Regimental Orders of the 5/60th

(Yes, this is a whole year earlier than where we are in-game time - but they're still fun! Spelling and punctuation as in the original.)

Cork Harbour, on board the "Malabar", June 27th 1808

As there is every reason to imagine that the battalion will shortly be honoured with an opportunity of distinguishing itself in the field, the Commanding Officer feels it his duty to recall the attention of the younger part of the officers to the absolute necessity of making themselves acquainted with the several duties of the outposts, that they may be enabled to lead and instruct the men entrusted to their care. He also expects they will seriously consider that any neglect on their part before the enemy may cause the most fatal consequences, (from the particular service allotted to the battalion) not only to themselves but to the whole army

He doubts not their own good sense will point out to the the necessity of impressing upon their minds that vigilance and activity are the first duties required from an officer on an outpost, and hopes they will not lose the opportunity or profiting by the advice which may be given to them by such of their brother officers who have had the advantage of acquiring experience upon actual service.

The men are to understand that by the maintenance of order and discipline we can alone look forward to a successful opposition to the designs of an enemy; they must on every occasion conform with alacrity to the orders of their officers, and as great fatigue is often connected with the duties of Light troops, they must cheerfully submit, and bear like men the hardships attending a soldier's life. He feels convinced of their bravery and is satisfied that they will never yield in that respect to any troops in His Majesty's service.

The true "Rifleman" will never fire without being sure of his man, he should if possible make use of forced balls and only load with cartridges in case of necessity, as when a brisk fire is to be kept up. And he will recollect that a few well-directed shots, that tell, will occasion greater confusion than thousands fired at random and without effect, which will only make the enemy despise our fire and inspire him with confidence in proportion as he finds us deficient in skill and enterprise.

It is particularly recommended to the men, and will be strictly enforced, to behave with humanity to the people in an enemy's country and not to plunder or destroy their houses or attempt their lives, without the most urgent necessity, or an order to that effect. Interest and humanity both require the maintenance of a strict discipline, as the only way to conciliate the minds of the people, and to make them our friends. A contrary conduct, besides all other disadvantages attending, will certainly reflect strongly on the credit of the Corps.

It is the duty of every officer carefully to provide for the wants of his men. This, he may be assured, will give him their confidence and esteem, and on some particular occasion the maxim may be adopted that, "necessity knows no law;" but it must never be forgotten, that the "laws" are again in force the moment that necessity ceases, and the officers will recollect that the wants of their men are not to be provided for by allowing individuals to plunder or maraud.

The officers should endeavour to learn the capacities and characters of their men that they may employ them to the best advantage; this may be easily done by conversing with them and hearing their opinion and sentiments on different subjects.

The Commanding Officer will feel sincere pleasure in recommending and rewarding all such non-commissioned officers and men as may distinguish themselves by their good conduct in the field; but if, on the contrary, any man should be guilty of cowardice, desertion, or any other such infamous crime as may reflect on the credit of the Corps, he will show no mercy to such an offender, but use every exertion to bring him to the punishment he deserves.

Major W. G. Davy, 5 Batt' 60th Rifles

(More - excerpts only because these were not reproduced in their entirety in my source. And annoyingly my source refers to other orders without quoting them at all. Flippin' Victorians!! The Major referred to is Major Davy, senior Major of the 5/60th and therefore in command of the battalion.)

9th November 1808:

The Major, as yet, has had much reason to be satisfied with the behaviour of the men on the march, and only regrets the the misconduct of a few individuals should have reflected on the character of the whole; he strongly recommends a continuance of that meritorious conduct which has procured them the good wishes of the inhabitants of the towns in Portugal through which they have passed; and doubts not that they will, together with himself, see the necessity of more particularly conciliating the good-will of the Spanish nation, into whose territory the battalion is about to march.

13th November 1808, Villa de Pedro Alonzo,

It is with deep concern that the Major discharges a most painful part of his duty, that of announcing to the battalion that in consequence of the misbehaviour of the five companies detached they have been sent back to Lisbon; under these distressing circumstances the Major calls upon every individual of the regiment to use his utmost effort to vindicate and maintain the well-merited reputation which the battalion has acquire in the field, and doubts not that with the cordial co-operation of the whole they will be able to do away with that disgrace which must therefore otherwise for ever reflect upon the character of the battalion.

This order to be read in German.