Army of the Potomac 1863 Circular Establishing Wagon Limits Per Corps, Division

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Army of the Potomac 1863 Circular Establishing Wagon Limits Per Corps, Division:
$9.99

Offered here is an interesting document from the Civil War. This General Order was among an archive of documents from the Brigade staff of the3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of the Potomac. General Orders such as these were printed and distributed to the various commands as a way of spreading official information to the troops. This one, General Orders No. 100, appears under a decorative \"Head-Quarters, Army of the Potomac\" header and is dated November 5, 1863. It is marked in ink as having been received at Brigade on November 11.
The four-page (printed on three pages) bifoliumcircular establishes the \"maximum allowance of transportation, camp and garrison equipage allowed this Army while in the field engaged in active operations....\" It specifies that \"For the Head-Quarters of an Army Corps, 2 wagons or 8 pack mules for baggage; 1 two-horse spring wagon for contingent wants; 5 extra saddle horses for contingent wants; 1 wall tent for personal use and office of Commanding General; 1 wall tent for every two officers of his staff.\" It then establishes similar limits for division and brigade staffs and reminds officers that their personal baggage must fall within Army regulations.
It continues on listing wagon and pack animal allowances for regiments of varying size and for artillery batteries.
Artillery ordnance must also receive consideration, and General Meade provided a formula that took into account the number and variety of artillery pieces in theArmy\'s charge.
And so on and so on. It gives you an idea of the sheer numbers of vehicles and animals required to move the baggage, camp equipment, ordnance,commissary supplies, medical stores, forage, and other necessities for an army of 100,000 men. Quite a logistical task!
The circular measures 5\" x 8\" and in excellent condition. The paper is in excellent sturdy condition, not stiff, and not particularly delicate. Minor wear to top edge.
General Orders such as these were very likely printed in the field by the Army\'s portable printing presses that began operation in 1863. Documents were also printed in local Virginia print shops near the Army, and in larger print shops in Washington and other cities. For more fascinating information about the Army of the Potomac\'s printing processes, clickhere.
This document was purchased from the estate of the late Norm Flayderman, who is well known as having been the authority on Antique American firearms.
Please see my other items for more interesting Civil War letters and documents, many related to the 11th Massachusetts Infantry and the 2nd and 3rd Army Corps.
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