THE ORDER
Our Field Service Regulations state[16] that “orders in contra-distinction to field, general, and special orders, are used by commanders of divisions and separate brigades for regulating the movements and resupply of the field trains, fixing the position of distributing points (rations and forage), authorizing the use of reserve rations, providing for the refilling of combat trains after combat or a march, providing for ambulance or hospital service in camps, and for furnishing such other similar information or instructions as it is desired to communicate to troops. They also include such instructions as may be sent to the commander of trains, relative to the movements and disposition of the trains and information with regard to the arrangements made with the line of communication relative to the positions of refilling, rendezvous, and evacuation points.”
Thus, when separate orders are necessary for such conditions as cited, they are called simply orders. They may be transmitted as field messages between commanders or as more formal documents. In either case they are usually addressed to the person concerned.
Examples of orders follow:
51st Division, 9th Corps,
Gettysburg,
3 June ’19, 6-30 p. m.
To Commander of Trains:
Have one wagon company small arms ammunition at cross-roads near EPPLEY at 8 p. m.
Have one wagon company artillery ammunition at north edge of McPHERSON RIDGE at 8 p. m.
Have 1st Section, supply, ready to issue at Central Square in GETTYSBURG at 8 p. m.
Have empty wagons return to LITTLESTOWN tonight to refill; have them report en route to Field Hospital No. 1 at the crossing of ROCK CREEK to carry back wounded. Have them well filled with straw or hay.