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 Duke University Libraries 
 
 Circular : 
 Conf Pam 12mo #820 
 
 0^03^173 + 
 
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 •tKDRRATK STATES, 
 
 1865. 
 
 
 
 The spirit whi ' 1 the oat! 
 
 courage with v I ave led to a reliance 
 
 upon their good qualities to ires which would in- 
 
 crease their efficiencj and contribute 1 • opportuni 
 
 have been lost, and hundreds of vain . I for want 
 
 of a strict observance of digtiplb 
 
 Its object is to enable an army I into action the 
 
 possible number of itfi under the control of their 
 
 officers. Its effects are visible in all istory, which records the 
 
 triumphs of discipline and courage Tar more frequently than those of num- 
 bers and resources. 
 
 At no time in the war has the necessity of close attention to this impor- 
 tant subject been greater than at present, an^ at no time has its cultivation 
 promised more valuable results. Th< rienced troo 
 
 larger in our army than in that of the enemy, while his numbers exceed 
 our own. These are the circumstam ible for the display of 
 
 the advantages of discipline, and in wbi rer it imparts will bi 
 
 most deafly pergeyred, 
 
 I desire therefore that you will d rt to improve the discip- 
 
 line of your troops. This will your own unremitting at- 
 
 tention, but also the zealous c 1 Ficers, commissioned 
 
 and non-commissioned. 
 
 The recent law abolishing the system of elections, and opening the way 
 to promotion to all' who distinguish ' ithful disojaarge 
 
 of duty affords a new incentive to officers and men. J a addition to the 
 usual and stated instructions, which . ven at all times as fully as 
 
 circumstances will permit, the importance and utility of thorough discip- 
 line should be impressed on officers and men on all occasions, by illustra- 
 tions taken from the experience of the instructor, or from other sources of 
 information. They should be made to undeipta.nd that discipline contrib- 
 utes no less to their surprises 
 
 
and those sudden panics whip lead to defeat and th* greatest losi of life, 
 are of rare occurrence arnocg disciplined troops. It is well known that 
 the greatest number of casualties occur when men become scattered, and 
 especially when they, retreat in confusion, as the fire of the enemy is then 
 more deliberate and fatal. T|ie experience of every officer shows that those 
 troops suffer le,ast who attackfmost vigorously, and that a few men, retain- 
 ing their organization and acting in concert accomplish far more with 
 smaller loss, than a larger nwaber scattered and disorganized. 
 
 The appearance of a steadji unbroken line is more formidable to the ene- 
 my, and renders his aim less accurate, and his lire less effective. Orders 
 can be readily transmitted, ai vantage can be promptly taken of every op- 
 portunity, and all efforts beirg directed to a common end, the contest will 
 be briefer and suceess'more certain. 
 
 Let officers and men be made to feel that they will most effectually secure 
 their safety, by remaining stjeadily at their posts, preserving order, and 
 fighting with coolness' and y i 
 
 Fully impressed with the trtith of these views, I call your attention par- 
 ticularly to the accompanying order with reference to the duties of file 
 closers, which you will immediately carry into execution. 
 
 Impress upon your "officer^ that discipline cannot be attained without 
 constant watchfulness on thei) part. They must attend to the smallest par- 
 ticulars of detail. Men must) be habituated to obey, or they cannot be 
 controlled in battle, and the icglect of the least important order impairs 
 the proper influence of the oi 
 
 In recommending officers or men for promotion you will always, where 
 other qualifications are equaljgive preference to those who show the high- 
 est appreciation of the importance of discipline, and evince the greatest 
 attention to its requirement- 
 
 Very respectfully, your obed't serv't, 
 
 R. E. LEE. 
 
 General. 
 
 - , > * v.. 
 
Hollinger Corp. 
 pH8.5