GENERAL ORDERS, \     WAR DEPARTMENT,
                   \          Adjutant General's Office,
      No. 55.      )               Washington, February 12, loot.

  Upon  the  death of a Commissioned Officer, in  a general  hospital,
the Surgeon  in charge, besides forwarding to the Adjutant General the
required inventory of his  effects, will immediately inform the nearest
relative of the officer what effects were left by him.  If at the expira-
tion of two months the articles are not called for by a person author-
ized to receive them, they will be sold at auction, and the proceeds sent
to the Treasury, as prescribed by Regulations for the effects of enlisted
men.   Swords,  watches, trinkets,  and articles of that class will not be
disposed of in this manner, but will be properly labeled with the name,
rank, and regiment, and date of  death  of the owner, and sent to the
Adjutant General's Office, to be deposited with  the Second Auditor of
the Treasury to await the  application of the heirs.

  By order of the Secretary of War :
                                          E.  D.  TOWNSEND,
                                       Assistant Adjutant General.
  Official:
Assistant Adjutant General