call notice to the fact that if this mass of duty had not been accomplished by invalids it would have occupied at least an equal number of able-bodied men, who would thus have been withdrawn from the lines of battle, and in those days it was not easy to obtain all the able-bodied men that were needed for fighting purposes alone.

CHANGES IN ORGANIZATION.

The primary organization of the regiments was a union of six First Battalion with four Second Battalion companies. This arrangement worked imperfectly; the First Battalion men were on garrison duty, and the Second Battalion men scattered through hospitals, reporting to surgeons. The diversity of service and command rendered unity of discipline impossible. During March, April, and May of this official year the regiments were reorganized in such a manner as to consist entirely of First Battalion companies, while the companies of the Second Battalion reassumed their former numbers and returned to their original status as detached organizations.

Numerical changes.

Enlisted men November 1, 1863:

First Battalion ......................................... 10,540

Second Battalion ........................................ 7,224

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Total ................................................... 17,764

GAIN.

Men transferred to the corps in general orders Adjutant-

General's Office since November 1, 1863 ................. 18,958

Transferred by special orders Adjutant-General's Office.. 4

Transferred by order of corps commanders ................ 507

Enlisted in the corps since November 1, 1863 ............ 3,416

Re-enlisted in First Battalion companies since November

1, 1863 ................................................. 2,097

Re-enlisted in Second Battalion companies since November

1, 1863 ................................................. 461

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Total gain .............................................. 25,443

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43,207

LOSS.

Discharged since November 1, 1863:

By reason of expiration of term -

First Battalion ......................................... 3,929

Second Battalion ........................................ 2,836

-----

6,765

For disability -

First Battalion ......................................... 1,102

Second Battalion ........................................ 1,474

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2,576

For disability under Circular Numbers 65 -

First Battalion ......................................... 62

Second Battalion ........................................ 326

-----

388

For purpose of re-enlisting -

First Battalion ......................................... 2,097

Second Battalion ........................................ 461

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2,588

To accept appointments as commissioned officers ......... 49

To enlist as hospital stewards .......................... 20

Under orders from Adjutant General's Office ............. 63

For other causes ........................................ 137

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Total discharged ........................................12,556

Men of the Regular Army retransferred to their former

companies and regiments ................................. 29

Volunteers retransferred to their former companies and

regiments, having become fit for active service ........ 377

To be tried as deserters ................................ 71

Not proper subjects for the corps ....................... 567

Deserted:

First Battalion ......................................... 627

Second Battalion ........................................ 340

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967

Died:

First Battalion ......................................... 400

Second Battalion ........................................ 266

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666

Total loss ..............................................15,233

Total number of enlisted men on October 1, 1864 .........27,974