“Ascertain and report how many of your men can and will furnish their own transportation, and in the meantime try and persuade all of them to save enough for that purpose. Military men should not forget that the civic circles have supplied the means wherewith to provide breech-loaders, ammunition, &c. &c. Their liberality in these regards will, to a limited extent, relieve them from the responsibility of advancing the means of transportation. They will not, however, hesitate to co-operate with the military branch of the F.B. in this matter.
“Preserve the utmost secrecy with regard to this circular, and reply at once. Delay, and you are guilty of neglect of duty!
“Yours fraternally,
“John O’Neill,
“President Fenian Brotherhood.
“Head-Quarters, War Department, F.B.,
“Deckertown, Sussex County, N.J.,
“April 28, 1870.
“General Orders.
“No....
“Commanding officers of regiments, companies, and detachments will hold their respective commands in readiness to move at a moment’s notice.
“Officers of circles having no military organisations attached will immediately take the necessary steps to organise the military of their neighbourhoods, and forward to this office the names of officers selected, so that they may be commissioned.
“Commanding officers of companies will get as many men as possible ready to move at once, leaving to the civic officers the task of collecting and forwarding—if possible within twenty-four hours thereafter—those who may not be able to move with the first detachments.
“Officers and men must avoid the use of uniforms or any insignia that would distinguish them.