bridge. These disgraceful and serious results are due to the neglect and disobedience of my repeated orders in regard to construction of stockades, and I shall bring every offender to trial. I am trying to make our lives secure against such occurrences, for they are fraught with the most serious consequences to an army operating on such long lines. I have requested General Grant to open the road again, for it is important to both of us.

D. C. BUELL.

Major-General HALLECK.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO,

Numbers 37.
In Camp, Huntsville, Ala., August 1, 1862.

The major-general commanding has to announce other instances of disgraceful neglect and contrast them with another of gallantry:

The guard at Courtland Bridge-consisting of Companies A and H, Tenth Kentucky, under the command of Captain Davidson, and a part of Captain Eggleston's company, First Ohio Cavalry-was completely surprised and captured with but trifling loss on the morning of the 25th ultimo by a force of irregular cavalry. On the same day the companies of Captains Boyl and Goben, Tenth Indiana, which were ordered to protect two bridges on the same road, respectively 6 and 12 miles east of Courtland, deemed it wiser to bring in an empty train which came up than to defend their posts, threatened with an attack from the same irregular cavalry, and so put themselves on the train and arrived safely at Decatur, a few miles distant, without the loss or injury of a man. On the same day and on the same road, 8 miles from Decatur, a guard, consisting of 24 men, of Company E, Thirty-first Ohio, under the command of Lieutenant Harman, were suddenly attacked by a greatly superior force of the same cavalry. They defended themselves gallantly, however, and repulsed the enemy, killing several of the number. Lieutenant Harman and 11 of his men were wounded, himself in two places, and 2 of his men were killed.

The general submits these examples to the reflection of the troops. He reminds them that neglect and bad conduct on the part of guards bring dishonor upon them and may even jeopardize the safety of an army. If these appeals to their personal and professional pride should fail of their object, he warns them that the extreme penalty of the law must intervene to punish the guilty and save the army from the jeopardy in which they place it. The duty of guarding the communications of the army is among the most important with which an officer and his troops can be intrusted. Vigilance, determination, and the preparation of suitable defenses in the way of intrenchments or stockades will prevent such attacks or enable a small force to repel a greatly superior one. Had the orders for bridge guards to fortify their posts been promptly executed and proper vigilance been observed the attacks referred to, if made at all, would have had very different results.

This order and General Orders, Numbers 32, will be read at the head of every company and detachment.

By command of Major-General Buell:

JAMES B. FRY,

Colonel and Chief of Staff.