GDG- Question: The Adjutant

[Margaret D. Blough]

Laurie,

Probably one of the best-known Assistant Adjutant General's in the Civil War was G. Moxley Sorrel, who was James Longstreet's AAG for just over three years until Sorrel was promoted to Brigadier General after his performance in the Battle of the Wilderness.  Longstreet placed great confidence in Sorrel and delegated a great deal of authority to him to act on Longstreet's behalf when Longstreet wasn't physically present at the particular site.

Regards,

Margaret

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Laurence Schiller <lds307 at northwestern.edu> 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> Hi Keith - he is more than that in that he has field duties - such as 
> setting the color line when forming the battalion, forming parade, 
> acting as a guide when going from column to battleline and so forth. 
> It isn't just a desk job - he does act as an additional regimental 
> officer in the field with specific duties. 
> 
> best, 
> 
> Laurie Schiller 
> 
> On Aug 1, 2007, at 10:25 AM, keith mackenzie wrote: 
> 
> > Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> > 
> > 
> > Thanks guys, basically the head clerk, an important job, but not 
> > very romantic or glorious. 
> > K. 
> > 
> > Bob Huddleston wrote: 
> > Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> > 
> > 
> > Here is the definition from Hugh Scott, _Military Dictionary_, 1861: 
> > 
> > ADJUTANT, (Latin adjutor, aid.) An officer selected by the colonel of 
> > the regiment from the subalterns. He communicates the orders of the 
> > colonel, 
> > and has duties in respect to his regiment assimilated to those of an 
> > adjutant-general with an army. 
> > ADJUTANT-GENERAL. The principal organ of the commander of all army in 
> > publishing orders. The same organ of the commander of a division, 
> > brigade, 
> > geographical division, or department, is styled Assistant Adjutant- 
> > general. 
> > The laws of the United States, however, provide for but one 
> > Adjutant-general 
> > with the rank of colonel, (made by regulations chief of a bureau of 
> > the War 
> > Department, and charged with the recruiting service, records, 
> > returns, &c.,) 
> > one Assistant Adjutant-general with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, 
> > and 
> > twelve other assistants with the rank of major and captain. (See ARMY 
> > ORGANIZATION.) 
> > The bureau duties of Adjutants-general and assistants are: publishing 
> > orders in writing; making up written instructions, and transmitting 
> > them; 
> > reception of reports and returns; disposing of them; forming 
> > tables, showing 
> > the state and position of corps; regulating details of service; 
> > corresponding with the administrative departments relative to the 
> > wants of 
> > troops; corresponding with the corps, detachments, or individual 
> > officers 
> > serving under the orders of the same commander; and the methodical 
> > arrangement and care of the records and papers of his office. The 
> > active 
> > duties of Adjutants-general consist in establishing camps; visiting 
> > guards 
> > and outposts; mustering and inspecting troops; inspecting guards and 
> > detachments; forming parades and lines of battle; the conduct and 
> > control of 
> > deserters and prisoners; making reconnaissances; and in general 
> > discharging 
> > such other active duties as may be assigned them. 
> > 
> > Take care, 
> > 
> > Bob 
> > 
> > Judy and Bob Huddleston 
> > 10643 Sperry Street 
> > Northglenn, CO 80234-3612 
> > 303.451.6376 Huddleston.r at comcast.net 
> > 
> > "The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are 
> > insane." 
> > 
> > ---Mark Twain, 1907 
> > 
> > 
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> 
> Dr. Laurence Dana Schiller 
> lds307 at northwestern.edu 
> 
> Maitre d'Armes 
> Head Fencing Coach Department of History 
> Northwestern University 
> Commissioner, Midwest Fencing Conference 
> Midwest VP, US Fencing Coaches' Association 
> Vice-Chair USFA Illinois Division 
> Lds307 at northwestern.edu 
> 847-491-4654 
> FAX 847-467-1406 
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> Student web site: http://groups.northwestern.edu/fencing/ 
> 
> 
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