On the 22d of May, 1864, just previous to starting on this raid, the General commanding issued the following order:
Headquarters Department West Virginia }
In the Field, near Cedar Creek, May 22, 1864.}
GENERAL ORDERS. }
No. 29. }
It is of the utmost importance that this army be placed in a situation for immediate efficiency. We are contending against an enemy who is in earnest, and if we expect success, we too must be in earnest. We must be willing to make sacrifices, willing to suffer for a short time, that a glorious result may crown our efforts. The country is expecting every man to do his duty; and, this done, an ever kind Providence will certainly grant us a complete success.
I. Every tent will be immediately turned in for transportation to Martinsburg; and all baggage not expressly allowed by this order, will be at once sent to the rear. There will be but one wagon allowed to each regiment, and this will only be used to transport spare ammunition, camp kettles, tools and mess-pans. Every wagon will have eight picked horses or mules, two drivers and two saddles. One wagon and one ambulance will be allowed to Department Headquarters, and the same to Division and Brigade Headquarters. The other ambulances will be under the immediate orders of the Medical Director.
II. For the expedition on hand, the clothes each soldier has on his back, with one pair of extra shoes and socks, are amply sufficient. Everything else in the shape of clothing, will be packed to-day and sent to the rear. Each knapsack will contain one hundred rounds of ammunition, carefully packed, four pounds of hard bread, to last eight days, ten rations of coffee, sugar and salt, one pair of shoes and socks, and nothing else.
III. Brigade and all other commanders will be held strictly responsible that their commands are amply supplied from the country. Cattle, sheep and hogs, and if necessary, horses and mules must be taken and slaughtered. These supplies will be seized under the direction of officers duly authorized, and upon a system which will hereafter be regulated. No straggling or pillaging will be allowed. Brigade and other commanders will be held responsible that there is no waste, and that there is a proper and orderly division amongst their men of the supplies taken for our use.
IV. Commanders will attend personally to the prompt execution of this order, so that we may move to-morrow morning. They will see that in passing through a country in this way, depending upon it for forage and supplies, great additional vigilance is required on the part of every officer in the command of men, for the strict enforcement of discipline.