Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

In our present situation, where the different regiments are suffering in a most deplorable degree by sickness, it should be the earnest duty of all officers and commanders to do their best for the comfort and moral support of their men. It is, therefore, necessary to give continuous and strict attention to the cleanliness of the camp and tents, to the diet of the soldiers, and all matters relative to the condition and treatment of the sick. Regimental and brigade surgeons should apply all their energy and their abilities to procure the material necessary for the outfit of regimental hospitals, and not cease in their exertions until all their requisitions are filled.

They should specially take care that no patient lies on the ground in the hospital tent, but on a bed of boards, (bunk with straw mattress,) that proper stores are provided, and that competent nurses are selected from the different commands. In case complaints are necessary, they should immediately be made to the commanders of regiments and brigades. The lives of those intrusted to our command and care must be guarded and preserved by any means, and those made responsible, who, by their carelessness and neglect, are guilty of the loss of valuable lives.

Regimental officers of the day should strictly per form their duties, and should be made responsible by the field officers and the general officer of the day for any neglect regarding this order.

The attention of commanders of companies is specially directed to such paragraphs of Article 13, Revised Army Regulations, as are applicable to the object to be attained. They should occupy and divert their companies by regular drills, with or without arms, by marching them out of their camps, by practising them in target-firing, and by instructing them theoretically. Commanders of regiments and brigades should supervise their officers in the fulfilling of these duties, and going through a regular course of instruction in tactics and the laws and regulations of war. The best instructed and most efficient officers should, without regard to rank, be selected by the commanders of brigades or regiments for the different branches of instruction, and every officer do his utmost to prepare himself, in this time of rest and inactivity, for the earnest duties of practical warfare.

To further the great object of mutual help and assistance, to raise our position, as defenders of a great cause, and to promote that good understanding and harmony among officers of the same regiment or corps, which is so essential and of so great importance in the hour of distress and common danger, I earnestly and kindly recommend that the officers of each regiment should form a military association, and meet regularly, to discuss all questions in relation to their common interest and the good of the public service. I need scarcely remark that we have to consider our special situation as military men, and have to respect Article 26, Army Regulations. That, besides this, such an association should not make it their object to substitute their proceedings to the provisions of Articles of War Nos. 34 and 35; but, at the same time, I refer to the fact that in almost all regiments of the militia such associations have existed and exist yet, and that they have been of the greatest usefulness to all commands by which they have been organized.

Let us try whether we are able to stand as well the fatal effects of this winter season as we will stand the fire of our enemies.