By order of the Secretary of War:
L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDER.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, July 25, 1862.
The death of ex-President Martin Van Buren is announced in the following order of the President of the United States:
[For order see preceding page.]
In pursuance of the foregoing order, it is hereby directed that thirty minute guns, commencing at noon, be fired on the day after the receipt of this general order at the navy-yards, naval stations, and on board the vessels of the Navy in commission; that their flags be displayed at half-mast for one week, and that crape be worn on the left arm by all officers of the Navy for a period of six months.
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington City, D.C., July 31, 1862.
The absence of officers and privates from their duty under various pretexts while receiving pay, at great expense and burden to the Government, makes it necessary that efficient measures be taken to enforce their return to duty or that their places be supplied by those who will not take pay while rendering no service. This evil, moreover, tends greatly to discourage the patriotic impulses of those who would contribute to support the families of faithful soldiers.