The Camp Sweeny General Orders, Rolla, 1861
The Camp Sweeny Spy, published July 4, 1861 in Rolla, Mo., gives great insight into the daily life of a Civil War camp. This publication was issued by Company K and D of the Third Regiment, U.S. Reserve Corps of Missouri.
GENERAL ORDERS
"Camp Rolla, July 3d, 1861
"For the better government of the officers and soldiers in camp the following rules are established:
"Reveille at 5 o'clock a.m.
Breakfast, 6 o'clock a. m.
Dinner, 12 o'clock, noon
Retreat, sundown
The 1st, 4th, and 5th calls will be made by the Orderly Sergeants on the parade ground of their Companies. Absentees to be marked and reported to the commanding officer forthwith.
All Lights are to be extinguished when taps are beat, 29 Minutes after tattoo.
"Surgeon's call at 8 a.m.
Guard mounting at 9 a.m.
Police call [clean up the camp order] at half past 8 o'clock a.m.
Squad and company drills from half past 7 to half past 8 o'clock a.m.
The afternoon drill from half past 4 to half past 5 o'clock.
Dress parade at 6 p.m.
"Soldiers are prohibited to leave camp or pass the line of sentinels unless by permission of the officer commanding the post.
"Commanders of companies or detachments are not to give leave to more than five men of their commands per day and always in charge of a non-commissioned officer.
"Men detailed to carry water & etc. are to be passed out of camp by a commissioned officer. Soldiers on leave or otherwise are to pass and repass to or from camp between the guard house and the railroad, except details carrying water.
D. Bayles, Commandant of post."
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