Major-General George McClellan, General Orders No. 48 on Chaplains and the Army, November 27, 1861

General Orders No. 48:

HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 1861.

The Sunday-morning company inspections prescribed by article thirty, Revised Army Regulations, will hereafter be made at eight o'clock A. M. Congress having by law provided for the employment of chaplains for the army, it was no doubt designed, and the General Commanding directs, that no officer place obstacles in the way of a proper exercise of the functions of their offices. It is therefore ordered, that in future the Sunday-morning services will commence at eleven o'clock, unless manifest military reasons prevent. Commanding officers will see that all persons connected with their commands, when not on guard or other important duty requiring their constant attention, have the opportunity afforded them of attending divine service.

The second article of war earnestly recommends all officers and soldiers diligently to attend divine service, and attaches a penalty for irreverent behavior while at the place of worship.

Chaplains will at all times he permitted to visit the camps, quarters, and hospitals within the limits of the commands to which they are attached, to hold free and uninterrupted intercourse with the officers and soldiers off duty. Chaplains will not in future he required to appear at reviews or inspections, as it is believed their time and services may be more profitably employed elsewhere.

It is enjoined upon all persons connected with the army to preserve at all times a respectful deportment toward chaplains, and to give them a hearty cooperation in their efforts to promote and improve the moral condition of the army.


By command of Major-Gen. McCLELLAN 
S. Williams, Assist.-Adjt.-Gen.