The California Column
Hdqrs. Dist of Southwestern California.
Los Angeles, Cal., February 11, 1862.
General Orders No. 3.
Each soldier will carry one greatcoat, one blanket, one forage cap, one woolen shirt, one pair of
drawers, one pair stockings, one
towel, two handkerchiefs, one fine and one course comb, one
sewing kit, one piece of soap, one toothbrush.
Each soldier will wear his uniform hat without trimmings, one blouse, one pair trousers, one pair
stockings, one woolen shirt, one
pair drawers, and may wear a cravat in lieu of the leather
stock.
Each soldier, whether of cavalry or infantry, will have one canteen, one haversack, one tin cup.
In his haversack he will carry one
fork, spoon, and plate. He will wear a good sheath knife.
Each company, whether of cavalry or infantry, will have only enough mess pans and camp kettles
(in nests) for absolute requirements;
also a few short-handled frying pans, some large tin pans in
which to mix bread, one or two strong coffee-mills, a 6-gallon keg of
vinegar, a few pounds of
black-grained pepper, four axes, four camp hatchets, six spades, six shovels.
Officers will not take mess-chests, or trunks, or mattresses on the march. It is suggested that
each mess of officers of not less than
three be provided with to champagne baskets covered
with painted canvas for their mess furniture. These can be packed on a mule.
Their necessary
clothing can be carried in a small hand-valise, or pair of saddlebags.
The Companies of the First California Volunteer Infantry will drill with knapsacks on and with
personal effects packed agreeably to
the above orders, from the date of receipt thereof.
The Colonel commanding has observed that there has grown up a habit of writing for the press
about military matters and movements
of persons in the volunteer service of this district. This
is not only unprofessional, but strictly prohibited. There must neither be
discussion among
military men nor any but official letters written for publication, which have for their object the
purpose of giving
either censure or praise to any person belonging to the profession.
By order of Colonel Carleton:
Ben. C. Cutler,
First Lieut., First California Vol. Infty., Actg. Asst. Adj. Gen.