21 September 1861

Saturday, 21st E.I.R.B. Cron. 18 Corth. 2. Nothing of importance to day.

[orders and circulars Loren would, or should, have seen concurrent with his diary entries...]
General Order No. 12, Head Quarters US Forces, Paducah, Ky, sept 21st, 1861
1st - The commanding general has had occasion to notice that no common system of instruction in Infantry Exercises is practiced by the Regiments ; in some a mixture of two systems is observed. To obviate this it is directed that until further orders the system to be followed will be that commonly called "Hardees Infantry Tactics."
2nd - The forms proscribed in the Regulations for the army for Parades, Reviews, Guard Mounting &c. will be strictly observed merely changing such command therein directed as to make them conformable to "Hardees Tactics" (so called) when necessary.
3rd - It is earnestly desired that commanding Officers of the Regiments would pursue the system of instructions pointed out in the Tactics of requiring officers to recite to them from day to day until all are familiar with their respective duties.
4th - It is the intention of the Commanding General commencing with the ensuing week to review each regiment in turn on the level ground near the Marine Hospital.
By order of Brig Genl C. F. Smith