As Commander-in-chief, the President is empowered to issue orders to his command. Such orders, which freqently emanate from the Secretary of War or the Headquarters of the Army, are designated as General and Special Orders. The commanders of military divisions and departments make and publish their own General and Special Orders which have similar force and effect as the Orders of the President, though within a narrower range. Special Orders relate chiefly to individual cases or specific assignments. They usually provide direction regarding the duties of inferior officers, changes in station, details of general courts, and the discharge of soldiers. They are not generally published to the army at large. Cf. Winthrop, W. Military law and precedents. Washington, 1920.

Description based on: No. 4 (Jan. 10, 1870); title from caption.

United States. Army > History > Civil War, 1861-1865 > Periodicals.

United States. Army > Regulations > Periodicals.

Louisiana > History > Civil War, 1861-1865 > Periodicals.