those of the applicants who have served longest at sea, and whether in the merchant or naval service. Not less than two years' sea service will constitute an ordinary seaman, and not less than four an able seaman; and, in the absence of other proof, the applicant may be required to make oath as to the service he has seen at sea. All recruits who may be found qualified for transfer to the Navy will be retained at the depôt until the decision of the Army or Department Commander is made known. Each Commanding General of an Army or Department which has been required to furnish a quota for transfer to the Navy, will at once designate one or more officers, as may be required, to examine the applications and determine from them, according to the qualifications of the applicants and the number to be furnished, what men shall be transferred to the Navy, care being taken that the transfer enlistments shall be so apportioned among the companies of each command that no Regiment shall be reduced below the minimum organization. As fast as selections are made, the men selected for transfer will be sent to the designated stations in the most expeditious manner, under suitable conduct; and the officer in charge of each detachment will be furnished with complete descriptive lists, containing statements of the pay, bounty, and clothing received and due, which will be turned over with the men to the Commandant of the station. Upon being accepted at the Naval station, the men will be dropped from the rolls of their companies as transferred to the Navy by enlistment; but if rejected for physical disability or for not having seen the prescribed sea service, they will be sent back to their Companies; and if guilty of fraud or misrepresentation in their applications, the expense of transportation will be charged against their pay. Weekly reports of the men transferred under the provisions of this order will be made to the Adjutant General of the Army. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR: W. A. NICHOLS, Assistant Adjutant Generai. OFFICIAL: Assistant Adjutant General. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 92. Washington, March 5, 1864. The following Joint Resolution by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America is published for the information of the Army and all concerned: PUBLIC RESOLUTION-No. 16. JOINT RESOLUTION to continue the payment of Bounties. Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the bounties authorized to be paid under existing laws, and by regulations and orders of the War Department, to veterans re enlisting or persons enlisting in the regular or volunteer service of the United States for three years or during the war, shall continue to be paid from the first day of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, to the first day of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, anything in any law or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding; the said bounties to be paid out of any moneys. already appropriated for such purposes. Approved March 3, 1864. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR: W A. NICHOLS, Assistant Adjutant General. OFFICIAL: No. 96. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Arms and Camp Equipage of Furloughed Regiments. 1. When veteran volunteer regiments are sent on furlough, the men of the regiments who go home will take their arms and accoutrements with them to the State rendezvous, where they will be left in store until the regiment assembles again at the expiration of its furlough. 2. The Superintendent of the Recruiting Service will detail as many reliable regimental officers as may be necessary to remain at the rendezvous in charge of the arms and accoutrements thus left, and will immediately report to the Adjutant General the names of the officers detailed. They will receive their furloughs after the regiment returns to the rendezvous. 3. The officers detailed to take charge of this property will be held strictly accountable that it is preserved in good order. They will exchange invoices and receipts for the same, on which the condition of each article will be noted, and will make a special return of it to the Adjutant General, on which the regiments and companies to whom it belongs will be specified. 4. At the expiration of the furlough granted the regiment, the arms and accoutrements will again be turned over to the regimental and company officers, who should be responsible for them when in the hands of the men; and they will be responsible that when the men return to the Army, their arms and accoutrements shall return with them in serviceable condition. 5. This order is not intended to apply to men furloughed as individuals when their regiments do not re-enlist, who will turn in their arms and accoutrements to the officer responsible therefor before they leave their companies. 6. The camp and garrison equipage of a furloughed regiment will be properly cared for until its return, according to orders which may be given by the commanders in the field. - BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR: E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant General. |