"War Department, Washington, January 28, 1847.
"The President of the United States directs that paragraph 650 of the General Regulations of the Army, established the 1st of March, 1825, and not included among those published January 25, 1841, be now published, and its observance, as a part of the general regulations, be strictly enjoined upon the army.
"By order of the President.
"W.L. Marcy, Secretary of War."
The following is the paragraph referred to and ordered to be "published":
"Private letters or reports relative to military movements and operations are frequently mischievous in design, and always disgraceful to the army. They are therefore strictly forbidden, and any officer found guilty of making such report for publication, without special permission, or of placing the writing beyond his control, so that it finds its way to the press within one month after the termination of the campaign to which it relates, shall be dismissed from the service."
Upon the appearance in print of the two letters referred to, the commanding general issued the following:
"Headquarters of the Army,
"Mexico, November 12, 1847.
"General Orders No. 349.