The following general regulations are to be observed, respecting duties in general.
When field or other commissioned officers, are given out at head quarters for one duty, they cannot be taken off to be put on any other duty.
No officer is allowed to exchange his duty with another, after he has been put in orders for it, without leave of the commanding officer of his regiment.
Guards, or detachments, which have not marched off from the parade, are not to be reckoned as for a duty done; but, if they should have marched from the parade, it stands for a duty done, though they should be dismissed immediately.
If any officer’s tour of duty for the picquet, general court martial, or duty of fatigue, happen when he is on duty, he shall not make good such duty when he comes off.
No regiment can demand a tour of duty, unless it has marched off the place of parade, and beyond the main guard.
General courts martial that have assembled, and the members sworn in, shall be reckoned for a duty, though they should be dismissed without trying any person.
Whenever the picquets are ordered to march to any parade, it is not to be accounted a duty, unless they march off that parade.
All commands in the regular forces, fall to the eldest officers in the same circumstances, whether of cavalry or infantry, entire, or in parties. In case two commissions, of the same date, interfere, a retrospect is to be had to former commissions, or to lot.
Officers, on all duties under arms, are to have their swords drawn, without waiting for any word of command for that purpose.