Comrades, I tried finding a copy of a soldier's general orders while on guard duty. Are these them? Are there any others I need to know? Are these modified for Union/Confederate or was it pretty much standard on both sides?


1. I am required to take charge of this post and all public property in view.
2. I am required to salute all officers passing, according to rank.
3. I am required to give the alarm in case of fire, or the approach of the enemy, or any disturbance whatsoever.
4. I am required to report all violations of the Articles of War, Regulations of the Army, or camp or garrison orders.
5. I am required at night, to challenge all persons approaching my post, and to allow no one to pass without the countersign until they are examined by an officer or noncommissioned officer of the Guard.

Those are the ones that August Kautz presents in "Customs of Service for Noncommissioned Officers and Soldiers."  

I don't know of any others.

What I particularly enjoy about the "all violations" part is that it in theory would make the guard responsible for ensuring the proper completion of any forms passing his way since most of them are, in fact, part of the Regulations.

The thought has entertained me in the wee hours of several otherwise uncomfortable mornings.

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Michael Schaffner wrote : What I particularly enjoy about the "all violations" part is that it in theory would make the guard responsible for ensuring the proper completion of any forms passing his way since most of them are, in fact, part of the Regulations.

Mike,

Not too likely, given the fact that many of the people filling out said forms had no clue of what was proper!  

Mel,
Please refer to our 6th Ohio web site.
Under general C.W. Information you will find a wealth of pertanant information. Including the general orders and special orders for sentry or guard duty.  
Check it out Pard.
Ole Dan

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Bill wrote :   Mike, Not too likely, given the fact that many of the people filling out said forms had no clue of what was proper!

I would tend to agree with you on that Bill.  "Report" and filling out a report at two different matters.
I think of my own great grandfather who could not write but perhaps could have been on guard duty and be called upon to "report" a violation.

Thank ya Serg't Girton. I found it and a whole slew of other stuff. I'll be reading from the website for a while it looks like.  

--Last edited by Private Glover on 2009-05-05 08:54:07 --

Bill, what was that Vietnam era general order?  I’ll walk my post from flank to flank and take no ____ (What was that word?) off any rank.