sir,—I would respectfully report that the enclosed is a copy of an order sent to Camp Parapet yesterday, by my orderly, and that Captain Leonard complied with the order at once. Captain D. W. Bailey, of Company H, absolutely refused to send his descriptive book, saying that ‘the colonel or no other man should have his company books.’ If he was under my immediate command here at the camp, it would be clear to my mind how I should act in this case. In the present instance I am not sufficiently informed what my action should be in the premises, not knowing fully how the commanding general considers their relations to this regiment, and more particularly to the commanding officer of the same.
“I would respectfully refer the case to Colonel Farr, for advice and information.
“I have the honor to remain,
“Your obedient servant, “J. STEDMAN, “Lieutenant-Colonel, 42nd Mass. Vols.
“To Lieut. Geo. E. Davis, A. A. A. General,
“Second Brigade, Second Division, New Orleans.”
By orders of General Sherman, Captain Bailey was placed in arrest on the sixteenth, sent to Gentilly Station the next day, an orderly bringing the descriptive book that caused the trouble. Under orders from brigade headquarters, charges and specification of charges were forwarded on the sixteenth. The assignment to quarters, while in arrest, was as follows:
“Headquarters Forty-Second Regt., Mass. Vols.,
“Camp Farr, Bayou Gentilly, La., April 17th, 1863.
“Captain,—You having been reported at these headquarters in arrest by orders of Brigadier-General Sherman, you are hereby assigned quarters in the large tent to the left of these headquarters, and you will hold yourself within the following limits, viz.: On the right, on a line with the guard line and the right flank of this camp. In front, on a line with the woods in front of the camp. On the left, on a line with the tents on the left flank of the camp of paroled prisoners. In the rear, on a line with the road extending along the rear of this camp.
“You are also referred to the Army Regulations in relation to officers in arrest, in relation to communications, etc.
“By command of